9 minute read
Appreciating dafficuft people
By Mike Robbins
A RE there people in your life. on .CLyour team. or with whom you interact regularly that get on your nerves? Have you ever found yourself wanting to yell at the top of your lungs, "Knock it off, I can't stand you!"? If so, you are not alone...welcome to being human! One of most challenging aspects of being human, living and working with others, creating personal success, and developing a championship team around us is dealing with the people we consider "difficult" (or other, less polite adjectives). Have you ever stopped to think about what you appreciate about these difficult people? Most often, we don't. We spend a good amount of time thinking about, talking about, and gathering more "evidence" for why someone is a'Jerk" or what we don't like about him or her. However. these "difficult" people in our lives are actually great teachers and reminders for us. They often teach us important lessons about life and about ourselves. They also remind us to be more patient and accepting, and they force us to live true to the principles many of us say are most important - kindness, love, acceptance, forgiveness, respect, and others.
It is easy to appreciate people we like, the ones who agree with us and do things the way we do. The bigger challenge is being able to appreciate those who are different than we are, who disagree with us, and even those wno get on our nerves or annoy us. Think about it for minute, don't you often learn a great deal from some of those "difficult" people? Also, do you think your chances of success and fulfillment would be enhanced if you were able to more effectively deal with "difficult" people? For most of us, the answer to both of these questions is YES!
When we take the time to appreciate the "difficult" people around us, some amazing things happen. First of all, we find that there are actually many things we do appreciate about them. (Remember, we always find what we look for). Second, we allow ourselves to be open to the lessons these people have to teach us. Third, we let go ofthe unnecessary stress and frustration that comes along with constantly being irritated by another person. When we are willing to look for good stuff, even in these "difficult" people, we tap into the amazing power of appreciation. Appreciation allows us to greatly increase our own personal success and fulfillment, and it dramatically improves the environment around us as well.
Action: What you can do
Think of the three most "difficult" people in your life. Write their names down on a piece of paper. Next to each name, write at least three things you appreciate about them. For some, it may take a while, for others it will be much easier. You may find that once you start, there are lots of things you appreciate about them.
Next time you think about, talk about and/or interact with these people, see if you can put more of your attention on the things you appreciate about them (what you wrote on your list and more), and less attention on the things that you don't like.
If you are up to it and you are ready to have a real "breakthrough" in your relationship with these "difficult" people, I challenge you to let each ofthem know what you appreciate about them. Give them a call, write them a note, or talk to them face-to-face and acknowledge them. When you have the courage to genuinely communicate your appreciation, especially to these specific people, it will have powerful results - for them and for you.
- Mike Robbins is a former pro baseball player who is an expert in sltccess, teamwork, and the power of appreciation. He can be reached at (925) 825-2319 or www.mike -r o bbins. c om.
Boise Gascade Staying Put
Boise Cascade is considering selling its 320,000-sq. ft. headquarters in Boise, Id., and leasing space from the new owner.
Built in 1972 and renovated in 1985, the building could accommodate at least 1,000 employees. Even if 80 Boise Cascade employees are relocated from another building across the street, the total number of employees at headquarters would be just 600. "We've got a lot of open space that we're not using," said spokesperson Mike Moser. "The building is underpopulated."
Other options being considered are to consolidate operations onto three or four floors and lease out the remaining space itself, or sell the present building and move to another site in Boise. "Headquarters is going to stay in Boise," said Moser.
Business analysts claim that renting is one of the cheaper costs of operation, and that equity can be used to reduce debt. "Many times you see a company decide that it's more cost efficient for them to take care of their expenses on a monthly basis, which means renting rather than owning," said Larry Chase, president of the Building Owners and Managers Association.
Since Boise Cascade occupies only '75Vo of the building, 80,000 sq. ft. of office space is available. Chase speculated that a new owner could have trouble leasing the space Boise doesn't need. "We don't know of anybody that's looking for that much space," he said.
Prr-co Looking For Solutions
Pacific Lumber Co., Scotia, Ca., hopes that raising roads, building bridges, and clearing brush from Freshwater Creek and Elk River will alleviate flooding in these areas and open the way to resume logging in the watersheds.
Engineers with LACO Associates, Eureka, Ca., which signed a $100,000 contract with Pe,rco, will study these concepts and others. "I think the end result is we will have a solution that will make residents happy," said Robert Manne, PRLCo c.e.o.
In June, the state water resources board overturned a regional water quality board's ruling and halted logging in these areas (see July, p. 30. The agency believes that logging at a reduced pace would lessen flooding.
Some residents say the areas have always flooded. Others contend that Pe.lco's logging has filled the creeks with sediment and increased runoff, causing more frequent flooding. Pnlco's studies blame road problems and landslides that took place 20 years ago.
The company has pledged to do whatever is necessary to solve the problem, said Manne.
Depot Loses Word Battle
Home Depot can no longer claim "Lowest Prices, Guaranteed," ruled the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureau.
The case was referred to NAD in late March by the Better Business Bureau in Atlanta, Ga., where the home-improvement chain is based.
"There's a difference between claiming to be the 'best' or 'lowest' and saying you are 'good' or 'better,"' said Andrea Levine, NAD's director. "An unqualified lowest-price guarantee sends the message to consumers that if you come and buy here, you are guaranteed the prices would be the lowest you could pay anywhere," she said.
Such claims discourage comparison shopping, argued Levine. Home Depot contended that its policy to beat competitors' prices by l)Vo was sufficient proof of its claim, but conceded that its prices weren't always the lowest.
The ruling isn't expected to affect the home-improvement industry, where price parity reigns.
"You're never going to see Home Depot and Lowe's significantly below each other on price," said retail analyst Brian Postol. "It's competitive, but it's not about who can undercut who and hurt the whole industry. It's pretty rational at this point."
Two other Home Depot claims were included in the case. but NAD allowed their use to continue. The group ruled that "Nobody beats our prices guaranteed" was backed up by the chain's price-matching policy.
Also allowed to stand was the chain's claim that "Home Depot has 2,000 appliances." Although all 2,000 aren't in stock at every location, consumers can order them all online.
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FOREMAN FOR CUSTOM MILL in Southern California. Must be familiar with Diehl, Mattison & Weinig moulders and other equipment associated with milling process.
Contact Dave or James. (909\ 88'7 -647'7
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Contact Dave or James. (909\ 887 -6477
BMC Acquiring Western Suppliers
BMC Construction, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Building Materials Holding Corp., has completed the acquisition of a 5l7o interest in BBP Companies.
BBP provides concrete foundation services to high-volume production home builders in Arizona, and had sales in excess of $100 million in 2004. "This acquisition is another important step toward expanding our service to home builders," said Robert E. Mellor, BMHC's chairman, president and c.e.o.
Based in San Francisco, Ca., BMHC is also negotiating to acquire two other companies through BMC: the Campbell Companies, which provides concrete and plumbing services to production home builders in Las Vegas and Southem California, and HnR Framing Systems, Inc. and Home Building Components, Inc., which provides framing services to production home builders in the San Diego metropolitan area. The companies had sales last year of more than $200 and $100 million, respectively.
Uorres
Lewis G. "Butch" Pope, 58, retired president and general manager of Weber Plywood & Lumber Co., Tustin, Ca., died suddenly July 3 while working out at the gym.
He joined Weber in 197 4 and retired in 200 I
He was president and raccoon of the Lumberman's Luncheon Club and a past president of the Pacific Coast Wholesale Hardwood Distributors Association.
Manning Clay Blackstock, 82, former owner of Lumber Supply & Warehouse Co., Seattle, Wa., died July 3.
After attending the University of Washington, Mr. Blackstock served with the Army Corps of Engineers during WW II. After the war, he began working in his father's business and eventually assumed leadership of the company. In 1991 he sold the company and retired after 46 years in the industry.
Myron VanEatton, 70, former manager of TECO, Eugene, Or., died June 26 in Springfield, Or.
After earning a B.A. in wood technology from Oregon State University, Mr. VanEatton worked at TECO for 30 years. As a manager there, he pioneered research and testing which won approval for the use of OSB.
After leaving TECO, he worked at Smurfit Newsprint for seven years before retiring in 2003.
Edward W. Hasenyager,92, co-founder of Colonial Lumber Co., San Mateo, Ca., died February 25.
He started Colonial Lumber with his cousin Roy Baly in 1953. After 53 years as a lumberman, he retired in 1996, and Jim and Rob Baly assumed management of the firm.
Gary Milgard, 69, co-founder, c.e.o. and chairman of the board of Milgard Manufacturing , Tacoma, Wa., died July l3 in Tacoma after a long illness.
Mr. Milgard and his father founded Milgard Glass Co. 1958. In 1962,he founded Milgard Manufacturing, which was purchased by Masco Corp. in 2001. He remained president of the company until 2003, and chairman and c.e.o. until his death.
Sourrunr Cmronrn
LOS ANGELES AREA
Berkot Manufacturing C0............,.,........,.......(323) 875-1 163
BMD (Northridge)... .,..,.(800) 537-7091
Calilornia Panel & Veneer..,...................,.,,.,.(562) 926-5834
California Pre-Stain. .....(562) 633-5420
Chozen Trucking Co
Product Sales C0...........,....(800) 660-8680 (714) 998-8680
Redwood Empire..... .....(909) 296-961 1
Reel Lumber Service (Anaheim)......,,.,.........(800) 675-7335 (714) 632-1988
Heel Lumber Service {Riverside) ..............,...(909) 781 -0564
Regal Custom Millwork......, (7 1 4) 77 6-1 67 3 (7 1 41 632-2488
Reliable Wholesale Lumber, Inc.....,..,..,........(800) 649-8859
Simpson Strong-Tie C0......(800) 999-5099 (714)
Swaner Hardwood..
Toal Lumber C0...... ......(562) 945-3889
U.S. 80rax...,..,....... ......(661) 287-5400
Weyerhaeuser Building Materia|s..,.,.,.,..,......(877) 235-6873
ORANGE COUNTY & INLAND EMPIRE
All-Coast Forest Products.,.....................,..,..(909) 627-8551
Anaheim Millworks. ......(714) 533-9945
Anfinson Lumber Sales..............,.,.,...,..,.......(951 ) 681 -4707
Austin Hardwoods & Hardware.......,...,....,....(714) 953-4000
Bear Forest Products..,..,,.., (877) 369-2327 (909\ 7 27 -17 67
BMD (Vernon)........ ......1877).587-4137
BMD (Ontario)......., ......(800) 435-4020
Boise (O.C.)............ ......(714) 255-1949
Boise (Riverside)................(800) 648-91 16 (909) 343-3000
California Lumber lnspection Service...,.,......(714) 962-9994
C&E Lumber C0..... ......(909) 624-2709
Capital Lumber Co. ......(909) 591-4861
Fontana Wholesale Lumber, 1nc..,.,.,............(909) 350-1214
Gold Star Transportation, lnc...........,.,,.,.,,..,.(951) 808-9500
Golding Sullivan Lumber Sa|es.....................(714) 557-5551
Great Western Transport....(800) 347-5561 (909) 484-1250
Hampton 0istribution,...,...,.....................,..,..,(949) 752-5910
Highland Lumber Sa|es....,...,........................(7 14) 778-2293
Inland Timber C0.... ......(909) 783-0470
International Forest Products.....,...,.,.,..,.,.....(909) 627-7301
Kelleher Corp......,.. ,..,..(909) 360-1880
Kelly-Wright Hardwo0ds,...,...,.......................(714) 632-9930
North Pacific-So. Ca. Distribution..................(800) 647-6747
Oregon-Canadian Forest Products......... ......(7 14]| 637 -2121
OrePac Building Products........,..,.,.,.,.,..,......(909) 627-4043
Pacific Wood Preserving...............................(7 14) 701-97 42
Parr Lumber C0...... ......(909) 627-0953
Peterman Lumber C0........,..,.....,.,.....,..........(909) 357-7730
llonn & Cnrnnr. Cnrronrn
Timber Co .......(707) 268-3000
BAKERSFIELD Pacific Wood Preserving of Bakersfield ........(661 ) 833-0429
CLOVEBDALE
All-Coast Forest Products Redwood Empire..............
FORT ERAGG
,(707) 894-4281 .'707) 894-4241
Holmes Lumber Co,, Fred C. ..............,..,.,,.,.(800) 849-0523
FRESNO
DMK-Pacific............. ......(559\ 225-4727
OrePac Building Products....,,..,....................(559) 291-9075
Weyerhaeuser Building Materia|s,.................(877) 235-6873
MODESTO
Conrad Wood Preserving Co, .,.....................(800) 499-2662
Thunderbolt Wood Treating(800) 826-8709 (209) 869-4561
HEDOING / RED gLUFF
Gemini Forest Products...........................,.....(530\ 223'7 440
Pacific Wood Preservin9..,............................(530) 824-9400
Shasta Cascade Forest Industries, Inc.........(503) 243-0500
