Why we didn't break the record

[Jeff]

When I started this post, it was 2:44 PM (CST) with only 80 people on the board. I don't think we broke the record. The next question is why not?

Was one year ago some sort of freakish day where we had a ton of guests on the board at once?

Are there members out there that couldn't make it at this time? Should we try a different time?

[chazwicke]

Good questions. Thanks to all those who were here! I saw it hit 84 at one point just before 3:44 ECT.

[funkconnection]

The day of the last record was really a simply day? or it happened after an article in a newspaper or a tv show and many people had come here to get some information?

I think the record is not essential; for me, a good community is where they have plenty posts each day.
It is more important for the good health of the community.

[unkle bik]

It was a good day for the beach?

(it's quality, not quantity of posts that count to make a forum great. )

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by funkconnection
The day of the last record was really a simply day? or it happened after an article in a newspaper or a tv show and many people had come here to get some information?

I think the record is not essential; for me, a good community is where they have plenty posts each day.
It is more important for the good health of the community.

I like your avatar.

[wortchillergoal]

I got confused in my day's routine. What time did qwe have to be logged on? I tried but not sure if I made it.

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by wortchillergoal
I got confused in my day's routine. What time did qwe have to be logged on? I tried but not sure if I made it.

I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by unkle bik
I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

It might be worth having a beer over.

[corysdad]

I'm with you wortchillergoal,and soon I get to try a Three Floyds Alpha King, which I hear is quite good. Here's to ya!

[MeridianFC]

Sorry, I had a meeting and completely forgot to leave myself logged on.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by Jeff
When I started this post, it was 2:44 PM (CST)

...there's your answer; I'm sure I'm not the only one who does not have the luxury of being allowed to browse beer websites while at work...in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the word "beer" in the website name wouldn't get me a call from the IT "police" (freakin' fascists! ;) ) I think sometime around 8:00PM CST would allow most people on both coasts and in the middle to be home and available.

Now I have to drown my sorrows with an Allagash Dubbel Reserve... oh, the humanity!!!

[chazwicke]

My boss allows me to peruse websites all day long. ;)

[BluesHarp]

...Very Funny, Chaz...VeRRRRRRRYYY funny...:D

[swzine]

You can alway encrypt your traffic! I was going to until I saw it was a violation of a written company policy. Can't do it without the CIO signing off. I could just picture it - "I don't want you guys to know what I'm doing all day so I would like your written permission to encrypt my traffic!" Most small companies probably don't have a written policy about it and probably aren't even looking!

I also do not check out the forums during the day. Not just this one, but any forum I'm on. Even on my break. Just in case they come knocking. The most I do is check the news, weather, online banking, and glance at my webmail, but only open 1-2 emails max if they catch my eye as something important.

[chazwicke]

I allow my employees to use the web and we all use Instant Messenger as a tool as well as for fun. My main priority is that the work gets done. They can use their spare time on the net if they like. As long as the work is being completed by it's due date I don't really care if they surf the net in between. I also do not monitor their emails. Life is too short to have a horrible work environment. I try to be as flexible as possible with my people and it has paid off big time. Many of them work from home. I have happy and loyal employees and I am loyal to them in return. I also frequently reward them with bonuses. If we are having a good month or year, I spread it around. I have given them health club memberships and even had an nursery for two young babies set up in a spare office a while back. I never mind it if they bring kids in. I have also given interest free loans to many of them in the past. Again, my philosophy is since we all have to work, it does not have to be a daily grind or unpleasant. My feeling is that a happy work place is a productive work place. I myself have worked at repressive companies and I'll be having none of that here. The only thing that we do routinely is run spyware programs.

[BeerBelly]

I work 12 hours a day for 14 days in a row, about all I do all day is surf. My wife hates it becuase I buy too much stuff online. The UPS man is a regular at my house.

[Beaver]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I allow my employees to use the web and we all use Instant Messenger as a tool as well as for fun. My main priority is that the work gets done. They can use their spare time on the net if they like. As long as the work is being completed by it's due date I don't really care if they surf the net in between. I also do not monitor their emails. Life is too short to have a horrible work environment. I try to be as flexible as possible with my people and it has paid off big time. Many of them work from home. I have happy and loyal employees and I am loyal to them in return. I also frequently reward them with bonuses. If we are having a good month or year, I spread it around. I have given them health club memberships and even had an nursery for two young babies set up in a spare office a while back. I never mind it if they bring kids in. I have also given interest free loans to many of them in the past. Again, my philosophy is since we all have to work, it does not have to be a daily grind or unpleasant. My feeling is that a happy work place is a productive work place. I myself have worked at repressive companies and I'll be having none of that here. The only thing that we do routinely is run spyware programs.

Wow, I wish more employers were like you, Chaz!

[fretlessman71]

chaz, you hiring? I can only telecommute, though... ;)

[chazwicke]

I love my job! took lots of hard work over the years to get here but it has paid off.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by BeerBelly
I work 12 hours a day for 14 days in a row, about all I do all day is surf. My wife hates it becuase I buy too much stuff online. The UPS man is a regular at my house.

I know what you mean. Sometimes I go on Ebay binges.

[swzine]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I allow my employees to use the web and we all use Instant Messenger as a tool as well as for fun. My main priority is that the work gets done. They can use their spare time on the net if they like. As long as the work is being completed by it's due date I don't really care if they surf the net in between. I also do not monitor their emails. Life is too short to have a horrible work environment. I try to be as flexible as possible with my people and it has paid off big time. Many of them work from home. I have happy and loyal employees and I am loyal to them in return. I also frequently reward them with bonuses. If we are having a good month or year, I spread it around. I have given them health club memberships and even had an nursery for two young babies set up in a spare office a while back. I never mind it if they bring kids in. I have also given interest free loans to many of them in the past. Again, my philosophy is since we all have to work, it does not have to be a daily grind or unpleasant. My feeling is that a happy work place is a productive work place. I myself have worked at repressive companies and I'll be having none of that here. The only thing that we do routinely is run spyware programs.

Wow, you're a good man!

As for the comments about shopping online from the other two people. I am the same way. The UPS guy is here daily! I might as well open up a UPS account at home!

[wortchillergoal]

Hey Chaz, you didn't spend anytime drinking(or smoking) with Ben and Jerry of the ice cream world did you? They had the same ideas about the work place. I used to own a franchise and heard them speak several times. I think you guys could enjoy a beer together.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
chaz, you hiring? I can only telecommute, though... ;)
Chaz, did I mention I was serious.... ?

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by wortchillergoal
Hey Chaz, you didn't spend anytime drinking(or smoking) with Ben and Jerry of the ice cream world did you? They had the same ideas about the work place. I used to own a franchise and heard them speak several times. I think you guys could enjoy a beer together.

I've been to their factory in Vermont before.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Chaz, did I mention I was serious.... ?
Oh, I get it... he's going to ignore me..... :D

[swzine]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Oh, I get it... he's going to ignore me..... :D

Not even an interview for you!

[fretlessman71]

I'd even be willing to do all of his personal websurfing for him.... JEEZ! Wouldn't that be worth it? ;)

[swzine]

as long as you don't perform the functions of the other hand while surfing those personal sites....

j/k

[chazwicke]

LOL! We may be expanding to other jurisdictions. Do you know how to search titles Fret? :D

[fretlessman71]

You mean like in the library? Sure.... ;)

[swzine]

I know how to search titles. I'm in the same industry. I handle the automation piece though. I get the automated tax and appraisal rolls to make the searchers lives easier. I also build and maintain relationships with the tax offices and maintain our contact records of the tax offices in my states. The difference is that my company is a real estate tax service and not title, but our parent company is one of the big three. The two processes are pretty close though. All real estate transaction services.

We might have a little to BS about! I'm from Philly and used to service PA, NJ, DE, DC, MD, and VA. I moved out to TX January of last year to take over all of the automation for AR, LA, OK, and TX, or the Jerry Springer Belt as I like to call it. I don't know how someone can enjoying searching though. The one thing I dislike is doing the same thing all day.

What are the odds of running into someone in this same industry on a beer forum?!?!

[fretlessman71]

Is this something you can learn pretty easily, or is it a long process that involves lots of training and/or a degree? Sounds interesting... real estate is pretty expen$ive here in CO...

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by swzine
I know how to search titles. I'm in the same industry. I handle the automation piece though. I get the automated tax and appraisal rolls to make the searchers lives easier. I also build and maintain relationships with the tax offices and maintain our contact records of the tax offices in my states. The difference is that my company is a real estate tax service and not title, but our parent company is one of the big three. The two processes are pretty close though. All real estate transaction services.

We might have a little to BS about! I'm from Philly and used to service PA, NJ, DE, DC, MD, and VA. I moved out to TX January of last year to take over all of the automation for AR, LA, OK, and TX, or the Jerry Springer Belt as I like to call it. I don't know how someone can enjoying searching though. The one thing I dislike is doing the same thing all day.

What are the odds of running into someone in this same industry on a beer forum?!?!

I hardly ever search them myself anymore. We are extremely interested in automation and delivery of our services. I am affiliatied with one of the big three as well. (I sold them 30%). We have greatly benefitted from the relationship. The one I am affiliated with is based in Calif. and has an eagle as its symbol. Yours?

[swzine]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I hardly ever search them myself anymore. We are extremely interested in automation and delivery of our services. I am affiliatied with one of the big three as well. (I sold them 30%). We have greatly benefitted from the relationship. The one I am affiliated with is based in Calif. and has an eagle as its symbol. Yours?

Based right near you in Richmond, VA. ;) My division is out of Covina, CA. We were always privately owned but our CEO sold it 3rd quarter of last year.

Our previous company was little known but was probably the third biggest tax service company, mainly because we service the largest mortgage company in the country. The day after we joined a family of title companies, your company, who was #1 in the tax service industry, bought the #2 company in the tax service industry. That is if you work for who I think you do.

It's probably not necessary that we talk so vaguely, but I can see you're like me in the sense that you seperate your business from the personal stuff online. I don't want someone typing my company's name into google and coming up with some a-hole thing I said on a private message board! That's the only reason I don't just come out. I wouldn't say anything that's anything that is not public anyway.

We'll have to talk on IM or email some day, it's always interesting to talk to someone else in the same industry. I know a lot of people who used to (and some that still) work in the Tax Service division of your company. I go to the tax collector conferences in my states, so I get to know a lot of the competition. My title is Agency Relations Specialist (some companies call it Taxer Rep), and we often have to work together with the competition to please the tax offices, establish new automation, etc.

[swzine]

By the way, I always thought your company was from Dallas. I guess that is just the division that I work with.

These big real estate transaction service companies own so many companies that it's hard to keep track of. It's a great industry though. Did you notice that those 3 companies were all in the top 10 of Fortune 500's most admired companies?