The Haves and the Will Nots

And with a few clicks, the blogging portion of my life embarks.  I may have some decents views, I may have some garbled views, and I may have some that come off as righteous views.  However, they are just that - views.  I write, just views..

We have all heard of the social classes the Haves and the Have Nots.  Families of privilege, and those that struggle endlessly.  Growing up, I believed that money was a hereditary benefit of others, but that with hard work and a little luck, I might see a little of it myself.  Those that struggled would also pass on their tribulations to their kin and this was just they way the world wound itself.

As a young worker washing dishes, stocking grocery shelves, mixing mortar, mixing drinks, raking sand traps, and ringing up everything from Tylenol to Bikinis, I too struggled with earnings.  Fortunately, I did see the benefits of a little extra effort.  I may not have always deployed those efforts, but when I did, I saw the appreciation employers had for any glimpse of work ethic.  It wasn't until I started with RadioShack and being given the managerial duties of running a store did the tides really turn.  I needed people to do their job and if not, I would find someone that does.  When the employee didn't work out, we would just replace them with one that did.

Fast forward 27 years.  I am still with RadioShack, now as a Franchisee instead of corporate manger, but the same holds true today as it did in 1985 - replace a malfunctioning employee with one that works.

One Problem.  There are too many malfunctioning ones out there.  Today's worker 25 years old and younger may be the most delusional generation ever to come along.  My generation was not a work of art by any means, but applicant after applicant fails to impress.  When the least wretched become new hire after new hire, many arrive with a chip on their shoulder and a air of 'how did you ever get along without me', when the thing that goes through my mind most frequently is 'what did I see in this person during the interview?'  Don't get me wrong, a gem does come along once in a while, but I have to polish a lot of cement before I unearth a precious stone.  As of this writing, I have a pretty good staff.  Maybe the best in years, but it took a LOT of weeding out the chaff to get there.  That was not always the case.

Just to set the record straight, any future applicants may want to avoid past gaffes made by 'Mensa' associates:

• Your birthday may have come before my need for you to work.  Fine, have a nice birthday.  See ya.
• Yes, I am aware that this is the 5th 85-degree day you have called in sick, and then shown up with a sunburn.  See ya.
• OK, you stopped drinking last night, but I don't know when.  My guess is that since you smell like a dive bar and are slurring your way through the English language that it wasn't too long ago.   For the third time in 2 weeks. Buh-bye.

I have heard so many reasons (excuses) not to work, that if you could put that energy put into coming up with new excuses towards actually working, you'd be rich.

So it boils down to the Haves and the Will Nots.  Those willing to overcome CLAS, or Chronic Lazy Ass Syndrome, will Have.  They will have success and be able to have their heads high for giving an honest effort and the rewards that come with it.  The Will Nots are the polar opposite.  They will not have success because they will not make an effort.  They will not understand that our whole system of commerce depends on the efforts of its workforce.  Those that have a disability are exempted, but those that will not because they know they can get away with it are part of our problems in these economically tough times.  Get out, make an effort, and reap the rewards.  Otherwise....see ya.