Now, Not Tomorrow, Is The Time To Invest In Your Talent (via LinkedIn)

 It's the call every employee dreads hearing.

"We're going to have to let you go." "It doesn't make fiscal sense right now to keep you." "We're sorry."

In today's increasingly challenging financial times, it can be a burden on the employer to juggle keeping and investing in your employees and making the difficult decision to try and keep your doors open. The global pandemic has no doubt taken an economic toll on businesses large and small across America. Millions of hardworking, dedicated, creative and driven employees are being told that the company just can't afford to keep them on the payroll at this time - as businesses tread water trying to stay afloat as the nation navigates these troubled waters.

While these difficult decisions might might make short term fiscal sense - I challenge employers and businesses across America to start to consider the long term ramifications of your hiring and firing decisions. Now is the time to invest in those key employees who will benefit your brand and provide your customers the long term success your company is seeking post global pandemic.

Many employers are waiting patiently on Congress to pass legislation such as the popular PPP program to assist in keeping their businesses above water during these challenging times. But in the current political climate - I believe it's safe to say that Congress is pre-occupied with election fever to actually provide relief for small businesses and employees at this critical juncture.

So, what do you do?

I can tell you, as one of the many millions of skilled, creative, dedicated, and hardworking Americans who find themselves in the unenviable task of finding a new career - now is the time to find a way to hang on to your talented and skilled employees so that when we inevitably come through this incredible shortfall - your business is primed and prepared to take on the rush of a booming economy.

An investment now in those employees is a many-fold blessing for your business. For example, you don't have to train a new acquisition as business returns. How much valuable time are you going to lose trying to play catch up when your competitors are hitting the ground running when the calls and quote requests come in?

Many companies tout their philosophy as family oriented and employee friendly, but do you practice what you preach in your business practices? As an employer will you stand in the gap for those you've already taken the time and resources to invest in? In times like these, it's important to know that your corporate philosophy isn't just a bumper sticker slogan designed to entice potential talent. If what you say is true, talent really is difficult to replace and the current climate is not a reflection of their performance - then now is the time to find creative ways to hang on to those people and not let them get away.

For many American workers, the difficulties of the current climate are real. Millions of hard working Americans who toil for their companies going above and beyond what is asked of them - divesting their nights, weekends, vacations, and peace of mind to make sure the companies they represent show a strong and thriving face - even in these times. As employees, we give our time, our creativity, our patience, and our talents so that the companies we represent can be successful. For many, it's more than just working for a paycheck- it's an investment in a way of life.

Now, not tomorrow when the coffers are replenished, is the opportunity for you as an employer to identify those talented employees- the ones you've invested in thus far - and work with them so that together you can work through these difficult times with patience and creativity. One day, perhaps sooner than later, business will return - life will return to some sense of normalcy - America will re open its doors to commerce as usual, and it's my belief that that investment you make now will pay off extraordinarily in the coming weeks and months.

Unfortunately the alternative for many businesses who fail to act now will suffer long term prosperity and growth in chasing a short term fix - and those irreplaceable employees you so once highly touted will be irreplaceable for someone else. - TMS

2020: I wish every day was Saturday.

 

9/11

 It was a little after 7am when I got up out of bed, had breakfast, and readied myself for work. It was my first job out of college, selling residential pest control in Sarasota, Florida. I had a routine, get up, shower, dress, have a bowl of cereal, then out the door.

The day started out like so many — it was a Tuesday, I’d gone into to work to prep for my day — only one stop today, so it would be light. After about an hour or so in the office, I get in my car to start my day, and turn on Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio. That’s when I hear…

“We’ll get back to that story in a moment but right now we’re following this story about a plane that’s evidently crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings.”

I thought… Wow, a Sesna? How did the pilot missed that? That’s gotta suck.

But then… the ABC News Special Report… a jet airplane had plunged into one tower of the World Trade Center — many casualties expected.

 

I start to call. “Did you hear this?” “Did you hear that?”

President Bush was in Sarasota at the time, so I head down to the airport to see Air Force One.

A stop off at Stark Truss shows visual evidence… a second plane has crashed into the other World Trade Center tower.

The news gets worse.

It’s a hijacked plane.

Cell phones are impossible at this point, as you can’t even get a signal. Dialing out is worthless. I rush home and that’s when I see it… the devastation, the carnage, the catastrophic loss of life… it’s so amazingly tragic, so stunningly awful, so fantastically heartbreaking … people running everywhere, screaming and crying … blood mixed with ash and fire littered the streets of one of the greatest cities on Earth. What was once a towering signal of capitalistic strength — reduced to nothing… in a matter of hours… and the world would change forever.

My life — the way I see things, the way I view things — changed forever that day. I can’t explain it, but there almost isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t relive the moments in my mind at some point… seeing that plume of smoke in the air — hearing the thunderous thuds of human bodies who had given up on any hope of saving — falling and crashing into the earth beneath them.

The confusion… the deadening silence of no planes being allowed to fly…

 

The anger and determination to see the demise of those who had committed these horrible acts… the fury of watching them celebrate in the streets like animals — at the thought of innocent women and children who died that day…

and the pride of a nation that came together, albeit for a brief time — Conservatives and Liberals… Democrats and Republicans… Blacks, Whites, Hispanics… men and women.. young and old … together, in unity.

If for a stitch in time, there wasn’t a label — there wasn’t an ideology or an agenda. We were Americans. And we were hurting. We consoled one another. We tried to understand the calamity. We offered solace, and comfort as best we could. We stood united — bruised and battered, but not defeated.

We were the United States of America, and the date was September 11th, 2001.

Where were you…?

Democrats Risk Overplaying Their Hand In November

 If you’re like me, you’ve been watching the news every night with a disheartening concern that you probably haven’t felt in decades - if ever.

No matter where you turn, it seems like the country is besieged on all sides and in all facets - be it our economy hanging on by a thread, the health and well being of our nation’s people due to the Coronavirus, and the on going yet ever increasing volatile debate on racial equality for Black Americans.

Fear and trepidation have once again turned into anger and vitriol - where violent protests once again spill out into the streets of some of the largest cities in America. It’s a cry out that we’re all too familiar with in this day and age, and rightfully so, I might add - Black Lives Matter.

A nation that is frustrated, angry, depressed and devoid of a chance at the economic growth and success we were enjoying at the cusp of 2020, has since turned its eyes to the streets because of a void of common sense leadership from our elected officials across the spectrum.

While the nation burns, politicians in Washington dither, focusing their attention on news media talk shows and retweets. For the Democrat party and their 2020 Presidential nominee Joe Biden, the blame of America’s alms falls at the feet of one man - President Donald Trump.

To hear the Democrats and their media cohorts bloviate night in and night out about how this all somehow the President’s fault spits in the face of what Americans read about in their newspapers and see on their television screens. We are facing tough and complex questions with no easy answer, but the tried and tested partisan bickering without tangible solutions and a willingness to compromise only adds fuel to an already explosive fire.

Biden and the Democrats have begun to try and weave the narrative that Americans aren’t safe in “Donald Trump’s America”. But I feel like this narrative is yet another example of the Democrat Party about to overplay their hand when it comes to the National election. In their attempts to marry the violence on our streets and the economic calamity due to the nationwide shutdowns as a failure of the Trump Administration, The Democrats are once again taking what for all intents and purposes should be a winning hand in November, and are close to squandering any good political fortune they may have had with many voters, because the narrative just doesn’t match reality.

And Americans know this.

Blaming President Trump for the response to Covid-19, while at the same time offering up nothing new or different about what’s been done or is being done reeks of political pandering. Calling the lawlessness and violence on the streets of Baltimore, New York, Portland, and the like a creation of Donald Trump’s hate both diminishes and devalues the true nature of the issue. We do need a national conversation about policing in America - especially as it pertains to race - but we can’t have that conversation through the prism of political divisiveness. It’s a total non-starter.

Vice President Biden has enjoyed a double-digit polling lead for most of the summer as Americans struggle to navigate an economy on the mend and try and make sense of the racial turmoil that is ravaging our country - but recent polling averages have seen that lead dissipate. The Real Clear Politics Betting Odds as of August 31st show the race a virtual tie. While it’s true, the GOP Convention surely gave President Trump a much needed bounce in approval - I believe the reason is simple.

Democrats have once again overplayed their hand, attempting to lay all of the problems we’re facing as a country at the front of the White House lawn, instead of engaging all Americans from every side of the aisle with frank and honest discussions about the Coronavirus, racial inequality, and how we move forward together to achieve economic and social peace and justice for the benefit of every American.

On the other hand, ignoring the realities most Americans are facing and choosing to point the finger of blame at the President as a short-term campaign strategy to win in November may very well end up being the very reason the country re-elects President Trump for four more years.

For PV

 For as long as I can remember, I've always believed in God. When I was young I really struggled with the concept of the "church" - and the feeling that God was separated from everyone else - and that the church was the conduit between them. It never settled with me- and when Shawn and I reconnected in 2000-2001, one of our early conversations circled around the church. I told her that "I didn't believe that it was God *up here* and man *down here* - that our relationship with God was personal and shouldn't be dictated by a church.

Shawn told me about a church she had just started attending and asked if I was open to giving it a shot. I said, sure. I like to think I have an open mind about things.

One Sunday, she invited me to a church called Word of Christ Fellowship. It was there I met a man named Vin Cannatello - the pastor of the church.

I sat next to Shawn and listened to Pastor Vin preach the word of God. In the middle of his sermon - completely off topic from his sermon that day, Vin said "Come on ya'll. It's not God up here and man down there!"

I looked over at Shawn, mouth agape, cynical and skeptical as ever, and whispered "did you tell him to say that?"

She didn't.

After the service, I shook Pastor Vin's hand. I told him I appreciated his words, and Shawn mentioned that I had graduated from UCF with a radio/TV degree. "Oh," Vin said. "Maybe one day we'll work together."

Two weeks later- I committed my life to Christ and became born again.

From that moment on - I learned about my Spiritual Father, in care of my Spiritual Brother, and Pastor Vin became more than just a man of God. We quickly became friends - his family became my family - as an only child - his sons became my brothers. We did indeed end up working together, as I headed up his video ministry.

But it was so much more than that - Pastor Vin officiated Shawn's and my wedding. We'll never forget standing at the altar during our rehearsal, going through the proceedings, and Vin saying - "something big happens here."

Vin turned his sanctuary into our wedding venue with meticulous precision. He went so far as to get a tape measure to measure equidistantly the candelabras on the stage.

That was Pastor Vin. He wanted everything to be perfect.

Our relationship grew into a friendship and from there into family. Studying the word of God under him was enlightening. I bore witness to signs and wonders that to this day, I don't fully understand.

But more so was Vin - my friend - this amazing man of God who was extraordinary because he was ordinary. He wore jeans and loved baseball. He had a terrific sense of humor and was a wellspring of knowledge - you could not help but get wrapped up in a conversation with Vin - and see the excitement of revelation in his eyes. His passion was infectious. His love of people - unparalleled.

Vin taught me more about grace, and mercy, and salvation, and discipleship, and love, and peace through the storms of life - and did so in a way that was every bit as practical as it was ethereal. He was the embodiment of what it means to love your neighbor as you love God. The world could use more of that. I could use more of that.

As time went on, as it often does - our relationship waned - but the fellowship, the lessons, the connection that was made in my early walk with God still resonate with me today.

Having the absolute pleasure to watch this man - be a father, a son, a grandfather, a brother, a leader, an influencer, a teacher, a friend - every time you were around PV - you left the encounter a better person.

Still, there are so many questions I'm left with - why does it always feel like there's never enough time to say the things we should say. For Vin - his time to go home and walk with Jesus came too soon. He is free of any pain and discomfort now - he can dance in the fields of grace and rest in the light of God's love. My heart is heavy - for my family, and my friends, and those who are left behind. For the unanswered questions and the tremendous sense of loss.

One of the last times I ever saw Vin was at a wedding. Had I known then it would have been my last chance to speak with him - I would have told him thank you. Thank you for walking with me to salvation - thank you for allowing me to use my gifts for your ministry. Thank you for playing football with me, for watching the Marlins beat the Yankees in the World Series. Thank you for your counsel. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for the laughs, and the hugs, and being someone to look up to and stand next to at the same time.

That it truly was an honor to call you my friend - and thank you for helping me change my life for the better in this life and the next.

"I hope that I can be as good as a man as him - that I can see him again someday."

I know i'll never be the husband, father, friend, Christian, or human being that Vincent Cannatello was during his time with us.

But that's the thing about Vin. Because of who he was I know that I don't have to be to see him again.

i love you, my friend.

- TMS