Post Message

Prior Page  Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15   Next Page

06/28/09 03:55 PM #189     Mark Finch I was asked to speak to the NAPM (National Association of Purchasing Management) when I received my lifetime C.P.M. designation on Jauary 8 of this year. I thought some of you might enjoy it. ______________________________________________________ Being awarded the Lifetime C.P.M. seemingly forces you to reflect on your career. I thought it might be interesting to take you back to 1982 when I started my career in Purchasing. Today I looked up 1982 on the Internet to find some statistics. In 1982 I couldn’t do that because Al Gore had not yet invented the Internet. In fact, arguably the most exciting product launch of 1982 was the Commodore 64 with its 64K of RAM. It was also the year the first CD Player was launched. The year USA Today was first published. Yuri Andropov was the new General Secretary of the USSR The economy in 1982 was interesting. We were in a recession: Inflation was 6% The interest rates were 11.5 % The high for the DOW was 1,065 A new house costs $82,200 Gas was .91 per gallon I was making $15,000 per year as a Buyer Observations from a business perspective- Smoking was still allowed in private offices. Shades of the TV show AD MEN. The fax machine outside my cube was a 1200 baud machine that used paper on electrostatic rolls. If you left the paper in the sunlight, the printing would disappear. Fax machines were like magic! “Memos to all employees” were printed on paper and distributed by hand. Requisitions were usually filled out by hand and signed in ink and delivered via Interoffice mail. PO’s were typed on 5 or 6 part carbon paper on a typewriter….remember the typewriter? The telephone was the most widely used method for getting a PO to a supplier although in those days sales reps would stop by the office to pick-up orders. Inventory systems were all manual as were calculations…If you needed supplier (vendor) history, you needed to pull out the 10-key and add up the numbers by hand. I remember that one of my early observations was that my company was spending a lot of money on overnight delivery with a company call Federal Express.. I gathered all of my information together (by hand adding the invoices) so that we could negotiate a contract. When I presented my findings to my boss he said ’What a stupid business model. I don’t know anybody that can’t wait an extra day for their documents.” Computers were just starting to be introduced into the office. They were very expensive for the time (about $2500) if I remember right and because of the expense, only executives could have them…..the only problem was the executives did not know how to use them so the “status symbol” quickly became an expensive paperweight. I hope you have enjoyed my trip down memory lane. If you stop to consider the advances that occurred during the last 26 years, you might end up wondering, as I do, what advances might occur in the next 26 years. Thank You.

07/03/09 08:39 PM #190     Mitzi Carlson (Beckman) Technological advances I remember when there was just 1 computer availabe for use in my dorm at Western. Usage was scheduled on a sign up sheet. It was a big deal if you had an electric typwriter. Mine was manual but new. It was a gift from my parents for high school graduation. Time continues to speed along....

07/03/09 10:45 PM #191     Dan Muniz (Seger) Happy 4th everyone. Anyone getting together this summer for some fellowship?

07/06/09 02:28 PM #192     Jeffrey Pedelty I'd be up for a get together. Mark, congratulations. Thanks for making me feel as old as I guess I really am. Remember the old telex? Nice picks Mitzi. I'm just getting into this technology stuff. (On different levels.) I was setting up skype on my laptop with Ron as I was looking at your pictures. I pointed the camera at the computer monitor with your picture on the boundary marker. He was impressed. Thanks for sharing.

07/06/09 06:35 PM #193     Mitzi Carlson (Beckman) I bet Ron got a kick out of seeing Susan Strohpaul Cornell. So how are you going to use your skype...school/classroom? Family/obviously you were talking to Ron? My niece, who is a missionary in South Africa, uses it as often as she can to update her folks on how their granddaughter is growing. The world is not so huge anymore.

07/07/09 12:52 PM #194     Jeffrey Pedelty I'm not sure how to use it yet. I've successfully called a couple family members so far. It was weird, I got a laptop for the classes I'm taking at school, and set skype up on that, and used the laptop to look at the monitor of my desk computer. There must be an easier way, but it worked. I haven't been able to get Linda on line, but that is more a scheduling thing. Yea, Ron thought it was kinda cool. Nice picture.

07/31/09 11:45 AM #195     Brigitte Robinson (Zdankus) Jim Cory is planning a NHS Alumni Reunion at Jimmie's Roadhouse (Cory's) in Newaygo on August 8th - 8:00pm. He said there is a DJ (no cover), open menu and drink specials. He wants to plan an annual event. I did post to Classmates.com and on Facebook page but thought I should post here too. Anyone from NHS is invited. Sounds like a fun event - spread the word.

08/09/09 07:08 PM #196     Mitzi Carlson (Beckman) Who went? Let's hear some stories!

08/11/09 06:49 PM #197     Martha Bisel (Rudnick) I'm with Mitzi!!! I want to attend vicariously via this message forum!!!! Or...was it such a good time that people just haven't recovered yet??? :0

08/12/09 04:43 PM #198     Jeffrey Pedelty Sorry, I don't remember what happened. I must have drank too much. You should have been there. What happened?

08/12/09 05:21 PM #199     Jeffrey Pedelty Okay, I wasn't drunk, but I didn't take a camera there either. It was pretty laid back. We sat outside for a bit, then Jane and I went inside to eat, but no one came with us. (Don't want to go into that too much. Really, I showered. Guess I should have brushed my teeth?) There were quite a few people that came later in the night. (Maureen). But, I'm drawing a blank on names right now. We should try to keep this going and see how many more can come. The cool thing was seeing people from other classes, and surprisingly some people that didn't know each other while being separated by just one or two years. (Graduation dates)

08/19/09 10:53 PM #200     Terri Nelson (Hubbard) I saw Bob Parker the night before (Friday night) while I was having dinner at Jimmy's. He was up for a visit but had to leave Saturday, but really wanted to be there. He looks great! I wasn't at the reunion Saturday either...I was on a nice little bike trip to Mackinaw. (No....NOT bicycle!! Are you kidding!!!??!)

08/21/09 07:39 AM #201     Mitzi Carlson (Beckman) Now there's an idea...HMMMMMMM....A bicycle trip to Mackinac. Next summer...road trip ladies????

08/23/09 08:42 AM #202     Kim Holmes (Phillips) Girls, That sounds like fun. YOU realy going to get some sort of get together going ? let me know. I may Surprise you all . I would like to see ya all one day. before iget to old.haha im only 27. you know lol haha love ya all kim

08/25/09 08:05 AM #203     Terri Nelson (Hubbard) Mitzi, it would take me at LEAST a year to get in shape for a bike ride like that! How about you go buy a motorcycle and ride with me to Mackinaw and to get in shape we'll ride bikes around the island. That sounds more reasonable to me.

08/25/09 08:19 AM #204     Terri Nelson (Hubbard) You're an animal, Mitz!

08/26/09 08:33 AM #205     Kim Holmes (Phillips) HELLO GIRLS > IT KIM WELL JUST LOOK AT PICTURES > YOU WILL SEE SOME THING VERY SPECIAL> LOK TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK > I WILL DO MORE LATER YOUR FRIEND KIM.WRITE WHEN GET A CHANCE> KIM

08/31/09 08:36 PM #206     Mark Finch GEOGRAPHY OF A WOMAN Between 18 and 22, a woman is like Africa: half discovered, half wild, fertile and naturally beautiful. Between 23 and 30, a woman is like Europe: well developed and open to trade, especially for someone of real value. Between 31 and 35, a woman is like Spain: very hot, relaxed, and convinced of her own beauty. Between 36 and 40, a woman is like Greece: gently aging but still a warm and desirable place to visit. Between 41 and 50, a woman is like Great Britain: with a glorious and all conquering past.. Between 51 and 60, a woman is like Israel: has been through war, doesn't make the same mistakes twice, takes care of business. Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Canada: self-preserving, but open to meeting new people. After 70, she becomes Tibet: wildly beautiful, with a mysterious past and the wisdom of the ages, an adventurous spirit and a thirst for spiritual knowledge.

09/07/09 10:08 AM #207     Mitzi Carlson (Beckman) And what would the geography of a man be??

09/14/09 10:43 AM #208     Paula Hanlon (Veneklase) We seem to be stumped for an answer to that question, Mitzi! Which kinda suprises me with all the clever people from our class that are out there. (me not one of them)

09/23/09 10:43 AM #209     Terri Nelson (Hubbard) I've got nothing!

09/23/09 05:53 PM #210     Paula Hanlon (Veneklase) Now Terri, I would consider you one of our wittier ones!!!

10/02/09 08:46 AM #211     Paula Hanlon (Veneklase) Let's change the subject, how about sports...... like Let's Go STATE!!!!! and Let's Go Tigers....... and what about the Lions winning..... should be a great weekend for sports fans in Michigan. Someone just reminded me it's also Pulaski Days Weekend, it's been awhile since I've been to the Westside Halls. Does anyone still participate? Also the big Artprize event in GR. I've seen a few pieces. The table and chairs on the walking bridge you can see from the s-curve. I do want to get down there for a closer look. I heard Nessie is awesome to see. I also viewed the ladders and the sharing tree. I've seen a few buildings with murals on the outside but that's about it. Anyway, lots going on. Everyone have a nice weekend. GooooooooooooSTATE!!!!!

10/02/09 01:43 PM #212     Terri Nelson (Hubbard) Go Newaygo...beat Fremont!(?)!! In the rain, no less...they've not had a tremendous season. Gotta feel a little of our new Coach's pain! Poor guy..poor KIDS! Pulaski Days. That's an idea! And don't forget to try to make it to Northern Trails on Sunday!! 2:00!

10/05/09 08:14 PM #213     Mark Finch You can take the boy out of the Midwest, but you can't take the Midwest out of the boy. I live two miles from Angels stadium and while I do enjoy going to a game, I just can't stop rooting for the Tigers....I hope they don't blow it now. Considering the difference in talent between the Lions and the Chargers...you guessed it, still pulling for the Lions. It is frustrating. As for the Wolverines and Spartans...wait until next year when the Wolverines get a real cornerback that can cover somebody. Please update me on Newaygo Football. Has anybody had as good a season as the Class of 78?

Post Message

Prior Page  Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15   Next Page