PlayTime Inc. Team Building & Leadership News

How to Train and Develop "A" Players - Jan. 3, 2007

How to Train and Develop "A" Players - Jan. 3, 2007
	Featuring Howard Stevens - CEO HR Chally - 29 ratings

http://www.sellingpower.com/video/index.asp?date=1/3/2007

Donating my Sonics tickets for those who serve us...

This holiday season, the Sonics and flagship radio station, KTTH 770 AM, are proudly teaming up to celebrate our local military and deliver a priceless experience so richly deserved. We invite you, as a Courtside Season Ticket Holder, to join the effort and contribute to a special evening, Saturday, Dec. 23, for these "Heroes of the Hardwood." We hope you'll provide the assist as we look to share the special experience of sitting courtside with some of these military personnel at the Sonics vs. Toronto Raptors match-up on Dec. 23. This is a rare opportunity for these men and women to enjoy a game from your unrivaled courtside perspective. The donation of your courtside seats for this game, if possible and at your discretion, will make this unique evening a great success story. In addition to our thanks, for each courtside seat you donate back to the Sonics for the Dec. 23 game the Sonics are pleased to provide 4 complimentary lower bowl tickets to your choice of the following games: Saturday, Dec. 23 vs. Toronto; Friday, Jan. 5 vs. New York; Friday, Jan. 12 vs. Utah; Friday, Jan. 19 vs. Milwaukee or Friday, Jan. 26 vs. Minnesota. You may redeem all complimentary tickets for one game or spread them out over multiple games – that's entirely up to you! If you would like to participate in this opportunity to make our local military community's holidays more memorable with the contribution of your Dec. 23 courtside tickets, please contact either Jennifer Tucker at 206-272-2714 or jtucker@sonics-storm.com or Travis Herman at 206-272-2784 or therman@sonics-storm.com. Please call no later than Monday, Dec. 18 so arrangements can be made for receiving your donated tickets and your complimentary tickets can be redeemed for the games of your choosing. The Sonics and KTTH thank you in advance for your support and wish you and yours the very best this holiday season. GO SONICS!

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The Seattle Sonics, 351 Elliott Ave W, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98119, have sent this e-mail to John Chen, a valued Sonics ticket holder. John, you're more than welcome to choose not to receive e-mails from us by simply clicking here.

 

Use your digital camera as a scanner - Receipts!

Have you ever had a problem in front of you forever, had all the tools and never put it all together?  One of my principles in life is to "Achieve 'impossible' tasks by using things in a way not intended".  So in this case, our business needs to scan all of our receipts for our clients to have a record of them.  So we took the thought path of taping receipts to pieces of paper and putting them through our paper scanner.  This is great except we only have one scanner and it's at our office and quite often we going from event to event and never touch the office.  Also, many of our contractors don't even have fax machines so this solution also doesn't work for them.  Doing 'Final Expenses' for an event after the fun and excitement is over is one of the greatest sources of pain and frustration in our company.  Also, we want to do it as FAST as possible so we can invoice our client promptly.  This is one of those things that if you don't do it at the event, the odds of you doing it go down by 50% every day after the event (i.e. 100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, etc.). 

Sooooo, I'm in my hotel room and I'm up late and I just want to get it done.  I'm thinking, where is a scanner?  And suddenly, my digital camera jumps up into my vision.  Duh...we pack 3-20 'scanners' with every event and NOBODY figured it out!  I take out my receipts, lay them out on the white sheet of my bed and shoot a photo.  The first one is washed out.  Zoom a little and shoot at an angle, BANG, it's a perfect photo!  I download, but each photo is 1-2MB. I try to combine them all into one PDF document and the file is 16MB!!!  Too big.  I set it back to 640x480 and shoot again.  This time each photo is 100k.  I highlight all the photos, right click and combine into one PDF, about 500k for 5 photos.  It's awesome!  I upload my receipts and my 'Final Expenses' spreadsheet and celebrate because I'm done only ONE day after my event!

Now think about it.  All of the tools were there, but I never thought of my digital camera as a receipt scanner.  Forget another device as a paper scanner, just use what I got!  What problem are you stuck on that has a better solution?  What has to happen for you to think about doing it in a better way?  When are you going to share that solution and make a difference in other people's lives?

What it really means to be a consultant!

This is from our beloved Director of Facilitation, Jo Ann Fjellman, we love consulting!

-John Chen, CEO

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Ouch!! – The Brutal Facts!  – I think I may need to rethink my career path! ☺

Thanks!

Jo

A shepherd was herding his flock in a remote pasture when suddenly a brand-new BMW drives up in a
cloud of dust. The driver, a young man in an Armani suit, Gucci shoes, Ray Ban sunglasses and YSL tie, leans out the window and asks the shepherd: “If I tell you exactly how many sheep you have in your flock, will you give me one?”
The shepherd looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully grazing flock and calmly
answers: “Sure. Why not?”
The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer,connects it to his AT&T cell phone,
surfs to a NASA page on the internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite navigation system to get an exact
fix on his location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area in an
ultra-high-resolution photo.
The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it to an image processing facility in

Hamburg

,

Germany

. Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has been processed and the data stored. He then accesses a MS-SQL database through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with hundreds of complex formulas. He uploads all of this data via an email on his Blackberry and, after a few minutes, receives a response. Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-tech, miniaturized HP LaserJet printer and finally turns to the shepherd and says:
“You have exactly 1586 sheep.”
“That’s right. Well, I guess you can take one of my sheep.”, says the shepherd.
He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car. Then the shepherd says to the young man: “Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my sheep? ”
The young man thinks about it for a second and then says:“Okay, why not?”
“You’re a consultant.” says the shepherd.
“Wow! That’s correct,” says the yuppie, “but how did you guess that?”
“No guessing required”, answered the shepherd.
“You showed up here even though nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew, to a question I never asked; and you don’t know crap about my business… Now give me back my dog.”

Booz Allen Hamilton Named #2! on the Training Top 100 - (A PLAYTIME Inc. Client)

We'd like to congratulate Ed Cohen and his amazing team at BAH.  It is our pleasure to serve BAH in their leadership programs using our innovative geoteaming program at their partner, senior associate and other level programs.  Congrats again in showing true teamwork and leadership with technology!

-John Chen

CEO, PLAYTIME Inc.

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From: Cohen Ed [mailto:cohen_ed@bah.com]
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 7:37 AM
Subject: TRAINING MAGAZINE'S TOP 100 ANNOUNCED

New Orleans

, February 27

While most of you watched the Academy Awards last evening, we were attending the annual Training Top 100 dinner where the 2005 Top 100 rankings were announced. 

It is with great pleasure that I am able to communicate that Booz Allen moved up from #4 last year to #2.

According to Training Magazine, a sophisticated array of learning opportunities awaits Booz Allen employees. "...growth demands all the support the learning organization can muster, yet it still has to stay in sync with the needs of the global strategy and technology consulting", says

Ed Cohen

, senior director of the Center for Performance Excellence.  "I'm lucky to have an incredible team," he says.  "I'm constantly in awe of what they do."   Thanks to the team, the center generates some impressive statistics:  32,000 participant days of training, 4,500 users of online self-study courses, 9,000 self study courses completed, and 125,000 hits on the Virtual Campus. 

On behalf of Booz Allen's Center for Performance Excellence, we want to thank all our colleagues across the People Services Team for their outstanding support and contributions throughout the year.  Working as an integrated People Services Team, we believe we have truly been able to provide more learning services aligned to Booz Allen's needs than ever before. We would also like to thank our 80 certified adjunct instructors from across the business, our learning partners who provide outstanding training services to Booz Allen, and the Principals and Partners of Booz Allen who provide ongoing guidance and support for learning at Booz Allen.

Please join me in congratulating the entire People Services Team.

Itis our joint efforts that has moved Booz Allen up to number 2 in the Top 100 rankings.

IBM ranked #1 for the second year in a row.

2  BOOZ ALLEN

HAMILTON

rounding out the Top 10 were-

3  Pfizer

4  Sprint

5  KLA Tencor

6  Deloite

7  Ernst & Young

8  Lockheed Martin

9  The Ritz Carlton Hotel

10

Ohio

Savings Bank

Other of interest-

13 PriceWaterhouseCoopers

18 Capital One

38 SAIC

Best,

Ed

You can do it, even if it isn't corporate team building!

Member spotlight: Everything matches up for Julee Wasserman When DinnerGrrls.org member Julee Wasserman founded her own outdoor tours company, she knew it would take a lot of hard work to attract and retain corporate clients for teambuilding events. But she didn’t know that her initial idea would also evolve into a totally new area: a unique and – judging from a 300-person membership, a full calendar of monthly events, and even several wedding invitations – very successful events service for singles. Julee founded Julee’s Gorge Tours in 1999 after working at a Columbia Gorge nonprofit. “I just decided I wanted to be my own boss,” she says. Her goal was to boost tourism in the Gorge by organizing recreational teambuilding exercises for Portland-area corporations like Nike and Tektronix. But as the economy began to dip in 2001, Julee saw a corresponding slump in her business. “Corporations didn’t have that much money in their budgets to do teambuilding,” Julee says. “I realized that I couldn’t make a living just doing corporate events, so I decided to branch out into recreational singles events, as well.” Julee started organizing some informal events and found that demand was high. By fall 2003, she had started a full-fledged outdoor social club for singles. Today the club holds everything from board-game nights and happy hours, to rafting trips and snow-shoeing expeditions. Julee’s efforts have matched up many Portland-area singles and resulted in at least three weddings so far. Even Julee has gotten in on the action—she met her current boyfriend at a “speed dating for outdoor enthusiasts” event several months ago. Julee sums up her advice for other women entrepreneurs in one word: patience. “The worst thing is that people get too financially stressed and give up,” she says. “You’ve got to be patient and give it a few years. It can be three years – sometimes five – before you start to see profits.” Julee has attended several Portland-area DinnerGrrls.org events over the past year, including a potluck that she hosted at her home. “I love the female energy and trying out new restaurants,” she says. “I just think it’s fun.” Given that she spends most of her time organizing outings for others, it’s only fitting that she adds, “I also love it because it’s an event that I don’t plan!” For more information on Julee’s Gorge Tours and the Singles Outdoor Social Club, see http://www.gorgetours.com.

Facing A Micromanager

Saw this in today's Investor's Business Daily, thought you'd enjoy it.

DECIDE UPON YOUR TRUE DREAMS AND GOALS

Facing A Micromanager

You’re working furiously to finish a task when a shadow falls across your desk. It’s the boss, checking on your progress. Before you can say anything, he’s slipped behind you. Now he’s reading over your shoulder and matching your proposed figures to his budget.
   You feel like screaming.
   Before you do, think about this: If you learn how to work with your micromanager, you’ll be more likely to achieve your goals.
   Filing a complaint with the firm might seem tempting, but before you resort that, try to cope with the situation by learning how to manage your micromanager.
   In a September 2004 study on micromanagement conducted by Harvard Business Review, Jim Goodnight, chief executive of SAS Institute in Cary, N.C., said employees shouldn’t expect to be left alone until they’ve showed they can handle it. The path to independence is paved with outstanding performance.
   “Employees who perform well earn the right to make decisions without having the CEO look over their shoulders,” Goodnight said.
   By learning how to work along with your micromanager, you’ll be more likely to turn in the kind of results that garner your boss’s respect and trust, making you less of a target for micromanagement.
   Whatever you do, avoid trying to “fix” the micromanager, says Harry Chambers, author of “My Way or the Highway: The Micromanagement Survival Guide.”
   Instead, take these steps:
   
Learn about the micromanager’s true dreams and goals.

“If you can discover their primary interests, you can lessen their perceived need to micromanage by increasing your responsiveness to those interests,” Chambers said.
   
Give the scoop before he asks.

“Pre-emptive anticipation is probably the single most effective strategy you can initiate with micromanagers,” Chambers said. “Get out in front of information. Do not wait to be asked.”
   
Write down your goals and his expectations.

Because micromanagers get antsy when they perceive that projects aren’t moving forward, Chambers suggests submitting regular, one-page reports that summarize your current responsibilities and clarify his expectations.
   
Stay clear on priorities.

Micromanagers tend to pile work on. Manage that by getting your boss to rate the importance of each task with a system of letters, numbers or colorcodes so you are clear on what means the most to him.
   
Deal with deadlines directly.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that micromanagers like to impose or even change deadlines. Be the first out of the gate on bringing them up.
   “Offer your time line before they impose a deadline,” Chambers said. Example: “I can have this proposal to you by next Friday.”
   
Live by the rules.

This is no time to be a rebel. “Micromanagers always have their antennae up, trying to detect . . . violations,” he said. “Do not make yourself a target.”
   
Document success.

It’s up to you to inform micromanagers when you’ve pulled off a big success or played a critical role in helping the company meet its goals. “Connect the dots for them,” Chambers said.
Amy Alexander

John Chen Selected for Seattle's Leadership Tomorrow

John Chen, CEO of PLAYTIME Inc., was selected through a tough interview process and over 150+ candidates to be part of Seattle's prestigious Leadership Tomorrow program.

The mission of Leadership Tomorrow is to develop informed and committed community leaders. Its programs are designed to help participants acquire an understanding of the critical issues facing the region, and the leadership and stewardship capabilities necessary to resolve them. ]

The vision of Leadership Tomorrow is a community rich in leaders who are well-informed, committed, and passionately engaged in creating a vital, positive community for current and future generations.

John will be participating in a year long program with many other Seattle leaders as they learn how to apply servant leadership to business, community and philanthropy. John joins many other Seattle leaders as the alumni include many Top 40 Under 40 Entrepreneurs, Business leaders, and Non-profit leaders in Seattle.

Congratulations John!

PLAYTIME Inc. Intern Udie Chima gives TAF Graduation Speech

"I'm not here to make a living, I'm here to make a difference" -Helice Bridges http://www.blueribbons.com.

Udie Chima was PLAYTIME Inc's first intern. Last year he produced the video you now see as our geoteaming promotional video. Udie's love of computers and music was a big help last summer. I was honored to find out that Udie was selected to give the Technology Access Foundation http://www.techaccess.org graduation speech. I'm very proud of Udie because he was also accepted to Oberlin College! Here's his speech, I hope you enjoy it.

-John

TAF GRADUATION SPEECH
It may sound arrogant, but because of TTIP I’ve got it made. I could have so easily been in the situation of my other friends. High school graduates not sure where they’re going to find a summer job, spending too much time around the house, and probably getting on their parents’ nerves.
My story is typical of any TAF graduate, but the things we have achieved may sound extraordinary to others. This Monday I begin my internship at the Boeing Employee Credit Union, and this fall I will be attending Oberlin College.
CLASS
Any TTIP student will tell you that class is no joke. They’re intensive, challenging, and always rewarding. When you spend 3 full class days plotting, building, and tweaking your web page to perform the way you want it to, you feel like you have achieved something great. At TAF I loved all my instructors, even the more eccentric ones. My instructor, Larry Powelson, teaches ASP.NET and I can tell he loves doing what he does because he gets this fire in his eyes sometimes when he comes up with some new 3rd bonus project for us. Larry believes in, and cares about what he’s doing. Whenever I ask Larry for some help before class, he’s always happy to put down his newspaper or close his game of solitaire, to give me the help I need. And I’ve heard the same from other TAF students that all of our instructors have this dedication to their students.
FRIENDSHIPS
I’ve made a lot of really good friends at TAF. In my first summer course at TAF I met two students, Detrique and his sister Erin, who came from Philly. We became really good friends and one day after TAF we even saw the third Austin Powers movie together. And when TAF concluded for the summer he invited me to his Aunt’s BBQ. Since he was from Philly he said he just had to try a sandwich from the Old Philly’s Best, and he actually said “it wasn’t awful for a Seattle imitation.”
One outing that I know brought everyone at TTIP closer together was the University of Puget Sound overnight stay that the upperclassmen went on. At UPS We stayed up late running from dorm to dorm; and at meals we took full advantage of the meal cards provided. This trip gave us a chance to discover what interests we had in common besides computers. It was on this trip that I found out that Joel shares my love for underground hip-hop artists like Mos Def and Talib Kweli, but we have different opinions about Tupac and Biggie. I feel connected to all my classmates at TAF. And even if we don’t meet up outside of TAF, we have a community that will continue our friendship with instant messenger, probably forever.
JOB EXPERIENCE
From the first time I heard about TTIP the major selling point for me was the paid internship. Before TAF, I never had any real job experience. The closest thing I had to a real job was getting abducted by my dad on hot summer days, to mow lawns for his gardening business. So the white collar, technical jobs TAF presented were a better alternative for me. I was very lucky to interview and be hired for my first internship last summer working at PlayTime Inc. PlayTime Inc. is a corporate teambuilding company, and my job was to create digital slideshows for clients who used PlayTime Inc.’s Geoteaming product. Since this was my first job, I wanted everything to go right on my first day at work, so I would make a good impression on my boss John Chen. But once I found out I would be working from his home office in a neighborhood foreign to me, I was worried I would be late on my first day just trying to find the house. So the day before I started working, my mom and I drove around for about an hour plotting the best way to get to his house by bus while struggling to find his house. At one time we were posted outside of his house for like 10 minutes debating if it was actually the house. I’m sure we looked like stalkers. The point of the story is to give you an idea of how seriously I took my internship, and I know every other TTIP student takes his or her internship just as seriously.
HIGHER ED BOUND
Higher Ed Bound has been a really helpful program and I’m grateful that it was added to TAF the same year I came. I’m grateful to Erica and Higher Ed Bound for providing an encompassing college preparation program. It was in Higher Ed Bound that I first took the practice SAT. I went on my first college visits with Higher Ed Bound, and my parents and I attended their financial aid workshop.
My TAF story is only 2½ years long but I wish it had been longer. Even though my thank you isn’t adequate for all that they have given, I would like to thank TAF founder and Executive Director Trish Millines-Dziko, TTIP Program Manager Sherry Williams, Higher Ed Bound Program Manager Erica Sabatino, and my ASP and ASP.Net Instructor Larry Powelson.

HALTS - Restoring Your Greatness Now

Are you having a bad day? Is something not going your way?

HALT!!!! - Stop whatever you're doing now and listen to this leadership tip from my past coach and incredible leader, Matt Beucler of Extraordinary Living. http://www.extraordinaryliving.com

If you're uncentered, not feeling well, or just having a bad day, HALT! Stop what you're doing. Take notice of yourself now and check...Are you:
Hungry?
Angry?
Lonely?
Tired? or
Stressed?

Matt Beucler, executive coach to over 1,500 clients, teaches his clients to HALT what their doing and take the time to restore their greatness.
If you're Hungry, eat.
If you're Angry, release the anger.
If you're Lonely, love someone.
If you're Tired, recharge and refresh.
If you're Stressed, release the stress.

When you feel good, you do good. When you feel mediocre, you do mediocre. If you feel bad, you'll do bad. Life is precious, make sure you choose wisely and get the most joy, success and fulfillment humanly possible out of your time here on earth.

This simple exercise is a pattern interrupt that can take as short as 1-3 minutes. By breaking the pattern, dealing with the issue and reconnecting to your greatness, you can easily gain return on your time invested by higher productivity.

Make sure you ask yourself, "What is the best investment of my time for the next hour or two?" and then just do it with passion!

So HALT and restore your greatness now!