An Elite List (or not)

I read today that Microsoft has made it onto the Forbes 400 List. This is an annual list Forbes puts together of the 400 best large companies. The link gives details about the methodologies used. So, while 400 companies are included, which doesn't seem to restrictive, Microsoft has been on the list every year since they started compiling this list ten years ago.

This got me thinking about companies, having just gone through another (and my final) recruiting season at school. I got an email from a friend who had offers from a couple of different companies. He had narrowed the options down to two companies, and his gut said to go with Company A. Yet as he tried to work with them he found HORRIBLE customer service. He wanted to go work there, yet they were slow in responding to questions, if they responded at all, wouldn't negotiate, and just overall had an arrogant attitude that they were a great company and he should be thankful to work for them. It was completely different with Company B. And that is where he is headed.

Why do companies seem to put their worst possible people on the front lines in recruiting to interact with potential employees? It makes no sense to me. I saw this many times from others through this last recruiting season. I am glad I had an overall good recruiting experience with Microsoft, but even then, there are certainly areas it could be improved.

Organizations need to realize that, though it should be obvious, that recruiters are the face of the company and quite possibly the ONLY association a potential employee has with the company. The very best and brightest should be in those positions representing the company well.

Merry Christmas

Here is a favorite Christmas song of mine by Rowland H. Pritchard; the tune for this song is in the LDS Hymn book under the title, "In Humility, Our Savior." But these are the words that originally went with the tune:

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King;
Born to reign in us forever:
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth!

Weekly Harvest

Weekly Gratitude List:

1. Jill's birthday today - Happy Birthday Darling!!

2. Ooey-gooey chocolate birthday cake

3. Butterfinger ice cream - yum!

4. Bedtime for Dallin - Sundays are hard because his schedule gets thrown off with church.

5. Christmas music

6. The final final is finally finalized - I'm looking forward to two weeks off!

Five Years

Five years ago today I woke up really early because I just COULDN'T sleep and drove around Ogden for a while.

Five years ago today I wore a tux with a bow tie and cumberbun the color of eggplant.

Five years ago today I ate a lovely lunch at the Ogden Marriott Hotel.

Five years ago today I had my picture taken...a LOT!

Five years ago today I had a ring put on my finger.

Five years ago today I stood in line for a couple of hours greeting lots of people (most of whom I did not know).

Five years ago today I started smiling and haven't stopped.

Five years ago today I went to the temple for time and all eternity.

Five years ago today I married Jill!

Happy Anniversary - I love you!!

Weekly Harvest

My weekly gratitude list:

1. Jill for scraping the harened corn syrup off of my container. Sounds lame, I know, but hey, it's the little things.

2. Dallin's smile and the sound of his cute jibberish jabbering.

3. Two friends who sought me out this past week for advice - rarely does that happen. Usually I'm the one seeking advice.

4. Syrup night - every Thursday!

5. Finally getting an idea for Christmas for Jill!

6. Christmas cards

1...2...3

We count to three a lot in our house. It is the easiest way to get Dallin to do something. Dallin, by the way, is my almost two year old, about to turn professional wrestler son. When he does turn pro, he'll be known as D-Train. But that's another story. Dallin does enjoy counting off to run down the hall, drink his milk, eat cheese, tackle me, get in the bath, change his diaper, pretty much anything. I'm afraid for him when he finds out there's a four...and a five...and a whole lot more out there!

So, my counting off is to signal the beginning of this blog. Hopefully it'll last; time shall tell. I thought I'd make a brief explanation as to the URL address and the title. The URL - free chocolate milk - is in reference to the fact that I'll be starting full-time work at Microsoft this coming spring after I graduate, and one of the biggest benefits (in my book) is the free chocolate milk, among many other beverages, that they offer there. The blog title, Remember, Remember, is in reference to counsel we are often given in church to remember, record, and write down significant events in our lives, thoughts, feelings, and other stuff to help us remember the bleessings we've been given.