Michael Hyatt, the current President/CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing and once upon a time potential manager of my band Guardian, writes one of my favorite blogs on the net.
Allow me to share his blog that shows what happens when common sense meets compassion at the intersection of finance in the workplace. When people are valued over tradition- in this case: "The Dress Code"
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How to Change a Dress Code Policy—in 24 Hours
Often, decision-making in corporations crawls along at a snail’s pace. Or so it seems. But occasionally, when the right idea surfaces at the right time, things can move quickly.
On Thursday, October 16, at 4:30 p.m. Gabe Wicks, the VP in charge of our Design and Multimedia Group, sent me an email. He challenged our dress code policy, saying
Given the harsh economic climate, why don’t we help out our employees’ personal expenses while also giving them a positive perk that won’t cost the company a dime? Allowing employees to wear jeans at their discretion would do both. It would certainly reduce dry cleaning costs for most staffers, and it would be a tangible policy change that would lift spirits and give people one more reason to be thankful they have a job, particularly with a company that sincerely cares about them, their finances and their comfort at work.
I replied seven minutes later to Gabe and Jim Thomason, our VP of Human Resources. I told them both that I loved the idea. Jim replied a few minutes later and suggested that we poll the executive leadership team. We gave them a “negative option,” telling them that we were going to announce the change on Friday afternoon unless they objected. I wanted for our employees to go into the weekend with some positive news.
By noon on Friday, we had heard from everyone on the executive team. Jim sent out a “Dress Code Change” announcement at 1:30 p..m., less than 24 hours from the time Gabe first presented the idea.
An hour later Jim reported back that his email was “lit up with thank-you notes.” More than one employee said to him, “This is the best news I have heard in weeks?” Wow.
Last week, in honor of our new dress code, I wore jeans every single day. I loved how much more productive I felt. I don’t know if it was the jeans per se or just the change of pace. Regardless, I like it.
Why do you think most people responded so positively to such a seemingly small change in our dress code? What other small changes could we make that would have a big impact?
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I think work attire (and even church attire) is pretty much a costume. I wonder what would happen if we put away the pretentious wardrobes and encouraged people to be more authentic. aka: "Real".
Mike's experience showed more productivity and a more positive atmosphere.
-jamie
¶ 10/28/2008 0 Comments
I saw this on Bob Lefsetz's newsletter today. The information in this clip proved to me that the world my kids will soon be thrust into (when they reach adulthood) will be significantly different than the world today. As an Internet marketer/social media director, this is exciting. Opportunities are abundant! It's also a wake up call to anyone who thinks they can coast on previous knowledge. We must never stop learning.
Click the link below to watch this informative video. It's approx 5 Minutes.
This video was produced by the Sony Corp. for its annual Executive meeting held in June, 2008.
http://release.theplatform.com/content.select?pid=x7aVOMrlfkkijQwcLllwk6WjB5JE0zrF
Labels: computers, innovation, itunes, jamie, jamierowe, media, music, rowe, tech, thoughts, video
¶ 10/27/2008 0 Comments
"I'm not against McCain, I'm for Obama." Bill Ruckelshaus, served in the Nixon and Reagan administrations
Over the years, I have tried to not be too publicly open about my political thoughts. But after receiving a large amount of anti-Obama mailings, flyers, emails, etc, I have decided to "go public".
First off, I want to say that I am a Republican. I have voted basically a straight party ticket each election since I was 18. I feel voting is not an option, it's a duty. My root ideals are in line with Republican values.
Secondly, this will be the first time I will not be voting for the Republican nominee for President. I will, in fact, cast my Presidential vote for Barack Obama. Why? A number of reasons. Mainly, I don't feel the Bush administration has provided the leadership required in today's volatile world. I don't see a real difference between Mr. McCain and the current administration. BTW- My wife seriously disagrees with me and is supporting McCain.
I don't feel like we can take a new term of continued failed policies.
The reason I am speaking out on this is the fact that it seems this past week I have been BOMBARDED by anti-Obama propaganda. It's all fear driven. Not ONE PIECE of literature has explained why I should vote for McCain. It has only told me that I shouldn't vote for Obama. I got one item saying that Obama was dangerous because he knew William Ayers. Does anyone remember moral majority leader Jerry Fallwell ? He was public about his odd friendship with pornographer Larry Flynnt...Why didn't anyone accuse him of being a pornographer? Then I saw a flyer saying that Obama was part of a Jewish conspiracy to take over the government. Wow, really? Tell that to those who send out emails (usually to other like minded scared folks) saying "Did you know Obama is a Muslim?" (* Side note, John McCain exhibited high class when he corrected a lady in Minnesota recently about Mr. Obama being "an Arab" -correcting her and then giving him props as a family man. The video can be seen here.)
Again, I sense the fear. Mr. McCain seems like a good guy. I have serious respect for his military service. But I think his campaign is doing more harm than good by letting on that they don't think he has the appeal needed to win. So they are going to try to discredit the other candidate. Remember when we tell our children "putting someone else down doesn't make you look better?" This rule applies here too.
I also feel the underlying pulse of bigotry/racism in this election. The fact remains that there are closet "hate mongers" who just will not vote Obama because of dark pigment. That type of ignorance is truly disheartening. (Yet another side note...I am thrilled that those folks are going to have to vote for an African-American or a female either way...makes me smile.)
Ok, I know political talk can be polarizing. I just needed to speak my mind on this. I identify myself as a "Republican For Obama". There is a website for folks like me- republicansforobama.org
Have a great week!
jamie
Here are a few other Republicans you may or may not know have joined team Obama:
Elected Officials:
Jim Leach, Former Congressman from Iowa
"For me, the national interest comes before party concerns, particularly internationally. We do need a new direction in American policy, and Obama has a sense of that."
Lincoln Chafee, Former United States Senator from Rhode Island
"As I look at the candidates in order who to vote for, certainly my kind of conservatism was reflected with Senator Obama, and those points are that we're fiscally conservative, we care about revenues matching expenditures, we also care about the environment, I think it's a traditional conservative value to care about clean air and clean water."
William Weld, Former Governor of Massachusetts
"It's not often you get a guy with his combination of qualities, chief among which I would say is the deep sense of calm he displays, and I think that's a product of his equally deep intelligence."
Arne Carlson, Former Governor of Minnesota
"I think we have in Barack Obama the clear possibility of a truly great president. I would contend that it's the most important election of my lifetime."
Wayne Gilchrest, Congressman from Maryland
"We can't use four more years of the same kind of policy that's somewhat haphazard, which leads to recklessness."
Larry Pressler, Former Senator from South Dakota
"I just got the feeling that Obama will be able to handle this financial crisis better, and I like his financial team of [former Treasury Secretary Robert] Rubin and [former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul] Volcker better."
Richard Riordan, Former Mayor of Los Angeles
"I'm still a Republican, but I still will always vote for the person who I think will do the best job."
Lowell Weicker, Former Governor and Senator from Connecticut
"At issue is not the partisan politics of two parties, rather the image we have of ourselves as Americans. Senator Obama brings wisdom, kindness, and common sense to what is both his and our quest for a better America."
Jim Whitaker, Fairbanks, Alaska Mayor
"If we are as a nation concerned with energy, then our consideration should be a national energy policy that is not predicated on crude oil 50 years into the future. We need to get to it, and I think Barack Obama is very clear in that regard."
Linwood Holton, Former Governor of Virginia
"Obama has a brain, and he isn't afraid to use it."
Government Officials:
Colin Powell, Secretary of State under Bush 43
"...he has met the standard of being a sucessful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world-- onto the world state, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."
Douglas Kmiec, Head of the Office of Legal Counsel under Reagan & Bush 41
"I was first attracted to government by Ronald Reagan, who lives in our national memory as a great leader and an inspiring communicator. Senator Obama has these gifts as well, but of course, more rhetorical flourish without substance would be worth little. Is there more to Senator Obama? I believe there is."
Charles Fried, Solicitor General of the United States under Reagan
"I admire Senator McCain and was glad to help in his campaign, and to be listed as doing so; but when I concluded that I must vote for Obama for the reason states in my letter, I felt it wrong to appear to be recommending to others a vote that I was not prepared to cast myself."
Jackson M. Andrews, Republican Counsel to the U.S. Senate
"Barack Obama is a thoughtful visionary leader who as President will end the decline of American law, liberty, and fiscal responsibility that are the hallmarks of the extremist policies of the current Administration, now adopted by John McCain."
Susan Eisenhower, Granddaughter of President Eisenhower & President of the Eisenhower Group
"Given Obama's support among young people, I believe that he will be most invested in defending the interests of these rising generations and, therefore, the long-term interests of this nation as a whole."
Francis Fukuyama, Advisor to President Reagan
"...Obama probably has the greatest promise of delivering a different kind of politics."
Rita Hauser, Former White House intelligence advisor under George W. Bush
"McCain will continue the wrong-headed foreign policy decisions of Bush, while Obama will take us in a new direction."
Larry Hunter, Former President Reagan Policy Advisor
"I suspect Obama is more free-market friendly than he lets on. He taught at the University of Chicago, a hotbed of right-of-center thought. His economic advisers, notably Austan Goolsbee, recognize that ordinary citizens stand to gain more from open markets than from government meddling."
Scott McClellan, Former Press Secretary to President George W. Bush
"From the beginning I have said I am going to support the candidate that has the best chance for changing the way Washington works and getting things done and I will be voting for Barack Obama and clapping."
Bill Ruckelshaus, served in the Nixon and Reagan administrations
"I'm not against McCain, I'm for Obama."
Ken Adelman, served in the Ford administration
"The most important decision John McCain made in his long campaign was deciding on a running mate. That decision showed appalling lack of judgment... that selection contradicted McCain's main two, and best two, themes for his campaign-- Country First, and experience counts. Neither can he credibly claim, post-Palin pick."
Lilibet Hagel, Wife of Republican Senator Chuck Hagel
"This election is not about fighting phantom issues churned out by a top-notch slander machine. Most important, it is not about distracting the public-- you and me-- with whatever slurs someone thinks will stick."
Columnists and Academics:
Jeffrey Hart, National Review Senior Editor
"It turns out that these political parties are not always either liberal or conservative, Democratic or Republican. The Democrat, under certain conditions, can be the conservative."
Andrew Bacevich, Professor of International Relations at Boston University
"For conservatives, Obama represents a sliver of hope. McCain represents none at all. The choice turns out to be an easy one."
David Friedman, Economist and son of Milton and Rose Friedman
"I hope Obama wins. President Bush has clearly been a disaster from the standpoint of libertarians and conservatives because he has presided over an astonishing rise in government spending."
Christopher Buckley, Son of National Review founder William F. Buckley & former NR columnist
"Obama has in him-- I think, despite his sometimes airy-fairy 'We are the people we have been waiting for' silly rehtoric-- the potential to be a good, perhaps even great leader. He is, it seems clear enough, what the historical moment seems to be calling for."
Andrew Sullivan, Columnist for the Atlantic Monthly
"Obama's legislative record, speeches, and the way he has run his campaign reveal, I think, a very even temperament, a very sound judgment, and an intelligent pragmatism. Prudence is a word that is not inappropriate to him."
Wick Alison, Former publisher of the National Review
"I made the maximum donation to John McCain during the primaries, when there was still hope he might come to his senses. But I now see that Obama is almost the ideal candidate for this moment in American history."
Michael Smerconish, Columnist for the Philadelphia Enquirer
"...an Obama presidency holds the greatest chance for unifying us here at home and restoring our prestige around the globe."
CC Goldwater, Granddaughter of Barry Goldwater
"Nothing about the Republican tickets offers the hope America needs to regain its standing in the world, that's why we're going to support Barack Obama."
Labels: biden, election, jamie, jamierowe, mccain, obama, palin, potus, president, rove, rowe, thoughts
¶ 10/27/2008 3 Comments
I haven't given an interview in awhile. But the Canadian site JTALK just published a brief one. More about life than music.
Check it out here
or go to http://www.jtalk.ca
Peace y'all.
jamie
¶ 10/23/2008 0 Comments
I've recently been going through a season of searching deeply for truth. In this, I have been finding some things in King James Version scripture that I've missed over the years. And based on friends I have showed this to, most folks have missed these as well. It has provided me a few laughs over the past few days. Just so you know I'm not making this up, I will give a link to the King James Version scripture on Bible Gateway - see for yourself.
"But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?" (II Kings 18:27)
"therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jerobo'am, and will cut off from Jerobo'am him that pisseth against the wall..." (I Kings 14:10)
"And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends." ( I Kings 16:11)
Even though a legalistic Christian would have a full blown self-righteous meltdown if I said "piss", That "vulgar word" is found in every bible sitting in most every hotel room and traditional church in America.
Most "old school" American Christians still prefer the King James Translation. Some have gone as far as to say it's the only God pleasing translation (Ex: King James Only Movement) Next time you hear someone singing "Gimme that Ole Time Religion"...is this what they want? :-)
Keeping the walls dry,
jamie
¶ 10/20/2008 5 Comments
- Just got home from a "wangs night" (aka: $4.00 boneless hot wings at Applebees) with My wife, Pastor Steve and Janet. Always good for laughs. We normally do it every Thursday but decided to have some tonight after small group. Which BTW- I thoroughly enjoyed our small group gathering.
- I am also happy to report that one of my Integrity Music bands currently has the #1 album in New Zealand! Congratulations Parachute Band!
- If you don't follow me on Twitter, well, shame on you! Do it now! Text 'follow jamierowe' to 40404 or go to twitter.com/jamierowe
That's all....
jamie
¶ 10/14/2008 0 Comments
Once upon a time, I was a 21 year old who was touring the United States for the first time with Guardian. Tonight, I saw this clip on youtube that someone posted of Tony Palacios and I doing an unplugged version of 'Never Say Goodbye' at Cornerstone Festival. It was cool for me to see, especially all the goofing off at the end. It was a special time in my life and I can watch this and see the evidence that truly....I was having the time of my life.
jamie
ps- Yes, as pointed out by Heather, I have a "fanny pack" around my waist, it was 1991!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHNJ_kAPsAw
I have just put in a marathon of a work day and I'm going to wind down with a quick thought; Once again, technology simply rocks my world! I was able to keep workflow going with a few random chats today with Betsega -in Integrity's Mobile, AL office as well as a quick moment with Chris who is currently in Hong Kong. The internet and the mobile communications sector have truly made "the office" a global concept.
And on a silly note, I was able to update my twitter/facebook/myspace/linkedIn/etc text status by making a phone call and leaving a voice message.
Google, Apple, and even microsoft continue to empower and impress me. Makes me wonder....what's next?
G'night....I'm really tired.
jamie
Some Random Links:
Integrity Music | twitter | Drudge Report | Vanilla Ice
¶ 10/07/2008 1 Comments
Hello everyone, I hope this week has been a good one for you!
I'm sitting here in my living room with the windows open. The cool air of fall is such a welcome change of pace. Christian and Kaitlyn are performing with the High School Marching Band right now. Heather and Madelyn went to watch. I opted to stay home and try to make progress on a number of fronts. Most of which, I'm sorry to say, are beating me at my own game.
Work=1 Jamie=0
Good thing I love what I do. It makes weeks like this easier to deal with. But if I told you that I never had an "I wish I worked at Target and could earn a decent living" thought this week. We'll... I'd be lying.
I still find myself pining to be a full time recording artist from time to time. But I just don't think that's realistic at this point in my life. I watch music sales dwindle on a daily basis and see bands canceling tours because they can't afford the gasoline without tour support from the label. It's a mess. Fortunately, I still have an audience from the Guardian days who are constantly sending emails of support asking if I'm ever gonna' release something new...or the daily question: Is Guardian going to reform?
Well, I can tell you the Guardian machine has had a number of false re-starts over the past few years. Enough that It's killed most of my excitement. I'm super stoked about the Argentina show in December...Playing with the guys I spent an entire decade with, playing the Guardian songs that folks have been waiting to hear, getting a dose of international travel to offset the often uninspiring surroundings of Southwestern Indiana. But beyond that, I just don't know.
I have many things I'd like to do. One of which is to record a modern worship collection. Something not too far removed from artists I am privileged to work with - Lincoln Brewster, Hillsong United, Paul Baloche, etc.. I'd like to write half the record myself and make the other half worship songs that I love. I'd also like to involve my wife as an equal in the project. It's always in my heart to do, but life is different than it was 10 years ago. Mortgages, SUV payments, general expenses of raising a family of 5, so many things now have become front and center. Earlier this decade, I struggled severely financially. I don't want to be there again.
It's funny, I can give you all those reasons not too, but at the same time I'm thinking, I should just crack down, get Karl Ney to play drums, grab a couple friends from Tree63 and others and just make this record a reality. Who knows.
I love blogging. It only takes about 10 minutes and usually when I sit down to write, I don't have a specific topic. I just write what flows and then sit back and think "hmm"..where did all that come from. Much like songwriting I suppose.
But a blog doesn't make you want to jump around the room playing air guitar and looking delightfully foolish now does it?
:-)
Much love to all of you who read my rants, thoughts, and nonsense!
jamie
Here are some pics:
I took this pic of Heather this week.
Here is one Pam and Kevin Luttrell took of Kaitlyn.
This is me back in the early 90's with my fashion disaster of socks with sandals in Auckland, New Zealand.
Thursday night "hot wangs" with Pastor Steve and Janet is always a highlight of my week. This time Andy came too!
