Archives for January 2021

Today’s Topics: Home Automation | All About GLC-SX-MM’s | Floor Dispensers w/video | What is a Console Cable? | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Tuesday!

January 19th is National Popcorn Day! Did you know that popcorn is the official snack food of the State of Illinois?

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Smart home devices are super popular these days. Unless you’re trying to avoid them, I’m sure you have one or two in your own home. An Ecobee or Nest thermostat? A Ring doorbell? Maybe a Furbo camera and pet treat dispenser? We enjoy using smart home devices ourselves. We’ve never gone as far as to have a smart home, but we’re working towards some really cool things right now. For years we’ve also been interested in home automation. [What’s the difference in home automation and a smart home?] Having played with some things like switches and receptacles years ago, we know we want to enjoy the convenience of having the proper “brain” for the system and scenes set up for our daily routine. I really want a Tony Stark-like setup, but I’m sure I’ll have to compromise.

It turns out choosing which controller and devices to control isn’t as simple as it seems. We (actually just Craig) have been working towards a home automation setup in the theater room and basement. He’s really into figuring it out, kind of going into mad scientist mode recently. He told me a few nights ago, after hours of working on a problem, that he wanted a break or a breakthrough, ha. There doesn’t seem to be a one size fits all solution or even a well-bundled package for basic home automation, so if you’re going to DIY it, it seems like you have to be willing to tinker. So far Craig is really liking Control 4 solutions. He’s also working on a possible home theater solution with something called a Raspberry Pi, which I thought sounded kind of delicious, but turns out it is a compact computer. I hope to learn more about it all soon.

Do we have any home automation experts connected here? Any advice for us in these early stages of tinkering?

Christin

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Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today we are featuring a CLASSIC! The GLC-SX-MM transceiver is one of those core, tried and true products that we all know and love! These 1G SFP transceiver modules offer tons of flexibility as they support 50/125, 62.5/125, and laser optimized 50/125 (OM3) fiber! They are an ideal solution for providing gigabit uplink capabilities in many Cisco switches, routers, and firewalls. In addition, they are hot-swappable so they are super easy to install – just plug-and-play! We offer this Cisco transceiver in a variety of conditions: Factory Sealed or Refurbished. We also offer our very own CK branded version so there is something for every need and budget! All of our transceivers come in anti-static packaging and look and function like new!

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 1.19.2021

Today’s Topics: Not for the Faint of Heart | Touchscreen Smart VoIP phone w/ 7″ screen | What Mask to Wear? | 5 Facts about MLK Jr | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Monday

January 18, 2021, is the federal holiday that marks Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday day & MLK Jr Day of Service. – “Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service… You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” – MLK, Jr.

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Good Monday morning! Jason here, filling in for Christin this morning.

I hope all of you had a great weekend and I imagine several of you are continuing with a 3-day weekend due to the MLK Jr commemorative holiday.

For me, my weekend was absolutely non-stop. After 5 days on the market, my house went under contract. Selling and buying/building a house is not for the faint of heart. Haha! You just never know what you are going to run into in dealing with other people while buying and selling. I was very thankful that the lady that I am selling the house to has been very easy to work with. Hopefully, that will continue through the home inspection this week and then the appraisal process.

Last Thursday I kinda had a freakout moment with the house and just worrying about getting it sold and everything done. I remember driving in my car, talking with God about it, and thinking through what I needed to do (more like worrying about), and I felt that still, small voice speak in my heart, “Are you operating out of fear, or are you operating out of faith?”

I just hung my head because I knew what I had been more focused on. I had been trying to do as much as I could myself and figure out every possible solution “just in case” something went wrong. God and I chatted about it off and on for the next 2 hours (mostly, God talking). Then about 4 hours after that conversation, I got the offer on the house (from a surprise showing that evening) and accepted it.

There have been plenty of moments in this process where I have stopped and asked myself, “What have you gotten yourself into?” But little by little and day by day, I have been asking God to guide my steps, give me wisdom, and show me favor with all of this. I seriously would not be even close to being sane if it wasn’t for His help.

It is not easy a lot of times (at least for me) to lay something down that I am wrestling with. I am too much of a control freak, but maybe that’s what God is trying to teach me about through this whole house situation.

I hope you have a great week!

Jason

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CK Insider Info | Announcements | Updates:

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 1.18.2021

Today’s Topics: Tough Days | Yealink T4 Series VoIP Phones | Smart Phones for Video & Conference Calls | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Friday…finally!

January 15th is National Strawberry Ice Cream Day! If you pass on Vanilla and Chocolate, then today is your day. Take a break and celebrate with a strawberry milkshake or ice cream cone.

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It’s Friday! I don’t know about you guys, but I feel like I need a few days to recover from this week. TGIF and all that, right?

It was a super busy week for us here at CK, lots of good stuff going on. Personally though I feel a little down. A couple of my family members are sick with COVID, thankfully nothing serious for either of them but they’re still top of mind. Our local schools are going to all digital for at least a week, and last night I heard that a friend’s mom is in her last hours due to COVID. Uncertainty, gloomy weather, sickness, death. It’s all a bit much sometimes. But today I’m choosing hope.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”- ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I hope it is okay to share some of the not so good days with you. I pray each of you has hope to hold onto, that your families are well, and that you’re finding joy in your journey.

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 1.15.2021

Today’s Topics: Dogs vs Cats | Transceiver Showcase – SFP-10G-SR | Take That Temp! | How do SFP’s work | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Thursday!

January 14th is National Dress Up Your Pet Day! You don’t have to wait until Halloween to dress up your pet. You know you have done it…don’t be shy…share those pics with us!

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Do you guys ever get lost on YouTube watching cat videos or other random, mindless content? I’ve definitely been lost on YouTube before but never for cat videos. I wanted to have a short, light hearted message today, so I thought it would be a good excuse to tell you about my dog. Then I somehow lost half an hour looking at dachshund videos. There’s a first time for everything I guess.

We have a 14 year old dachshund named Cooper. Watching the dachshund videos made me miss his younger years. When he was around two years old we added another dog to the family. She was a longhaired black and tan dapple dachshund, and was so calm and sweet. She had gone blind over time due to a problem with her retinas, and a few years ago she accidentally wandered outside of our backyard fence and was lost in the woods. I still miss her. Cooper is loud, stubborn, quirky, demanding, funny, excitable, and protective. He totally doesn’t know he’s a little dog, and loves to catch bubbles that the kids blow in the yard. I know his time left with us is limited and that makes me sad. He’s an old man now (complete with old man problems), but he’s still a little feisty.

Are you a dog person, a cat person, or a no pet person? I think this very scientific article (I mean it is in the name right?) with lots of pretty graphics proves there are different types of pet people. What do you think, is it accurate?

Hope you have a great Thursday!

Christin

CK Insider Info | Announcements | Updates:

• Introducing Yealink Phones! HD Audio & video, perfect for Zoom and Teams calls.
• Don’t forget Fiber cabling prices have dropped by 20%!
• Free shipping on PPE – use coupon code PPESHIP
• PPE Coupon for 20% OFF your order of $250 or more of PPE products. coupon code: BEPREPARED

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Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today we are going to look at one of our most popular transceiver modules, the SFP-10G-SR! The Cisco SFP-10G-SR module gives you a wide variety of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for your data center, enterprise wiring closet, and service provider transport applications. This module boasts a variety of features and benefits, including being the industry’s smallest form factor, which results in the greatest density per chassis. The SFP-10G-SR is hot-swappable and can be switched out with ease. Cisco 10GBase-SR SFP+ modules also feature Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) functionality, which allows you to monitor the signal strength, the temperature of the SFP, and the transceiver voltage.

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 1.14.2021

Today’s Topics: Goals & Frameworks | 1080P HD Webcam Deal | Stock up on Sanitizer | Difference Between LSZH & OFNR | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Wednesday!

January 13th is National Sticker Day…we know your CK stickers have to be your favorite stickers in your collection.

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Happy Hump Day! We’re cruising through the week now. I spent a good portion of the day yesterday preparing for a meeting later this week. I was focused on arranging the meeting to align with a catchy sort of phrase (or phrases) that we use internally to describe how we approach revenue, gross margin and net margin. The phrases may have been stolen or tweaked from other material at some point. This is my disclaimer: I do not know their origin and am not claiming they are original, but we do use them ourselves. We say: define the bottom, drive the top and manage the middle.

Define the Bottom

What is your net margin goal? Know where you’re headed.

Drive the Top

Where are the revenue dollars coming from? What products or services are you selling and to whom are you selling? Who is driving?

Manage the Middle

Keep those expenses in check! If you know where you want to end up, and you know what road you’re taking to get there, this would be the nuisances of the road trip. Don’t get taken off course by the sign that tempts you to go see the largest ball of yarn in the US … unless your goal is to take a spontaneous road trip.

In working through this list, I was struck by the thought that the concept really fits any goal. (Perhaps this pairs unintentionally well with pondering the ponderables from yesterday.) Any goal you have could be what you’ve defined as the “bottom”. Next you’ll need to understand what top level, leading actions begin and fuel your journey to that goal. Lastly, be intentional about your journey there. Don’t spend time, energy or resources that you don’t have – and don’t waste what you do have on unrelated, unimportant experiences.

I hope this framework and my ramblings help spur you towards a goal you may have. Sometimes the road is long, but it is worth it. Stay the course, be intentional and look forward to that final destination!

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 1.13.2021

Today’s Topics: Pondering the Ponderables | OM4 40G Fiber | Sanitizer Dispensers | Different Types of Fiber | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Tuesday!

January 12th is National Pharmacist Day! That is a group of people we can really be grateful for this past year! Thank you to all the Pharmacists out there!

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At the beginning of each year, Craig and I try to take some time to ponder the ponderables (as he says). Pondering … life, work, family, faith, community, giving. We take note of things learned from the previous year, think about what we’d like the new year to look like, and we put things into action to achieve our goals.

This year Craig had been asked a question and he turned the question to me: if your debts were all paid, you had $10 million in the bank and 10 years to live, what would you do with your life? I had an immediate big picture kind of answer, but the question has also stuck with me. What are the nuisances of how I would live my life in those circumstances? The unspoken question here is: ok now what? What’s keeping you from living that way today? Certainly we wouldn’t all be able to live immediately as we fully would in a real life scenario like the one I described, but there are almost always ways to take steps towards your dreams and goals, towards your “best life” as they say.

So, I encourage you to take the time to “ponder the ponderables” by picturing a scenario where you’re free from some of life’s big burdens but have an urgency to live now. Life is short. We’re all going to be gone from this earth at some point. How do you want your life to be lived? What legacy do you want to leave behind? And most importantly, what steps can you take right now to make that happen?

Big thoughts for a random Tuesday, right? I hope today is a good one for you, friend.

Christin

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CK Insider Info | Announcements | Updates:

Introducing Yealink Phones! HD Audio & video, perfect for Zoom and Teams calls.

[Read more…] about CEO Daily Update – 1.12.2021