Patrick m Coyne

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Vote for Our Country

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Vote for Your Country

As Americans, we are truly blessed with the opportunity to select our political leaders. It is a right (actually a duty!) that was a result of early americans taking a hard stance for freedom. That stance for freedom and the foresight to set up a foundation and structure for future generations to grow and prosper, while maintaining that freedom has proved remarkable. The early decisions and actions of the founding fathers were deeply rooted in the future vision of what this country can be; will be. That future vision clearly was intended for future generations, not driven by selfishness of the present.

Refrain from buying into the short-cited campaign promises designed to trigger the reactions of the impulse buyer at the candy counter.  Avoid the narrow views sometimes taken by specific groups demanding an answer to “What are you going to do for me?” Please remember that today (and everyday) we are not a spokesperson for a specific gender, race, age group, religion, nor sexual orientation. We stand for America. Future America.

Vote for our country. Vote for the country that we envision for our children’s children.

Engage Active Listening

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microsoft_chat

I guess Microsoft made it easy for me to pick on them today but it is not an uncommon problem in business (and personal) communications; Foregoing Active Listening.

Admittedly, there have been times that I was guilty of not thoroughly absorbing the issue before racing to a proposed solution. Maybe most of us are guilty of not truly listening enough. With the plethora of communication medium (email, text, video conference, chat, phone,… or in-person [God forbid]) our basic communication needs remain the same; listen to each other and respond to what we understand from listening actively.

This morning, I was attempting to use the online services of Office 365 from my laptop and I was initially pleased to have someone on the Microsoft website to quickly offer assistance. Since I was short on time, I gladly accepted the chat request. The chat transcript below displays the assistance I was given:

(While it took over 27 minutes to experience, it’s merely a 15 second read:)

Microsoft Website Chat
Duration (actual chatting time)  00:27:05
Operator  Mario
Chat Transcript
Mario: Hello, how may I assist you today?

Patrick: Hi Mario
Mario: Hello Patrick!
Patrick: I have 365 account but I don’t have it installed on my laptop. Can I work online to use excel or do I need to install it on my hard drive
Mario: I will be happy to assist you on the information of our Office 365 services, with some of our plans we offer the option to use both versions, to make sure that you have this included, let me verify your plan, ,may I have the email address that is linked to your services?
Patrick: I already added my email when I started the chat
Patrick: p~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~.com
Mario: Thank you.
Mario: Thank you for your time Patrick, I see that you have the Office Home and Business 2013 which is a one time purchase for the Office suite, with this package you have the option to install in only 1 PC and the online versions are not included.
Mario: Have you considered the option to use one of our Business plans, in which you can have multiple installations with one license?
Patrick: I do have 365. Maybe the email associated is my admin’s- cf~~~@~~~~~~~~.com ?
Mario: Let me review that for you.
Mario: Thank you for your time Patrick, making further research I found that we had a plan active , however that was a Home subscription which is now expired.
Mario: If you allow me Patrick, I suggest that you contact our Billing team, since they have the information of the purchase of your services they will be able to find your current plan.
Mario: Our  Billing and Commerce Team can be reached at 877-913-2707, they are available Monday – Friday from 6 AM/6 PM PST.
Mario: Patrick please tell me, is there anything else I can assist you with today?

Patrick: Well, I may not know the email address you have on file, but I do pay for 365. My original question is still not addressed. Can I use a 365 business account to use the programs or do I need to install them on my computer. My hard drive is rather full. I really don’t see why I am wasting time for you to verify I am telling you the truth. Obviously, if it’s possible, I would need to login or get through Microsoft’s security measures.
Mario: I understand your concern Patrick , however to make sure that we provide you the best information in regards of the use of the online services, we need to confirm if your plan has this feature included, in this case if with the Office 365 services that you have you have access to the installed version of the Office suite, you are most likely able to use the online version as well, however to make sure , I suggest that you contact our Billing team.
Patrick: It’s not a billing question, it’s a technical question about whether I need to use space on my hard drive.
Mario: Patrick, in this case with the information provided we do not have any Office 365 services active, if you have a plan that you currently use , our Billing team can assist you verifying which specific plan do you have and if this include the online version as well, since they have the information of the purchase of your services.
Patrick: I realize you cannot verify my plan. I am not asking you to verify my plan. How about asking this way: If anyone has the online version of 365, do they need to install the programs on their hard drive?
Mario: As online services they can be used with no need to be installed on your devices Patrick.
Patrick: Thank you for finally responding to my question.

I sense that Mario, like most people, was really trying to help. But without actively listening before clicking into action, our best solutions may never be presented.

 

Push Yourself Beyond the Rules!

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Just having fun with a review here but I think there’s a message worth sharing.

It is not exactly a new story but I have been pushing myself to try harder, work smarter, and create something that matters. While my internal passion seems to be the ‘flux capacitor” that fuels my engine, the external influences certainly can smooth out (or increase) the friction in the machine. The simple message is that you can decide to convert the external influences to smooth out the friction around you and not deflate you.

This morning, my internal voices were wrestling. The “I need more rest” voice was attempting to make his case to the “let’s get it done” voice, when I noticed my Personal Distraction Device (smart phone) was popping with some of the never ending notifications. One app, Samsung Push Service, needed approval. Well this app only “pushes” notifications to my screen, but I chose to see the story differently. With a name like “Push Service” this distraction could be redefined to be a “push” service. The “let’s get it done” voice jumped on that one.

With that in mind, I decided to have some fun with it a bit and wrote a review of the app:

 Thanks for the push Samsung! The days were getting shorter and the nights were becoming darker. It was like coming to the concrete wall at the end of a dead-end alley. The last unbroken overhead light just barely flickering, and I could see the loose dogs heading my way. I could barely take another breath and needed to keep going. It seemed like there was no possible way to go. And then came the push from Samsung! It was like the sunrise brightly rising from the East! Music started slowly and then louder..thanks for the PUSH, Samsung!

See it differently. Make new rules. Reduce the friction. Enjoy!

Have fun with your own review (link to app review)

Feed the Bear

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We all have positive traits we should feed and have other traits we should starve. The focus of our attention not only sets the paths we travel, it dictates the people we become.

Feed the Bear.
Starve the Goldbricker.

Bear and the Goldbricker, shared from Along the Winding Road

…Bear was big and strong in the physical sense, indeed. His heart was even larger while his moral determination had even more strength. On the battlefield, his fierceness was unleashed against the enemy but off the field he could be as tender as a teddy bear.

Source: Bear and the Goldbricker – Along the Winding Road

Are You Disciplined?

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Image Credit:  DanWaldschmidt.com

 

Do you feel disciplined because you maintain strict habits?

Do you think you’re disciplined because you meet schedules?

I certainly agree with Dan on this:

You won’t be awesome by doing the same old things you’ve been doing before.

  • It takes discipline to practice improving that one skill that makes you feel uncomfortable.
  • It takes discipline to try new things when you are already a pro at the old ones.

 

Get uncomfortable!

 

Source: You Think You’re Disciplined, But You’re Not.  | Dan Waldschmidt: Author of EDGY Conversations

Strength of the Family Tree

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This is a tribute to my mother, Leona, for her undying strength, unconditional generosity, and the heart of our forest.

As published by Along the Winding Road:

Like the beautiful shade tree,
Your strength continues as you mature,
Your resistance to the storms never lets up,
Your every extremity is used to protect those beneath you.

On a beautiful summer afternoon,
You bring quiet comfort to those around you.
You allow us to hear the breeze
That would go otherwise unheard.

Lest we forget the past seasons.
The autumn evenings dropping your leaves,
To protect your roots from the upcoming freeze.
The long winter nights you stayed strong,
Sacrificing yourself to fuel the warm of others.
The spring mornings you reached out to find the sun,
With the sole focus on provided the fruit for others.

You have endured the seasons,
From broken limbs to fires in the forest.
Yet your strength never withers,
And your branches still embrace.

From the seeds you produced,
To the principles in your roots,
Your life is our best example
That nurturing is your nature.

You are the family tree.

Source: Behold the Elder – Along the Winding Road