TazKristi wrote:Toad,
Since you have decided to direct a majority of your comments at or about me, I thought I might chime in.
I am very fortunate to work for Spyderco, to be a part of something special. I've never once denied that. Regardless of my workload or what is expected of me, I can assure you my expectations of myself are always much higher.
You seem to have a skewed sense of business. For that, I truly feel sympathy for you. I've never asked for sympathy from you. I've worked extensively in the corporate world and just as extensively in the world of small business. Spyderco fits like a round peg in a square hole in both of those worlds. This place is unique in more ways than you can imagine. You are of course free to assume whatever you'd like. And that's ok. Those of us actually working for Spyderco day in and day out know our reality.
Spyderco is much more than a name, a knife, a business. We are unique and Joyce's words were very accurate. We are a family. Not just a family-owned business, but an actual family. The people in this building matter. They've seen me through the birth of a child, the death of a parent and everything in between. So loyalty is given freely and equally from both directions.
I wish I could say that I'm sorry that our priorities or business practices don't match up with your own, but that wouldn't be true. I'm very happy that they in fact do not.
Kristi
Dear Kristi,
Sorry, for what is a gross misunderstanding.
My response was to people who seem to feel sorry for others. The point was not directed to you, at all.
My statements were if you work in business, big or small you put in what you have to, and I did acknowledge you miss things at home, and I do as well. That was a compliment.
That is part of a modern workplace. There are so many workers that call in sick if a child coughs, and use it as an excuse.
If you go back, and read my post, I do have a dislike for others who feel sorry that someone is at a trade show or is busy.
I get it all the time as the events I cover are fun, but still very hard work and I, like you do not neglect duties. That is a another compliment. The fact you do go out for the good of a company shows dedication.
The comments that people say here and in other places, that someone is overworked, and has too much on their plate is false sympathy. Like I stated clearly above, I hate it when people do that to me, and maybe I choose to do things without the extra staffing, as it can just be easier. If I need help I get it, and I wager if you need help you can get it also.
As far as loyalty, even family businesses deal with some of the worst issues, again this is basic business theory.
Being busy can be part of the challenge, and I like to be busy. If I get too busy and reach the point where we could fall behind, I do call in help.
I can tell you my business skills are not
skewed at all. Most of the work we do in politics, and corporate work, is at the highest levels together with the highest levels of society, and do require a very formal decorum, and proper protocol. If myself or my staff decides to go off on their own, that can cause major problems. We must stay well within the rules of good taste, and conduct ourselves with the utmost respect for the elegance of the setting, and provide the proper courtesy to the distinguished people to whom we work with, whether our on the record opinions may happen to conflict or disagree with their public ideas, and policy decisions. I require total neutrality outside of the walls of my office and studio.
Our motion picture, television, music, and entertainment clients do allow us to have a little more wit and interaction, while still respecting the client and their talent.
My company is based completely on trust, and perfect execution of logistical planning, like Spyderco, high quality with stellar service.
I do understand the progressive, and less formal workings of certain businesses, and they work well for many. I never brought Spyderco's workings, and communal style of idea sharing into question. I like the notion for your company, if not the Toad would never have been produced by any company. The knife I like best.
Skewed...Me? No. If you think this is easy...the answer is NO! However, an honor, privilege, and to be on the cutting edge of what is happening in the world the days we are involved, and to witness history is worth everything we must do, and endure.
Most of my job is planning and logistics for what I will be doing if working solo, or what my hand picked team is assigned to do is what makes my company selected by many of the best people and companies worldwide.
One of my biggest hassles are having so many stamps in my passport when clearing customs on commercial fights. All of us get asked many questions.
In the end it is all worth it, and I would not want to change having my own company at all.
You also mention the death of a parent. (With that mention, I tell this story as you and others may find it very unique)
My mom was very ill with cancer. A week before her passing, she knew of a high level job I had to coming up soon. She told me no matter what, I was to go on that job. She made me promise her not to cancel.
The very same day she died, three hours later, I directed a job for
The President of the United States - Geo.H.W. Bush, in January, 1992
As the result of my situation, I was given the unheard of opportunity to bring my Fiancee (Now Wife) along in the "Security Bubble or Package", and did have a chance to speak in private with the president, who was shocked, I was able to take care of myself, and the project with no sign of such a personal disaster. He offered me anything he or anyone on his the staff could do for my situation.
As we left the room, the president, returned, no agents, no aides and gave me something. Only my wife, and close friends know what that item is.
This was not a very easy thing to do given the very complex nature of that arena of work. However, I did it. I went. Also, my mom was my last living relative.
A few months later, I was invited with my now wife Patti, to lunch on a trip aboard Air Force One, durring trip back to California, as a way of telling us thanks.
My mom was good friends of both President's Geo. H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.
To this day, the president tells my story to people he knows, when we meet. (I have never told this story in a public setting, however, only to prove my skills while not perfect, are not at all
skewed.)
I feel you misread-read my point, and I wanted to make it clear, some people make the owner's of your company sound like they may over work staff. Not uncommon in management.
Also, I do not know if you are part owner. I was trying do defend you as someone who knew what they were doing.
I had no intent to discredit or insult you. I do not have sympathy for you, as you do not ask for it...nor do I feel you need it whatsoever. It is the others who have a false sense of sympathy for you, and I was just stating I feel you must know what you are doing.
Respectfully, and with all best wishes,
Toad
