BusyBeeNews Nov./Dec. 2021

november & december 2021

WHAT THE HIVE CAN TEACH BUSINESSES ABOUT

LEADERSHIP, EFFICIENCY,

& GROWTH LESSON #19 THE WISDOM OF BEES by: Michael O’Malley, Ph.D.

Merge to Make Good Organizations Better In nature, honeybee colonies fail. Pestilence, weather, predators, and scarcity all may be factors.

Sometimes the hive is beyond the rescue of any top-notch team the queen may assemble, and without outside intervention, the hive is doomed.

A good merger is one that enables a good company - one that is operationally sound - to do better by importing the necessary competencies.

As in the corporate world, combining hives is difficult because colonies are usually culturally incompatible. Simply putting two hives together does not suddenly make one organization, a fact most experienced leaders would agree with, given that 70 percent of mergers fail in our own business world.

The stories of failed mergers are legendary and research shows that cultural conflict is a frequently cited cause. The personnel from two dissimilar organizations just don’t mesh. Nevertheless, bees are able to do what seems difficult for us: enlarge their circle of friends and incorporate outsiders into the in-group. This, however, requires the assistance of a neutral third party - the beekeeper.

More Pollen Whenever people from different places come together, with the intent of getting along, there has to be mutual benefit for the relationship to work. Good corporate unions are more like good marriages in which there is a figurative exchange of nest material to signify that the two belong together. Big groups, small groups, in-between groups, we all want the same thing - to belong - and that requires planning.

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Guess Who…It’s basically like “20 Questions” and you, the reader, have to guess who the subject is.

Here’s how the process worked. I listed all of the associates on an Excel spreadsheet and then had Excel assign each one a random five-digit number. I excluded myself obviously. Then I asked a volunteer to select a totally random five-digit number and the person whose number matched closest was chosen as the subject. I reached out “said person" and under “the cloak of secrecy” asked him or her 20 questions.

Can you guess who it is? Their identity will be revealed in next month’s Guess Who article. So here we go!

GUESS – QUESTIONS 1.

WhoWHO was the president the year you were born? Ronald Reagan 2. Are you married? Yes 1. Who was the president the year you were born? George HW Bush 3.2. How many teams or departments have you worked in for HMC? Seven Are you married? No 4.3. What was your first job’? Landscaping How many teams or ‘real departments have you worked in for HMC? Two 5.4. Favorite food to eat?

Seafood What was your first “real job?” Working Inside Sales for Baro, an FCX Performance Company 6.5. Do you prefer a sports car or a pick-up? Pick-Up Favorite food to eat? Sandwiches 7.6. Favorite ‘adultabeverage’?

Corona LightPick-Up Do you prefer sports car or a pick-up?

8.7. What size“adult shoe beverage?” do you wear?

Nine Favorite Guinness 9.8. Did yousize have a favorite pet growing up? Yes, a dog What shoe do you wear?

11 10. ‘indoor’ person or an ‘outdoor’ person?that Outdoor 9. Are Didyou you an have a favorite pet growing up? My chicken laid green eggs 10.What’s Are youaan “indoor” personthey or anhave “outdoor” person?

Both!

11. family nickname for you?

Manchas 11.Favorite What’s acartoon family nickname have Bunny for you? Jake the Snake 12. growing they up? Bugs 12.IfFavorite cartoon up? Pokemon 13. you could meetgrowing one historical figure, who would it be? Martin Luther King 13.

If you could meet one historical figure, whololwould it be? Albert Einstein 14. Favorite type of dessert? Shot of tequila 14.What Favorite dessert?

15. willtype you of NOT eat if Cookie it’s on aCake pizza? Barbecue sauce 15.

What will you NOT eat if it’s on a pizza?

Anchovies 16. Who was the biggest professional influence on you career? Cristiano Ronaldo 16.

Who was the biggest professional influence on your career? My Father 17. Do you have kids? One 17. Do you have kids? No 18. Favorite hobby or pastime? Family time 18. Favorite hobby or pastime? Cooking 19. What’s the best vacation you’ve been on? Visiting my hometown in Mexico 19. What’s the best vacation you’ve been on? Cruising the Greek Isles 20. Mountains or beach? Mountains… I don’t know how to swim 20. Mountains or beach? Beach

Last month’s subject…. (drum roll please) …Mike McGee!

by adam merritt Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. Slice up the fruitcake. Let’s hang a little tinsel. Here comes Santa Clause right down Santa Clause Lane. He’s got a bag that’s filled toys for girls and boys again. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

What do you get for the guy who has everything? Five golden rings? A ’54 convertible, light blue? A pair of hop-a-long boots, and a pistol that shoots, are the wish of Barney and Ben. Or in our case, our favorite cowboys DJ and Dennis. I was inspired to recreate - with a lot of help - the magical 12 Days of Christmas in the spirit of our own BusyBees. When Dennis retired to his home office, he entrusted the care of his prized Christmas decoration to DJ. You can find the inspiration for this merry jingle proudly displayed on DJ’s desk. This year, I am sincerely thankful for the lighthearted humor that gives us all a smile. Thank you, Dennis, for creating the Cartridge in the Bare Tree. And thank you, DJ, for continuing the tradition.

you won’t hear this one in our Company’s presentation...

The male of what species testicles explode upon mating, then dies?

Answer: The Honeybee

submitted by lori zimmer

- susan charlton

submitted by susan charlton

FWG Account Manager - DFW DG Annex Manager – Houston Account Manager – Little Rock, AR Warehouse Associates – Carrollton Inside Sales – Pump Team - Carrollton Inside Sales Associate – Various – Carrollton Account Manager – Corpus Christi, Victoria, and The Valley HVAC Account Manager – Austin, San Antonio, and New Braunfels