WORK HARD!
I just returned from a few days of business and pleasure in South Florida. It’s amazing what a short break can do for the mind, body and soul. Time away can reap clarity and focus, while putting everything into perspective.
Recently, news organizations have been devoting their time to what is, in my opinion, one of the most absurd debates – whether employees should be paid more for using blackberries during “off-hours.”
In today’s 24/7 news cycle, corporations won’t exist if they live on a 9-5 clock, and great PR people won’t go far if they “log out” at 5. The global environment and the world have changed forever. Work and life outside of the office have merged closer than ever before, like it or not.
When I was 13, I worked 50 to 60 hours a week every summer in a Bronx pizzeria. My boss told me, “You don’t want to come to work tomorrow, great. Don’t come the next day or for the next few weeks either.” While he said it half jokingly, the reality is the world won’t stop because you don’t want to perform.
In today’s hungry, new-money driven world, there’s always someone willing to work harder and push more, and the simple reality of life is unless one works in a minimum wage or civil servant position, they can’t simply punch the clock. And, as I fondly recall, a few years ago even NYC Mayor Bloomberg terminated someone for playing Tetris on the job… and he was right.
As Donald Trump and others say, “You can’t be great at your job if you don’t love it.” And, the truth is, no one will force you to check your blackberry, but I guarantee people who don’t respond to client needs during after-office hours won’t retain their clients very long. For those of you in the PR industry who compete with my firm, I’d urge all of you to not check your blackberries after 6 or on weekends, because we always will.
I recently said to a new crisis client, “It’s very easy for people to criticize and much harder to succeed and build. Building takes hard work, sweat, time and sacrifice.”
Entrepreneurs and successful people work hard. I am sure the folks at NBC, CBS and other competitors are hoping ABC folks don’t check their blackberries after hours… so they get scooped for their stories in this uber-competitive media world.
Ronn Torossian
June 24th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
[...] WORK HARD! …global environment and the world have changed forever. Work and life … people who don’t respond to client needs during after-office hours [...]
June 25th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Dear Ronn,
This is an interesting article and I wouldn’t disagree with you that in your industry this type of definition for ‘work hard’ is the new norm.
In fact, if people can work 9-5 and continue their work into their home life, while still keeping a work-life-family balance I commend them.
So I ask you, what is your recommendation for working up to your expectations, remaining physically and emotionally healthy, spending time with your family, kids, friends, and just having it all.
Sleep less is just one answer, but not always the healthiest one for every individual. I bring up sleep less because that was the answer you once gave me after your speech at RAJE. You get up in the wee morning hours and hit the gym. You’re definitely in shape, appear to be in good health, and must of course be a super-productive person to run such a productive company.
However, you didn’t give us too much information about life out side of work. Is there life outside of work? I know that for myself, and I’m sure for many of your employees and people reading this, we have a family and other personal goals to attend to. Do you think multi-tasking making love to our spouse, talking to clients while throwing the ball around with our kids, and checking the latest news breaks over family dinner is really the best use of our time? Are we living to work, or are we working to live?
What say you?
Respectfully Yours,
Alex Shalman
June 25th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Alex:
Thanks for the comment… but for many reasons, I choose not to discuss my personal life in this forum… That said, you have many wise comments in your email, and I would say for each his own. Every person needs to do the balance which is best for them, and their friends, families and loved ones.
Best, Ronn
August 4th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Hi webmaster!
August 7th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Motivational Quotes…
Quotes to get you through the week…