The Soft Pitch

You’ve been listening a lot to Al lately about sports, so now it’s my turn.  And if you’re like me, you may have an old analog cell phone sitting in a drawer somewhere and every time you open the drawer, you wonder what to do with it.  We have an answer – Avnet is partnering with the Arizona Technology Council to make it easy to recycle your old cell phones, monitors, laptops and other technology including servers and main frames.  (Main frames? Really? If you just happen to have one of those sitting around and don’t know what to do with it, I’d really like to hear your story!)

We’re not in this on our own – like many things we do, we’re partnering with some other green-conscious organizations in the Phoenix area: Data Doctors and Westech Recyclers.  You can drop off any used or unwanted computers or electronic equipment to recycle and refurbish. A portion of the donated equipment will be handled through the Tech Terra  Recycling or Reuse Alliance of the Arizona Technology Council and Westech Recyclers that supports educational programs and scholarships.

Here’s a link to the press release put out by the Council. 

And some basic facts:

When:

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:

Parking lot of Avnet Corporate Office, 2211 S. 47th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 (Hohokam Expressway and University Drive)

Parking lot of Avnet Global Solutions Center, 6700 W. Morelos Place, Chandler, AZ 85226 (I-10 and Loop 202)

OneNeck Corporate Headquarters, 5301 North Pima Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ, 85250 (Loop 101 and Chaparral)

Any Data Doctors location in Arizona. Data Doctors locations can be found at http://www.datadoctors.com/mkt/AZ.

What:

• Computer Equipment – PCs, laptops, CRT monitors, flat panel monitors, modems, switches, hubs and routers, storage devices, main frames, servers, power supplies, tape libraries, circuit boards, power cords, printers, wire and cabling, surplus metals, mice, keyboards, hard drives, floppy, DVD and CD drives, etc.
• Point of Sale Equipment – credit card machines, printers, scanners, etc.
• Telecom Equipment – telephones, cell phones, switches, CSU/DSU multiplexing equipment, phone systems, answering systems, etc.
• Printing Equipment – printers, fax machines and copiers, calculators, typewriters and printer cartridges
• Audio/Visual Equipment – stereos, radios, amplifiers, projectors, satellite and cable equipment, video equipment, video game equipment, surveillance equipment, cameras, etc.
• Electronic Components – capacitors, diodes, resistors, transistors and integrated circuits, etc.
• Miscellaneous Electronic Items – test equipment, lab equipment, medical equipment, cables and wire, connectors, ballasts, batteries, power strips, etc.
• Surplus Metals and Wire and Cable – aluminum, copper wire, etc.

Community pride…This is the 2nd time the Cardinal’s have been featured on our home page…for once it’s about their ability…let’s see what happend tonite vs Panthers.

Because Sports Illustrated put Larry Fitzgerald on the cover I would say our chances have diminished. That jynx is real.

The first time is what i want to write about…when we invested in a suite with them approx 8 years ago…it was our first time our company ever committed to a suite contract with a sports team for entertainment. The goal was simple to enhance and build our realtionships with customers and suppliers. Emails dont always do the trick. Being able to gab and interface with people without having to sit down was key and staying out of the hot sun of AZ was the best reason until they built a beautiful stadium. 

The NFL games are nice but the thing that swayed us all was the Cardinals support behind the scenes as a partner…let me describe the real key element; our Community Relations VP Teri Radosevich worked with the Cards on a program they consistently do. In this case Teri asked for over 60 7-8th graders from a school that was focused on kids who were homeless and living in shelters or even in cars, arrived after school to the Cardinal’s practice facility in Tempe. They got a Subway sandwich snack*, tour, saw the cheerleaders practice (of course I helped the kids get to them to that area on time) and learned different skill football lessons…they had quite a few helpers, but the leader of all this was their star quarterback Jake Plummer who also gave them a short speech on staying in school, teamwork etc.  He was terriffic and never jsut showed up and left…he really played with the kids. That was one of my best days in my career…the smiles were priceless.   

 * many took home for supper

The story and photos graced our site and started us on a path of a great partnership with the team and how to impact the community even more than just sending a check to an agency.  Our brand has been enhanced due to many community programs…well this is just one that kick started us here w sports teams. Locally the D Backs, Suns and Coyotes also have been there with us too.  Community involvement and partnerships can payoff in so many ways.

I do not know the on field players, but I do know or have met all the front office players…Mr Bidwill, Michael, Ron, Adam, Cari and many others….now they are all-stars….and have been those many years. Customer service and support is foremost to them. Thanks

You folks deserve a WIN in my book.   Go Cards

I must say something about our Arizona Cardinals winning their first playoff game at home in 60 years…correct 60 years versus Atlanta. I had a great time…fans were awesome…noise had to make a difference…

The best sign was “it must be freezing in hell” referencing the fact the Cardinals would ever win. I have had the opportunity to meet the Bidwills (owners) and know their front office folks…could not be happier for them.

I did notice quite a few seats not filled, because Atlanta folks did not travel to the game and ticket costs were almost doubled by NFL, so some season ticket holders just said no mas, and watched on TV. Had to laugh the NFL now is not going to raise their Super Bowl prices from $800 to $1000. Gee thanks….I’m sure kids will now be able to go.  FYI, I went to Super Bowl in 1985 (da bears) tickets cost a whopping $75.

My big concern; have u noticed lack of attendance at bowl games? The economy is hurting fans from traveling and spending $…AGAIN the ncaa IS dumb and dumber…there are like 750 (ok 3 dozen) bowl games, so enthusiasm is not always there…which is killing the travel and hotel industry, local merchants and resturants (I have spoken to a couple of these owners here) that count on the revenue. Like the automotive, banking, retail, consumer products and technology just another area of our economy which is being affected in USA.

Last comment: if any bank or finance industry executives are getting rumored bonuses after this bail out by tax payers…they should be exposed and arrested…along with the stupid politicans who put no strings on the money.

My new years eve was black and white…one of favorite Cub players who is the most versatile sub I have ever seen in 50 plus seasons was traded to the Indians for 3 pitchers, Manny, Mo and Jack. Damn ! Mark DeRosa is going to be on the USA team in the upcoming World Championships, so he darn good. The Cubs then picked the Cardinals batboy Miles to replace him…I hope GM Hendry knows what he is doing. Also women love him…DeRosa is handsome…so there are ladies in Cub world who are now very unhappy.

Then i was perked up by seeing comedian Lewis Black at the Dodge Theatre in PHX…he is the new Carlin in my opinion.  I love his logic on so many things…periodic ravings and the F word are his style….had to laugh when he said why isnt a birthday wish by everone what he always wishes for…wanting to live forever.  Gotta point there. He said 08 was fiction…how could make stuff up like we saw…

When he brought up Obama…most people clapped and one booed…he said it was McCain. He was not expecting much from an AZ audience but said how could we not think the next guy couldnt do better…that Bush was such a disaster…anyone could do better…another good point.

All in all he was really good and my wife and I have seen Woody Allen, Carlin, Dangerfield, Seinfeld, and Leno, Hope, Carson, and dozens more stars (not showing off)…just saying he ranks up there.

Then this am the resurgent Chicago Blackhawks played the Red Wings at Wrilgley Field…outside…that was sooo cool. great way to start a year. I was a big hockey fan…when there were no Bulls the Hawks were the big story in Chi-town during winter with Bobby Hull, Mikita, Glenn Hall, Moose, Pierre etc then Korab, Magnuson. Espo and the great fans, what a day for John McDoungh who made it happen…If previous owner Bill Wirtz was alive he would have said no and if so no TV…thank God for his son Rocky took marketing in school….then the Rose Bowl…

What was special to me was 3D Exhibits who is going to do the Chicago 16″ Softball Hall of Fame museum and also had a hand in Avnet’s museum in PHX did the setup of the rink on the baseball field. great job

The NCAA BCS system stinks…USC is the probably the best pro football team in California and they have to sit out the National championship…idiots at NCAA.

Now I’m watching the Twilight Zone marathon w my wife…so what does all this have to do with Avnet…I think we are going into the Twlight Zone in 09…hopefully the world economy fiction is not too insane and we all get back to real life soon. Closer to home, I believe that Roy Vallee and his Avnet leadership team will indeed help us outperform the bad guys.  Unlike many CEO’s who just take…Vallee just bought stock in AVT, which should instill more confidence in us.  I’m banking on him…and not giving my money to Madoff to invest.  Happy new year and fasten your seat belts