Question #1 – You have probably never wanted to work with first generation Sun or Apollo workstations, but the times were exciting as technology moved into the powerful world of distributed workstations! Auto-trol Technology was based in Denver but I worked in Troy – inside marketing. Another exciting time was when Siebel CRM was making a huge splash. AF Kelly was a boutique consulting firm in Cincinnati and we quickly became the go-to firm. Fun businesses to grow.

Question #2 – A PeopleSoft upgrade project doesn’t sound interesting in and of itself, however, when it is an upgrade of HCM at General Motors, it becomes a bit more intriguing! 350,000 employees at GM at the time, globally. Whew…is about all I can say. Interesting days in the CIO office for certain!

Question #3 – Here is where the soul-searching for me really kicked in – in a good way. I began playing the bassoon at age 10 in Elementary school and began study with the Contra Bassoonist of the DSO at age 12. I tried out for both the Pontiac and Rochester Symphony Orchestras and was selected for both! First female Drum Major in my High School Marching Band (Pontiac Northern -marched 110 members), National Champion in Figure Skating (roller), husband was drafted out of Alma College by the Detroit Tigers which took us to Venezula for Winter ball. Moved 13 times in 2 years for baseball in the minors. From the symphony to sports to my current efforts with Pontiac HIgh School band program, I think we could have an enjoyable conversation. I’d love the opportunity to meet with you – even if for 30 minutes over a cup of your favorite Joe from TC.

Respectfully,

Gayla

One of my own favourite criteria includes the ability for the person to have fun in the environment and not take themselves too seriously. After all, sometimes just showing the F up isn’t enough to sustain the people you tend to interact with all day if you don’t have a sense of humour.

I’ve learned a wonderful interview checkpoint that may resonate with you and the gang as well since once upon a time our company was the #1 place inundated with applicants (and we still have quite a bit) that I have used to trim out the riffraff. Can I trust you? Do I respect you? Do I like you? My good friend and mentor Christopher Barry who is wiser and more worldly than I taught me these criteria, and they’ve proven to be the barometer for many good hires, and in some cases proof that I should have payed attention to those answers post hire.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

In my experience – sampling Starbucks in Continental US and elsewhere – Starbucks coffee is a lame replacement to a real coffee experience. Starting from a quality espresso shot that is made expertly from quality beans is a must, and Starbucks fails in that completely (The newer grinds they have been using the last couple of years are much better then what they had before, though still not enough and good baristas are still hard to find).

I haven’t been to Michigan so I can’t recommend anything there, but if you’re ever in NY then try Aroma Espresso Bar on 42nd street for a test of quality coffee, or at least as much as a franchise can do.