The Soft Pitch

Michael Jackson passing away is another moment in time that makes me reflect as to where or when I saw or heard the news of good and bad moments.

My first taste of live history was when John Kennedy was shot…I was in my drafting class at Lane Tech in Chicago. When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon I was at my brother’s house….what pride on that day.  When the US Hockey team beat the Russians in 1980 I was in my hotel room at Disneyland in Anaheim for a Nepcon Show. Princess Diana interrupted a Saturday Night Live skit…September 11th my buddy Art told me driving to work, that do I know what is happening?

Michael was a shock, my wife and I have been on record he is the best entertainer we have ever seen in person…and we have seen quite a few biggies. We even saw him perform as the Jackson Five…that was fun but as an adult he made every song a show in itself ! But when Thriller was shown on TV we were at our friend’s Richard and MJ’s house…we knew we were seeing something special.

On the tech side…when we acquired the VEBA group in EMEA which included EBV and then Memec’s global distribution team I knew I was seeing something special happening in our M&A efforts and that would have tremendous impact on our talent pool, growth and profits…so far so good.

What moments do you remember, most?

Be safe on the 4th, happy b day America.

It’s the last day of our fiscal year, and I know all our teams are working hard to make it happen for their customers, suppliers and our shareholders.  The energy is high and quite frankly I’ve spent the last two weeks just trying to stay out of their way. So I haven’t asked for details on any new programs, gone looking for pictures of a community service project by one of our branches or even dug for a news scoop to share via this blog or Twitter. What am I doing?  Listening.

Listening to the rumblings across a global organization that shares a common goal – serve the customer the best we can.  Here’s what I’m hearing: there’s a new team in Thailand affectionately nick-named “The Magnificent Seven.”  It’s a small team focused on IT solutions – they made a sale the first day they opened their doors. Sounds like we’re ready to meet an unmet demand in that market.  There’s an effort in Europe to streamline how we go to market to make it easier for customers to buy. In Mexico, they’re getting ready to announce a new relationship (I can’t tell you who, because then I’d break the cardinal rule of letting them announce their own news).  But I can tell you they’re bringing on a new partner that will help them provide high availability and disaster recovery solutions to resellers. How do we make a decision to open a new office, sign a new supplier or change-up how we go to market? We listen to our customers – and not just once a year in a survey (even though we do that too), but all the time.

So while I’m listening to employees across Avnet, they are listening to their customers and their markets to make decisions on how to serve them better. One of the best pieces of parenting advice for those with teens I ever read basically said, if your teen wants to talk, no matter what you’re doing, stop and listen. It doesn’t matter if you’re too busy or are right in the middle of something. Stop and listen. Fifteen minutes later is too late, the moment will have passed and your teenager will be on to something else. I do it, it works with my teenage daughter. Sometimes I forget, but I always try.  Just the fact that I try on a consistent basis sends a huge message that I care. It’s the same with our customers. We listen when they’re ready, when they have something to say. There’s nothing more important because we certainly don’t have all the answers, so listening helps us make decisions.

We’re not perfect, but our research tells us that all other things being equal, more customers prefer to do business with Avnet.  I think it’s because we listen better.

Happy Father’s Day

I have a few thoughts, first my Dad, Ed…who only was concerned about his family and made sure his 2 sons were balanced and good people. He never really pushed being successful, I assume he thought if we were happy and good citizens we would be successful. If we needed help with school, scouts, babysitting or anything he could always be counted on…always.

He was a appliance salesperson, perfect gentleman always dressed well and with a tie…hell he wore a tie to cut the grass.  Me? I will never be in GQ magazine. But one thing I did learn was always help people and any request is reasonable. From someone asking for a handout in the street to a phone call in the night someone needing a ride. The basics, not just writing a check to a community program.

…in fact handouts is a pet peeve of mine…if someone is actually begging for a few pennies, why walk by and not help? Do u think they have some devious plan to take advantage of you and go back to their huge house laughing. I know one thing, if my son walks by anyone asking for help he will give them some cash if he has it. I do. I think this is where my luck comes from.

Ok, back to the point…I know we all have kind and sincere thoughts about our fathers, mine unfortuantely passed away but think about him all the time. Hopefully he is proud. I was proud of him. Thanks Dad.

But how about the father’s of the technology business that pays our bills? Thanks folks!

I had the pleasure to know John Krehbiel Sr founder of Molex, wow what a gentlemen and pioneer…H.D. Steinback at Magnecraft, and of cousre Charles Avnet thanks for selling those radio tubes and starting Avnet…I met Jerry Sanders and Andy Grove which was very cool. Packard, Hewlett, you get the picture…let’s give props to the fathers and pioneers of our industry…our lives would not be so easy…we would be behind the eight ball without them…I even think of Gerry Leeds that founded CMP publications…all cool dudes, visionary’s, leaders, and gutsy.  Thanks

PS My son Zack is my greatest pleasure.

My wishes came true, went to Wrigley Field and saw the Cubs play on Saturday and Sunday with my best friends and wife and son. The Cubs played bad and and watched our right fielder, a guy (Milton Bradley) who gets paid $10 million dollars lose track of how how many outs there were and threw the ball into the stands with only two outs while the Twins ran around the bases…embarrasing.  Dont get me started.

Ate at my favorite resturants in Chicago, Harry Carey’s and Domo 77….and stayed at the Drake, very kool. 

But my the best was saved for last when approx 50 friends and family showed up to play 16″ softball at Forest Park. Some of these old guys can still play. I hit ok, when I got on twice I had a younger 59 year old girl run for me on the bases. The laughs and stories were memorable. Good to get back our roots…talking to people that do not care about what I do and where I travel…only me as a person. My cake was in shape of Wrigley. My wife wore one of my old uniforms from my first team the Baggers…my son wore Molex uniform, a team that was recognized in the Hall….so no one would complain I wore an Avnet Dry Heat jersey. 

But what was really cool was the hope on three issues…there were 4 new babies there, young kids…what a future in this world for them. While there everyone could see the progress on the 16″ Softball Hall of Fame being built…wow…I’m very proud of our folks…opens 7/19…and last everyone was hopeful biz and life would improve….even though a few have had a rocky year.

We came home and I got a surprise Monday when my staff and others had real Chicago dogs and hostess cup cakes for me…at lunch. They know me well.

Alot of folks over 700 read my last blog post…thanks for listening…again the first 50 years were great, Avnet made the last 10 being great and in overdrive. Stay tuned I’m just getting started.

I’m 60 years old June 12th, so someone, somewhere is losing a bet. I hate to debate the quote of Lou Gerhig, but really I’m the luckiest man on this earth. First due to my wife and son, parents, brother and family, friends , softball team mates and folks I have met in the business working for Molex, Cahners, Magnecraft and Avnet. Especially the talented people and vendors that I worked with and made me look awful good. To the Krehbiels, Vallee, Gardiner, and McDermott the men who hired me (when I had my own biz too) and my bosses who let me have more rope than deserved to see what I would do and were great mentors…u know who you are. Thanks

What a great time to live and with technology advancements which will be taken lightly by future generations. Just think since 1949: color TV (remember Bonaza?), internet, digital cameras, cell phones, electronic games, pda’s, laptop computers, copying machines, Wrigley Field with lights and on and on. Great moments from Shepard’s 1st take off, Apollo 13’s return, landing on the moon, “do you believe in miracles”, Da Bears Super Bowls, M.J., The Golden Jet, and Disneyland opens as do the dreams of children. Then tough moments like Martin, Bobby and John being gunned down.

We played with soldiers and used our imaginations, played outside and threw snowballs and “skitched” hung onto cars in the winter. I must admit boy scouts was ok until we went camping…I hate tents and hiking etc. Eventually went to the drive-in movies, not this HD 800,000 pixels 90” tv on your wall stuff.

Throughout it all I have always been attracted to teams. My starting point was Farnsworth grammar school on Chicago’s north side where we hung out and played non stop from swift pitch to softball to football on gravel. I hate when I see little league teams play on manicured fields with scoreboards…how dare they, earn it kid. And do not get me started about parents…we played 2 zillion games without help from a parent. We handled the umpiring and our own disputes. We picked sides with a bat. Uniforms? are you kidding. In the winter? Habetler Bowl was just fine. Today if we have not planned our kids week and been at their games, after taking them to a private coach…we have failed. Geez.

Starting in 1961 our gang was the Baggers. In the 60’-70’s if you saw one of us there were 6-12 more nearby. We played hard every sport, partied, and went back and played some more. We were in a few fights (which now sounds kind of cool, it was scary) and I was in quite a few alone, which usually started with my smart ass comments. Hurt both my thumbs in one. At 5’5” 145 ya think I would have toned it down. But that is when you know you have friends, when in a fight is anyone standing behind you for support. The Baggers did.

A game, party and dances were our goal every weekend. Our band (with Baggers in it) was the Blueberry December. They were good, attracted girls, which was key. IF we were allowed in anyone’s home for a party they made a huge mistake…let’s just say there never let us back for an encore The smart move was road trips to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Fun was always the goal and we had it.

We were very good at softball and football, which leads me back to this team thing. We watched the best softball teams like the Bobcats and Sobies practiced and would play anyone, tried hard and when we lost didn’t get uptight, went for a beer and laughed. We only wanted to know when was next chance to redeem ourselves. No fear.

Music? To name a few I have seen live; Elvis, Frank, Chubby and Bill Haley and his Comets, to Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Platters and Sonny and Cher. Then came the smoke era and saw Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Who, Rod, and eventually Barbara, and McCartney, Prince and the Jackson 5…do you really believe your going to be hearing some of the crap on the air now in 50 years? Hell the Stones will still be heard and probably still alive rockin the house. I do miss Ed Sullivan on Sunday nights.

Laughs are imporatnt and pleased to say we have seen Rodney, Seinfeld, Jay, yes even Johnny Carson and even Woody Allen live.

I laugh today about business and communications tactics and the way people interact. They say social media tactics like text, twitter, LinkedIn, games, internet, e-cards and 2nd Life etc are social…geez far from it. Get off your butt and go in the next room and talk to a live person. Call someone. How often do get a personal hand written note? As often as you get calls from your Governor. Use some damn personality.

As noted above we had each other to rely on, and our bond was our word and if need be the handshake was key, especially to make sure we showed up at the right time and place (yes with rotary phones). Most young people have no clue on street smarts or how to work as a team. The parents do too much for them now. In my day if you had a problem you handled on your own or went to Mr V explained it and he helped take care of it. Today parents gotta know and help with everything…let them figure it out.

Today kids expect to get great seats at ballgames…we snuck in a few times at Wrigley or sat in the bleachers for 60 cents.

Helping in the community…sounds great, it is great. But not then, spring break in the 50’s-60’s was our parents saying it was “clean up week” to help the community clean the house…party in Mexico and Florida? Right, there were no parties at 5544 Catalpa…escaping to go out was the vacation.

This is a blog not a book…so the oldie’s story ends here, just wanted to give u a little glimse into my little world…today I will take my wife and son, two friends from grammar school, my best man, and two great athletes I played with on the excellent Molex softball team to see the Cubbies…tomorrow the same with other great friends…then Sunday 50 folks will show for another wish; a 16” softball game. Then Disneyland. That is what I wanted to do. Celebrate with those who made my life fun, challenging and memorable. So far it’s been a great ride. Retire? No way baby…too much left to do.

I believe 60 is the new 50…because of all the excitment around me and technology that makes life fun and interesting. I’m falling apart but a lot still in the tank.  I have tried to be with people who will take a risk, passionate about team play and laugh. The folks who have and continue to help us with the Toy Foundation and 16″ Softball Hall of Fame. Alot of kids to help and positive things to do in the community and Avnet to kick butt. Time to pay back some of the good stuff. The bucket list gets smaller, we have seen the world. I’m ready for another great ride with my Avnet teammates…wish they were in Chicago for the game too.  Love and Thanks to everyone who has made an impact on my life…really. I’m sooo lucky.

PS Please Cubs win a world series.