Shout-Out Wednesday: Prepared, Ready and Eager to Rise To The Challenge

"Our hero, with military background, shook it off as "it was OK, and we see a lot as Concierge."

Good Morning Folks,

Jiovan is our hero today. On the job at a financial institution, he was talking someone when a seizure came on them. He did a good job, maintained his composure and called for assistance.

Coincidentally, our client is having CPR/ED training next week. Jiovan expressed interest to participate so they got him a spot. Now both FSO and its client are making a commitment to his development.

This isn't the first time one of our heroes came to the rescue. Back Shout-Out columns have plenty of other examples like the case of our Miguel, who encountered a suicide attempt while on the job at a luxury building we serve.

It was an attempted suicide. This was not an episode of "what would you do?... There was no John Quiñones to come out from behind the camera. Miguel didn't believe what he was seeing and took a moment to get his head straight. What he did next saved not just the woman (Mom) but the unborn and the 2 year old toddler. The woman intended to get in her car and when Miguel confronted her, she pleaded to allow her to get to her car to go to hospital. Miguel was, oh no you don't, he grabbed her wrist as a human tourniquet and made her sit down. She tried to convince him to let her go and get in her car but he took control and had another associate call 911 and get EMTs out. Miguel kept her awake as she repeatedly passed out.

EMTs arrived and took her away to hospital and Miguel, if you didn't do what you did, she would have bled out in 4 mins. If she had made the car, it could have cost her a lot more than her and her unborn.

The woman was OK and back yesterday at the building and her husband couldn’t have been more grateful to Miguel.

Miguel, with military background has kind of shook it off as "it was OK, and we see a lot as Concierge."

These two case studies exemplify the true culture perspective of our company. It's what we do. It's these things that separate us from everyone else. It's in our DNA! This isn't who we say we are. It's innate in our culture. It's what we expect. The only thing different here is the individuals that needed help. As a group, we are prepared, ready and eager to engage.  

Our people are skilled, trained and ready to handle all tasks at hand. Our cross-training and programs in place are essential to our clients success.Together, as a company we are capable of great things.

We get great results when we have the right people in place who have solid relationships with our clients.

To those applauded, today CHEERS to you and THANK YOU for working tirelessly to deliver Service Extraordinaire with a smile. I am so proud of all of you, and to count you among the FSO family. Keep up the great work!!

Have a great day and thanks for being a part of our amazing journey.

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." 
~~ John C. Maxwell

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Ted Tuesday: Sir Ken Robinson— How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life

“If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original.” 

Good Morning Folks,

As I woke up this morning I wanted to share another inspiring @Ted talk with you.

The Sir Ken Robinson @Ted talk that follows is one of my all time favorites. It reminds me of a book which I also highly recommend called "Finding Your Element: "How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life" which you can find at Amazon.

Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talk video and groundbreaking book introduced readers to a new concept of self-fulfillment through the convergence of natural talents and personal passions. The book has inspired readers all over the world and has created for Robinson an intensely devoted following. Among the questions that this new book answers are:

• How do I find out what my talents and passions are?
• What if I love something I’m not good at?
• What if I’m good at something I don’t love?
• What if I can’t make a living from my Element?
• How do I do help my children find their Element?

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Sir Ken Robinson:

“If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original.” 

“Creativity is as important as literacy”

“Imagination is the source of every form of human achievement. And it's the one thing that I believe we are systematically jeopardizing in the way we educate our children and ourselves.” 

 “We have sold ourselves into a fast food model of education, and it's impoverishing our spirit and our energies as much as fast food is depleting our physical bodies.” 

“Human communities depend upon a diversity of talent not a singular conception of ability. and at the heart of the challenge is to reconstitute our sense of ability and intelligence” 

In his talk that follows which counts 26 million views on Ted.com alone, Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.



What an inspiration Sir Ken is to the very core and spirit of FSO's brand. 

I could not help to be completely Inspired by the great teams and clients we have - so much passion and commitment to greatness and so much opportunity for all.

Nobody and I mean nobody will take CARE of the their customers or employees like FSO USA. 

So good morning. Get those inspiration hats on, put those smiles on, and lets rock the world together. 

Love Life,

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

Ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, they morph and adapt into their most potent form.TED Tuesdays on MitchWeiner.com highlights some of today's most intriguing ideas. Look for more talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more— HERE. 

Making FSO The Greatest Place To Work: The Fireside Chat

"Watching as we bounced ideas left & right ignited a fire in not only me but in other employees as well."

Photo: A group of employees from all walks of the company meets with me for a Fireside Chat.

Good Morning Folks,

Encouragement and acknowledgement of exceptional effort is crucial to creating a positive work environment. We have so many great things happening within our company.

We have opportunities for all employees to meet and give transparent, honest feedback to me and the entire ELT during our CHO Clubs, Fireside Chats, ELT Breakfasts, and Happy Hours.

Of all these new initiatives, our Fireside Chats have struck a chord. It was great for employees to share strategies and ideas with peers, as well as to meet new people, and have some Face Time with Executive Leadership.

Fireside chat is the term used to describe a series of 30 evening radio addresses given by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1933 and 1944. The fireside chats represent the first time in history that a chief executive communicated directly with a large number of citizens. Roosevelt was one of radio's greatest communicators, and the fireside chats kept him in high public regard throughout his presidency.

And now Fireside Chats at FSO provide a warm and safe environment for FSO employees to speak directly to a chief executive. At the January event, folks from the field interacted with our people solutions team. In last week's chat, I addressed the hopes, needs, ambitions and opportunities of employees directly. There was no lack of ideas, comments, and recommendations. We are so lucky to have amazing people and I was so inspired after speaking with you.

This is typical of the feedback I received:

"Thanks for your time & hospitality during our fireside chat at headquarters. Yesterday's meeting was quite productive & I feel inclined to say that we discussed a lot of solutions to topics that’ll benefit FSO for a brighter tomorrow. I enjoyed interacting with other FSO employees & see what topics they had to discuss as well. Watching as we bounced ideas left & right ignited a fire in not only me but in other employees as well. To continue the excitement I am leading today’s huddle to talk about what we discussed yesterday at our meeting."

Let's continue to celebrate our awesome teammates and all of our achievements.

THANKS for all you do each and every single day, as I look forward to seeing all of you soon in my travels.

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

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"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, 
do more and become more, you are a leader. " ~~John Quincy Adams

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Inspire ME Friday ==>The Best Are Always Striving To Get Better.

"Training Camp by Jon Gordon is a touching story about one man who faces his fears on his path to greatness. Along the way, he learns a valuable lesson about who is really in control. Grow your faith. Read Training Camp." —Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Lead Like Jesus

Good Morning Folks,

Training Camp is an inspirational story filled with invaluable lessons and insights on bringing out the best in yourself and your team. The story follows Martin, an un-drafted rookie trying to make it in the NFL. He’s spent his entire life proving to the critics that a small guy with a big heart can succeed against all odds. After spraining his ankle in the pre-season, Martin thinks his dream is lost when he happens to meet a very special coach who shares eleven life-changing lessons that keep his dream alive—and might even make him the best of the best. If you want to be your best—Training Camp offers an inspirational story and real-world wisdom on what it takes to reach true excellence and how you and your team (your work team, school team, church team and family team) can achieve it.

Excerpted from “Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else”, by Jon Gordon, these eleven traits of the Best of the Best that apply to every one with a dream and ambition:

==>The Best know what they truly want.
At some point in their lives, the best have a "Eureka!" moment when their vision becomes clear. Suddenly they realize what they really, truly want to achieve. They find their passion. When that happens they are ready to strive for greatness. They are ready to pay the price.

==>The Best want it more. We all want to be great.
But only the best of the best are willing to do what it takes to be great. The best don't just think about their desire for greatness; they act on it. They have a high capacity for work. They do the things that others won't do, and they spend more time doing it. When everyone else is sleeping, the best are practicing and thinking and improving.

==>The Best are always striving to get better.
They are always looking for ways to learn, apply, improve, and grow. They stay humble and hungry. They are lifelong learners. They never think they have "arrived"—because they know that once they think that, they'll start sliding back to the place from which they came.

==>The Best do ordinary things better than everyone else.
For all their greatness, the best aren't that much better than the others. They are simply a little better at a lot of things. Everyone thinks that success is complicated, but it's really simple. In fact, the best don't do anything different. They just do the ordinary things better.

==>The Best zoom focus.
Success is all about the fundamentals, and the fundamentals are little and ordinary and often boring. It's not just about practice, but focused practice. It's not just about taking action, but taking zoom-focused action. It's about practicing and perfecting the fundamentals.

==>The Best are mentally stronger.
Today's world is no longer a sprint or a marathon. It's a series of sprints combined with a boxing match. You're not just running; you are getting hit along the way. The best are able to respond to and overcome all of this with mental and emotional toughness. They are able to tune out the distractions and stay calm, focused, and energized when it counts.

==>The Best overcome their fear.
Everyone has fears. The best of the best all have fear, but they overcome it. To beat your enemy, you must know your enemy. Average people shy away from their fears. They either ignore them or hide from them. However, the best seek them out and face them with the intent of conquering them.

==>The Best seize the moment.
When the best are in the middle of their performance, they are not thinking "What if I win?" or "What if I lose?" They are not thinking "What if I make a mistake or miss the shot?" They are not interested in what the moment produces but are concerned only with what they produce in the moment. When all eyes are watching, they rise to the occasion. As a result, the best define the moment rather than letting the moment define them.

==>The Best tap into a power greater than themselves.
The best are conductors, not resistors. They don't generate their own power, but act as conduits for the greatest power source in the world. It's not always politically correct, but you can't talk about greatness without talking about God. It would be like talking about breathing without mentioning the importance of air.

==>The Best leave a legacy.
The best live and work with a bigger purpose. They leave a legacy by making their lives about more than them. This larger purpose is what inspires them to be the best and strive for greatness over the long term. It helps them move from success to significance.

==>The Best make everyone around them better.
They do this through their own pursuit of excellence and in the excellence they inspire in others. One person in pursuit of excellence raises the standards of everyone around them. And they do this in both their work and life. ...The point is to strive to be your best and inspire others to be their best, because it's in the striving where you find greatness, not in the outcome.

Get the book HERE.

And have a GREAT weekend.

Make a difference folks!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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“The expert in anything was once a beginner”

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TED Tuesday-- Elizabeth Lesser: Take "The Other" To Lunch

"Provides toolboxes for the mind, heart, body and soul, and teaches meditation techniques you can practice to become more of who you are every day of your life."

Good Morning Folks,

Last night as the votes were tallied in Iowa, I bet you were thinking of how tired you are of this whole election process. especially the way its brought out the worst in all of us by taking sides on social media with some vilifying opposing views.

In a talk for TEDWomen, Elizabeth Lesser agrees. She observes: "I'm deeply disturbed by the ways in which all of our cultures are demonizing "the Other" by the voice we're giving to the most divisive among us. Listen to these titles of some of the bestselling books from both sides of the political divide here in the U.S. "Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder," "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot," "Pinheads and Patriots," "Arguing With Idiots." They're supposedly tongue-in-cheek, but they're actually dangerous. The worst eras in human history, whether in Cambodia or Germany or Rwanda, they start like this, with negative other-izing. And then they morph into violent extremism. 

There's an angry divisive tension in the air that threatens to make modern politics impossible. Elizabeth Lesser explores the two sides of human nature within us (call them "the mystic" and "the warrior”) that can be harnessed to elevate the way we treat each other. 

She shares a simple way to begin real dialogue — by going to lunch with someone who doesn't agree with you, and asking them three questions to find out what's really in their hearts.

"This is why I'm launching a new initiative. And it's to help all of us, myself included, to counteract the tendency to 'otherize,'" says Elizabeth. 

A staple on Oprah, Elizabeth Lesser is the co-founder of Omega Institute, the US’ largest lifelong learning center focusing on health, wellness, spirituality, creativity and social change. She’s the author of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow and The Seeker’s Guide: Making Your Life a Spiritual Adventure. For more than 30 years Lesser has worked with leading figures in the fields of healing—healing self and healing society.

"Otherizing" isn't just about politics. It's about building consensus and better relationships with your bosses, co-workers, friends, significant others... even the craziest of relatives you dread seeing at Thanksgiving. 

Says Elizabeth, "Who should you invite to lunch? Next time you catch yourself in the act of otherizing, that will be your clue. And what might happen at your lunch? Will the heavens open and "We Are the World" play over the restaurant sound system? Probably not. Because ubuntu work is slow, and it's difficult. It's two people dropping the pretense of being know-it-alls. It's two people, two warriors, dropping their weapons and reaching toward each other. Here's how the great Persian poet Rumi put it: "Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there."  Have a look:





Have a GREAT Day,



Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer  

Ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, they morph and adapt into their most potent form. TED Tuesdays on MitchWeiner.com highlights some of today's most intriguing ideas. Look for more talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more— HERE.  

About FSO Onsite Outsourcing
Recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of the nation's fastest growing companies for the third consecutive year, and lead by industry pioneer, Mitch Weiner, FSO's growth and success can be attributed to making a positive and powerful impact on their clients' bottom lines, as well as their employees' careers and lives.

Outsourcing Solutions For Financial Firms

"FSO's unique visionary skill allow us to see something that does not currently exist, not just more of the same of what you have right now, to enable your full growth potential."

Good Morning Folks,

Financial organizations face new challenges meeting regulatory requirements and managing information. FSO draws on deep experience to streamline processes, reduce back office costs, and provide better service to employees and clients.

Hear what clients are telling us: 

 “FSO’s financial solutions optimized our workflows, resulting in reduced costs, increased visibility into our processes, more productivity, and improved service.’

“Every time we ask him to support us with anything he is right there willing to jump in and help us! He always has a great attitude and excellent customer service.”

“FSO worked with us to convert documents to a digital format, resulting in reduced costs and a stronger ROI on real estate investments.”

For this reason, before you renew your onsite outsourcing partnership, consider our alternative.

FSO's unique visionary skill allow us to see something that does not currently exist, not just more of the same of what you have right now, to enable your full growth potential.

We apply a productive combination of People + Solutions + Technology to reshaping white-glove experiences and delivering five-star hospitality.

Managing an outsourcing initiative is challenging. Doing so with the wrong partner is nearly impossible. More than just deliver the outsourcing you are accustomed to, we can elevate the employee experience and office services in general around the firm. It doesn't hurt to look.

To reserve a no-cost, no-obligation, comparative analysis, click on the RSVP button, or call me personally at (212) 204-1193.

Have a GREAT Day!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions.
Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great."  ~~ Mark Twain

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Inspire ME Friday: Be Thoughtful. Be Kind.

"When someone does something that helps you, even in the smallest way and even if it's their job, go out of your way to say thanks. Make it your mission to recognize the people behind the tasks: the people that support, that assist, that make everything possible."

Good Morning Folks,

The heart is the most important measure of the employee; if he/she is truly involved in the moment and working from the heart then good fortune happens. It's all about...

==> The Power of Being Thoughtful and Kind by Jeff Haden

My client acquired a large company, and I went along for his initial meetings with his new employees. In the afternoon, he planned a companywide address. But that morning, we met for several hours with top executives. (Talk about emotions on full display: ego, anxiety, obsequiousness, defensiveness, fear, excitement... When the new sheriff comes to town, the icy-cool corporate masks quickly come off.)

The meeting ended at noon, and when we walked out 15 minutes later, he noticed a sizable buffet set up on the other side of the atrium. There were plenty of people standing around in white coats and black slacks but no one in line or sitting at tables.

"What's that for?" he asked someone walking past.

"The company arranged a meal for after your meeting," she said. "A local restaurant closed for the day to come here." She paused. "I think the chef and her staff were really excited about it," she said, her voice trailing off at the end.

"Did anyone eat?" he asked.

"Um, I don't think so," she said.

He stood looking a few moments. Even from a distance, it was evident the catering staff was confused and disappointed.

"Come on," he said to me. "We're eating."

And we did.

But he did more than just eat. He spent a few minutes talking to every--every--member of the staff. They knew who he was, and while some were initially shy, they quickly warmed up.

And why wouldn't they? He complimented the food. He complimented the service. He joked and laughed. When we finished eating, he said, "We can't let great food go to waste!" and borrowed two white coats so we could serve them. Then he made the rounds of the tables and happily leaned into all the selfies.

When we finally left, he waved and smiled.

They smiled bigger.

Sure, it took a lot of his time. Sure, it took him off point and off focus and off schedule.

Sure, they loved him for it.

I already knew the answer, but as we got in the car, I still asked. "I know your schedule," I said. "You couldn't stop to eat. Besides, no one else did, so no one would have noticed."

"I felt bad for them," he said. "They tried hard to do a good job, and everyone blew them off. How bad would that feel? So it was the least I could do."

"Maybe my staff thought they were too busy," he continued. "Or maybe they thought they were too important. But maybe they are too self-absorbed to notice they hurt other people's feelings."

He thought for a few seconds. "And maybe they're the wrong people for the job, " he said.*

Much of the time, we want famous people to be so humble they don't recognize there's a fuss, a special buzz, that people are excited to see them. We want them to be oblivious to their fame or importance. (After all, if they're too aware, that means they're too full of themselves.)

But what we should really want is for famous or notable people to recognize that in the eyes of others, they are special--and that other people might want something from them, even if that something is the simple recognition that what they do matters.

Because it does.

Picture a CEO walking into a building for an important meeting. Maybe he says hello to the receptionist. (Maybe.) Otherwise, he only has time for the people at his level. It's like no one else exists; they're just unseen cogs in a giant machine.

Unfortunately, at times, we all do the same thing. We talk to the people we're supposed to talk to. We recognize the people we're supposed to recognize. We mesh with the cogs in the machine we're expected to mesh with, but there are many other important cogs.

So go out of your way to smile to everyone. Or to nod. Or to introduce yourself.

And when someone does something that helps you, even in the smallest way and even if it's their job, go out of your way to say thanks. Make it your mission to recognize the people behind the tasks: the people that support, that assist, that make everything possible.

Even though most of us aren't famous or notable, by recognizing people--especially those who have been conditioned to not expect to be recognized--we add a little extra meaning and dignity to their lives.

And that's the best reason to go off point, off focus, and off task.

Although, when you think about it, you really aren't taking yourself away from an important task. You're just shifting to an equally important task: showing people they matter--especially to you.

*Six months later, only three of the original 22 remained

Enjoy the weekend.

Make a difference folks!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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‘Curiosity is, in great and generous minds,
the first passion and the last.’
~~ Samuel Johnson 

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**JEFF HADEN learned much of what he knows about business and technology as he worked his way up in the manufacturing industry. Everything else he picks up from ghostwriting books for some of the smartest leaders he knows in business. @jeff_haden