Rink

T he holidays are fast approaching, and though you may not have a turkey leg clenched in each fist yet, you've probably taken the time to find your stretchy waist-band pants in the back of the closet. With a million things to do both in our personal and professional lives, finding the balance of getting through jam-packed week after jam- packed week during this frenzied time of year is a sometimes overwhelming task. I took a half an hour recently to have an "all staff " meeting to make sure my staff was teed up for the busy season. We spent some time going through the upcoming months and what they should expect. More importantly, they had the opportu- nity to ask questions and give our adminis- trative team some feedback on what we were planning. It was encouraging to say the least, and significantly reduced the stress and pressure I was feeling. In fact the editorial board of a certain magazine did the same thing recently, took the time to sit down and map out the edi- torial content for the upcoming year. Although the names have been changed to avoid litigation, the dialogue is however, very real. In a nod to the great American playwright Arthur Miller, I've recon- structed the spirit of this meeting… CAST The Editor The Knife The Man The Cutter The Other Man The New Guy The Young Man A light melody is heard, played upon an orchestra of plastic recorders. Before us is the Board Room where only the light of the sun shines through the wind ows, casting the room in ominous shadows. The stage brightens as the mutterings of the cast drown out the high pitched squeal of 100 grade- schoolers butchering Blow the Man Down. The Editor: Quiet! Quiet! I need you clowns to focus, for Pete's sake. The Man: Who's Pete? The Young Man: I need to use the restroom. The Editor: No more whining. I told you. No one leaves until we get this done. The Young Man: But I gotta go. The Knife: Serves you right for drinking the last Red Bull. The Cutter: You know that stuff 's bad for you right? It's like having a smoke while changing out a propane tank. (leaning back in his chair while interlocking his fingers on top of his head) I remember a time I was in a rink in Ariz… The Other Man: (interrupting) Here we go again. The New Guy: (fidgeting nervously in his chair) Is it always like this? The Man and The Young Man: (together) Whatta ya mean? The Editor: (sadly shaking his head and sighs audibly) The point is, despite the journey to get there, it's important that you hold a meeting with your staff going into the busy season. There is plenty of meaningful dialogue to go along with the unrelated and down right elementary conversation that takes place. But in the end, it all has some type of inherent value. Hopefully it can alleviate some staff concerns and address topics that busy managers sometimes miss. And while a certain editor — or plenty of managers — might bang their head against the table in exasperation repeatedly during the discussion, the juice is worth the squeeze. And for us, and our meeting, that means RINK Magazine looks forward to another year of providing entertaining, educational and insightful content that who knows, maybe will be discussed at your next staff meeting! ★ the final cut 54 R INK MAGAZ INE november/december 2010 by Johnny "The Knife" Monteleone STARrinks.com ■ Just livin' the rink life. Is There Any Meat To Your Meetings?

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