Wirestone – Year 1

Wirestone LogoIncredible.  In the middle of everything else, today marks my one year anniversary with “The Greatest Company In The Worldâ„¢”, Wirestone.

I have to say, this past 365 days have been far and away the most rewarding of my professional career.  It is remarkable to work for a place that you would bend over backwards for because you feel that they would bend over backwards for you.  I have worked 15 hour days and 70 hour weeks.  And I would do it again, if that’s what was asked.  I am not alone in this assessment either.  Just recently, some friends worked an entire night to get a project done.  That’s dedication, brother.

The thing is, they make you feel appreciated.  That your work is important, and in turn, that makes you want to bust your ass.  Especially coming from Hewlett Packard, where the idea of “employee worth” was thrown out the window YEARS ago.  It doesn’t take only pay or perks, although important.  It takes gratitude.  A feeling of self worth.  Wirestone has got that down in spades.  This comes from having amazing people who are engaged and excited from the top all the way down.

There is an interesting phenomenon here.  There have been a multiple people who have left Wirestone, seeking greener pastures, only to come sprinting back once they see how other places are run.  Sometimes, within the same week.  The only explanation I can give is that people who have been here awhile can forget just how good we have it, and going somewhere else brings that fact into stark reality.  I, having spent 8 grueling years at the declining HP, have no such delusions.  I know there is no other place I’d rather be than here.  (which makes me work all the harder).

Here is the email that my direct manager Mike sent to the whole Boise office this morning:

Jason Haberman is 1 stoner-year-old today.

Its hard to believe he’s been at Wirestone a whole year already, and equally hard to imagine how we got along without him.  Anyone who has had the chance to work with Jason knows about his great work ethic, dependability, attitude, and incredible hot metal skilz. These positive traits, plus many others are what keep Jason in high demand – to the point where I get requests from other offices for him by name.

Thanks for being part of our team Jason, and good luck with your wedding!

Mike

It has absolutely been my pleasure.

And after a week in Maui, I’ll come back charged up enough to take on the world.

Wedding Week – Part 2

Now its really ramping up.

Tuesday

After another uneventful day at work, Jess gave me some “time off”. This is a thing that I get being an introvert that she totally understands. She went to her parents house and was mingling with the arriving family. Meanwhile, I was off the hook and was able to go home and chill out by myself. Recharge the batteries. I love being by myself and it is always a treat for me to really just spend that time to get geared back up. So, thats what I did. After I picked up the printed programs on my way home (which look amazing, if I do say so myself) I ate a little dinner… watched a little olympics… played a little NCAA Football 09. You know, normal stuff.

She came home and we did a little wedding stuff… just more organizing and whatnot. We were in bed by about 10.

Wednesday

Now we’re starting to get somewhere. Jess was actually off on Wed, so she was able to get a lot of last minute things cranked out. I was still working however. After work, I went over to her parents house for dinner with the entire family in from out of town. It was nice to meet everyone, but I’m not great with names to begin with, so I think I forgot them 3.4 seconds after I was told. But, the good thing is I’m good with faces, so I know who the are, just not who they are. I was still kinda wiped out from work, but it was fun.

After that, all of Jess’ cousins in town and siblings came over to see the house, have a couple drinks and play a little Rock Band. It was almost like an impromptu party since we had 10 people there (including us). But it was a lot of fun, and they all left around 9:30. Jess and I basically went straight to bed after that.

So far we’ve had but a taste of the insanity that is to follow. I can’t believe it’s already here. December 1st seems like it was so recent, but we’re talking over 9 months ago.

Just under 60 hours to go.