The only thing consistent about United Airlines is their atrocious customer service. Once again, they managed, with ease, to put a big dent in my daughter's and grandchildren's spring break visit to Dallas.

As soon as my cell phone rang last Saturday AM, I knew things were not going to go well. Sure enough, flight delayed (weather delay, of course), missed connection, have to spend the night in Denver, blah, blah. So here is my daughter with 3 small children, 3 car seats and a large suitcase arriving late at night in Denver and not able to make it out until the next day to Dallas. They gave her a number to call when she got to Denver (late at night), to get a reduced rate at a hotel, but who is going to let their daughter fly into Denver (with 3 small children, 3 car seats and a large suitcase) and get on a shuttle and go to any old hotel. So I booked her a decent hotel that was the closest to the airport and had a restaurant so that if they should arrive at a reasonable hour (hope springs eternal), they could eat dinner on the premises. Cost $175. Delay time: 13 hours, precious hours wasted from our planned time together.

The afternoon before they are supposed to leave Dallas to fly home, an automated message comes to my cell phone. Their flight the next morning has been cancelled. Please call for rebooking information. Here we go again. United has given us no reason whatsoever during the last few interactions to have us believe that this will turn out well. Sure enough. No flights for the next 3 days. Forget getting home Saturday, going back to work and school on Monday, United can't find 4 seats until the following Tuesday. And this time it's not a weather related delay, it's mechanical. Back and forth, back and forth. Finally my daughter opts to leave on a flight in 5 hours that will mean another night in a hotel in Denver but at least she will get on the original flight out of Denver back to her home the next day. And, of course, United will pay for a hotel for them. After all, we all know the rules. Weather delay, it's all on the passenger. Mechanical delay, the airline pays. Or so we thought. No, they explain. If you stayed in Dallas until Tuesday, they would pay for 3 nights of hotels. But if you go to Denver, they don't have to pay. Now I am crazy. I start making calls. Every person I talk to gives a different answer, but the message is the same. They can't do anything, and the next person down the line will have to decide.

We arrive at the airport. Three small children, 3 cars seats and a large suitcase. Nope, you will have to ask about a hotel in Denver. And a bigger nope, no booking the car seats and suitcase through to Eugene. "But", we ask, "how will she manage with 3 small children, 3 car seats and a large suitcase when she has to get on a shuttle bus late at night and go to a hotel which we will pay for (even though that is against the 'rules' because we are not letting her fly into Denver late at night with....fill in the refraim) without a guaranteed hotel room?" The customer service rep says she should get a cart when she arrives. He also then begins telling us that he doesn't have enough people to work the counter and be able to handle problems such as this. I ask for the Customer Service supervisor and she is promptly called. She comes out with a demeanor similar to a bear that has been stung by a thousand hornets, or a large bull who has just seen 20 red capes. I know for sure that if I hired a customer service rep, let alone a supervisor, this would not be the person. She rolls her eyes, barks questions at me and storms back through the door behind the counter. I have no clue if she is coming back. But we have been at the counter for 30 minutes and we still don't have the 3 car seats and the large suitcase booked in, so we have lots of time to wait.

Of course, by now, the flight is delayed by more than 2 hours, so my daughter will definitely be arriving late at night. After 3 people spend more than an hour trying, each tapping for long spells on the keyboard, the bags are checked through to the destination. And about the same time, the customer service supervisor comes out, hands my daughter a voucher for a hotel in Denver. With a roll of her eyes, acting like she has done us a huge favor, she flips her hair, turns around, never says she is sorry, of course, and leaves. All that to get what we were entitled to in the first place

And then when the situation might have been somewhat recovered, the ticket agent announces with glee, "Your bag is overweight - 4lbs overweight." Good grief, they have caused us untold amount of grief, cut short our time together by a day and a half, cost us more than $200, and now they want to be paid for 4lbs of overweight. Please remember that this is luggage for 4 people and it is 4lbs overweight for one person. Pierre, anticipating what might happen when I become completely unglued, offers to pay. "$50", she tells us. "No way," I say. I open the suitcase, take out a set of sheets I had given my daughter, drop them from a vast height onto the scales and they weigh 4.5lbs. "There," I say, knowing that those 4lbs are the final straw.

Yes, Delta flies from where my daughter lives to Dallas and they are going to get our business from now on.

In the meantime, my daughter arrives in Denver after midnight with 3 small children and is still trying to get home and get reunited with her 3 car seats and 1 large suitcase.

United, there is something really, really wrong with your company. But with SEC filings that show that the United CEO has been awarded more than $20 million by the airline's board of directiors and that United's top five executives received $25.7 million in the form of cash, stock or exercisable options last year, while you have gutted the pay and benefits of your employees, I guess it's hard to get a workforce that cares. Believe me, it's showing. And the only option left for me is to vote with my customer choice. "Hello Delta, I want to spend $2000 for 4 tickets and get a little customer service next spring. Do you think you can manage that?"

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last Sunday evening, after a nice salmon dinner in my Boston hotel, I turned on the Cleveland –Denver NBA basketball game. Three superstars LaBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson – what a trio to watch!

I tuned in to the ESPN broadcast in the middle of an interview with Warren Buffett and Jim Grey. I don’t think of Warren Buffett as an NBA fan – but there he was at a game in Cleveland. Why would Warren travel to Cleveland for an NBA game? It turns out Warren was a guest of LaBron James.

Now what’s the connection with the world’s second richest person and a 22-year old NBA superstar? According to Buffett, LaBron called Warren for investment advice. Wow - a 22-year old calling the most successful stock investor of all time! How impressive!

LaBron James – you’re awesome baby! (a borrowed cliché from Dick Vitale).

Oh by the way, Gillian knows me better than I expected – I called her up in the middle of the interview and said, “You’re not going to believe who is LeBron James’ investment advisor.” She immediately replied, “Warren Buffett.” How did she know? She simply knows that Warren Buffett is my hero. And now, so is LeBron James.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 11:57 AM | Permalink

I met Manny at a EO event a couple of years ago. He has kept me updated on his progress and recently sent me this article from Vida en el Valle, the Latin Voice of California's Central Valley:

The American dream could be just around the corner for Sacramento residents thanks to an urban project by Manny Fernández, a young real estate investor who has taken on the task of remodeling homes in Oak Park to then offer them to first-time home buyers and low income families with help from government programs.

María Gutiérrez was fortunate to begin the process to own the home she currently lives in on 39th Street in the Oak Park area in Sacramento.

"I am happy I qualified as a first time buyer for a beautiful home like the one I live in, the house is great and nobody bothers me," says Gutiérrez, a homemaker. "I have a six-month-old son and I want him to grow up in a comfortable place and for him to feel happy. Life is peaceful here, I take the bus on the corner or you can walk to the stores, it's very safe."

She also said that this was a good option for low income Latinos and that paying $1,100 per month for a property that would increase in value in the near future was well worth it. Her home, as well as the other four on the same block, got a fresh coat of paint, new doors, plumbing and flooring among other things to make living there more comfortable.

Fernández stated that the requirements to qualify for one of these government programs are mainly to be a first-time homebuyer and to have a job that pays less than $45,000 per year.

He also said that his job is to educate the community about these programs so they can buy their own home at a lower price.

"It all started five years ago when I presented a project to the City Council to work in conjunction with various housing programs to benefit the community and low income families. These programs offer $40,000 toward the purchase of a home without having to give a down payment," Fernández pointed out.

Fernández invested an initial $600,000 to purchase five homes, approximately 1,800 square feet each, on the 2700 block of 39th Street in Sacramento and nearly $200,000 in their renovation. These home will be sold for $199,000 minus the $40,000 granted by the government, bringing their price down to $159,000 with a monthly payment of $1,100 over 30 years.

"The homes needed some maintenance and now they are ready to be sold," stated Fernández. "I think when people invest in their home it's good for the neighborhood because they worry about keeping them up and in turn want a cleaner and safer street."

Susan DeMarois, from the UC Davis Office of Government and Community Relations, said that Oak Park was known for being a high crime and dangerous area but in time it has improved its infrastructure and the police have brought order back to the streets. She also commented that the Medical Center and the new School of Medicine at UC Davis are a sign of prosperity and have brought new vitality and security to area residents.

"Fernández's idea serves as an example to other investors so they carry out similar projects that benefit the community," said DeMarois.

During a press conference, investors such as Richard Green, executive director of the Stockton Boulevard Partnership stated that what used to be a street full of closed and deteriorated buildings in a neighborhood surrounded by poverty is now a vibrant and attractive real estate business in the Oak Park area.

Fernández, who was an amateur boxer, said he is also working with people who offer financing for working families like the Hispanic community who come from other countries to achieve the American dream.

Keep up the good work, Manny.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:28 AM | Permalink

When my friend read an earlier post about how Pierre had visited the doctor (and found out he had diabetes), she mailed me terribly impressed that I had managed to get Pierre to visit the doctor. She wanted to know what I had done as her husband refused to go for years even though she was sure that he needed to. I wrote back and shared my trick with her. She wrote back to tell me that it had worked and her husband had just allowed her to make a doctor's appointment for him. The trick? Oh, it's simple. You just tell him that when he is sitting in the corner drooling on himself with limbs missing and (add whatever most scares him), you are not taking care of him because if he had taken better care of himself, none of it would have happened. Be graphic. Be strong. Trust me, it will get his attention. Try it and save his life (and your mental well being).

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:51 AM | Permalink

Anyone want to buy 2 tickets for next year's King's Season. Section 120, Row S. Great tickets behind the King's basket. Includes preferred parking too. Total: $8536. And you can also buy the playoff tickets (is everyone praying?).

We need to pay by April 2nd. So, if you are interested, please contact us right away. This is a great chance to jump to the top of the waiting list.

Send email to: Gillian@sacramentoexecutive.com. Whole season only please

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 7:14 PM | Permalink

Pediatric Bioscience of Sacramento was chosen as one of the top two presenting companies at the recent Golden Capital Network Venture Capital conference. The company has licensed technologies from The University of California with the goal of bringing to market diagnostics and therapeutics to diagnose and eventually treat children with autism.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 2:09 PM | Permalink

Tracie Stafford, President and CEO of Exceptional Events, Inc., will compete for the title of Mrs. California in the Mrs. United States Pageant Line. According to Tiffany Ellison, Pageant Producer, if chosen, Stafford will be the first African American on record to hold the title. As well as a Business Owner, Stafford is a wife and mother of four as well as the Chairwoman of the City of Sacramento Small Business and Employment advisory board, Past President of the National Association of Women Business Owners, on the board of the Black Chamber of Commerce and was recently appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger, to the California Small Business Board.

Good luck Tracie.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is a story from D Magazine about our neighborhood butcher. It's a wonderful story about how someone is turning around their life by putting their energies into a new passion.

You might not expect an ex-drunk who developed his business plan in the state pen to become the butcher of buzz to food-savvy upscale clients in Oak Lawn and the Park Cities. But 41-year-old Greg Geerts is all about personal redemption, and his 10-month-old VonGeertsem Butcher Shoppe (or just VG’s) has found a solid marketing niche for customers who want better than supermarket fare. The spartan little store next to Lucky’s is a deliciously retro entrée to custom cuts of top-of-the-shelf veal, lamb, free-range chicken, or the specialty, Superior Angus beef that’s 90 days corn fed and 29 days dry aged.

The contagiously enthusiastic Geerts, his life glowing with purpose, is himself part of the experience. The wasted days and nights that led to eight DWIs over a 10-year period in the ’90s and finally put him in prison fields “just like in Cool Hand Luke” are long gone, replaced by regular AA meetings with the Preston Group. Since his release in 2004 after an 18-month stretch, the Garland native has mentored for the group Against the Odds, which helps the children of prisoners avoid following in the footsteps of their parents.

Geerts’ other new friends include influential business types like restaurateur and contractor Santiago Peña (Stephan Pyles, W Hotel, etc.). The two met at the Albertson’s on Lemmon Avenue, where Geerts, a trained butcher, worked the meat counter after Huntsville. Peña, buying leftover trimmings for sauces for his restaurants, loved Geerts’ idea and helped him convert the vacant floral shop on Oak Lawn Avenue into a boutique for meat. An even stronger believer was Cathy Tamez, the financial advisor turned business partner that Geerts met through Match.com. They plan to marry in the spring and already are thinking about a second shop.

“I’m a firm believer that if you’ve got a good product and you’re knowledgeable about what you’re doing, you’re going to be just fine,” says Geerts, a devout Episcopalian. “God’s going to take care of you.”

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:48 AM | Permalink

There's a move afoot in Sacramento to improve the educational level of the workforce to support the burgeoning technology industry. According to the American Electronics Association (AEA), Sacramento is California's fastest growing cyber-city and the state's sixth largest in high-tech industry employment. But to ensure that future growth can be supported, it is imperative that Sacramento has a strong Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educational pipeline.

A regional collaborative effort including Aerojet, Educational Testing Services, Intel, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance, Sacramento State, Sierra College, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and UC Davis plans to hold a Summit on April 2nd.

The goal of the Summit is to create the foundation for collaboration to attain the vision. The vision is to 'establish the Sacramento region as having the strongest kindergarten-to-workforce STEM pipeline in California within the next three to five years and within the nation in the next five to seven years.' Gaps in the regional STEM pipeline will be identified and action plans will be developed to improve, extend, and maintain the pipeline to meet the labor force needs of the region.

Sounds like a super idea. And with true bi-partisan support - both Congresswoman Matsui and Congressman Lungren will be on hand. We will update you as progress is revealed. And let's hope that all segments of Sacramento society are invited to attend and participate.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 4:41 AM | Permalink

There is a network of tree nurseries and over-sustainable forestry operations that are reforesting vast swaths of Central America. It is a huge success story. One example of this profitable process is Finca Leola (www.fincaleola.com), with reforesting operations in the northern highlands of Costa Rica.

Finca Leola’s principle of business is simple and powerful in its regenerative impact - that by underharvesting a newly planted forest of cash timber, the overall forest mass increases faster, allowing larger underharvests. Perpetual and growing profit.

Such an alternative economic model is all the more important in this day of allowing anything - including rampant tropical deforestation - in the name of growing biofuel to reduce CO2 emissions. We need to reforest the tropics at least as much as curtail anthropogenic CO2.

What if global warming were the result of changes in land use, and increased CO2 is a result of a hotter earth? Over 20% of the earth’s surface, in agricultural basins and plateaus from California’s Central Valley to Africa’s Sahel, has now seen its water table lower dramatically, often by an order of magnitude or more, due to mechanized pumps and deep wells. Ten million square miles of overheated earth due to depleted water tables could be countered by massive infrastructure projects to desalinate seawater and pump it via pipeline back into these aquafirs.

What if global warming and climate change is because over 10% of the earth’s surface, nearly two-thirds of our original tropical rainforests, no longer exist? For over 100 years, tropical forests have been decimated via logging, more recently they are being finished off thanks to lucrative biofuel prices, with perhaps no end in sight. Without forest transpiration, especially near the coasts, the regular monsoon circulation is collapsed, causing more droughts and extreme storms, and these deforested lands are now - equatorial with formerly perennial transpiration - heat islands on a continental scale.

Someday the earth might warm too much, and wouldn’t it be a huge missed opportunity, if we didn’t put forested mountain bike trails atop good-sized urban highrise condominiums, to mitigate the land-based heat island effect, when such measures, not CO2 hysteria, would keep earth cool?

Ed Ring
Editor, EcoWorld

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:04 PM | Permalink

A judge has ordered the Sacramento Sherrif's Department to set up a date to auction off O. J. Simpson's book, If I Did It. Proceeds will be provided to the family of Ron Goldman, who was murdered alongside O. J.'s ex-wife, Nicole Simpson. Details of the date and place of the auction are not yet available.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:19 AM | Permalink

Another acquisition. And this one in record time. MaxPreps Inc., the company that compiles high school sports news on the Web, has been acquired by CBS Corp. for an undisclosed sum. MaxPreps started in 2003 under the name SacPreps had received just over $10M in venture funding. DFJ Frontier, a Sacramento-based fund, had been one of the earliest backers of the company.

MaxPreps will be folded into CBS' College Sports Television Networks Inc., an online and cable television business that covers college and high school sports and continue to operate out of its El Dorado County headquarters with its founder, Andy Beal, leading the operation.

At the time of the initial investment, we heard that Tim Draper's dad (Tim Draper runs one of the best known VC funds Draper Fisher Jurvetson, of which DFJ Frontier is a Sacramento based subsidiary) was so enthused about the start-up that he had invested his own personal funds in the deal. I guess that should have clued us in on the fact that good things were going to happen to this company. Record speed acquisition and by a high name acquirer. It's all good for the Sacramento start-up scene.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:47 AM | Permalink

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are at it again. Trying to help disadvantaged kids get an education. They have donated $122 million to send hundreds of Washington, D.C. kids to college.

More than 2,200 students will be provided mentoring and college scholarships of up to $10,000 per year for up to 5 years. The students will be picked from neighborhoods where only one in three students graduates from high school and only one in twenty earns a college degree within 5 years.

The first scholarships will be handed out this spring to 175 high school juniors. Students will be picked based on several criteria including 'resilience' and 'demonstrated commitment to education' along with their high school grades and standardized test scores.

Good for you Gates Foundation. You are going to change a lot of young peoples' lives forever.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:58 AM | Permalink

Congratulations to this year's semi-finalists in UC Davis' annual Big Bang Competition:

AID Networks - Producing low cost vital sign sensors.

Falcon Nano - Developing technology to dramatically increase wireless data transmissions and connections speeds.

GOglio Biosciences - Developing human milk bioactive analogues as nutritional ingredients to promote health and prevent disease in infants.

Harmonic Devices - Developing technology to increase battery life in cell phones and portable wireless handsets with a device that is smaller and cheaper than current technology.

New Infrared - Developing new infrared technology for dry-blanching and dehydration with greater energy efficiency.

The Finals will take place on May 16th! Plan on attending. It's uplifting to watch so many passionate, bright young entrepreneurs. You can get more information here

And call if you have time to help out. This is a student-run event and they are always looking for seasoned execuives to provide assistance. If they are all set for this year, put your name on the list for next.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:53 AM | Permalink

Be Inthavong and his business partner Steve Dumain were selling women's bags out of a loft without an elevator in Brooklyn. Be cold called Bergdorf and set up an appointment to show them his bags. Bergdorfs is the pinnacle for desginers - the whos who of fashion and fashion consumerism come to Bergdorfs to figure out what's hot. Bergdorf agreed to try some.

Actress Mena Suvari bought the first one. Bergdorf ordered 10 more. Then Beyonce Knowles, Penelope Cruz and several of the actresses from Desperate Housewives bought them. Less than a month later, Bergdorf ordered 200 more. Now Be & D bags are sold in luxury stores worldwide and featured in the leading fashion magazines.

Lessons learned:

Cold calling works
Having a great product works
If you believe, sometimes the pinnacle gives you a chance to prove yourself.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:17 PM | Permalink

HBO has a new series Addiction. I watched the 'centerpiece documentary' last night. It is moving, sad and most of all frustrating, So many advances are being made every day in terms of what we know about addiction (it's a disease, a very difficult disease to treat) and treatment (a mix of medications, therapy, etc.), and we are not utilizing most of the advances we have made because we are allowing the HMOs to dictate what kind of treatment, the length of the treatment. If you need more and better (and effective) treatment, you better hope you or your family have very deep pockets.

My friend's son has just completed treatment, at vast expense, in Canada. The facility he was at requires that patients stay a minimum of 3 months and then participate for some time in follow-up treatment. That is not the case in the United States where patients are turned out sometimes after only a week. There are no guarantees, of course, but his chances of staying sober are infinitely better than if he had received his treatment in the United States.

This is a tragic disease that drags down whole families. We need a war on drugs that begins with treatment - real, effective treatment for everyone. The cost would be negligible when compared against the cost that is being borne by hospital emergency rooms, prisons, victims of crime.

I have a theory that I don't think anyone I know has bought yet but if those of us with health insurance get depressed or anxious, we go to our doctor and get legal prescriptions. Those of us without insurance also get depressed or anxious and the only way of feeling better is to take illegal street drugs. Is there a difference in need? There is definitely a difference in effect and in cost and in acceptance.

I urge you to watch the series. Begin with Addiction and then move to the individual stories about real people who get caught up in addiction and can't find a way out. Real people that look and sound just like our kids. Real people with families that are torn apart watching their family member spiral out of control with no effective way to stop it from happening.

The piece of information that really resonated with me last night - there is no need for someone to hit bottom before they can be helped. Getting help early is a much better option. And it definitely might have to be more than once. Addiction is a demon that hangs on for dear life.

Check out the schedule.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:13 AM | Permalink

More than a year ago we featured a post about Lichine's, a liquor store in South Land Park, and their propensity to sell winning lottery tickets. Whenever the jackpot grows, we get lots of hits on our site reading about Lichine's.

Well, this time Lichine's hit the big time. They sold a ticket worth $72M. The store will be paid $360,000 for selling the ticket. The winner has yet to come forward.

Hey, if the person who bought the ticket read about it on our website, there's a fee! Well, not really, but we could put a donation to good use!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:50 PM | Permalink

Jeff Yasuda is the Chief Executive Officer of Fuzz , a digital record label and new media company with offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

In early 2005, after a career in investment banking and venture capital, Jeff decided to put everything aside to travel throughout Southeast Asia and South America with his wife Celeste, for about 6 months. During his travels, he realized that "life is too short not to pursue your passions" and returned with some wild ideas about a company that combined his love for music and knowledge of technology and building businesses.

As Jeff explains:

"When traveling overseas, it's amazing what happens when we get away from cell phones and emails and take some time to truly think about our lives. I realized that we are all on this earth for only a short period of time and that it is absolutely important to pursue our dreams. I started playing in bands when I was 13, and when I started working on Wall Street I didn't even touch my guitar. Now that I'm in the music biz, things are just a bit different. At Fuzz, we are using technology to cut costs, maximize results, and pass financial savings on to the artists. It's crazy to think that checking out bands is now part of my job!"

Check out Fuzz - a community for fans to discover, share, review and buy new independent music.

Or as Jeff explains it:

"For music fans, Fuzz is a place to discover new tunes & interact with other music lovers. For artists, we've built a great platform to promote and sell their music as well as tools to communicate with their fan base - think Facebook meets Saleforce for the music industry.

So join Fuzz and become part of the revolution... You'll be one of the first to join a community of artists and music fans that are working hard to save this crazy music industry. "

Follow your dreams!! And passion counts...and this is very obviously Jeff's passion.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacrament Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In December 2006, Surewest launched its Internet product with up to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) of synchronous hyper-speed. The product can be reached by 100,000 homes in the Sacramento region. The first customer was Jim Husman. Upon hearing of the new offering, he called to upgrade his previous synchronous 20-meg service. The new service was installed last month and he reports that his speed tests repeatedly surpass 50 Mbps up and down stream.

Husman lives with his fiancee and her sister. Their simultaneous connection of 3 computers cause no lag time at all. Retail price is $259.95 per month, but bundling other Surwest products into the mix provide additional discounts.

Congrats Surewest for meeting consumers continued requests for higher speed. Who's ready to buy more speed?

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 10:14 AM | Permalink

"We were inspired by the Vietnam Memorial and the AIDS quilt -- which both bring tremendous loss of life to a human scale. We decided to use our medium -- film -- to create something similar. It was also important to us that politics not be a part of this project; we simply wanted to honor these young men and women and create something people with varying opinions could come together around."

Visit the website to learn more, including how to contribute your own memorial, and finding out how you too can show this movie to as many people as possible.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:28 AM | Permalink

The Sacramento Regional Technology Alliance, SARTA, today announced that Oleg Kaganovich, CEO of SARTA, plans to leave the organization next quarter to return to the private sector. Kaganovich joined SARTA in August, 2003 as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. He was promoted to CEO in 2005.

The Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA) is a tech-focused 501(c) (3) corporation that supports entrepreneurial programs, companies and technology investment throughout Butte, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.

SARTA’s mission is to accelerate the growth and development of technology companies and the technology sector in the Sacramento region. Through its partners, SARTA connects and provides resources for the region’s high-tech entrepreneurs, investors, business, non-profit, economic development and community leaders, supporting its goal to attract $1 billion in investment capital to the region. SARTA also provides high-tech entrepreneurs, executives, and other business and community leaders with connectivity and resources for growth, networking, and educational opportunities.

SARTA is directed by a 45-person board of directors composed of regional leaders of academic institutions, investment groups, business associations and technology corporations that seek to foster technology innovation and growth in the Northern California region.

The search for a new CEO is being conducted by Kaganovich and the SARTA Board of Directors. Post transition, Kaganovich will remain actively involved as a SARTA board member. The job description will be available by emailing info@sarta.org.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:11 PM | Permalink

A few days ago, Pierre was making his selection for the NCAA tournament. I'm not quite sure why he suddenly suggested that I also make a selection. So I did. I picked based on exact and precise selection criteria - things like, "Wow, my kids graduated from U of Arizona." And as one of my ''upset' picks would defeat 'the favorite', Pierre would be very complimentary as if I knew what I had been doing. I didn't and I don't! But it's OK if he thinks I did and I do.

And now it is Sunday and I have 10 of the final 16 and all of my final four are still in and it's almost fun.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 7:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Pierre and I were at the airport last night waiting for a friend to arrive. We got there early and stood watching the TSA people at work. One by one travelers stripped off their shoes, belts, jackets, watches. Bags were opened and searched. People stood spreadeagled while they were wanded. Small bottles of water, larger bottles of shampoo and, in one case, a jar of barbeque sauce are removed from various travelers and thrown into a nearby trash can. Just another day at the security gate. And then Pierre said, "Something makes no sense here." I resisted responding that none of it makes any sense! But he continued, "If all that liquid is potentially hazardous, why is it getting thrown into a trash can right here?" Good point, Pierre. I agree - none of it makes any sense.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

On a very personal note, Ignatius LaCombe may you rest in peace.

Aunt Dorothy - you and Uncle Ig have always been great role models. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Ignatius LaCombe - class of 1942, Cornell University, father of seven, and husband of six decades.

Pierre Cutler

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:31 PM | Permalink

In memory of

Raymond D. Nasher

1921 - 2007

Father of Citizenship

Thank you for your generosity and gifts to our community.

You left a legacy and will not be forgotten.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 12:21 PM | Permalink

A press release from MicroCredit Enterprises:

Davis, Calif. – March 15, 2007 - MicroCredit Enterprises, a California based not-for-profit venture that provides philanthropic guarantor-backed microloans to aid third-world poor, announced today a US$4.8 million revolving credit facility has been established with the Tokyo Star Bank, a leading Japanese financial institution. The financing will assist MicroCredit Enterprises in helping the estimated 1.1 billion desperately poor people who survive on less than US$1 a day.

Tokyo Star Bank’s International Business Team was instrumental in the execution of the transaction, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to corporate social responsibility on a global scale. The revolving credit facility allows MicroCredit Enterprises to on-lend money to the poor, mostly women, in developing countries, through microloans. The impoverished loan recipients generally have no credit history, no collateral and no formal education.

“We’re extremely excited to be partnering with the Tokyo Star Bank, a company that shares our desire and dedication to reversing the cycle of poverty in economically distressed countries,” said Jonathan Lewis, Founder & CEO, MicroCredit Enterprises. “Microfinancing has been widely recognized as an effective tool for building financial security around the globe by utilizing the means of the marketplace to provide self-help opportunities to millions of impoverished women and their families.”

MicroCredit Enterprises is an innovative, anti-poverty venture which leverages private capital to deliver tiny business loans to destitute people. To date, the venture has secured $20 million in guarantees for loans to aid the desperately poor in developing countries. MicroCredit Enterprises uses the collateral assets of individuals and institutions to borrow debt capital that is channeled through overseas, locally-run, non-governmental microfinance organizations.

MicroCredit Enterprises’ model includes the necessary aspects of sustainability, ensuring the loans reach entrepreneurs who will build businesses which quickly affect positive development in their communities. The venture is actively seeking new guarantors to back its microfinance program. Each new guarantor’s support means the creation of up to 5,000 new, female-owned small businesses overseas. Worldwide, the average loan is $100, and poor women borrowers have an astonishing 97 percent repayment rate.

About MicroCredit Enterprises

Based in Davis, California, MicroCredit Enterprises is an innovative, not-for-profit, anti-poverty venture which leverages private capital to make tiny business loans to impoverished people, mostly women, in developing countries. MicroCredit Enterprises uses the collateral assets and personal guarantees of individuals and institutions to borrow debt capital in the United States that is channeled through overseas, locally-run, non-governmental microfinance organizations. The impoverished loan recipients generally have no credit history, no collateral and no formal education, but with microloans, they create and build home-based businesses. MicroCredit Enterprises’ economic development objective is to reverse the cycle of poverty in economically distressed countries using the tools of the marketplace to provide self-help opportunities to millions of impoverished women and their families. On the Net: http://www.mcenterprises.org.

About Tokyo Star Bank, Limited

Tokyo Star Bank, with its brand as the “friendly, relevant and comfortable” alternative to traditional banking, is an innovative, growth-oriented bank. The company’s mission of “Financial Freedom” seeks to free their retail customers and small and medium-sized enterprises from their worries in managing finances through close collaboration with its financial product specialists. The bank provides their customers with ongoing consultation, continuing education and other after-sales support, and delivers tailored financial solutions through increasing reach of its branch network by opening financial lounges in optimal locations and in the select major cities throughout Japan. Tokyo Star Bank has the stated capital of JPY 21 billion, 35 branches as of March 15, 2007. On the Net: http://www.tokyostarbank.co.jp.

Pierre Cutler
Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 8:17 AM | Permalink

A restaurant in a Dallas suburb has found a way to help charities while helping itself. Spurred on by a customer who wanted to raise money for a favorite charity, they turned 15% of their food sales to the customer's charity one Tuesday night. The charity actively promoted the event, the restaurant gained additional customers that night (and maybe repeat customers in the future) and the charity got about $1000. Now, every Tuesday night is charity night at the restaurant.

It's a win for the restaurant and a win for the charity. Sounds like a great idea for Sacramento's bustling restaurant scene.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Our son Nathan is living the dream of every parent. Good kid. No trouble with the police. College graduate with two majors in less than four years. Great job with a leading Wall Street firm. Debt free. And he's just 22 years old - well on his way to becoming fabulously wealthy. In fact, he is on track to be a multi-millionaire with just a $20,000 investment. How is he doing it?

Simple. Time, discipline, and a 401K tax-deferred plan. Now wait a minute. Surely this is too good to be true. Au contraire!

Nathan is investing $4,000 his first year in his company's 401K plan. Not including the company match, at 12% annual return, the first year investment will grow to $585,670 in 45 years. What a terrible mistake he's avoiding by doing what most people don't do - invest at the age of 22.

If Nathan invests $4,000 five years in a row, beginning at the age of 22, his investment (with a 12% return) will grow to $2,364,554. Imagine - the cost of not investing $20,000 results in a loss of $2.4 million. Amazing! If Nathan keeps up the $4,000 investment for 45 years, his portfolio will be worth $5,432,920.

Presto! A multi-millionaire! That's our boy. We are very proud of Nathan's actions. We've hammered this message home to our kids for several years.

The time value of money. Do your kids know about this and are they doing something about it?

The message has not yet sunk in with Nathan's twin sister. Maybe she will get it next year. But this year she lost $585,670. Ugh!

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 4:26 PM | Permalink

Is Sacramento finally getting the message that simply adding more police and locking up more at-risk youth is not solving the crisis that is occurring?

The Sacramento City Council has approved the position of a youth czar. In Dallas, there is a non-profit run by a guy who has negotiated a truce between the city gangs. His actions are somewhat unorthodox, he is a challenge for the local business community to 'work' with using orthodox means, but he is just what was needed - a strong leader who is respected and revered by the local at-risk youth. Let's hope he has a twin in Sacramento.

Kudos to City Councilwoman Lauren Hammond, who spurred the council to agree to make the creation of after-school programs a top priority. Based on several months of talking directly to youth, the priorities will be:

. Create access to safe places.

• Create jobs and internships.

• Develop youth leadership skills.

• Support local schools.

• Develop strategic initiatives.

Another Sacramento Councilwoman, Bonnie Parnell, said, "The kids said there aren't enough jobs and aren't enough activities to get involved in."

In the meantime, Sacramento's Hiram Johnson High School, populated with students from poor families, many of them new immigrants, had a college application percentage way below the norm. It wasn't that the kids weren't smart enough to go to college, they just didn't know how to go about applying, how to get financial aid, or what classes they needed to take in high school to qualify for college. Sacramento City Concilman Kevin McCarty took it upon himself to find private funding for a full-time college counselor at the school to create 'a college-going climate". As the Sacramento Bee reports in a recent op-ed piece, in just a few months, the change has been remarkably positive. The final result, to-date, a 26% increase in college applications, 23 students have already been accepted at UC schools, and the beat goes on! What is so crazy about all of this? The cost of a high school counselor versus the cost of 20 kids spending the rest of their lives in dead-end, low-paying jobs, or worse - the expense of a life in jail.

Today I receive a press release that The Magic Johnson Foundation will hold a grand opening of the Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Center on March 21st at 1:30PM Phoenix Park Resident Activity Center, 4400 Shining Star Drive, Sacramento, 95823. The center is one of only three in the state of California. Community Empowerment Centers serve as comprehensive one stop facilities to provide youth and adults access to technology and educational resources that will improve academic performance as well as prepare them for the emerging job market. Yeah!

So, good things are starting to happen, but the full, wholehearted support of the Sacramento business community could ensure success, once and for all.

Much applause goes to Rhonda Erwin who has battled tirelessly to bring the story of the crisis to those who were in a position to listen and act. Hey Rhonda, maybe you can take a day off now, but I know you won't!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 1:06 PM | Permalink

We have a crisis in our midst. Less than 70% of California high school students are graduating. In Sacramento City, it’s even worse. In 2005, only 38% of Blacks graduated, 41% of Latinos and 55% of Whites – an overall graduation rate of only 53% (www.wested.org). Yet we all know that a high school diploma is the very minimum requirement for a decent job. And we have all heard the dire warnings that the United States is not going to have enough skilled workers to keep our businesses thriving. In fact, the Aspen Institute reports, “Overall skill-levels of American workers are on a collision course with the skills requirements of American employers."

When these young adults don’t graduate from high school, what are their options: low-paying dead end jobs, gangs, drugs, welfare, jail, and death? In Sacramento during 2006 there were 99 homicides and half of them have resulted in arrests. 32 of the victims were under 21 (11 were under 18) and 46 of the suspects in these killings were under 21. (www.sacbee.com). Many will spend the rest of their lives in jail where the average cost of keeping a prisoner in California is approximately $35,000 a year (www.recordnet.com). Ironically, this cost closely approximates the cost of sending a student to a top-notch college. Approximate lifetime imprisonment cost for each of these young adults -$1.75M?

It’s a personal tragedy for these young adults’ families, a gigantic burden on taxpayers and an economic disaster for our business community. What as a community can we do? I say lots.

Child psychologists have found by age 3, the average child of a middle-class professional has heard 500,000 words of encouragement and 80,000 words of discouragement. Among children in welfare families, the numbers were turned on their heads with 75,000 words of encouragement and 200,000 words of discouragement. Let’s just start by figuring out how we can reach out to one kid and provide an encouraging word. Volunteer with organizations such as Big Brothers or Big Sisters, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), or the closest Boys and Girls Club. Often you will find that your company will even give you some time off to participate in worthy volunteer programs. I have personally seen how reaching out to a young adult already caught up in the juvenile system and almost certainly headed to jail can have almost miraculous results. The cost of providing a word of encouragement can be priceless.
But maybe we should think bigger.

I read about a very interesting program in the UK that seems a wonderful way to tap the philanthropic and business strength of the Sacramento business community to tackle this crisis and stop it in its tracks. The program encourages enterprise in disadvantaged areas by providing flexible business support, training and eventually start-up funding. The program begins by ascertaining the individual participants’ education and training needs. Then the participants are provided with a part-time customized program to improve their business skills. Tools used can include group sessions, individual counseling, and workshops from successful entrepreneurs. At the end of this development phase, the participant will prepare a business plan for their area of interest. Participants may be provided with a small expense budget and the use of a loaned computer. As the businesses are founded and grow, the program provides ongoing support, usually in the form of mentoring. When the mentor and the participant decide the time is right, the program will provide a modest amount of start-up funds to cover initial costs. It reminds me of the highly successful Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy program (www.sealink.org), currently targeted at young entrepreneurs, which runs on a shoestring with the incalculable hands-on support of the Sacramento business community.

Or maybe someone a lot smarter than me has a better idea. Just let’s do something about solving this crisis in our midst, once and for all. It’s not rocket science. Spend a little time and effort and money now to save lives and the cost of lifetimes of imprisonment and provide meaningful opportunities to fuel the Sacramento business engine.

Who’s willing to step up and get this thing rolling? I volunteer for fundraising and Sacramento Executive will write the first check.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

I wrote this on January 31st and sent it to be published as part of a business related handout included in an edition of the Sacramento Bee. I heard back it was too strong a piece for that vehicle! I held on to it and watched more killings, more families suffering, more youth being locked up for life, and today I publish it, but with some more hope than I had six weeks ago. I think things are starting to happen (see my next blog), but I think the wholehearted support of the business community could make them happen a whole lot faster.

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Mayo Clinic reports that cellular phones have no negative impact on hospital medical devices. Three hundred tests were performed and there was not one single problem. Hopefully hospitals will now lift their ban on cell use in hospitals.

But other devices do cause problems. Studies have shown that a portable CD player being held by a patient caused an abnormal ECG recording. When the CD player was turned off, the ECG recording returned to normal.

More serious problems are being reported with the anti-theft monitors that stores use at their exits to detect shoplifting by sounding an alarm. During two incidents, these devices have been shown to cause pacemakers and defibrillators to malfunction. Both patients had to be taken to the emergency room for treatment. Stores are being asked to move these devices to areas where shoppers do not congregate. Employees should be trained to move collapsed customers away from the anti-theft devices. This could save lives.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:00 AM | Permalink

Pierre and I came back to Sacramento this weekend. One of our friends had generously given us Kings tickets for the Sunday game. It seemed a little outlandish to fly all the way back for one game, but we told ourselves it would give us a great excuse to check out some of the new local restaurants. So we drove straight from the airport on Friday evening to meet our friend Paul at Mulvaney’s Building and Loan. We had wanted to try it for a long time as we had great memories from when the old firehouse building, in which the restaurant is located, was a wonderfully eclectic coffee house called New Helvetia.

They have done a great job with the space – which isn’t very big and rectangular. Most of the kitchen is open to view by the patrons. There is a small bar at the end with some small high tables and stools for drinks and desserts, etc. The place was busy but the staff was friendly and welcoming. We decided to get a drink at the bar because we were a little early and Anthony, the bartender, was pretty knowledgeable about various wines. We ordered an Australian Shiraz which turned out to be particularly delicious.

When Paul arrived we moved to a table. Our waiter, Mike, seemed efficient and well-trained. I ordered, to no one’s surprise, the lamb shank. I almost always order lamb – in fact Paul once felt very secure in making a sure bet with some table mates that I would order lamb. This one time, I didn't and he lost $20 and learned there is no such thing as a sure bet - especially when you bet on a Gemini. The lamb came on a nice bed of winter vegetables and was quite tasty. Pierre ordered scallops and Paul ordered duck. Both enjoyed their choices. During dinner, Patrick Mulvaney, the owner and chef was visiting various tables but didn’t come to visit us. Pierre was disappointed – Paul and I agreed we found that chef visits were usually uncomfortable and distracting.

We skipped dessert but did have coffee. At the end of the evening we decided the restaurant was OK. We met others during the weekend that also had tried the restaurant and agreed with the OK verdict, although some of them told us that they had friends who raved about it.

Saturday was a blur of Pierre driving to each and every wine store in town trying to find wines on his ‘must find wines’ list. We did drive by our old house in Land Park and were happy to see that the new owners hadn’t changed a thing except for new pots on either side of the front door. Seeing the neighborhood through new eyes, we realized what a special place it was.

We were able to catch up with our old neighbor David Berkeley who, as he always did, suggested some pretty amazing wines for us to buy, which we always do! And we got to visit our friends Lauren and Michelle who own the two Swanberg’s stores, recently relocated from Land Park. Lauren is now on J Street with more than 4,000 Hawaiian shirts (less the one that Pierre added to his collection on Saturday) and Michelle has a new location at 21st and X. You should check them out – they have great stuff.

Dinner was a table for 9 at new restaurant Roxy’s on Fair Oaks Boulevard. The place was hopping when we arrived with a demographic that looked old, even to us. We were happy that we had our table ready and waiting. Although it was pretty small for 9, it was tucked in a quiet corner, so it worked well. Many bottles of wine later (yes, you can bring your own and pay a very reasonable $10 corkage fee), we got into a very loud, lengthy and passionate political debate. Good thing that the restaurant was beginning to clear out by then.

Negatives on Roxy's - very few vegetarian choices, a steak not cooked to order, but a very quick and appropriate customer service response, and the place is loud – even without our political debate. The meal was OK – another OK restaurant when the reviews we had read were rave ones.

Sunday was spent at the Kings game. We realized exactly why we loved to go to Kings games – it’s the arena. The Mavs arena is cavernous. As a spectator you are completely removed from the game, the players, the to and fro, the noise, the energy. But at Arco, you are completely part of everything – an intrinsic part of the whole show. Think long and hard Sacramento about that new arena!

Sunday night was the new Frank Fat’s restaurant in Folsom, which looks and feels and tastes exactly like the Frank Fat’s restaurant in Roseville. It was OK, not great.

So, where are the great restaurants – other than our favorite still, Waterboy? Any suggestions for restaurants for us to try on our next trip to Sacramento?

At the end of the trip, we determined that we need to find a way back. The restaurants might only be OK, but being with our friends is priceless. Anyone got a great lot to sell us downtown – we want to build a loft.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 1:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sacramento's film maker Mike Posehn is in the top 100 directors' list at YouTube. Mike's short films are gaining popularity on YouTube and currently enjoys a ranking of 94th on the all-time list, where over 3 million people have viewed his movies.

Mike - keep it up! How about a flick on wine lovers? Let's put a trip together for Tuscany, Bordeaux, Barossa Valley, and Mendoza? I will volunteer as a camera person! Title of the new flick? Gillian's brainstorm - "Drinking at the Speed of Light".

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Note: for better resolution check out the following links:

BrightCove
DivX on Stage6

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Eighteen percent of CIOs in the Sacramento area expect to hire IT professionals in the second quarter of 2007 but six percent anticipate reductions. Positions most in demand? Web and applications developers, database administrators and network security administrators. The survey was undertaken by Robert Half Technology who interviewed more than 200 CIOs in the Sacramento area with more than 100 employees.

So, steady state is the word of the day, with more than 75% planning no change.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:48 AM | Permalink

nPost.com recently launched a job board specifically targeting small and medium sized tech startups. They currently have over 300 job listings from quite a few well known and relatively unknown startups nationwide. You can search for jobs or post your own. Check it out.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:13 AM | Permalink

1. 40 percent to 60 percent of the bees nationwide have perished during the past six months.
2. Fall-run chinook salmon that make a home in the Sacramento River and its tributaries fell in 2006 to their lowest numbers since 1992.
3. A 90% decline in plankton over the past 50 years, leads to fish and seabirds dying in droves.
4. The polar bear population is declining. Loss of summer ice will almost certainly result in extinction.

You can read an interesting report on the effect of global warming on California prepared by Enviornmental Defense in 2006.

Be informed. Ask your government what they are doing to combat this potential catastrophe.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:51 AM | Permalink

And change the batteries in your smoke detectors too!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 7:57 AM | Permalink

I have always admired a woman who knows how to tie a scarf. French women are experts. I think it's genetic. When I was living in Paris, I really tried. But the results of my scarf tying would end up making me look as if I had just had neck surgery. No amount of trying in front of a mirror, no amount of working with my friend Pauline, another American in Paris without the requisite gene pool, could produce the right effect. I gave up. I did, however, keep a couple of scarves that my French friends gave to me, Looking back I wonder if they were taunting me - ensuring that every time I went in my closet, I would be reminded at the superiority of all French women.

A couple of week ago I had this overwhelming desire to wear a scarf. I reached for one of my French gifts and throw it around my upper shoulders. "Voila," I said out loud. And that must have been the magic ingredient missing for many years. The scarf looked good. The next day, I tried another scarf with a different outfit. It looked amazing. Gave me that pulled together look that all French women have. I went out and bought another scarf. Again, success.

Now you might imagine that this is not a very important accomplishment, but, there comes an age where scarves are very important to women. And I am right at that age. So, maybe American scarf tying genes develop slower than French ones and I just had to be patient to reach this moment. I also think saying the word voila could be the extra secret ingredient. Try it. Let me know how it goes for you. I am going to be busy tying scarves to ensure I don't lose the magic touch.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:20 AM | Permalink

A couple of years ago, I had a personal trainer. His name was Edward Hodges and he became my friend. This meant we spent more time gossiping that we ever did working out. Although I did have real, honest-to-goodness muscles, for a short time. During the time of my twice weekly visits, I would meet other clients. We were all in sweats and various other workout gear and we would nod or complain about the upcoming workout or the weather or something impersonal.

At the first Sacramento Executive event, one of Edward’s clients came up to me and introduced himself. It took me a while to figure out where I knew him from. This time he was wearing a suit, looking very professional and not at all sweaty! As time went on, he would continue to come to the Sacramento Executive events, but I never took the time to figure out what he did exactly. Well, that was my loss.

A few days ago, I received a note from him. He introduced himself to me as having attended several of my Sacramento Executive events and then threw in for good measure (now that’s an unintentional pun) that we had both been clients of Edward’s. Turns out he has a very impressive background - staff counsel in the California Legislature for 17 years, including counsel for the Assembly Judiciary Committee. He was a lobbyist for the Judicial Council for 13 years. He has taken all of that great expertise and is teaching Lobbying seminars. And both the Sacramento Bee and the Daily Journal have written stories about his seminars.

And now the story comes full circle. My daughter just took a job at a lobbying firm. (Let’s not go into how she is living out my greatest fantasy – to be part of the political circle in California – or anywhere, for that matter.) And it turns out that one of the lobbyists in her firm is a guest lecturer at his Lobbying 201 seminar.

So the moral of the story. First, get a personal trainer – it’s good for you. Second, Sacramento is a small, small town, which has its positives and negatives. Third, you never know where you will make connections and when they might become meaningful – conduct yourself accordingly.

In the meantime, check out Ray LeBov’s seminars . Fascinating stuff and really good training for dealing with the government of the 7th largest world economy.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and Prevention magazine have teamed up once again to study the walkability of 100 of the country’s most populated cities, but this year there’s a new twist--fitness. Madison, WI, tops the list as the Best Fitness-Walking City in America, followed by Austin, TX, and San Francisco, CA. The Worst Fitness-Walking Cities are Newark, NJ; Laredo, TX; and Miami, FL, respectively. Researchers ranked 100 cities based on fitness-walker friendliness using comprehensive criteria, including new factors, such as walkable.org’s list of walkable communities and the number of athletic shoes sold in a city, as well as the percentage of the adult population who walk for health, the accessibility of parks and more.

Madison, WI: Adopted a walker-friendly plan 10 years ago, and it shows.
Austin, TX: 50 trails, from a quarter to 10 miles long.
San Francisco, CA: The most parks per square mile.
Charlotte, NC: 40% of its residents walk for exercise.
Seattle, WA: Gorgeous views of Puget Sound and snowcapped mountains.
Henderson, NV: With an average yearly rainfall of 4.5 inches, you can walk every day.
San Diego, CA: A unique choice of beach, desert and mountain routes.
San Jose, CA: Perfect walking weather; average temp 61 degrees and low humidity.
Chandler, AZ: 6.5 miles of traffic-free walking on its Paseo Trail.
Virginia Beach, VA: A low crime rate and a boardwalk allow safe, fun strolling.
Bottom 5 Worst Fitness-Walking Cities of 2007:

100. Newark, NJ: Has a high crime rate, few parks, and few people who take mass transit—as well as the third smallest percentage of people who walk for exercise.
99. Laredo, TX: Poor air quality and the least amount of people taking mass transit.
98. Miami, FL: The fifth highest crime rate may explain why very few people walk for health.
97. Hialeah, FL: Very few parks and schools per square mile and had the second to last number of people who walk for health.
96. Detroit, MI: With a high rate of pedestrian fatalities and high crime rates, is it any wonder Motor City had the smallest percentage of people who walk for health?

And where does Sacramento appear - 52nd. Should we demand a recount?

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:27 AM | Permalink

About two of every five first-time homebuyers could afford a home during the fourth quarter in Sacramento County, a slight increase from the third quarter -- and a much better rate than home-shoppers statewide. The area is tied with Fresno County and the High Desert, which includes the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale.

Sacramento County's affordability rate is based on a median home price of $310,340 and median annual income of $62,900, which would create a monthly mortgage payment of $2,100 including property tax and insurance.

So, start saving, or you can move to the most affordable:
Springfield, Ohio; Davenport, Iowa: Bay City, Michigan.

So, as I said, start saving!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:22 AM | Permalink

From Bob Shallit's SacBee Column on March 3, 2007

Serving youth: Former Sacramento exec Pierre Cutler saw our item on the group of UC Davis students who recently visited with billionaire investor Warren Buffett.

Cutler, who now lives in Dallas with wife Gillian Parrillo, wasn't the least bit surprised that Buffett made time for the MBA students.

It reminded him of when he took his son, Nathan, then 12 years old, to a Coca-Cola Co. shareholders' meeting a decade ago.

After the meeting, Buffett, who was a Coke director, and Coke's then-CEO Roberto Goizueta sought out Nathan, the only kid in the room.

Buffett asked the youngster how many shares he owned. Nineteen, he replied. As Cutler tells it, Buffett replied, "I wish I had owned 19 shares of Coke when I was your age." Goizueta added, "Son, let me give you a piece of advice -- don't sell."

Nathan was so impressed that he asked his dad if they could stop off at the bank on the way home -- so he could withdraw cash to buy more Coke stock.

The meeting evidently had a huge impact on Nathan, who graduated from UCD last spring. He's working now in Portland, Ore. -- as a stockbroker.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:40 AM | Permalink

Sacramento-based, local venture backed, MaxPreps Inc., a provider of high school sports information and media, has expanded its coverage into lacrosse. The company's initial focus will be on the five states in the Northeast, a stronghold for lacrosse.

Known as the fastest game on two feet, lacrosses is also one of the fastest-growing team sports in the country. An estimated 147,041 high school students play lacrosse nationally, while 204,394 youth age 15 and under play organized lacrosse in the United States.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 4:14 AM | Permalink

This is the greatest fun. We have enjoyed each and every time that there has been a major track and field event at Sac State.

Tickets have just gone on sale for the Championships scheduled for June 6-9th. Make sure you grab yours. They will sell out fast.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:57 PM | Permalink

The number one concern for businesses as we move forward: finding and retaining qualified employees. In fact, the Aspen Institute states, … " the overall skill levels of American workers are on a collision course with the skills requirements of American employers." They further predict that the shortages will be most acute among managers and skilled workers in high- tech jobs. Is your company prepared to find and recruit the cream of the crop? What specific plans do you have in place?

Here are some things to consider:

Is your recruiting strategy competitive? You have lots of competition out there all vying for the same high-quality employees. Does your company look like a top place to work? Is putting the same old ad on the same old website getting the results you need? Maybe some of the same skills you use to beat the competition when you are selling your products and services should be utilized in this critical part of your business.

Does your recruiting effort end when your employee comes on board? If your efforts stop once you have filled empty slots, you are in great danger or losing the new employees that you have worked hard (and probably spent a sizeable amount of money) to recruit. Protect these valuable assets. Make sure that from the moment they walk through the door, they understand the vision of your company and what part, particularly, they play in it. Make sure that they have all of the tools they need to be immediately productive. Assign them a mentor to guide them through the first period of employment. Make sure you are listening to their new ideas and not squelching them. Try putting groups of new and old employees together to solve a company issue. Make sure they have regular meetings with their management to ensure that they are motivated and engaged and that you are meeting the expectations you set for them when you offered them a position. This is also the time for either of you to decide that things are not working out, a mistake has been made, and maybe it’s best to part ways. It’s not a sin to make a mistake in hiring, the hard part is admitting it and correcting it right away.

Are you giving your employees a reason to stay every day?

Employees who feel that they play a critical part in helping the company meet its goals are much less likely to leave. You can accomplish this by providing stock options, bonuses for meaningful personal contributions, training classes, clear avenues to the next management level, frequent updates on the company’s needs and performance goals.

There’s a recruiting crisis on the horizon, are you prepared?

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Want to get the best deal shopping? Try ScanBuy Shopper, a cell phone based buying service application. Let's say you are in Linen and Things, shopping for a Cuisinart. You find what you want, but is the price right? Using your cell phone, you enter the bar code. The application finds the same product at Amazon.com, and fifty dollars cheaper. In real-time, you decide to place an order with Amazon. A couple of clicks, and done. The service also works with Yahoo Shopping, Shopping.com and PriceGrabber.com. Is this a great tool or what? And it's free.

Now I like that!

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 7:14 AM | Permalink

A recent study conducted by Cambridge Systematics, sponsored by the Metropolitan Transportation Comission, predicts that ridership on the proposed 700 mile high-speed electric train between Sacramento and San Diego (with stops in San Francisco and Los Angeles along the way) would reach 2.5M daily trips This would translate into more than 100 million in 2030. This is a much higher number than had been previously predicted. Revenues from such a ridership level would be approximately $3 billion annually. You can stay abreast with the news and see a video of your conceptualized ride.

Good news for the environment, our congested highways, and our frazzled nerves.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Students from many Sacramento high schools, Health Professions High School, Christian Brothers High School, El Camino Fundamental High School, Granite Bay High School, Highlands High School, Laguna Creek High School, Loretto High School, Pleasant Grove High School, San Juan High School and Sheldon High School, have been hard at work to support a program that pays for food and housing for Sacramento children who live in poverty - 17% of all of Sacramento's children. The students, along with area artists, are making bowls which will be sold at the Empty Bowls luncheon, which will be held on Tuesday, March 13th from 11-2PM at the Sacramento Masonic Temple, 1123 J Street. Attendees will make a donation of $25 and will be served soup (in one of the bowls) prepared by area restaurants - including Michelangelo's and Scott's Seafood.

Funds from the Empty Bowls event are used for food and emergency shelter services provided by River City Community Services (RCCS). Started in 1968 as a food closet, RCCS is a non-profit organization that provides nutritionally balanced food and emergency housing aid to anyone in need in Sacramento County. In 2006, RCCS provided food relief to over 24,000 people in nearly 12,000 households – 8,000 of whom were children. RCCS is the only Sacramento food outreach program that provides nutritional counseling in addition to food supplies.

A limited number of tickets to Empty Bowls will be available at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased online at or at four Sacramento retail locations: the Avid Reader, 1003 L Street; the Trinity Cathedral Bookshop, located at 26th and Capitol; and the TravelStore, located at 855 Howe Avenue, Suite 5, and at 7456 Foothills Blvd.

For more information, contact Eileen Thomas via telephone at 916-446-2627 x3001 or via email at rccsa@sbcglobal.net.

What a great community event for a great cause.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:33 AM | Permalink

Now that Californians have voted to spend money improving the infrastructure, particularly roads, let's make sure we are doing it right. Here are 10 steps promoted in Ted Balakar and Sam Staley's book The Road More Traveled,
which nearly every city and state can take to reduce traffic significantly:
1. Add Lanes to Congested Roads and Highways
Many say we can’t build our way out of congestion, but we haven’t even tried. Over the last 30 years, vehicle lane miles traveled have increased by over 143 percent, but we’ve added just 5 percent in new capacity. If we removed all of the pork and light rail projects from existing transportation plans and instead built roads and added lanes where they are most needed, we could eliminate severe congestion for less than we are currently planning to spend on transportation over the next few decades.

2. Public-Private Partnerships and Toll Lanes
Cash-strapped governments lack the political resolve to cut spending in nonessential programs that would free up money for much-needed infrastructure projects. Enter the private sector. Private companies have recently committed over $25 billion to construct or upgrade toll road projects in six states and stand ready to build roads the government can’t afford to.

3. Traffic Signal Optimization
Surprisingly, many cities have yet to do this, despite huge potential benefits. Traffic signal optimization can reduce stop-and-go traffic by 40 percent, cut gas consumption by 10 percent, emissions by 22 percent, and travel times by 25 percent. A study of 26 such projects in Texas found benefits outweighed costs 38 to 1.

4. Creative Construction
Today’s technology offers countless options that weren’t available when our Interstate system was born 50 years ago. For example, Paris is building a double-decker tunnel deep beneath historic Versailles to preserve the area and reduce congestion. And the world’s highest bridge, the Millau Viaduct, a 1 1/2-mile long, 800-foot high, $536 million project was built using private funding last year.

5. Freeway Ramp Metering
By controlling the flow of traffic entering highways, California has been able to increase freeway speeds by 22 to 89 percent in some cases.

6. One-Way Streets
One-way streets are able to carry 50 percent more traffic and reduce traffic accidents by 10 to 50 percent. Yet, many transportation planners haven’t taken advantage of this often-simple option.

7. Incident Management
For each minute that traffic is blocked by an accident, five minutes of congestion are added to a commute. In most urban areas, much more can be done to rapidly and effectively manage accidents.

8. Telecommuting
Telecommuters outnumber transit commuters in 27 of the nation’s 50 largest cities. With communication technology constantly improving, companies and governments should encourage more workers to skip the commute and work from home.

9. Parking Reform
Eliminating free parking and parking subsidies has reduced driving by up to 24 percent in some cities.

10. Improve Key Intersections and Access Roads
Overcrowded streets near highways create a negative domino effect that ripples through our entire road system.

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Gillian was thrilled when she found out that the Police were coming to town in June. She loves Sting. She got me to agree to go the concert. All week she looked forward to Saturday morning when the tickets were to go on sale.

When she wants something she sets her mind to it and usually prevails. I expected buying tickets online would be a piece of cake. She lives and dies by her calendar on Microsoft Outlook and made an entry to remind her when the tickets were to go on sale. She told me we had to be home at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday morning. No problem I said.

During the week we received an unexpected call from friends who were in town. They stayed for a few days. On Saturday morning we decided to cook breakfast instead of going out to eat. After all, we had to buy the tickets that morning!

On Saturday morning I trekked to the store and bought a dozen eggs for omelets. Gillian anxiously awaited for the 10:00 bell. There we were in the kitchen, gathered around while I cooked. The music was on throughout the house. We were having a good time. I sauteed the vegetables for the omelets and broke three eggs in a cup and set them aside. When the vegetables were done, I set them aside, planning to use the same pan for the eggs.

Suddenly, the CD got stuck and Gillian went upstairs to the network closet to tend to the problem. While she was gone, I poured the eggs in to the pan. The pan was too hot and the eggs fried before I could scramble them. Shoot! Then the kitchen buzzer went off. With eggs ruined and the buzzer going off, I absentmindly shut off the buzzer without thinking about it. Three minutes later, Gillian came back.

I told her the buzzer had gone off and asked her if she knew why. She immediately freaked and said that it had been set to remind us to buy the Police tickets. It's a good thing we had company, else I might have suffered the same fate of John Bobbit.

Gillian frantically tried to buy the tickets on line, but to no avail. She couldn't get thru to the server and in ten minutes all 22,000 tickets were sold. Now she was really mad at me. And I had just ruined my first three eggs. While I recovered and made three good omelets, Gillian moved to plan B. Attempt to buy tickets from an online broker.

It was amazing. Five minutes after selling out, tickets were already on eBay and going for a giant premium. With luck, Gillian found two tickets for $423.12. Face value $50 each. Ugh! What a cost I paid for our breakfast!

But those eggs sure tasted good!

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 8:58 AM | Permalink

Gillian is reading the New York Times right now (it's a Sunday ritual) and I've snuck off to read the incoming comments on our SacramentoExecutive blog. I found a blistering attack of Rhonda Erwin by SACTOWNTRUTH ... Gillian hasn't seen it yet. But I can only imagine the wrath of Gillian when she sees it.

Knowing Gillian's support of Rhonda and the kindred spirit between these two women, I feel compelled to defend them. I posted a comment and want to elevate it in a new blog entry...

SACTOWNTRUTH -

The beauty of our society is that we are founded on the notion of free speech. And here at Sacramento Executive we support free speech by publishing people's views like yours, even though we strongly disagree. My wife has met Rhonda - she is an awesome lady, given the trials and tribulations that she's endured.

I see Rhonda's work with the juvenile system and I applaud her. I see her courage in the face of racism that is so deeply rooted in America and I respect her.

I know that for every two African American men attending college there are three in prison.

I know that 45% of African Americans do not graduate from high school.

I know that exactly zero African Americans are members of the elite Dallas Country Club in Highland Park.

Why these staggering statistics? Because we as a nation allow it to occur. We are basically racist. And that's a crime against humanity.

SACTOWNTRUTH, you don't speak the truth. You speak racism and bigotry. And you didn't even have the courage to sign your name.

SACTOWNTRUTH? I think not.

Rhonda, we love you and support you.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Roxy's at 2381 Fair Oaks Blvd. Mike Dunne, the Sacramento Bee's restaurant critic, calls it Ranch style with touches of Paris. Same owner's as Lucca's downtown. They serve great weekend breakfasts. Perfect for before the Kings game on Sunday.

Mehran, Indian and Pakistani - good food at bargain prices. In the old Bravo restaurant space at 2333 Fair Oaks Blvd. Wow, so many choices, so little time! Maybe we can squeeze it in on Friday night??

Mulvaney's Building & Loan, 1215 19th Street. In the old New Helvetia Building. I think we will try it out Saturday night. See if it gives our favorite Waterboy a run for the money!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:47 AM | Permalink

Check out YouTube which has now posted videos for each of the announced candidates who are running for President. As more videos are supplied, they will be uploaded. If you have a candidate, or candidates, you are interested in following, you can subscribe to their campaign and receive updated videos.

Hey, knowing what a candidate stands for before you vote for them. What a concept! Check it out. And let's hope it gets more people voting and voting in an informed manner.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:16 PM | Permalink

Travel and Adventure: Jazz it up in Sacramento
by David B. Goldman
(Reprinted from the Bend Weekly Newspaper)

If it's just Arnold Schwarzenegger and politics, lobbyists and budget deficits, which come to mind when you think of California's capital city, Sacramento, then think again.

By the time I drove off the freeway and dropped into the downtown section of California's tree-lined capital for the first time on a Memorial Day weekend, nearly a decade ago, and heard the luscious wail of a hot clarinet coming off the street, I'd already learned my own Sacramento lesson. Which is that if you want a hotel room in the city on Memorial Day weekend, which this year is May 25-28, you'd best book it right away, since those days mark America's biggest, swingingest jazz gathering, the annual Sacramento Jazz Jubilee.

Beginning 34 years ago with a handful of bands playing mostly traditional Dixieland jazz pretty much as a party on the banks of the Sacramento River, the four-day event, usually basking in the warm, early summer breezes coming off the water, has grown to more than 100 bands and today draws over 100,000 visitors.

By Friday afternoon the politicians have fled the capital and we jazz enthusiasts have taken over. We flood the city from all over the country, arriving by car, by RV and by plane. We're wearing madras shorts, tank tops, hats and lots of suntan lotion. We've come for the music, for a good time and, perhaps even more, for this pure slice of Americana, to revel in America's indigenous music, perhaps the country's major contribution to world culture.

The musical menu has expanded over the years. Today, in addition to classic Dixieland two-step out of New Orleans, we'll get "straight ahead" jazz Kansas City style, big bands a la Benny Goodman, the string stylings of small groups following the work of Gypsy jazz legend Django Reinhardt, a smattering of gospel and blues, ragtime piano soloists, red hot mamas who belt it out all over town, a dash of cooler trio music, some salsa and several zydeco groups..

True, the annual weekend headliner is not necessarily a jazz icon, but more likely an aging name with links to jazz, a name like the Ink Spots or Steve Allen, with this year's star being the Rebirth Band of New Orleans.

For us jazz aficionados, this might just be the best place in the country in which to enjoy our favorite music. Especially for those of us who love the music but hate to sit for very long in a concert hall or a nightclub seat. Sacramento hosts over 30 venues, and on this weekend jazz bursts out of small green parks downtown and from classic old movie theaters, from the decks of a refurbished riverboat and out of hotel ballrooms, from rumbling caverns under the freeways, from nightclubs and from tented parking lots. If you don't enjoy what you're hearing in one place, then all you have to do is get up and move on, either by foot or aboard the bus shuttles continually moving from venue to venue.

You caught the Chicago Six at the Top of the Hyatt up by the Capitol and you loved them? You can follow the group around all weekend, catching them several times in the same day. Although, even at a large locale like the Firehouse Courtyard downtown in Old Sacramento, there can be a line for a popular returning group, like the costumed musicians who call themselves Igor's Jazz Cowboys.

Those of us who like our music "straight ahead" are marking our schedule so we know where and when to find Tom Saunders and his Emperors Jazz Band. His sidemen are some of the best anywhere in jazz, guys like Chuck Hedges on clarinet, Russ Phillips on trombone, Jake Hanna on drums, Paul Keller on bass and Johnny Varro on piano.

We'll be standing at the back of the room by the bar with a cold beer in one hand and a dripping Italian sausage sandwich in the other, the food and drink most likely dished out by one of the nearly 4,000 volunteers who put the Jubilee together. That's if we haven't already filled up on barbecued oysters, grilled pork ribs, hamburgers and corn dogs , which are seemingly everywhere.

This year, as every year, features several bands from overseas, like Paco Gatsby's guys from Guatemala and the jazz band from Leningrad. They'll be joining musicians from closer to home, bands such as the High Sierra Jazz Band from California's own Three Rivers, the Quartet from the Hot Club of San Francisco and the Jazz Ensemble from Travis Air Force Base. The tunes will be mostly the classics. You just can't get away from "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Beale Street Blues" or "Avalon."

And the dancers, did I mention the dancers? Many of the music spots have dance floors, and it's no secret that swing dancing is "in" these days. You've got the younger couples, arriving with their dance shoes in hand, some of them obviously fresh out of dancing class, but nearly all vigorously into practiced routines. Fabulous to watch. They'll dance all weekend long. Watching them is like watching the choreography from a really good 60-year-old musical.

But my own favorites are the oldsters, the white-haired couples who have clearly been together forever, still dancing beautifully, always perfectly in step with one another - even if they are only on the floor for the slower numbers. They're in for a treat this year, since on Saturday night several of the venues are going to feature Glen Miller-style rhythms.
In the background the shimmering, recently refinished Capitol dome shines in the center of blossom-filled Capitol Park. The park is where I go to get away from it all, to stretch out in the quiet warmth of early summer in California's capital. Although even here you can hear music from the Hyatt Regent Hotel across the street on a lazy, music-filled weekend in the Golden State's capital.

Weekend passes, all four days: $100. Half or full day passes also available. For information: Tel: 916-372-5277, www.sacjazz.com

Coming soon. Make your plans now!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:13 AM | Permalink

Wall Street is warning, but no one is paying attention. Our state legislators are debating silly issues such as spanking while the public pension crisis grows more looming. Moody's Investor Service warns that while pension expenses continue to rise, the worst threat is the cost of retiree health benefits which are growing at an annual average rate of 15% while inflation is only growing at 3%. As the costs continue to grow, money will have to come from general funds which are used in such areas as libraries, road maintenance and education. Worse still is that we are not properly funding our future pension liabilities - the average funding of 103% in 1999 has falled to 84% in 2004.

Experts suggest lowering benefits for new hires and increasing employee contributions. I have always wondered why we aren't targeting health care costs. They are rising precipitiously, bringing dire economic effects to individuals and governments, and providing obscene profits to health care corporations, including drug companies. ,

As citizens we need to be asking questions. Why is nothing been done? What plans are in place? This is a looming crisis but when it hits we will be as much to blame as any government official and we will be the ones who will have to pay. Call you representative and demand answers.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:49 AM | Permalink

When you walk into a business you can feel the vibe.

Walk into Il Fornaio in Sacramento and you can just tell that the employees are happy to work there, feel empowered to make customers happy and are attuned to their customers’ every need. Walk into Hertz at the Sacramento Airport and you can feel there is a huge morale issue.

At Christmas, one of the Hertz Gold Card counter reps was positively surly. And I hadn’t even opened my mouth yet! This time through, another problem, which requires another visit to the Gold car booth. This, by the way, defeats the whole purpose of renting from Hertz, no interaction with a human is supposed to speed up my trip through the airport. Or was that whole image lost along with OJ Simpson's? They give me an upgrade. When I return, there is no record of the car they have rented me in the system. If it wasn’t the most brilliant blue Mustang with the word Mustang displayed prominently on the side, I might have kept it! So, another trip required to the Gold Card counter. This time, I get a $50 discount coupon. When I tell the rep that I sense there is a huge morale problem at Hertz in Sacramento she agrees in spades. Tells me as bad as it is for me as a customer, it's a million times worse for those who work there!

So, thanks Hertz for the giveaways on both ends of this trip, but you have a serious staffing problem which would be a lot cheaper to fix than throwing make ups at your customers.

How’s your company’s vibe? When a customer complains, after you have made the customer whole, do you go figure out the internal root of the problem and fix it? Have you empowered your employees to make customers happy? Do your employees feel privileged to work for your company?

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)