It's not easy being a dinosaur. It can be a little lonely, especially when you're on the verge of extinction. I thought about this when I dropped by our corporate office the other day, where I once ruled the roost, and technically still do.
Well, congratulations on your upcoming retirement. Enjoy. I have been seriously enjoying mine. Still working with train layouts and yard work. Love looking at the hill behind my house, especially in the mornings and evenings. Life is good. Wayne
Ah yes. Instead of running a business, your management team is being manipulated by a technology system that consumes more and more time, leaving less and less time for the actual business. The end result might be a well-oiled computer system, with nothing left of the actual work function.
A dinosaur can remind young employees to actually LOOK at customers. Teach them how to use that ancient device called a ‘pencil’ when servers are down. Help them to understand the importance of showing up on time. A work ethic and understanding the importance of long term relationships with customers. Dinosaurs don’t have to learn what works and what doesn’t. They already know. Nobody needs to remind them to ‘serve from the left’. Nobody buys a product or service, they buy their own emotional connection to that product or service. Dinosaurs know this instinctively and meet the expectations of their market. Every business should keep a dinosaur or two around the place.
I enjoy being a dinosaur. I still pay bills with checks by the US Mail. I like to speak to a person when contacting companies. I don't care who is in charge. Your children must be wonderful.
Love this Nick and all that you said is so true. I’m retired from School Counseling but spend ing lots of time w/5year old grandson and his 18 month old sister. Francie has already learned how to turn off FaceTime Calls (when she’s done w/the call), she knows how to swipe on photos, she uses the tv controller, and has licked down my Apple phone, her dad’s and her mom’s - amazing for an 28 month old.
I love your columns Nick and it was so fun to re-connect over lunch awhile back. My son moved to Santa Barbara so trips to S.F. Not happening anymore🤪
This is so interesting- it’s amazing how fast things move. In the early 70’s I was teaching at a college and was asked to teach computer science (probably because I was the only one who owned one.) The college refused to buy computers the first year so I taught “Computer Logic.” Time moved fast and now I’ve retired and my grandchildren can out-program me on any subject! Each owns laptops, phones etc. Amazing.
all of the above, in multiples....I just play tennis and don't think of anything....local community courts and the only business/politics I am involved in is my Vice-President hat on our Greater Vallejo Tennis Assn. Board....keeping our courts resurfaced and windscreens up (the homeless like them for weather protection)...And, keeping up with USTA sites on my iPhone where we post our scores! Hahalol
You had me at Dinosaur!
Problems with the modern world? Fortunately, a dinosaur can just ask a kid to fix the problem.........
Well, congratulations on your upcoming retirement. Enjoy. I have been seriously enjoying mine. Still working with train layouts and yard work. Love looking at the hill behind my house, especially in the mornings and evenings. Life is good. Wayne
Ah yes. Instead of running a business, your management team is being manipulated by a technology system that consumes more and more time, leaving less and less time for the actual business. The end result might be a well-oiled computer system, with nothing left of the actual work function.
A dinosaur can remind young employees to actually LOOK at customers. Teach them how to use that ancient device called a ‘pencil’ when servers are down. Help them to understand the importance of showing up on time. A work ethic and understanding the importance of long term relationships with customers. Dinosaurs don’t have to learn what works and what doesn’t. They already know. Nobody needs to remind them to ‘serve from the left’. Nobody buys a product or service, they buy their own emotional connection to that product or service. Dinosaurs know this instinctively and meet the expectations of their market. Every business should keep a dinosaur or two around the place.
I enjoy being a dinosaur. I still pay bills with checks by the US Mail. I like to speak to a person when contacting companies. I don't care who is in charge. Your children must be wonderful.
Keep in mind: Five-sevenths of “retired” is…”tired.”
Love this Nick and all that you said is so true. I’m retired from School Counseling but spend ing lots of time w/5year old grandson and his 18 month old sister. Francie has already learned how to turn off FaceTime Calls (when she’s done w/the call), she knows how to swipe on photos, she uses the tv controller, and has licked down my Apple phone, her dad’s and her mom’s - amazing for an 28 month old.
I love your columns Nick and it was so fun to re-connect over lunch awhile back. My son moved to Santa Barbara so trips to S.F. Not happening anymore🤪
Love, Sue Blaisdell Turner
suebturner@icloud.com
HAHAHAHA GREAT article!!!😊
AND, I saw you walking in the desert.
Well really, has anybody ever said you are stupid?
Greetings Nick and I, like you, am often cast aside as dinosaur but refuse to acknowledge.
Hope you, Linda and (4) kiddos are all well! BR, Tom and Ann
This is so interesting- it’s amazing how fast things move. In the early 70’s I was teaching at a college and was asked to teach computer science (probably because I was the only one who owned one.) The college refused to buy computers the first year so I taught “Computer Logic.” Time moved fast and now I’ve retired and my grandchildren can out-program me on any subject! Each owns laptops, phones etc. Amazing.
I am so with you! I long for a permanent
“techie” assistant attached to me at the
hip. Hurrah for the younger generation
and their optimism, tenacity and sheer
ability!
all of the above, in multiples....I just play tennis and don't think of anything....local community courts and the only business/politics I am involved in is my Vice-President hat on our Greater Vallejo Tennis Assn. Board....keeping our courts resurfaced and windscreens up (the homeless like them for weather protection)...And, keeping up with USTA sites on my iPhone where we post our scores! Hahalol
I'm with you in the by-passed league. (and even more so). I want to go back to typewriters, dial telephones and TV's the size of refrigerators.