nonstick weblog

I am in Dallas for a 3 day meeting for our Global Enablement programs. The intent is for people to walk away with a cursory understanding of what programs are available that help grow business internationally. The participants are from all over the globe. We have 12 of the 15 GEMs represented, 2 of the 3 industries, and all 4 practices. It’s really cool meeting in person the folks I have worked with for so long.

The piece I own is the Top Account MRP process – used to determine the goals and coverage for our larger accounts. The other programs my group owns are Global Business – used to incent reps and GEMs to drive global business and Exec Sponsor – program to assign Exec Sponsors to our larger accounts and ensure good relationship.

It’s events like these and the people I meet here that make Sun a great place to work. Everyone here participates. We argue and no one takes it personal. It’s great.

Day 1 was all about introducing/refreshing the audience to the programs we own in preparation for break out sessions tomorrow.

We will be heading to Salt Grass fro steak tonight. Apparently, we are in Texas so we have to have steak.

I am on a business trip in Dallas this week. I am beginning to get used to the toll parkway thing. My first time through, I expected a person collecting toll. Unfortunately, I was on the exact change lane, overshot the bucket and could not back up.

My second time through, I was ready. I had a dollar bill in hand. Dammit. It says coins only. I threw my dollar bill in and it made it, but it did not register.

Now I carry a bunch of coins in the cup holder of my rental car. I still have to slow down to toss the coins, to the dismay of the drivers behind me, but I am not setting off the red light and buzzer anymore.

I love seeing the social interaction among preschoolers. On Saturday, my daughter invited the 5 year old neighbor girl to a playdate. It started with riding trike/bikes on our street. My daughter was on her trike and the 5 year old was on her bike. My daughter wanted to ride her friend’s bike, but the little girl said that my daughter was too little. “I know it’s hard being little. When you become bigger, then you can ride a bicycle.” My daughter took it in stride. She understood that a 5 year old was alpha to a 3 year old.

Then the playdate moved to our house. Th dynamic then changed. Since it was her house, my daughter dictated what they were going to play with and when. The 5 year old didn’t like it. She tried to resist, but my daughter held firm and the 5 year old relented. With the environment change, the pack structure changed. My daughter was now alpha.

My daughter’s new favorite phrase is “holy crap”. For example: “I went to the bathroom, but I have my underwear on and my pants on. Holy crap!” or “Her stupid. Holy crap!”

I suppose I should count my blessings that she has not picked up worse. But I really need to watch my language.

I was asking my husband last night to get our kid ready for bed so I could make it to the m-a-l-l before it closed. “I want to go!” “Go where, Mui?” “To the m-o-a-l.” “What’s that?” “The m-a-a-l.” “Yeah, but what is that?” “Target.”

I think I bring this kid shopping too much.