mek.highcroft.com

The Monster Phenomenon

It's hard to put it any other way -- Monster helped me to find a fantastic new job.

Working for Target Corporation for nearly five years gave me exposure to an amazing array of people, technologies, management styles, and business processes. Early on in 2003, I found myself at what I believed was a turning point in my career. I began looking for new opportunities within Target (outside my role as a Web Editor/Documentation Developer/Marketing guy), and the paths I wanted to take simply did not meet with the one I was currently on, regardless of the angle from which it was viewed. This caused more than a little stress for me, although my supervisor did a lot to assist me in my search, offering advice and counsel, as well as lending a hand in helping me investigate new areas.

So I began, slowly, to look for opportunities outside Target. I really enjoyed working for Target, so it was tough to look around, but I knew I had to plan for my career goals. In February 2003, I had this to say about the general process of change, and I took it to heart, learning new things, researching opportunities for extending my knowledge, and working to become more involved in projects closely tied to my core job functions at Target. Then one day I decided to check out Monster.com just to see what jobs were posted for the Twin Cities area.

It was not much of a surprise that the job boards were filled to the gills with interesting work, and I found myself excitedly looking for the job I'd want to move into, and not just something identical to my current job. So I looked into marketing, communications, technology, internet, telecommunications, health care, and many other areas. Then I decided to search for Corporate Communications, and found (among others) a company close to home looking for someone with my skills and background to fill an internal communications role. Wow!

I read the job description. Again. Then again. I went to check out the company web site to learn everything I could. Industry leaders. Technology driven. Customer focused. Constantly working to develop employees. Multiple locations in the US and abroad. Strong financial performance. Interesting products and services. So I posted my resume along with an application. It was a great opportunity and I was a bit nervous in submitting the application, mainly because I believed I was a great fit for the job, and I did not want to miss the window of opportunity.

Well, after several interviews, and a couple weeks of waiting, I was offered the job.

I'm excited to come to work, and I believe I am learning a great deal, while being able to contribute a fair amount, even in the early stages of my career here. I'm excited about the work, the opportunities, and the strength of the people I work with. It looks like it will be a great place to work!

I would not have found this new job if not for Monster.com, since I would not have known to look in this industry. Thanks Monster!

Isn't she cute?

Caroline at three months (September 2003).

It's so fun to arrive home at the end of a workday to an at-the-door greeting from Heidi, Caroline, and Hershey. I know it may sound a bit on the gushy side, but it's something I truly look forward to each day. Thanks, Heidi, for making me feel so wonderful about being a husband and father!

4 Months

Caroline is four months old! Heidi took her in for the "4-month" appointment today. Caroline got her second round of shots (which he hates, and screams), and now weighs 16.7 lbs. The visit went very well, and the doctor says everything looks great.

Heidi and I are still indescribably thrilled about Caroline, and we have a lot of fun watching her grow, learn, and interact with the world. I'm still, and constantly, amazed at the miracle that is a newborn, and glad that Heidi has decided to stay at home to take care of Caroline. There are times I'm very envious!

Predator4

Jesse the Governor.


Arnold the Governor.


Coming this fall to theatres everywhere.

Pop-Up Advertising

I've become a huge fan of pop-up ad killers like Pop-Up Defender (no, this is not a product plug, it's just one of many I've tried). With the proliferation of the ads, I'd find myself clicking-closed windows all over the place, only to find that more had opened in the background. Whoever developed the code to make pop-up ads work has both my applause for making a recognizable advertising medium and my disdain for wreaking havoc on what would otherwise be a normal web-surfing experience. Side note: unfortunately, pop-up software does nothing to the shockwave overlay ads that are now coming into fashion.

Some of the worst offenders are the so-called "free" web hosting companies who lace the code in their pages with calls for pop-up ads promoting their services. Angelfire is one hosting services that wins the annoying pop-up ad award.

Pop-up registration and survey windows "greet" me at many sites, often attempting to sell me services to which I already subscribe (NetFlix and This Old House magazine just as a couple examples), or fill out surveys on how easy the site was to use, even before I use it.

With all the available technology in our hands these days (like USB keys and biometric system login methods) it seems logical that we should be able to plug into our computer a key which contains our "portable" data like subscription info. Log into the key (still provides protection against identity theft) and permit sites to access only the informatin on the key (also helps protect your computer). Then the sites would recognize that I already subscribe to their service, or have requested they stop sending me ads or information, and the pop-up would be automatically refused (hey! he already pays us for our service... great!). I'd like something like that. If you build it, don't forget it's my idea: 20% gross-revenue royalty payments can be made payable to me.

Obviously, I have to get a grip on the reality of effective marketing. Exposure (impressions) to a product or service promotes "brand awareness" and, hopefully, drives consumer behavior (buy! stay! come back soon!) in a positive way. Pop-up ads get people's attention, even if it's negative. Think of the X10 ads. They are everywhere, and I get frequent requests asking how to make them stop (go to www.x10.com/x10ads.htm or simply click to prevent the X10 ads from popping up for 30 days). It's nice to have an out, if you know that it exists, but truth be told, huge numbers of web-surfers have seen the ads and bought the products. Marketing isn't about providing an out, however, it's about exposure. Getting the message to your audience efficiently and effectively. That's one reason I love marketing. Effective marketing makes people love the brand, the experience, and they want to come back for more. Pop-up ads, however, make me cringe. Effective marketing doesn't have to alienate.

Thanks, Target!

Friday October 10th will be my last day of work at Target Corporation. I've accepted a new job with another company, and I'm looking forward to the upcoming challenges and opportunities.

Target has been a fantastic company at which to work, learn, and grow professionally. Internal training programs are focused on developing solid skills, and the employees I worked beside each day were great to work with. It's been more than just a job for me, it's been a chance to learn new technologies, meet fantastic people, and definitely a place to experience the demands of information technology support in a large retail business.

Target is "Fast, Fun and Friendly" and for all great press, really means business. Target is continually focusing on how to improve the experience of Target shoppers, and this means better systems throughout the organization, from HQ offices to the stores and DCs. It's been great fun working at Target, and I recommend Target as an employer almost every week to someone I know.

Thanks, Target! It's been a great ride!