Memorial Day 2010 - USA

People from every Country in the world have things they like and appreciate about their culture. I live in the USA so naturally there are things about my Country that I love.

Today is a day that forces me to reflect back in time. I think about a time before me. I think about men and women who served our Country. There were many who gave all. I would not be where I am today without those who paved the way for Freedom. I do not deserve such freedom. I look around in other parts of the world and see many people who are oppressed. To those people I can only pray that your day of freedom comes soon but I must tell you that freedom comes with a great price tag. It requires that many good men and women shed their blood. Ironically, 'freedom' is never 'free'.

On this day, May 31, 2010, I thank my God that I have the freedom to celebrate as I see fit. I humbly offer thanks to those men and women who came before me and paid the price so that I could be free. I am eternally grateful!

kml

2010

Recession and the National Trend…..Industrial Safety

I began to notice a trend back in late 2008. The number of folks reporting accidents within the USA started to drop sharply. At first glance a person might be led to believe that the ‘national layoff’ that occurred in the USA was the obvious reason. The thought being that if fewer people were working that fewer accidents were being reported. However, after a deeper study, we see that often times after layoffs instead of experiencing an ‘even work distribution’ we usually have a more lopsided situation in which ‘fewer people are doing more’ work. In fact, overtime is usually the only option for those lucky souls that didn’t get the hatchet.

I have been engaged in a recent study with a few of the top 20 liability and worker’s compensation insurance providers in the USA. We have a few ‘non-official results’ tallied. We have found that there was a ‘perceived fear’ that if employees reported accidents during the severe economic recession (2008-2010) they would lose their jobs or experience negative repercussions. This has been a sobering study because the obvious result could be a sudden increase in injury reporting as the economy rebounds.

It is also possible that many folks who may have been injured on the job did not report and are simply waiting until they perceive it is ‘safe’ to report. Those of us in the industry feel that this could result in a temporary spike in more serious cases. An example could be ‘back strains’ that went unreported that may now be ‘herniated disks injuries’. Back injury is only one example. There are many cases in which injuries could be underreported and later become a logistical nightmare to deal with.

If you are in the industry and have any feedback on this issue please send me an email with an explanation and your company name if you would like to be included in our study. Please annotate any oddities in your Corporate Health & Safety trends during this last economic recession.

kellymlangdon@gmail.com

kml

2010

Physical Fitness = Life Changing!!!

I fit many of the American stereotypes. I am 37 years old. I sit at a desk many hours during the day. My sugar levels had been gradually increasing over the past 10 years. I have a history of heart disease in my family with a mild history of diabetes on my father’s side of the family. My total cholesterol had eased into the ‘mid 200’s’ category. My liver was just on the verge of not being able to convert fat. (fatty liver) I found myself feeling low on energy and high on stress. It seemed like at least 2-3 days a month I kept a headache or a backache. My weight had crept up to approximately 255 lbs. This was not obese but certainly out of my range at a height of 6’ 1”.

About 9 months ago my doctor gave me the wonderful news. He said, “Kelly, you have a family history of diabetes and heart disease …………and you are well on your way to becoming a young diabetic with possible a stroke or heart issues.” To make matters worse, I was only a couple of months away from a rigorous travel schedule which would certainly be more difficult on any ‘diet’. I wondered how I could have gotten to this point within a few years of being a soldier in the US Army.

I walked away from the doctor’s office emotionally crushed that day. For a few days I was depressed and feeling sorry for myself but then it occurred to me that no one was going to do it for me so I could either settle for a possible heart attack or get busy. My wife and I got online and started seeking heart healthy food tips. We refused to engage in any fad dieting but rather opted for an old fashioned well balanced diet enjoying foods from all groups each day. We increased our raw fruit and veggie intake. We also began using whole grain breads and pastas. We trimmed down on the sugar and replaced soda with cranberry juice, orange juice and water with some limited tea.

It was soon after that I started walking a few minutes each day with a goal of being able to once again run 2 miles within the same time requirements as when I was in the US Army. I did not set a date but rather chose to start very slow and let it happen when it happened. With some encouragement from athletes at work (Paul McKeithan, Jim Plant and many more) I began to push myself a little more. Losing weight was never my goal. I simply wanted to live a healthier lifestyle and let my body decide what happened as a result.

Several weeks back I had my semi-annual physical. Blood pressure, Cholesterol, Sugar, Liver etc……….all back within the ‘perfect range’………I was 60 lbs. lighter. Needless to say I was as happy as I had been depressed before!

The one thing that has shocked me beyond words is not the physical impact on my life but the mental. My attitude towards life is improved. I wish that I could share in some small way my success with others. I’d love to help someone else if you are where I was a few months ago! It is worth it!

More to come…….stay tuned!!

kml

2010

Fat Sound Guitars .....Highly Recommended - Kelly Langdon

http://www.fatsoundguitars.com/

Every now and then I run across a group of folks that I would shop with myself.....or a group I'd actually recommend to family or friends. Fat Sound Guitars in Cary, NC is a company like that. The guys are actually 'gear junkies' themselves. They don't sell junk.....so if you are into junk, go to one of the chain stores but if you really want service....the kind where the folks spend all day if needed to help you really get that tone you are after....then Fat Sound is for you.

No, I get no kick-backs.....I get no deals.......I don't work there.....if you know me at all, you know I am a picky...picky...picky shopper....and if I offer a referral for a book, a store or any other service you better believe that I have faith they are good.

Check out their site.......if you are in the area, you must stop by the store......if you are not pleased, contact me and I'll buy your lunch.





kml
2010

regarding 'Safety & Sustainability' from my friend Mike Taubitz

From my friend Mike Taubitz......too good to not pass along...

http://www.fdrsafety.com/how-safety-fits-with-sustainability/

How safety fits with sustainability

March 24th, 2010 posted by Mike Taubitz 

Sustainability is a board level issue in most companies. It is a complex strategic challenge that balances social, economic and ecological issues for sustainable growth of the organization.

In its simplest form, sustainability can be remembered as “People, Profit and Planet.” The question for safety professionals is “where do we fit into this C-suite initiative?” If you have a sound safety process, my suggestion is to make sure that safety is a value within the organization.

Sustainability, “green” and environment are terms often used interchangeably. For clarification and purposes of this blog, let us agree that “green” and environment is essentially the same thing. While key, they are part of “planet” – just one piece of the overall equation.......................

and also this:

http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&gid=2888693&discussionID=16224819&goback=.anh_2888693

Safety culture is a myth. So is “lean” culture...

How many HSE professionals are actively dealing with the integration of lean, green and safety? Are safety pros still talking about compliance, OSHA recordkeeping and “safety culture.” In another LinkedIn forum, I had several positive responses to the challenge that “safety culture is a myth.”

There can only be “organizational culture” and safety must be a value within that culture. A sustainable organization cannot have competing cultures. Every time, I read about “safety culture,” I wonder about the company’s “quality culture,” “lean or production culture,” “service culture,” etc….

Can an organization that plans to survive and thrive in a sustainable manner have competing cultures? Answer: NO…


Respect for employees and environment and integration of functions is key to sustainability.

What are you seeing in your company or with your client base?

Your thoughts?

kml

2010

Reality Check by Guy Kawasaki

I don't often plug a book but this one is a keeper. It is segmented for easy reading and is chock full of timeless material. Check it out......I did and felt I had to pass the word along.

http://www.guykawasaki.com/books/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1591842239/guykawasakico-20


kml
2010

Finding Solutions

Often times I am asked, “What is the best way to find a solution to my problem?” In business many problems (or opportunities if we are being politically correct) arise. I am often in meetings and someone will present a problem but they rarely have thought through the moment and considered possible solutions. One of the prerequisites to presenting problems in meetings that I chair is that for each problem I ask the presenter to offer at least 3 possible solutions. Any person can find problems within processes but it takes a real jewel to find the problem and also think through several scenario fixes.

It is my belief that identifying problems is the easiest of processes. In fact, human nature creates this inclination within each of us to be somewhat critical.  Human beings are analytical creatures. We are constantly searching for and finding problems. We can do this at home, at work or even when discussing politics. In fact, in the United States we are especially accustomed to complaining and finding fault. In business, I always try to seek out those folks who bring problems and then real solutions to the table. Those folks who also bring solutions are the ones I want to expose for advancement.  It is easy to measure the growth of employees based on a collection of little things. The new hires usually are pushing for advancement and many times are highly critical in an effort to be noticed. Over time, you can watch these folks grow and if they are ‘keepers’ you will notice they become agents of 'solutions' as well.

I ask each of you to perform a self-evaluation. Are you simply a critic or do you also find solutions? Successful employees can and will do both.

Your thoughts?

kml

2010