Tag: Business

Expectations of instant responses are getting silly

Carl Setzer

On a regular basis, I get hit with complaints that I didn’t respond to a message. “I left a message with you 10 minutes ago. Why haven’t your replied?” I get hit with this in all sincerity and, sometimes, with angry vigor. Another colleague was lamenting to me that they’d sent several emails and left several voicemails that morning and were ANGRY that the hadn’t heard back. She was a bit taken back when I pointed out that this person has 100s of clients and is extremely over-worked, and that I was certain there was no insult meant by her less-timely response. 

I think that this stems from our always-on world. Email, texts, etc, come fast; we have nearly instantaneous communication. We get answers from Google/Bing instantly. We are accustomed to immediate response. So, waiting even several minutes feels unreasonable.

I notice, though, that when people are drawn out of themselves, raising their focus, they easily see the bigger picture. They see that I really can’t respond instantly to each of the 100 some odd emails I get in a day. And that taking some time to respond isn’t disrespectful.  

Perhaps we need to just slow down. Perhaps we can. Perhaps….

Real Estate and the Web

Carl Setzer

Been spending a fair amount of time today looking at different website options for my company. At this point, I’m not terribly impressed with any of them. Makes me think I should go and build my own. 

My dream system has all the components of your standard transaction well integrated. CRM, transaction steps, offer tracking, listings, key dates…all that sort of thing, That and tightly integrating our blogs, YouTube channels, Twitter feed, etc. Want to maximize SEO for our work. 

Chatting with some colleagues, I have some other options to explore. The most interesting, to me at least, is the notion of building a whole site on my own via WordPress. Then I would add the functionality I want with plugins. Seems very doable, and would feed my inner (and outer) geek. 

Update on Zumiez

Carl Setzer

I wrote a brief post a couple of weeks ago looking at a local company, Zumiez, and some of their videos (you can read that here). The Everett Herald posted a story on Monday looking at one of the Co-Founders, Gary Haakenson.

My son is big fan of Zumiez fashion, so I’m closely attached to the brand. I’ve been quite impressed with my interactions with them, both in their stores and in the community. Their headquarters is just a few miles from my house, and I regularly drive past. All these bring about an attachment.

So, read up on one of my local brands and enjoy this snapshot into regional business culture. And into one of our areas entrepreneurs.

Companies, Serving Customers, & Measurements

Carl Setzer

I love Seth Godin’s post today.

We’ve all seen policies that only serve one function of a business to the detriment of others. And watched that team fail to address this.

It’s painful and often sad, as good people either leave, or get sucked into that paralyzed mindset. When creativity and innovative thinking are crushed, this is your journey’s destination. It sucks.

Random area business thoughts

Carl Setzer

Several of my friends tease me, since I’ve worked for Starbucks, Amazon and Microsoft, when will I work for Boeing. PACCAR gets occasional mention, too. It’s never been an official goal of mine to experience the cultures of all the region’s largest businesses. Yet, now, having journeyed this far, I’m mildly interested in the rest.

Boeing holds a unique spot. As a boy, I was a space and aircraft nerd. My purpose for joining the Navy was to work on aircraft. (Going from that to serving on a submarine is a story for another day,) I grew up, for the most part, in the shadow of Everett’s Paine Field. Myriad friends and family work at Boeing.

With all this, I’ve never worked there. Every time I have wanted to work there, I commit to some other job before the big B gets around to asking me in. I can think of two times that I would’ve needed to turn down a job offer for the chance to work at Boeing. My brain doesn’t work that way. Perhaps the right time and opportunity will come. We shall see, I guess.

There are several other larger companies is the area that bear mentioning. Ones like Zumiez, Premera, Fluke, Pemco, and Safeco. Several world class companies. And this shouldn’t minimize the huge number of small and mid-sized businesses around here, too. A diverse economy, with a variety of businesses. Helps make this a dynamic place.

Northgate Egg Farm, A Quiet Brier Business

Carl Setzer

Originally posted on my Snohomish County focused blog here.

I remember, years ago, riding my bike through Brier and stumbling upon a loading dock and set of buildings just off Vine Road. There’s precious little marking the spot, and it seems very quiet during the day. Over time, I would drive by in the mornings and see the place pretty busy. Anyway, for years, every time I passed the place I wondered what was there, but not with enough intensity to actually get off my butt and do something. Well, with today’s technology, I don’t need to get off my butt to learn more.

Turns out this is Northgate Egg Farm, a part of E. C. Wilson Produce CO., INC. According to the WA State DOL, they’ve been on file since 1968, but according to Manta, they’ve been around since 1906. I’m willing to bet there’s a bit of murkiness to records predating the ’60s, but I really don’t know. Either way, they’ve been in the area for quite some time. They are listed as an “egg distributor”, whether that expands on the obvious, I don’t know.

What I find cool is that this is a living part of this area’s history. Much of South Snohomish County’s early economic roots were egg farms. At one point we had 200,000 egg laying hens. Most of that has died out, but we have a little piece of it still living, quietly, in the heart of Brier.

@Zumiez Videos : Life In Lynnwood

Carl Setzer1 Comment

Zumiez is headquartered in Lynnwood, just a short distance from the old Landmark Inn just off of I5 and 44th. They’re a significant player in the boardsport style space, with sales topping $555 million in 2012.

Here’s one of their YouTube videos. Kinda fun stuff. Gives you insight into their brand. Enjoy!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrpI85TcBZ4&w=560&h=315]

It’s official: Edmonds IGA Market will open in former Petosa’s space May 15 | My Edmonds News

Carl Setzer1 Comment

From MyEdmondsNews

I used to live close to the old Petosa’s in downtown Edmonds. Having a grocer a short walk away was glorious. And we were amongst those saddened when Petosa’s closed its doors. The building owners have done well, though, finding a new tenant with the same commitment and vision. I expect they’ll be a welcome neighbor.

Welcome to Edmonds, IGA!

City of Mountlake Terrace Seeking Management Bids

Carl Setzer

Terrace’s struggles with their cute municipal golf course may have come to an end as they get ready to change the space into parkland. I have fond memories of learning the game here, and really like the space. They intend to continue utilizing the clubhouse. And here’s an interesting opportunity, business-wise. The City is looking for someone to manage the space. To be clear they’re looking for a company to take on a contract, and not a city employee role. Anyway, if you have the capacity, you have until COB May 3 to submit your bid.

More details here: www.MLTNews.com