Floozy Speak!

Over the years ya pick up on the little things.  For me, its the ever growing semi wise manager, biz owner, jet set minded, human resources capable, awe inspiring oh yes I see I see, character in me.  I'm convinced I see things a certain way.  In fact I'm not alone in that, we all see things a certain way and then roll the dice to see if our guesses come true. 

Sometimes we hope they don't come true. 

Like last night in World of Warcraft I had a mighty 26gold, i was well on my way to save up for a big ass lizard mount, but then I saw the Dazzling Longsword, an epic item in the game, and it was just a shy bit better than the Sword of Omen, but it was purple!  The auction had just 30mins left before being over.  The gold in my pocket started to burn thru, it wanted to be spent!  Sixteen gold was the price, did I really need this sword?  I've had so so gear for awhile now and I wanted a prize, something to say, ya i've made it, afterall I was 37th level, i've worked hard, I.. I.. needed self justification.  Actually I sorta hoped I would be outbid.  Several nights back I went thru a bidding war in the auction house for a measly health potion, but damnit I wanted it!  This time around, ok I probably really don't need the sword, its not a bad sword, not totally amazing, but it would be nice to have in pvp maybe, since I could proc its effect on a rogue and they wouldn't be able to stealth for 30 seconds.  And rogues love to stay stealthed in pvp, they need the backstabber action, head on I doubt they are as deadly, then from behind.  This little sword, provided it would proc, could be fun indeed, but then again I haven't pvp'd much, and probably wont until say mid 40's-60's.  So I spent it.  16 gold.  And prayed I would be outbid, I really needed that cash for something else.  Wrong.  Got it!  A gleeful cheer met with dang... I still had the option to put it back up for sale but what the hell I'm a fury based warrior and 1.70 speed on that weapon was hard to resist and afterall I can just dual wield them both.

However some things are just pure speculation... we call it the gut instinct, I call it plausible reality. 

When people get on non-billable work, an odd sort of aura surrounds them.  In fact in the consulting arena, I'd wager to say that non-billable work is the kiss of death.  Its like the calm before the storm, in fact its too calm.  Waaaay too calm.  This is my 3rd instance of working in a billable environment.  First it was a computer store, sell sell sell sell, what are you doing to make me money right now.  Second it was broadcast video, sell that 250,000 avid system, tell them to sell their house, they need this video editor.  Third time around its pipeline, whats in the pipeline, fill the pipeline, need bodies, must bill. 

Now I assure you I understand the concept, gotta make the green if you wanna be on the scene, everyone is selling something. 

Still I think they all have something in common, the dead zone of non-billableness.  Its like a virus, once it attaches on a person they are infected and it will take extreme measures to deal with that infection.  Typically the patient is sacrificed in order to stem the possible case of infection.  We can't let this virus spread! 

So what's this look like in the workplace, how can you spot an infected non-billable co-worker?  Well first look for the seven signs. 

• Research on Theorised Concepts that could Improve Biz Practices.  This is the "go do this" symptom which could be actual work but typically isn't work, its busy work, busy work is bad. 
  
• Slaving away on Brand Identity.  You can spend hours, days, weeks on crafting, recrafting and rethinking brand identity.  It should only take 5hrs, maybe 8hrs and a bottle of wine, but fear the worker who is working on brand identity for infinite hrs. 
  
• The Cleanup.  Typically cleaning up the place is a good thing.  But when you see skilled workers cleaning up a technical gear cabinet or sorting the workplace's collection of magazines for future collaging.  Get away!  Infection!
  
• Idle Pursuit of Something Magical.  Yer not sure what they are doing, they aren't on your project, they are on their own project.  Now this often gets misrepresented as the Thought of It, Made It, Get It scenario, which is another effect of something else, and its not that.  The Idle Pursuit is a self project with unknown expectations and or deliverables.  Again, no one knows.  Infection!!
  
• Eager to Help You but I've Lost my Identity Syndrome.  This is the willingness to assist you on what you are doing but not sure what they are doing.  This is possible infection at your doorstep.  While you could use the help ayer so close to infection you're a bit standoffish until you are sure that employee gets their shots.
  
• Trapped in the Messenger.  People infected with this are about to die off fast.  They are locked in a cosmic exchange of instant messaging fury.  Lost without a paddle to return they resonate in the room much like the clattering keyboard clicks of a blogger who should be editing.  They interrupt the normal flow of ideas, the normal sane interaction of "hey man just pick up the phone!", they are dancing on the playground of communications to attempt to save themselves but they are headed for the end. 
  
• Hear Me See Me.  Now here's an infection that inflicts all of us.  Its the hear me see me strain of infection.  We all want to be heard, seen, validated proof that we do in fact exist, we matter, we want that love.  But be wary of the over zealous notification wizards in your troop.  Those seeking to get proof from multiple sources that they do exist.  This is in fact a sign of infection.  If not treated quickly it will lead to Idle Pursuit of Something Magical. 

I pray for those infected.  Deep down they didn't ask to be infected and perhaps while they are flawed, aren't we all, I can't help but wonder, how one fights back infection to reclaim their glory, their blillableness.