The Waggle Dance

Beekeepers refer to the waggle dance when describing the figure eight movement that bees share with other bees when moving toward a bunch of flowers, and ultimately, the nectar! As our British friends surely know, it is also the name of a British ale brewed with honey.

Maybe you’ll need a beer after reading this, but for right now, please take a moment to meet the people who point us in the appropriate direction here at BzzAgent — the Executive Team! (one member of the team declined comment for this blog, and was last seen downloading a highly complex formula for a very large budget document.)

We recently asked the team a few questions about the definition of management, how it has evolved over the past years, and what advice team members would give to those of you who are just entering the workforce.

John Bigay, VP, Marketing notes, “Management is far less hierarchial than it once was. It’s important for managers to be effective working collaboratively across the organization.” Michele Pearl, Network General Manager reveals, “Management at BzzAgent is a little more fun than other companies I’ve worked for because of the open atmosphere….”

As the top bar of the company, the Executive Team does not necessarily believe that they are the sole decision maker in the company.

• Art Muldoon, SVP, Client Services decides, “BzzAgent employees make “final” business decisions each day that impact agents, clients, vendors, employees and other constituents. We offer an incredible environment allowing motivated people to take on as much responsbility as they can handle.”
• Michael Bird, SVP, Sales and Business Development has a similar view. “…I’m not talking about a small group of people that make every single decision that needs to be made on a daily basis. As we continue to grow and evolve, decision making and departmental empowerment should be (and is currently) distributed appropriately.
• Chief Technology Officer, Kurt Overberg agrees as well, “BzzAgent is much more open and willing to accept ideas from anyone who has a good one.”

In 1980, Billy Joel released the album, (yes, album!) Glass Houses. The album jacket showed the artist posing ominously, about to fling an object at a house made of glass, suggesting that living in one was not such a good idea, that it could prove to be a bit risky, or that the old adage must ring true, people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Dave Balter, CEO, sits in a glass office, a far cry from a typical closed corner executive office. We can see him and hear him, but make no mistake, he can see and hear all, as well. Maybe the glass office is open, risky and begs the statement, “Go ahead, I dare you”, or maybe, it is just a sign that a lot of things have changed since 1980!

If given the choice for another profession, four of the Executive Team members would be rock stars (we salute you!), one would be president (elected after a 20 year stint as the starting Boston Red Sox first baseman), and one would be a mail carrier (which is fascinating because this person has a penchant for detailed street instructions when traveling).

So, what advice would they each give to a person just entering the workforce?

• Kurt Overberg says, “Work smarter, not harder, pay attention to those who are in a position that you’d one day like to see yourself in and talk to that person.”
• John Bigay believes listening well is a key, while Michele Pearl seems to agree with Kurt, “Work your tail off, but work smart.”
• Art Muldoon believes you should follow your passion and that patience really is a virtue.
• Michael Bird also believes you should find something you are passionate about and make that the priority in your job search.
• Dave Balter says, “Don’t be afraid of not knowing what you want to be.”

Managers have that tricky task of being able to communicate to all of their direct reports effectively. Is this a challenge for each of them, or not?

• Kurt Overberg asserts, “Everyone has their own way of communicating, and not everyone fully listens to other people’s point of view…I try to find a common ground between the two points and come up with a solution that meets as many requirements as possible….”
• John Bigay admits to approaching people differently because people have different communication styles.
• Michele Pearl doesn’t think it is all that difficult if you demonstrate sincere respect for your team members.
• Michael Bird says, “You can deliver extremely difficult information in a very direct way without being a total jerk.”
• Art Muldoon turns to metaphor to describe his view, “Credibility is an essential fuel while driving down the career highway. Those who compromise their credibility for a short-term gain stall out in the breakdown lane.”

It seems to me that managers have a lot of pressure on them, so many eyes and ears ready to judge them and discount them as appropriate leaders.

So to those of you who think you know what makes a good manager, or think that you would like to be one some day, which trait is the most important to you?

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