Category: Communication

  • Is Government Overhaul Possible? Lessons and Suggestions

    Is Government Overhaul Possible? Lessons and Suggestions

    For as long as I can remember I have voiced concerns about the bloat in our Federal Government. The unnecessary red tape. Duplication of efforts between departments. The inability for the right hand to make a decision without the left hand’s permission.

    The bloat does not exist at just the Federal Government levels. I am going to use the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles as an example.

    I moved to Florida directly after the height of Covid. Florida, a well-known non-believer state, still made changes to the way they did business.

    I needed obtain a Florida driver’s license and car registration. First, I went on line find the documents I needed and the process to follow .I found all the information I needed. Guessing it took someone all of three minutes to write the instructions.:
    1) Schedule an appointment.
    2)Arrive 5 minutes early.

    3) Sign in.
    4) Wait to be called upon.
    5) Bring proof of address and current driver’s license.
    6) Bring a method of payment.

    I made my appointment. Morning of, I gathered my paperwork and went to the DMA. I got there early. I signed in. I waited exactly five minutes before I was called. A young woman brought me into her office, following a specific path. We sat at her desk. She collected my information. Had me pick out a license plate style. Within 10 minutes I had my car registered. plates in hand.

    As memory serves, she then gave me an eye screening at her desk. We processed more paperwork. I wrote her a check and she escorted me out. I was out of the DMV in less than 20 minutes.

    Come to learn that they slimmed down the process to avoid unnecessary contact with other people. A Covid concession.

    I filled out the same paperwork. I paid the same amount of money. I saw 3 fewer people. Spent less time. I walked out with my car registration and a new drivers license.

    If the DMV can figure out how to streamline their processes, any government entity can. The DMV had no choice but to make a system. It had to accomplish their goals. It also needed to meet the requirements of their customers without negatively impacting the outcomes.

    Now let us look at what has happened thus far with the Elon Musk led effort to trim the government.

    He did not know the role each department plays. He did not know who works in each division of each department. He did not know the roles and responsibilities of the workers. He just cut. He knew department names, knew which departments he or Trump did not like. He cut.

    In his willy-nilly manner, he has terminated people that were needed, and they had to rehire. He terminated people in critical positions that, when vacated, problems started to occur. Live has been lost.

    Am I okay with a thinning of the Government payroll? Yes. Is there redundancies that are not needed. 100%.

    You do not let a blindman with a machete perform open heart
    surgery.

    The approach Musk is using to dismantle the government bloat is blindman with a machete. He isn’t removing bloat. He is removing what he wants to. The goal of his actions should be a leaner, more effective, more efficient government.

    What needs to happen for DOGE to be effective is clear. First off DOGE needs to become an official department. As it is now, everything being done is illegal.

    Once an official department, Musk must be properly vetted, as required by law.

    If DOGE is just a government contacting job, Musk or one of his businesses can bid to get the job. Just like any other company wanting a government contact.


    Trump has given Musk carte blanche to do what he wants, awarding him with new contracts. Trump is basing many of these cutback decisions and information provided by Musk. Information that is consistently being proven as overreaches and blatant lies. A clearer case of conflict of interest has never been seen in any government process.

    What should happen?
    1) DOGE becomes a department
    2) Musk is vetted and approved
    3) Each Department given 3 months two create a reduction plan. These plans include the following:
    a) A detailed description of every single function they carry out.
    b) A detailed list of all job descriptions, down to the specific roles and responsibilities of the workers.
    c) A list of all employees, with their job GS level, job descriptions and latest performance review. (Instead of using names, each employee file is coded with only a department name, job title and code).

    Each department is given 3 months to create detailed instructions on how each of their tasks are performed. If someone does something, that something gets documented in a detailed process document.

    We now have detailed departmental information. We have detailed job descriptions. We have a list of everyone doing each job. We have a list of all the processes being followed. The next 3 months are used to identify redundant work efforts, tagging those jobs (NOT PEOPLE JOBS) that overlap.

    Each job is rated on a critical scale of 1 to 10. 10 being he pushes the button on the nukes to 1 being the person that cleans the Congressional snuff room.

    Job are then ranked. Aassessments done to determine how many people are needed to maintain a proper service and safety standard.

    Within the next month, knowing how many positions for each job are needed, a review of the employees is done. Based on job performance only, the top performers are maintained.

    The last month, everyone not on the maintained employee status list, is terminated. The termination date will be based on:
    1) How long it will take to reposition the role.
    2) The value of the position .
    3) The quality of the detailed process documents.

    ONE YEAR to properly prepare, organize and execute a fully functioning plan. A plan that identifies government work force reduction by anywhere from 10 to 40%.

    Also, during this year, put in a hiring freeze. No replacement employees at ANY LEVEL. Someone is are fired, quits, retires, or otherwise no longer remains on government payroll, no replacement.

    There should be no savings goal. There should be no workforce reduction goal. The only goal should be:

    “Create a government work force structure that effectively, efficiently serves the needs of the United States of America.”

    When making cuts and changes, prioritize jobs that serve people, not paperwork.


    Accuracy can not surfer. Accountability must increase. Standards must be improved.

    Cutting government spending should not start at the citizen’s needed program level. Cuts should begin at the highest levels and trickle top down. How many undersecretaries are really needed for any one Department? How many Congressional aides are really needed?

    Once government redundancies are eliminated, costs are contained. As things are right sized, there will be sufficient funds. This will avert the extensive program reductions being discussed.

    Think about a government serving its people. It should aim to give each person the MOST. This needs to be done while spending the least.

    There exists a need to make cuts. But there is a way to go about it.

    Where there is vision there is success.

    Where there is a blind man with a machete, there is only blood.

    We are awash in the blood being drawn by a blind man.

  • What Does America Stand For Today?

    What Does America Stand For Today?

    The concern should not be party. The concern should be America. What does America stand for? Does the countries’ world standing matter? Does the Constitution hold water? Is the rule of law still something, albeit not perfect, that America wants upheld? Do we want to be a country that our allies can count on and our enemies guard against? Do the American people want to hold dear the values, morals, common sense thinking that enabled 13 Colonies to become the greatest country in the world? Does America want to remain a free and democratic society?

    Do the American people want their speech to be free? Do they want their representative to be honest? Do they want discourse engaged with intelligent and respectful disagreement?

    Can the American people accept that the monied rule the roost? Can they accept that businesses are more important than people? Is greed valued more than the health and welfare for all?

    Is the population willing to accept that the best of us are no longer interested in leading? Those willing to run are not always the most fit to lead. They are certainly not the most qualified.

    These questions are not to be answered by parties, but by people.

    At night, lights out, kids in bed, spouses in the shower, the dog in its house. If each one of us answered those questions honestly, most of America would share the same understanding. We need to vow to work toward change.

    It is not the Democrats responsibility to fix the Republican party. It is not the responsibility of the Republicans to bail out the Democrats. It is not the responsibility of the Independents to get off their fence and make real choices.

    It is up to all of us, regardless of race, color, or religion, to look inside. We need to explore what we want for our friends, family, and loved ones. We must also consider how we want the next 100 years to look.

    Then with heads clear and hearts aligned, we work towards the America that the vast majority of us want. We strive to be treated with respect. No opinion should matter more than any other. We aim to build a home, a family, and a community where each person is free. Each person can work to be their best. They aren’t swayed by those who think or feel differently.

    The reality is, being an American is a pretty easy job. Wake up each day. Live your own life. Treat others as you want to be treated. Work well. Love with lasting intent. Do the little things that make America America.

  • Understanding Restaurant Hours: When Is It Too Late?

    Understanding Restaurant Hours: When Is It Too Late?

    Every now and again you may hear people talking about an experience they have at a restaurant.

    Here is a sample scenario.

    The restaurant has posted hours of 10:00 AM to 10 PM. The restaurant hours are posted on their website, their Yelp page and on their front window.

    A person, couple or group walk in at 9:55 PM expecting to be served.

    Here is the typical battle.

    Some people think the person, couple or group are out of line expecting the restaurant to serve them so close to closing time.

    Some people think that since the restaurant is open, a person, couple, or group walking in a few minutes before they close is fine.

    Before taking sides, lets restate the obvious.

    According to the restaurant’s published information, they are open from 10 AM – 10 PM. The restaurant is open, preparing food and ready to accommodate customers.

    A person, couple or group walking into an open business has a legitimate expectation of being served.

    The arguments made by those who believe “customers are out of line for walking in so late ” make several points. First, the kitchen is already in the process of cleaning up. Second, the staff wants to get home when their shift is over. Third, how fresh can the food actually be just a few minutes before closing? Finally, just because a place is open, doesn’t mean that they are cooking.

    The argument being made by the “restaurant is open, a person or couple or group walking in at any time is fine” is simple:
    * If you say you’re open, you’re open.

    Of course a restaurant has the right to refuse any business. If they really do not want to serve people at 9:55 PM, they just need to inform the customers. They can simply say that the kitchen is closed. It is fair. It is understandable. It just does not make them right.

    The person that greets the customers first can simply say “since it’s so late there is just a very limited menu available.”  That limited menu could be true. However, because the hours do not state the limited menu with its later hours, it is not being advertised correctly.

    What’s the most reasonable way to handle these late night feasters?

    A simple change to the restaurant signage, an update to it’s website and it’s Yelp page.

    “Open at 10 AM – 10 PM. LAST SEATING AT 9:30PM”

    This simple change makes it clear. The restaurant opens its doors at 10 AM. It closes its doors at 10 PM. No customers will be seated after 9:30 PM.

    Believe it or not, I have been vilified for making that suggestion on other threads. No one can tell me why that is a bad idea. By simply adding LAST SEATING AT offers clear communication. It gives the staff a proper reason for rejecting the 9:55 PM customer. It also educates potential customers to avoid false expectations.

    Another alternative would be a sign that says:
    Open from 10 AM – 10 PM, Limited Menu after 9:00 PM.

    Like the previous suggestion, this wording sets accurate expectations for staff and customers alike.

    Until things change, a restaurant should expect to serve customers during their posted hours. If seating someone at 9:59PM is something you do, serve them.

    It would be nice for people not to walk into a restaurant 3 minutes before closing. Can you blame a hungry customer for wanting to give a business money during their posted hours of operation? Especially if you let them in, seat them and hand them menus?

    What do you think?

  • Rethinking Tipping: A Service-Based Approach

    Rethinking Tipping: A Service-Based Approach


    My first job out of school was as a tipped employee. I was a bellman at a hotel. I was paid a whopping $2.01 an hour, plus tips.

    Unlike servers or bartenders that are tipped based on menu prices, bellmen weren’t tipped based   on hotel room rates. If we were I would still be working as a bellman.

    Back then, in the early 1980’s a dollar a bag was the standard tip rate for a bellman. If a small cart was used, the expected tip was $3. If a large cart was used, $5 was the expected tip.

    Fewer hotels have bell staff these days, but I would imagine that the expected tip rate is about the same.  Why? It’s easy to calculate, the level of effort to move bags hasn’t changed and tipping isn’t a legal requirement.

    Don’t feel sorry for bellmen or doormen. The bigger hotels, especially in big cities, are easily pulling in $75,000 or more a year.  Oh, it doesn’t get declared for taxes, but they are doing fine. 

    I worked in a suburban hotel. I was making good money (not downtown money, but good money.  I also paid taxes on my tips.

    Back in the early 80’s a restaurant server expected a tip of 10% of the menu price, total bill. Over time that expectation became 15%, then 20%. For whatever reason some servers now expect 25%.

    You go to a hotel, a bellman carries 4 bags, you tip $4.  You go to the hotel restaurant. You tip 20% of some arbitrary menu price. This doesn’t reflect anything about the quantity or quality of work the server actually does.  

    Let’s use another industry and their prices as a comparison.

    You go to the local gas station. Monday gas is $3.33. Tuesday $3.18. Wednesday $3.05, and Thursday gas is $3.45.

    Pretend you live in New Jersey. You get all your gas on the Turnpike. Pretend that you have to tip 10% of the price per gallon.  That’s $0.33 Monday, $0.31 Tuesday, $0.30 Wednesday and $0.34 on Thursday per gallon.  

    Did the person pumping gas on Wednesday for a $0.30 per gallon tip work harder than he or she did on Thursday when tipped $0.34 per gallon? They did the exact same thing. They were tipped based on arbitrary prices. This had nothing to do with service or level of effort.  That makes NO sense.

    That is the world of restaurants today. A tipping system that makes no sense.

    Yet no one seemingly wants to end the tipping game.


    Why would the owners? They get to not pay their staff. Why would the servers? They get to change the standard of what is expected. The government is treated to lots of goodies from the lobbyists and we know politicians won’t walk away from freebies. The Unions should protect their members. Instead, unions are a business wanting to ensure employees can pay their dues. Consumers just want to eat food that hasn’t been spit in.  

    So who is going to propose a change? Me.

    Instead of ending tipping, let us make tipping a service driven earned income vs menu based given.

    For example:
    A party of 4 goes to a restaurant. The server goes to the table to take drink orders. They deliver the drinks. Then, they take appetizer orders and deliver the appetizers. They get dinner orders and deliver dinner. They then take coffee or dessert orders and deliver them. The server refills drinks twice and drops off the check.  That’s 13 trips to the table. Let pretend each interaction lasts an average of 1 minute.  AVERAGE.

    That’s 13 minutes worth of customer face time. Add in the trip time from kitchen or bar and back to the table, another 13 minutes.

    Each person pays $0. 20 cents a trip and $0.05 for the walk time to and from the kitchen.  Each person would pay $3.25 in tip, total table would tip $13.00.  The server would make $13 for roughly 26 minutes of work. Extrapolate that over an hour and a server would make just about $30 an hour.

    Most servers work at least 3 tables at a time. A server could earn $90 an hour based on their actual work. They would earn this money and menu prices would no longer matter.

    The harder working Denny’s server could make just as much money as Ruth’s Chris Server.

    Yes, smaller parties would pay less, larger parties would make more. Yes, the customer would need to track the number of visits to the table. The per table visit pay scale incentivizes the server to provide more attentive service. Since even under this process, paying the server just because they showed up would be optional.

     Servers would now have a real incentive to provide quality and quantity service. Quality and quantity, two things that aren’t required now.

    Restaurants that use food expediters would take part in the tip pool. Drink fillers would also participate. They would still work on the same systems and percentage scale they use now.

    Taxes would also be reported the same as always.

    If every person who does anything for you is asking for a tip, say no. Only tip if you feel they actually earned it. It’s time to shut down these ever-increasing number of hands that want to be tipped.

    Sorry hot dog concession stand at cashless stadiums. You don’t get tipped for not moving to hand me a hot dog.

    Sorry 7-11 clerk, you selling me a Big Gulp I poured myself doesn’t earn you a tip.

    Sorry cashier. You didn’t walk more than 2 feet to grab a pack of cigarettes or a box of condoms. You don’t get a tip either.

    There is an easy way to make the service industry better. The pay can be more stable. Tipping can also be quantified and measured.

    Don’t you think it’s time?

  • Trump’s First Day: A Groundbreaking Administration or a Failed Promise?

    Trump’s First Day: A Groundbreaking Administration or a Failed Promise?



    On Monday, January 20th, 2025, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. The event takes place inside the warmth of the Capital Rotunda.

    If Trump does what he says he is going to do, his first day in office will be groundbreaking. The day promises to be the most successful first day of any President’s Administration.

    By 11:59 PM, January 20, 2025, Trump claims a massive deportation program will be instituted. People will start heading back “home.”
    “On Day One, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out,” Trump said at his Madison Square Garden rally on Oct. 28

    Mind you, if he were to do this, it would be impossible to do in one day. Even if done over time, prices would spike. Supplies of foods, other goods, and services would diminish. The U.S. Economy, now the strongest in the world, would collapse.

    “On Day One of the Trump administration, I will terminate Kamala’s insane electric vehicle mandate, and we will end the new green scam once and for all. The green new scam will end,” Trump said at a rally in October.

    With Elon Musk telling Trump what do to, this will not happen. Musk will not allow Trump to crash his financial wealth and security. Plus, there are already hundreds of permits held for oil and natural resources. These permits are not being used; it helps keep costs up, supply in check. Trump could open the entire US for drilling. Wouldn’t matter. No one is going to be drilling unless it is to sell found resources on the open, international market. The benefit to the US consumer? None.

    Trump said at a rally in September, “The moment we win, we will rapidly review the cases of every political prisoner unjustly victimized by the Harris regime. And I will sign their pardons on Day One.”

    More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the attack on the Capitol. For the party of law and order”, allowing 1,500 convicts free does not seem to be a very just decision. Just because a Convict is President, does not mean every other convict should be walking the streets.

    Trump said he would end the War in Ukraine, AKA the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Trump has no power or authority to end the invasion. He would just hand everything Russia wanted to his friend Putin. That is not happening because the rest of the world would not allow it.

    He is already starting to reverse the promises he made to his voters. Eggs will not be free. Groceries will not be cheaper. Gas prices are up based on the market knowing he is taking over. His own history shows he won’t close boarders. Mexico will fund nothing.

    Besides, how could he get all those goals accomplished? He is going to be busy waging war against Panama, Greenland, Canada, American Democracy, the Middle and Lower classes and the US Constitution?

    The people voted a clown to office. Now we get to welcome the entire circus.

  • Understanding Rule Enforcement in Common Ownership Communities

    Understanding Rule Enforcement in Common Ownership Communities

    Enforcement:
    The act of compelling observance or or compliance with a law, rule or obligation.

    Common Ownership Communities are flush with rules and regulations. Community governing documents should clearly outline the rules that owners and residents must adhere to.

    Before buying a home in a Common Ownership Community, the community gives the new owner a copy of their bylaws. The new owner also receives all other governing documents.

    The new owner, as part of their buying agreement, commits to following the rules established for the community. Everyone in a community lives under the same regulations. Yet in every community there are those owners that elect not to live by the rules.

    For whatever reason, some think the rules do not apply to them. Well, they do.

    The challenge in a Common Ownership Community and its rules is enforcement. Are the rules upheld consistently, fairly, and timely?

    The answer in most cases is no. It is that inconsistency that creates community discord.

    Why don’t communities do a better job of consistently enforcing their rules and regulations? There are several reasons.
    1. No dedicated volunteer staff
    2. No 24 x 7 monitoring, especially important for parking issues
    3. Lack of community awareness of the rules and regulations
    4. No enforcement process
    5. Bylaws, rules, and regulations that are outdated, no longer reflecting the realities of the community
    6. Bylaws, rules, and regulations that are not clear with the rule
    7. Owner apathy
    8. Board of Director frustration with consistently non-compliant owners

    Roads have speed limits. We see drivers speeding. Only 1% of drivers get pulled over each year. Why? Because enforcement officers cannot see every infraction, every day.

    Common Ownership Communities are the same. We all have rules that are being broken almost daily in our communities. Enforcement does not or cannot seem all. Enforcement may not even know about rules being broken. Without seeing something or knowing something, enforcement becomes a catch as catch can situation.

    How can community rule enforcement be improved?
    1. Review and update all governing documents on a regular basis
    2. Have clear enforcement processes and procedures, including who will be responsible for enforcement and when
    3. Impose fines for each rule infraction
    4. Revoke rights or privileges
    5. Take legal action

    If you see a rule violation, report it.
    If you are sited for a rules violation, review your community documents and deal with the issue.
    Try to be more understanding. The rules apply to everyone, but not everyone will always be caught when there is a violation.

    You live in a Common Ownership Community. You owe it to your neighbors and yourself to be a good steward.

  • The Impact of Poor Customer Service on Business

    The Impact of Poor Customer Service on Business

    I currently reside in the city where “Hospitality has gone to die”.

    Sure doesn’t make much of a license plate quote, but it sure is accurate.

    But I don’t think it’s just here. I think the customer is a problem is a wide spread issue.

    I bought my home almost 4 years ago. Since then, I have required the services of electricians and plumbers. I’ve also needed A/C, washer, and dryer repair people. I have also needed delivery people, movers and landscapers. Honestly, if I gave it more thought I am sure I could add to that list. Exterminators, trappers, pond maintenance, roofers, painters, and the list does go on.

    Sadly, I had scheduled appointments with 30 or 40 people or businesses. Only a small percent showed up on time. I would estimate just 15% were punctual.

    You know what all 15% of those businesses have in common?

    They were all hired. All of them. They now have my money.

    You know what the other 85% have in common? Two things. None of them have my money. None of them have my recommendation.

    Why is it that the consumer is not the problem? When did the consumer become the bane to success?

    I always thought that without customers, business would fail.

    Business sure don’t seem to see it that way any more. Even as more and more of them fail.

    How did that happen? Why would anyone allow it? From a business perspective, communication is the EASIEST thing to offer your customer or potential customers.

    If you are running late, call the customer. If you can’t come as scheduled, call the customer. If you decided you don’t want the job, call the customer.

    Promise the customer something, live up to the promise or at the very least have a conversation with the customer. Just communicate.

    A friend of mine was in need of having a fence pushed over. To big a job for her and I, but a very easy task. Total time to do the job 3 minutes.

    She posted the job. She shared the scope of the job, time frame, and what she was going to pay. Several companies said they would do it. She went with the first one that called.

    4 days later and 2 missed appointments, she is re-posting the job. The company she hired elected not to show up. They didn’t call her. She called them. They rescheduled for a time that worked for them. She made it work for her.

    They didn’t show up.
    They didn’t call.

    They won’t be getting her money. They won’t be getting her recommendation.

    Sure, this was a contractor job for a home. The job won’t take long. The Job isn’t going to make this business a fortune.

    Poorly treating a customer will cost them. Not living up to their word will cost them. Failing to communicate in even the simplest forms, such as calling, texting, or email, will cost them.

    In the same place she posted the job she will be sharing her most recent experiences. She will share nothing but facts. She will let people know her experiences share better options than the company that devalued her business.

    This quality of customer disrespect happens all over. Grocery stores, retail of all kinds, restaurants and bars.

    Somehow the consumer has become a nuisance not a partner.
    The customer as been from from valued ally to inconvenience.

    I have written hundreds, if not thousands, of reviews based on my experiences the past 7 years. If I go some place, chances are they are getting a review. My reviews do talk about quality of food or product. But many of my reviews end up taking a customer service .

    Customer service can make a bad product not as bad, especially in restaurants. A good experience can salvage bad food.

    But nothing can overcome bad customer service. You love the car you bought, but the sales person is the reason you will not be recommending the dealership. Customer service.

    The easiest thing any business can do is provide quality customer service. The easiest way to provide quality customer service is to communicate.

    Greet you customer.
    Listen to your customer.
    Understand your customer.
    Live up to the commitments you make to your customer.
    If something changes, talk to your customer

    The rest is of the business is just filler.

    You want my money. Do what you said you were going to do and keep me informed.

    Communicate with respect or fail.

    It’s just not complicated.