Git er Done - Implications on Employee Selection

Git-R-Done....

Recently, as I was driving home from work, I saw a bumper sticker on the back of a run-down pickup truck, that said "Git Er Done." As I thought about this saying, which I believe came originally from a show called Larry the Cable Guy, I wondered about the implications of this for companies like a railroad.

Thinking more about this, what this saying means, at least to me, is that the goal is to complete something, and perhaps give no thought to how one gets the job done. That is, no thought to safety or quality....just productivity - get it done....at all costs?

While the thought itself is quintessential American, and the idea of finishing a job is not necessarily a bad thing, I wonder about the implications of this for American industry. Thinking about the domestic auto industry 20-25 years ago, while productivity was high, quality was not always a priority. It took a while for the improvement process to ingrain itself in the auto industry, beginning with Ford's "Quality is Job One." But sayings alone cannot automatically improve a process.

One thing about railroading is that there is definitely a "process" to be followed, whether a person is driving a 150 car train, or laying a piece of rail. Safety (by following the rules without exception,) is paramount, and Quality levels need to be high. Of course, the job needs to be done too, to serve the customer. All three legs of that stool need to be covered well.

Now, what does that mean for selection processes - how we select new team members? Think about this. Compare the saying "Git er done," with the work a brain surgeon does. Might make a person pause.....at the very least!

Matching a person, the skills, and the behaviors, to the job, is an extremely important piece of the selection process.

New Technology - Railroad Signals

It isn't often that we think of new technology and railroads. But Buckingham Branch Railroad is one of the first short line railroads in America to install the newest signal technology, using bright LED signals, and with the ability to use something called PTC - Positive Train Control. PTC is something that railroads are working with now...the ability of a rail traffic control center to "stop" a train, essentially to prevent collisions. With BB hosting Amtrak three days a week on our line, from Orange, VA to Clifton Forge, VA, this is essential technology for us.

Dream Jobs....

How many times have you said to yourself...."When I grow up, I am going to be a..."

I remember growing up in Chicago, and seeing the Soo Line trains run through our town, and wondering what it would be like to be a train engineer. So now, I work for a Railroad in Central Virginia. Sadly, not as an engineer, but as head of HR.

Recently, we were interviewing candidates for two positions on our track crew. We received 150 resumes and applications, interviewed eight, and need to select two. One of the candidates told us a story about a previous job he held. He was hired in a factory for a particular job. Two other candidates were hired at the same time, but for different jobs. On their first day at work, after extensive interviews, the two candidates walked off their jobs, saying that it just was not what they thought it would be. Our candidate was asked to take over in a different department, until the company was able to find other people to hire.

Takes us now to the railroad. So many times, our dream job may, or may not, turn out to be what we were looking for. Railroad work is, strictly speaking, hard work. It pays well, but there are times when one is slogging around in the mud on a cold, rainy day, repairing rail sections, or cutting up trees that have fallen over the tracks. Makes it very important to match the job to the individual.

There are ways to do this....see more at www.resourcesforperformance.com.

Oh...and by the way...the picture above is a winter shot, where the rail worker is heating the rails to move them back into proper position. Rails move in...and out....very important to keep the trains on the tracks! Derailment is certainly a bad word!

Greatest Basketball Team that Wasn't...

A basketball legend passed today. John Wooden, one of the greatest basketball coaches, passed away at 99. Sad to say, I did not much like him while in college. The burr in my saddle comes from one of the best USC basketball teams ever, who did not get to play in the NCAA tournament.

In 1972, USC went 24-2. The two losses were to UCLA, in the Bill Walton years. Those were also the years that UCLA won seven straight NCAA titles. Pretty awesome record. But I remember that year that USC had five players who went on to play in the NBA. Lead by Paul Westphal, one of the best guards to play the game, Chris Riley, Joe Mackey, and Chris Schrobilgen are the names I most remember.

UCLA played in Pauley Pavilion. USC, up until the last few years played in the LA Sports Arena, not quite the nicest digs, but that season was special. UCLA had gone to South Bend, and lost to Notre Dame, so the second game against USC was very important. USC was up by nine in the second half, but fell to UCLA in a slow down game....there wasn't a shot clock in those days.

Those were also the days, at least I believe, of college sports programs that were about graduating with a degree. Where have we lost that concept? Farewell, John Wooden. Good man....

Wind Damage to Rowing Eight

So, rowing is a Spring sport, at least, it always has been for me. But this Spring has been anything but kind to rowers at the University of Scranton. In a recent wind storm, our only eight oared shell was blown off the stretchers and into the trailer. The worst damage was a 2" by 2" hole in the hull, which makes the boat unrowable. We have two four man shells, but for over 30 kids on the team, that does not give much water time!

The crew, understandably, is down, and with races already every weekend, is planning on what can be done to at least enter and compete in some races. But this kind of blow can really hit morale pretty hard.

So the thing to do, is to find ways to get this boat fixed, some other damage that was "patched" redone and make this boat rowable again. Wish us luck!

Ever Been Flying in a Small Airplane?

Recently, I had a Saturday opportunity to go out flying with a friend from church. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, we could see New York City in the distance. We flew over to an airport near the NJ/NY border for lunch, and returned. The picture to the left is of still frozen Lake Wallenpaupack.





On the way over, we flew in formation with a second airplane that my pilot frequently flies with . While that was fun to watch, on the way back home, he turned the controls over to me....my first time flying a small airplane since about 1978, when I was taking flying lessons out in California, flying out of Van Nuys airport in the San Fernando Valley.



Van Nuys airport has it's own interesting history, opening as Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport in 1928. Hollywood apparently liked that airport quite a bit, with Howard Hughes, Cecile B. DeMille, and Gene Autry, and Wallace Beery all flying out of that airport. In 1929, Amelia Earhart set a new speed record there during races that were held.

In addition, some famous movies had scenes shot there, including Casablanca, Lost Horizon, Hells Angels, Men with Wings, and Test Pilot.

Proud Dad in Many Ways!

Admittedly, Bonnie and I have two of the best children any mom and dad could have. And good news has come to Dr. Jenny Lang (daughter,) who is pregnant with our first grandchild. Jenny, who last year completed her Doctorate at the University of Maryland, College Park, and is Director of Admissions for the School of Music there, is due late this summer.

To announce this to mom and I, Jenny and Brian gave us a small package, with a little baby outfit in it. On the front, it says "I watch Trojan Football with Grandma and Grandpa." Trojans, of course, referring to Bonnie's and my undergrad alma mater - USC.

So, even though this is not business-related, just had to share this good news!