Times of Uncertainty | Update on PPE | Tech Product Update | 5 Critical Behaviors of Leaders in a Crisis | News to Start Your Day
Happy Thursday!
(November 5th is National Redhead Day, National Hot Sauce Day, and National Bonfire Day – So, if you have red hair go find a bonfire to enjoy this evening and eat something with hot sauce on it.)
Christin is taking a couple of days off and going camping, so I am sure she will have some fun updates next week after the weekend.
If you are like me, you have some days that are completely planned out with meetings from the minute you start work (of course after you have a large coffee) till you call it quits for the day. Today is one of those days for me. I have 7.5 hours of meetings today. But, I am looking forward to them (I know, I am crazy!) Today we have our first official CK Monthly planning session with our new President, Chris. These meetings give us a chance to recap last month, but also discuss and plan for this month and the next. Heading into the end of the year can be crazy for any business, but probably more so this year with so much uncertainty with COVID and the Presidential election. In times like this I reminded of two quotes and my life verse:
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” – Leo Buscaglia
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
Even when things seem uncertain, we have to focus on that there is a higher plan in place and trust our paths to the One who leads and guides us. We must press forward to continue to do our part to make our life and the lives of others better in the way that we know how to.
This morning, I asked Chris, our new CK President, if he would share a short intro about himself for all of you. We will hear more from Chris very soon in this email.
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Hi there! I’m Chris McCoy and I like candlelit dinners…wait, wrong intro! I’ve been with CK now for almost 12 years. I learned at a young age that I had a gift for understanding technology. So when I met Craig & Christin (while I was working at a computer store), we immediately found that we shared a passion for technology.
If you asked others what one word they think of when they think of me is COFFEE! I love coffee (coffee fanatic maybe?)! I’m currently in a phase where I’m making cold brew coffee but as colder weather is coming, I’ll switch to some form of hot coffee.
I also love to see people be successful! I find the greatest joy in seeing others achieve their dreams. And I think a cross section of leadership is helping people achieve their dreams and those dreams aligning with the strategy of the company!
– Chris
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We are looking forward to working with Chris in this new position with his vision and direction he leads us in during these uncertain times to continue to provide the best experience for our customers with our products, service, and content.
Hope you have an amazing day!
Jason
Today’s Product Updates from Rebecca:
Happy Thursday! We still have a handful of our Clorox Clean Up Disinfecting Spray w/Bleach (32 oz). You can buy individual bottles or purchase as a bundle of 6 bottles for a discount! We have less than 10 of our Clorox Germicidal Healthcare Spray (32 oz) bottles left so act now!
Remember that we also have goggles available for purchase! We have got both Vented Goggles as well as Non-Vented Goggles. Both are on a great sale!
Reminder: Get free shipping on your PPE orders by using coupon code PPESHIP at checkout!
Main Safety Supplies Landing Page: https://www.cablesandkits.com/c/safety-supplies
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As many of us have transitioned from working in the office to working from home, we’ve had to find ways to power our devices so that there is no interruption to business! This is where products like the CP-PWR-CUBE-4 come in clutch! This power cube is a replacement power supply for Cisco CP-88XX, CP-89XX, and CP-99XX VoIP Phones. Check out our product page to see all compatible models. As usual, we have you covered whether you need Cisco original Factory Sealed or Refurbished. We even offer our very own CK Branded model as well as a CK Branded Model w/Straight Plug!
5 Critical Behaviors of Leaders in a Crisis – By Dee Ann Turner, Author | Former VP Chich-Fil-a, Inc:
The last time we had a national crisis of disproportionate magnitude, I was not on the sidelines. I was right in the thick of it. In these days, from the perspective of leading my own small business, I have thought a lot about the leaders I know. While the circumstances are different, I can imagine what they must be going through to keep their employees engaged and their organizations afloat.
During the 9/11 disaster and crisis, I observed the leaders around me. Like the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us had never been in the situation where we now find ourselves. Their cues taught me a lot about leading in difficult circumstances.
These are the 5 behaviors I observed that great leaders do in a crisis:
- They embrace reality and translate it into a vision. – When times are tough, these kinds of leaders keep looking forward. Their experiences have taught them that the situation will eventually change. So, they want to focus on the next opportunity and be ready for it. They have the ability to recognize the seriousness and dire needs of the present, but at the same time, envision a different future. They project hope, positivity and optimism, but not in a foolish or naive way. They know how to strike the balance between reality and an improved future state.
- They prioritize the issues quickly and reprioritize as often as necessary. – These leaders determine what needs to happen first and then next. They also understand that in a crisis, circumstances can change quickly, and they have to be prepared to pivot to a new priority. They use those priorities to create a strategy, and they adjust the strategy with additional information and insight.
- They communicate to their employees and customers with crystal clear clarity. – They are transparent and provide people with the information they need to know, and they are confident enough to admit what they don’t know. When they have a plan, they share it with the stakeholders. They speak truth but layer in encouragement and grace too.
- They focus on the concerns of others above themselves. – These leaders are skilled at empathy, and they gravitate to an attitude of “how can I help you,” instead of self-protectionism and preservation. They recognize that others are suffering just as much or more than they are. They don’t use their position to take advantage of others, but rather use the opportunity to help others.
- They lead from the front. – These leaders don’t ask their team members to do anything they are not willing to do themselves. They stay in the trenches and on the frontlines. If circumstances prohibit in-person connection, they reach out constantly and listen to the concerns of those serving the organization and serving the clients and customers. They remain as visible and accessible as possible, even if only virtually.
The call to leadership is often greatest in a crisis. As goes the leader so goes the organization. Many leaders have gained followership in the crucible of a crisis. This is not a time for leaders to retreat into the chaos, but instead to rise to the moment and display the behaviors that will help their organizations not only survive, but even thrive in the aftermath.
News to Start Your Day With:
- Right at 48,589,500 cases worldwide, with 34,792,800 people who have recovered, with 1,233,257 deaths AND 9,802,400 cases in the US with over 6,293,100 people have recovered, with 239,842 deaths.
- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Wednesday that a new economic stimulus bill should be finalized before the end of the year and will be the focus when the Senate resumes work next week.
- On the road to the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency, Biden has 253 and Trump has 214, after NBC News projected the former vice president the winner in Michigan and Wisconsin, with Georgia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina still being counted. Recounts have already been projected for all of those states.
- New daily coronavirus cases in the U.S. hit a record of 102,831 on Wednesday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota and New Mexico all reported record high hospitalizations this week, according to The Associated Press
- Airbnb plans to make its initial public offering registration public as early next week, two people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The IPO filing will give outsiders their first detailed look into Airbnb’s business.
- GM’s net income surged 74% to $4.05 billion in the third quarter from $2.35 billion during the same three months last year. John Stapleton, GM’s interim CFO, said the automaker’s sales in the U.S. and China are “recovering faster than many people expected.”
- Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has sold more than $3 billion shares in his company this week, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The sales this week bring his total cash out in 2020 to more than $10 billion so far.
- The San Francisco 49ers, already reeling from injuries, placed four players on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday and declared all four of them out for tonight’s home game against the Green Bay Packers.
- Apple quietly made a change to its AppleCare Plus protection service plans. Instead of covering two incidents of accidental damage every 24 months, it will now cover two incidents every 12 months — doubling the number of times you can get your screen repaired at a super discounted price, all without any additional monthly cost increase.