Get Ahead Stay Ahead - May 14

Posted May 14, 2007 by Vidisha Priyanka

Updated May 14, 2007 at 10:45 AM

DIVERSIFY your staff

Homogenization is bad for business, unless, of course, you’re in the business of producing milk. If everyone in an organization looks the same, sounds the same and shares the same background, how can that organization ever hope to tap into a rich and profitable vein of ideas and viewpoints? Study after study proves that a diverse work force is good for productivity and the bottom line.

Hoping to de-homogenize your work force? On May 22, human resources expert Teddy Pierre, president of Tampa-based Pascall Co., will explain how to successfully recruit talented workers. Pierre’s presentation is part of Pascall’s diversity luncheon series. It runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Centre Club in Tampa and costs $25. For more information or to register, go to tinyurl.com/2hnsly.

CELEBRATE tourism

If you see beds barreling down Madison Street in downtown Tampa this week, don’t freak out.

You’re simply seeing the Tampa Bay Bed Battle, part of the fourth annual Hospitality Olympics, hosted by the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau and AAA Auto Club South in honor of National Tourism Week.

The Olympics start at 3 p.m. today in Lykes Gaslight Park with waiter relays, toilet paper tosses and, yes, the bed races. The celebration of all things tourism continues on Tuesday with lunch at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center - at which, we’re told, a surprise Broadway guest will make an appearance. (As long as it has nothing to do with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Starlight Express,” we’ll be pleased.) A convention and visitors bureau open house is planned for Thursday.

Contact the bureau at visittampabay.com for information.

SIGN off with John Hargrave

The Get Ahead crew had a friend in high school who used to scrawl “Stimpson J. Cat” instead of his actual name at the bottom of credit card receipts. To our recollection, the retailers, restaurants and credit card companies never raised an eyebrow.

It turns out our pal wasn’t alone. Blogger John Hargrave wanted to find out exactly how crazy his signature had to be before someone took notice. Scribbles, lines and hieroglyphics all made the cut.

Check out Hargrave’s hilarious adventures at zug.com/pranks/credit/. If your boss asks, just claim you’re researching noncash transaction authentication procedures.

Dave Simanoff

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