The Soft Pitch

Seems I’m frequently writing in this blog about Avnet employees getting involved in the community.  Probably because it happens around here so much, it’s not really “hard news,” and dang it, it’s important!  At the end of the day, people matter more than things or money.  In my family, we try to always keep that in focus – so when my daughter busted a china plate the other day, I just shrugged. My husband shouted “Touch Down!” and my daughter? She got out the vacuum cleaner.

Why do I mention this?  It’s a value I see across all of Avnet.  Yes, we’re here to grow the business, return value to our customers, suppliers and shareholders.  But we’re still people who care about people.

So two things to share – why is there a ceiling-high wire bin by our employee cafeteria filled to the brim with pillows, blankets and sheets?  Because our local Arizona chapter of Avnet Cares partnered with Bridging Arizona Furniture Bank and IKEA for a pillow drive.  The goal is to make sure no kid is sleeping on the floor – and we can help by donating bedding, and boy did we in a big way!  When this is over, it looks like donations from our 5 Phoenix facilities will total up to a few hundred pillows!

19-time Blood Donor Ryan and Family

Then there’s this – several times a year the United Services Bloodmobile shows up in an Avnet parking lot and employees trot out, expose their veins, give blood and then drink orange juice.  Here’s the cool part: one of our employees, Shawn Ryan has just been announced as the winner of a 2009 Saturn through the United Blood Services “Drive Away a Hero”  campaign!  Nearly 55,000 blood donors between June 1 and August 31 were automatically entered to win during the campaign to increase summer blood donations.  The eight finalists drawn throughout the campaign gathered yesterday for the Grand Prize Ceremony at United Blood Services headquarters in Scottsdale.  Each finalist was awarded a key to try their luck in one of eight new Saturns at the event.  Ryan was the blood donor who drove away the proud winner of a 2009 Saturn Aura and a hero to Arizona hospital patients.

 Ryan garnered his spot in United Blood Services Saturn Grand Prize Ceremony when he donated at the Avnet Chandler blood drive on August 6.  His commitment has grown with each of his 19 donations on record with United Blood Services.  “My mom always told me I had a gift to share,” Ryan said after he learned he was the universal donor with type O-negative blood.  It became even more personal for him about five years ago when his child required a blood transfusion.  Reflecting on that time in his life, Ryan was prompted to select case number “5” in the Grand Prize Ceremony, which secretly contained the winning key to the Saturn labeled “O-negative.”  “As soon as I saw the cars with the different blood types on them, I was hoping to get the O-negative car,” Ryan said.  He was cheered on by his wife Gioia and kids, Liam and Olive.

 It’s all about the people!

The Business Marketing Association (BMA) Phoenix and the Arizona Technology Council held the first ever Marketing Technology Summit 2009 on September 15th at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. More than 375 marketing and technology professionals attended the conference, which featured a keynote presentation, two panel discussions and a networking and technology showcase with 50 exhibition booths. MY fav was our own Michelle Gorel with Cisco’s Brad Whitworth. Marketing experts shared real-life perspectives on what’s working, what’s not, and how to measure success in the emerging world of digital and social marketing.

The overwhelming response to this event points to an underlying need in the Arizona business community for more information about technology that can enhance productivity, creativity and ultimately the brand of companies. The Marketing Technology Summit connected marketing professionals with people and businesses versus just luncheon speakers that most associations put on. Rumor has it no BMA chapter has done this before, and based on the success of the program we will do it again here. This is what makes me tick, doing things not done before…BUT our BMA PHX Chapter board made it happen…a board that works, wanted to make a difference and helped educate seemed to really resonant with everyone. What also kicked butt was the smiles on the faces of the exhibitors who were getting quality leads…many had ever done anything like this before.

Emceed by Steven Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, the conference revealed how marketers must contend with the radical changes that technology is driving in their field…like search optimization. Marketing executives discussed strategies for implementing technology to advance their brand and demand generation efforts and shared insights on measuring returns on investment for the C-Suite…which of course no one knows.

The coolest thing was BMA National president and big kahuna Gary Slack and B to B magazine’s editor Ellis Booker both flew in from Chicago to be at the program. They were kind to be on a panel with me for just our local members…they were the pros that know everything…wish we had them on for longer! One question i wanted to hear is my hometown Chicago getting the Olympics? They know there are hurdles but we have a good chance.

I’m the local president of BMA…could not be prouder.

To view photos, videos, and presentations from the event, please visit http://www.bmaphoenix.org/events.asp

To view feedback from attendees via Twitter, search #PhxMTS here: http://search.twitter.com/

The Business Marketing Association, Phoenix
Begun in 1922 as the National Industrial Advertising Association, today’s Business Marketing Association represents a lifetime of expertise in business-to-business marketing and communications strategy and tactics. The Phoenix chapter was established in 2008. They meet every third Tuesday afternoon with workshops and programs that enhance members’ marketing knowledge and careers.

I’m upset.  My good friend, and one of best teammates I’ve had in my 20 plus years of Molex softball almost died on the softball field of a heart attack. While on deck at the 16 Inch ASA Nationals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he collapsed. Only the fast action of a fan (who happened to be a nurse watching her husband play) and two other players (who just happened to be firemen) got him breathing again, while waiting for an ambulance that was delayed at a railroad crossing, due to a freight train.  The ambulance eventually came, shocked Steve and got him to the Mercy Medical Center. He had stint surgery and is still in very guarded condition.

I should have been relieved, and at first I was. But now, that relief has turned into a very deep concern. This is a big event in softball. It attracts 40 teams and alot of fans,  so organizers probably worked on this for over a year. Here’s what concerns me:  in all that planning time did the organizing committe even discuss having a paramedic on site?  Sadly after it happened they still did not add a paramedic on site the next days.

Many years ago, when I worked at Molex, per instructions of the president we had a paramedic at every event. At Avnet, we always have paramedics and/ or security at Avnet softball and football games, as well as big meetings. Our company leaders are concerned about the safety and well being of their employees and guests. At our Avnet sporting events paramedics have handeled any number of things from minor scratches, pulled muscles to broken wrists on the spot. Once, at Molex picnic, a child turned blue after getting food lodged in it’s throat. Close by paramedics turned that incident from potential tragity, to a bad scare.

At Forest Park each year they hold their huge softball tournament with thousands of fans, paramedics are there.

Sure, there’s cost involved. But it’s not a back breaker…..budget for it. Organizers who are trying to put on successful events should be consious of safety issues when that many people are expected (my guess is they are)…this NOT just about softball organizers in Iowa it’s anywhere events are held…think about all the events you or your kids are involved in at parks and at large meetings everyday.

I find it funny that most parks have signs warning people away from certain areas because it’s not safe. How about some useful safety signs…like how to help someone choking, where a first aid box might be, closest fire dept, and yes, where is the nearest defibulator. 

At Avnet facilities defibulators are noticeable.  I have been trained on the device and our events people are asked to be trained in CPR too. Hopefully, I will never have to use it, as I’m not entirely sure how well I would respond. Even without paramedics on the scene,  if the equipment was available,  the firemen/players on the scene could have revived Steve sooner. But, again, it was just luck that they were even there.  I can’t let myself think where my friend would be now if  those firemen didn’t love 16″ softball.

If I organized softball or other major events I would insist on these things:

1) The local fire department be aware of the event

2) A paramedic on duty at all times

3) First Aid kit and Defibulator on site

4) Basic first aid signs visible all around the area

5) Any organizer, umpire or player certified in CPR make themselves known

Let’s not put all the pressure on the organizers or the assiocations involved.  To certain degree, we can all take some responsibility for our own safety by simply asking “what if ?” and then making sure that whoever is in charge has a satisfactory answer.

Steve is still not out this at all, he is awake and breathing on his own, but he is in very guarded condition. Steve has played for over 3 decades, so 16 inch softball nation is praying for him.  Mr or Mrs organizer,  park director or event planner, I  know you plan these events only to benefit our youth and adults.  I sincerely appreciate the work you do but,  please, please  take that one step further to avoid any unnecessary tragedy. Hope that everything will be ok  is not a strategy. Don’t hope there are nurses, firemen or policemen in the crowd.

Michelle gets her 15 seconds of fame this Labor Day weekend during the most famous telethon in history…MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon…She was interviewed and it will air Sunday at 10pm and or noon Monday locally on channel 3 in PHX !!!

By the way she is in 2nd place and behind by only $180 in the local jail break contest…so if anyone wants to help send some of Jerry’s kids to camp…send us some dough!!! She should be No 1 …..Here’s the website to donate.