[BC] just for fujn - a little serious too.

[Xmitters at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/8/2009 7:45:42 PM Central Standard Time, 
broadcast-request at radiolists.net writes:

> Jeff,
> I have found that "Zingers" should only be used if the two parties are 
> equals, or have the type of relationship that allows that type of humor.
> When I have had supervisors question my actions or requests I take into 
> consideration what motivates that particular person, whether it be ego, 
> frugality, fear of their supervisors, etc. ad nauseum. I then formulate 
> my answer to fit their particular view of the subject.
> For ego I might explain that the other stations do not have the caliber 
> of talent that we do, so they can get by with cheaper, or we need the 
> better equipment to be No. 1 in the market. Whichever way works in a 
> particular situation.
> For frugality explain the future consequences of whatever you or they 
> want to do. A lot of times they do not understand that the other station 
> is trying to justify making a bad decision by "selling" the concept to 
> other managers. This is especially true where top management comes from 
> the sales side. They are great at selling a bad idea, and making others 
> think that it is brilliant. To wit, the current situation in radio.
> For managers that are fearful for their careers (having problems making 
> profit quotas), my best suggestion is having a resume ready and in 
> circulation. These guys can always find someone to do it their way that 
> will work cheaper than you. These types are in positions they can't 
> handle, and will do anything, thinking they are saving themselves.
> Hitting GM's, OM's, PD's, etc. with "Zingers" is a sure way to get 
> yourself a reputation as someone difficult to deal with and having an 
> attitude problem. As a manager myself, I will tell you, and everyone 
> else that peruses the board, that I will take attitude over aptitude any 
> day of the week. Skills can be taught to those with good attitudes. Bad 
> attitudes poison an entire workplace. Been there, done that, and have 
> seen the results of both.
> 
> -- 
> R. V. Zeigler, Dir. of Eng.
> 

R. V.

All positively excellent comments. 

It all depends on what a "zinger" means to you if it is indicative of an 
attitude problem, etc. People for a lot of the reasons you mention, refuse to 
carry out logical conversations about station business. 

What a Zinger is to me is, preferrably a one sentence comment that allows the 
illogical speaker a graceful suggestion to consider the actual facts at hand, 
and still save face in the process. I've seen some zinger experts that will 
have the PD, ROTFLHAO. Sometimes a good one liner will make a manager sit back 
and rub his chin with one hand and say something like "I've never thought of 
it that way. Interesting point." A good zinger has to be face saving, 
non-confrontational but pursuasive, to be effective. 

The managers you mention are apparently in the same competitive market.  If 
so, I see your point. A lot of my past situations were with people, managers or 
whomever, that acted as though they've been in every radio station in the 
country. Not staying on a good business track by toleraing illogical arguments or 
conclusions does the company no good in the long run.

Regarding attitude versus aptitude, I would go 50-50 on that one. I've seen 
engineers with an apparently good attitude  that can really screw things up. so 
attitude there would be of little good if the person does not have the 
aptitude to do the job. You need both. I had a full time guy working for me doing  
remote broadcasts. Back in engineering, he had a hell of a bad attitude. My air 
staff loved this guy on remotes, because he could make work, literally 
anything they asked for, right on the spot. 

You make excellent points regarding the content of the conversation fitting 
the values that the decision maker holds dear. That's pretty much basic sales 
technique. 

Attitude goes both ways. these days there is no room for people with a bad 
attitude or work ethic on either side of the negotiating table. 

Fortunately, these illogical argument styles do not take place where I am 
now. We look at a problem, find the solutions, see which one fits our future 
plans the best, then we fund it.  Here, the engineering department is the Customer 
Service Department by my design.

Jeff Glass
Northern Illinois University
Dell 2650 Win2000 AOL 7.0

ditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID%3D62%26bcd%3Dfebema=
ilfooterNO62)</HTML>