The Week Ahead
The two big July holidays are behind us.
Time to get back to work and make the most of the last month of
summer. This week features a few legislative meetings (see
calendar, a few other political meetings (see calendar to the
right) and Friday is the filing deadline for candidates, platform
amendments, and resolutions for the Republican State Organizing
Convention scheduled Aug. 27.
Johnson Joins
Leavitt Team
After weeks of waiting, the Utah contingent
of the Leavitt team at HHS is complete now with the Senate
confirmation last Friday of Charlie Johnson as Assistant
Secretary for Finance, Technology and Budget. The budget just
happens to be about $660 billion, so Johnson should have enough to
do. I hope he doesn’t have to count the money every day to see how
much is left. I’m expecting Johnson to solve the Medicaid crisis.
LDS Data Shows Utah Changing
Very interesting
package of stories
by the Tribune on LDS Church population trends in Utah, using the
Church’s own data, obtained through a public records request. It’s
estimated that today only 41.6% of Utahns are church-going Mormons.
But don’t expect big political changes anytime soon. Mormons still
vote at higher rates than anyone else, and a lot of the non-LDS
newcomers in Utah just happen to be Republicans.
Where Are They
Now?
Val Oveson Returning to Utah
Several weeks ago, UPD asked Val Oveson, former Utah
lieutenant governor, state auditor, tax commissioner, and state CIO to
send us an update on his life. In the meantime, the Tribune
published
this
story, focused on whether any
conflicts of interest exist in Oveson’s acceptance of his new job.
In my dealings with Oveson over the years, he has demonstrated
complete integrity and was always careful to avoid even the
appearance of a conflict. Here is his report back to UPD:
“As a Vice President of Government Relations and Business
Development for CGI-AMS, I am part of a national government
relations team that works with federal, state and local governments
to promote the services of the company. I’m living in Washington,
D.C., on temporary a basis but have maintained my home in Bountiful
and as of August (next month) will be returning to Bountiful and
will travel to locations across the country from Utah. I am
currently working on an internal assignment to realign our business
operations and make CGI-AMS more efficient in the market. The
leaders of the company have called on me to consult with them
internally on many issues since joining the company on February 14,
2005. The company is developing a stronger web services business and
I spend a good share of my time promoting eGovernment by making
presentations to government leaders across the country. On the
federal level I am doing some work with the Department of Treasury
and the Department of Health and Human Services. I am enjoying my
work very much. The position allows me to use my background in
accounting, technology, government operations and politics to the
advantage of our government clients. CGI-AMS is the U.S.
wholly-owned operating subsidiary of CGI Group Inc. Founded in 1976,
CGI is among the largest independent information technology and
business process services firms in North America. CGI and its
affiliated companies employ approximately 25,000 professionals.”
Washington Watch
DOE: Move Mill Tailings
On Monday the Department of Energy released its final EIS for the
Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project Site, saying
removal is the preferred option, along with ground water
remediation. A
DOE press release
says the tailings will be moved, mostly by rail, to the proposed
Crescent Junction, Utah, site, more than 30 miles from the Colorado
River.
Hatch on DOE Announcement
Sen.
Orrin Hatch weighed in
on the DOE announcement, saying that moving the 12 million tons of
radioactive waste is now official federal policy.
Hubble Funding Pleases Matheson
SpaceRef.com reports
positive words from Rep. Jim Matheson regarding the passage of the
NASA Authorization Act of 2005, which included funding for a Hubble
Telescope servicing mission. "I am very pleased with the funding for
a Hubble space telescope…Some of the greatest scientific benefits
from Hubble have been the unexpected discoveries that have expanded
our knowledge about our solar system."
Blog Watch
Utah bloggers have been fairly quiet over the long holiday weekend, but
Ethan Millard at
SLCSPIN weighs in on Rocky Anderson, Republican party intrigue, and other topics. . . .
Wilf Sommerkorn at
Utah
Planner’s Corner takes his turn commenting on Utah County’s
attitudes about rail transit. . . . Charley Foster at
State of the
Beehive links to some articles on blogging and also notes the new
Tribune blogs. . . . and Rep.
Steve Urquhart has some updates on his Senate campaign.
GOP Volunteers Needed
Davis County Republicans are seeking volunteers to help staff the
party booth at the Davis County Fair Aug. 17-20. If you have some time
available, please contact Justin Allen at (801) 625-0107 or Todd Weiler at
toddweiler@parrylaw.com.
Leadership Tip
Never Eat Alone
Keith Ferrazzi’s networking tips have been published in a
number of magazine articles and in his book, “Never Eat Alone,” but
they’re worth repeating here. See
Ferrazzi’s
web site for more information.
Ferrazzi’s 10 Secrets to Success
1. You Can't Get There Alone. For each and every thing you want to
achieve in life, whether it's landing a job, earning a raise or
promotion, or finding lifelong romance, there'll be at least one
person on the other end making decisions. Everything we do can only be
accomplished through and with other people. Simply put, success, of
any kind, requires relationships.
2. Business Relationships Are Personal Relationships. The most common
mistake people make when building relationships for career success is
treating business contacts differently than personal friends. Just
think for a moment about the people you work with on a professional
level who are also close personal friends. Aren't they always more
forgiving when you slip up and more helpful when you're in need? Of
course! I guarantee your work will become easier and more joyful if
you make more of your business relationships personal.
3. Have a good RAP. Later this year, my company is going to release a
workbook to help you build a full-fledged Relationship Action Plan
(RAP) for achieving your goals in the next 60 days through the next 10
years, but for now, here's a simple way to get started. First, write
down your goals. Then, next to each goal, write the names and types of
people who can help you achieve them. Think of (and be sure to take
notes!) how you can reach those people and how you can contribute to
their success, also. The more specific your plan and the more you put
your goals out there, the more everyone will conspire to help you. But
if you don't focus on what you want or you don't tell anyone, no one
can help you. They can't read your mind.
4. Build it before you need it. I can't tell you how many times a
friend has called me and said, "Keith, I just became unemployed. I
need to start networking; will you teach me how?" My answer: "No. No.
No. You need to start job-hunting! You should have been building
relationships for the past five or ten years, so now that you need a
job, you could make twenty calls and have five job offers waiting for
you in a week." The lesson: Start building those relationships today!
5. Don't be a networking jerk. When I give talks to college and grad
students, they always ask me, What are the secrets to success? What
are the unspoken rules for making it big? "So you want the inside
scoop," I respond. "Fair enough. I'll sum up the key to success in one
word: Generosity." The kids are shocked because they thought I'd help
them learn the manipulative tricks of the self-centered "networker,"
the one holding a martini with one hand and scattering business cards
with the other. But the time of that Networking Jerk is over! Remember
that the #1 key to success is generosity. Give your talents, give your
contacts, and give your hard work to make others successful without
keeping score.
6. Be interesting. While I would say that your relationships are the
most critical piece of your personal brand, before you can develop
those relationships you've got to have something to say. Just having
two arms, two legs, and an MBA won't get you anywhere anymore. If you
want to become more valuable in the marketplace and more intriguing to
the world at large, you must develop some deep expertise in your mind
and root some higher-order passion in your heart.
8. Never Eat Alone. This rule is obviously one you can't follow 100
percent, but it's a great way to remember to invite others into the
activities you already enjoy doing. I love sharing great meals, but I
also enjoy bringing friends to workouts and to church. Share your
passions and building relationships in no extra time than you already
devote to your favorite activities. Plus, since you'll be energized
and fun while doing things you love, others will see you in your best
light (instead of in those nasty fluorescents of the office).
9. Get a buddy. Just as people lose weight more effectively if they
have a workout partner, your efforts to build relationships will be
more successful if you team up. You and your buddy can exchange
support, guidance, and motivation. And together, you can try one of my
favorite tactics—trading networks. Throw a dinner party together and
you'll each be responsible for only half the guest list, half the
cost, and half the effort. But your circle of friends will become
twice the size, and you'll have twice the fun!
10. If you don't ask, you won't get. People with a low tolerance for
risk, whose behavior is guided by fear, have a low propensity for
success. My father taught me that to get what you want, sometimes you
must be willing to go out and ask for it. The worst anyone can say is
no. If they choose not to give their time or their help, it's their
loss. On the other hand, you also have to be able to accept generosity
when it's offered. There are times when I can make a big difference in
another person's life. I can open a door or place a call or set up an
internship—one of those simple acts by which destinies are altered.
But too often the offer is refused. People insist on trying to beat
the world by themselves, and they continue to struggle. Next time
you're tempted by that misguided fantasy of success through John Wayne
individualism. I hope you'll remember the first secret. You can't get
there alone. We're all in this together.
Lessons From History
"What would happen if all these neutral nations...were with one
spontaneous impulse to do their duty...and were to stand
together...against aggression and wrong? At present their plight is
lamentable; and it will become much worse. They bow humbly and in fear
to...threats of violence. ... Each one hopes that if he feeds the
crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last. All of them hope
that the storm will pass before their turn comes to be devoured. But I
fear...the storm will not pass. It will rage and it will roar, ever
more loudly, ever more widely. It will spread to the South; it will
spread to the North. There is no chance of a speedy end except through
united action." --Sir Winston Churchill (Source: The Federalist
Patriot)
Now You Know
Average teacher's salary in Utah, including Career Ladder money:
$38,434
Average teacher’s salary in U.S.: $43,335 (2001 data. Source: National
Education Association)
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