Don't be easily distracted

Today, in politics and business the general public can be easily distracted.

Much like distracting a child with a shiny ball in one hand so he he does not look in the other.

In politics, unfortunately, the media can force our attention where it wants. While our young men and women are fighting wars every day they want our attention on Lindsey Lohan for example.
When the Afghanistan war for example, with shock and Awe, there was 24 hour coverage. Then the media moved on, our soldiers remained for over 11 years but it was no longer news worthy.

Also rather than our politicians talking about education, future fuel technology or jobs they want us to continue to focus on things like Gay marriage and abortion. Again, the shiny ball theory.

Business is the same way, employees that are weak or cannot take control of their responsibility or duties will try to shine the light elsewhere. They blame everybody else for their failing but themselves.
They figure that if they get everyone talking about the other guy then they will not be talking or looking at them.

These theories may work in the short term but sooner or later they catch up to people.

Rather than wasting time and avoiding the true issue take a look in the mirror.

 Take responsibility.

Try to improve yourself and the people around you. If there are other people that effect your job or are not performing up to their capabilities then tell them, help them. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism if given with sincerity but just allow it to continue especially if it effects your job.

When in conversation try to listen to yourself, are you blaming others? Do you throw other people under the bus to save yourself? What could YOU have done to avoid a negative situation?

Try not to to get distracted...listen and bring it back to that person that you are speaking to and the subject that matters.

 Control the conversation from fellow workers and our politicians.

Do you remember Hollywood Squares?

For those of us that remember Hollywood Squares:  These great questions and answers are from the days when ' Hollywood Squares' game show responses were spontaneous, not scripted, as they are now. Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions, of course.. Q. Do female frogs croak? A. Paul Lynde : If you hold their little heads under water long enough. Q. If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be A. Charley Weaver : Three days of steady drinking should do it. Q. True or False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years... A. George Gobel : Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes. Q. You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman? A.. Don Knotts : That's what's been keeping me awake. Q. According to Cosmopolitan, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think that he is attractive, is it okay to come out and ask him if he's married? A.. Rose Marie : No wait until morning. Q. Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older? A. Charley Weaver : My sense of decency.. Q. In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say 'I Love You'? A. Vincent Price : No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty.. Q. What are 'Do It,' 'I Can Help,' and 'I Can't Get Enough'? A. George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment. Q. As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while talking? A. Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget. Q.  Paul , why do Hell's Angels wear leather? A. Paul Lynde : Because chiffon wrinkles too easily. Q.. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during the first year? A.. Charley Weaver : Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries. Q. In bowling, what's a perfect score? A. Rose Marie : Ralph , the pin boy.  Q. During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet? A. Rose Marie: Unfortunately Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom. Q. Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls? A.. Marty Allen : Only after lights out. Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people? A. Charley Weaver : It got me out of the army. Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do? A. George Gobel : Get it in his mouth Q.  Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they? A. Charley Weaver : His feet. WE DON'T STOP LAUGHING BECAUSE WE GROW OLD, WE GROW OLD BECAUSE WE STOP LAUGHING

FAMILY

" Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what ".

Coping with Job stress

Spouses who talk through their job stress and offer support will help them to return to their jobs the next day less agitated, more tolerant of co-workers and their overall situation.and more satisfied with their career choices.

 Those that engage in onesmanship, show no interest or downplay their spouses job quickly become dissatisfied at home and work.

In many cases both the husband and wife have stress in their every day work life and it is often difficult to generate the mental and emotional resources needed to help when your tank is empty.

Those husbands and wife's who are unable to generate coping support at home return to work even more agitated.

Couples need to feel that the communication lines are open.

For our drivers this can be even more difficult because many of the over the road drivers do not go home every day but it is still vital that you keep the lines of communication open with your spouse (maybe even more important).

Sharing your feelings is very important and when you bottle them up inside or refuse to talk about them then only bad can come of it. It will be released in another way, probably in anger and maybe not even at the person or people that originally started your negative feelings.

Sometimes when you say things out loud you may realize that it may not be that bad or by the end of the conversation you can step back and look at things a little different. Either way you need to get it out.

These days we all have stress in our life's, it can come from all different directions. Money of coarse is always the leader but medical is also a big contributing factor.

Do the best you can, cut back, scale down and enjoy the simple things.

My parents were blue collar workers who came into this world with nothing and left with very little.
They did not finish high school and worked to three jobs at a time.
They did not leave me with any great valuable items or great a philosophy of life but my mother would always say " if you have your health you have everything".
I never appreciated those words growing up but as I get older I realize that though my parents did not leave me with much they actually left me with all I really need to know.

 We get caught up so much with the every day and can allow stress to rule our day but in the end as long as you have your health the rest of it does not matter.

We can control the rest.

How many times to you think you have problems then a doctor tells you something about yourself or your spouse or a loved one and the problems you thought you had seem to vanish.

Enjoy every day, share conversations and talk about what stresses you or what concerns that you may have,- and remember-" If you have your health you have everything"

What's happenning at Arpin

What’s happening at Arpin ?

We have sent out web sites and given agent and drivers access to view your grades and surveys on jobs that you have performed. You do not really need to do anything but take a look and let us know if you see anything that may be incorrect. We have had this site for a few years now and wanted to give you all access to it.

We have a driver profile web site where we have a simple form that introduces you to your customer. Once again there is really nothing that you need to do here we just thought we should give you access to this also.

We are excited about the computerized driver inventory program because we absolutely feel as if it will be a tool that will help what you do and ultimately save you time and money.

We are committed to assist you in the training and implementatio

Change is not easy, for any of us here also, here at the home office we are developing a complete computerization of dispatch. We will always have the dispatchers and planners and the personal touch here at Arpin. The system will help  gather data better and quicker and help communicate better and faster with you, the agent and all departments.

As I said change is not easy but it is necessary, if there is a better way through technology to do things we owe it to ourselves and you to try to pursue them.

It is a typical February in the moving Industry but we do anticipate a very busy Spring and Summer season. This being our third summer with DP3 the Industry, the Government and Arpin have learned and have changed.

Because of your hard work and good scores along with the efforts of our agents we will be able to input lower discounts this summer with the military that will result in more revenue for you , the driver.

That is and has been our overall goal and will continue to be.

We are working with the government to help with suggestions to better the overall system. Our Chief Operating Officer, Matt Dolan, sits on the FMSA board and has been very instrumental in some positive changes. Matt was pivotal in pushing through doing away with the 70 day rule for example.

Our national account scores are up and thanks to you and the overall teamwork at Arpin we were awarded Partner of the year with Weichert.  Once again this will result in more work for everyone to  participate in….thank you !

Our cod business is on the increase and we look for a very good season . Arpin has implemented many programs to assist the agent and to help stay aggressive in the cod market.

Arpin is continually rated as the preferred carrier with GSA and their many accounts so we should have another solid year with GSA.

We will have a grand opening in April on our newly renovated facility here in Rhode Island. If you are anywhere close by, be sure to stop in for a tour. We are proud of our new digs.

Overall we are very excited about what we continue to build here at Arpin Van lines, utilizing the tools and technology around us while remembering what got us here…..you the driver and the hard work and dedication of a great overall team here in R.I. and around the United States.

8 CHARACTERISTICS

 We've identified 8 characteristics that those with a great attitude have in common. Stick with us - believe you'll enjoy this!

1. Choose to have a great attitude - Successful people have chosen their attitude. Many folks tell me, "Gee, I'm usually in a good mood." Catch the difference there? Right - 'usually.' You see, a mood is temporary and an attitude is permanent. What we have found is that successful people with a great attitude are able to get out of a bad mood quicker than those who don't have a great attitude.

2. Visualize success - Successful people visualize themselves being successful. It doesn't mean you'll always get what you visualize, but it really helps to visualize what you need. Think about American Idol. Every one of those contestants firmly believe they have a chance of winning. And the successful cyclist Lance Armstrong, winner of 7 Tour de France, never saw himself losing. Visualizing success does help.

3. Energy, humor, and enthusiasm - Successful people walk differently. Watch how people walk - even in the parking lot. It's a special energy. Those who keep their head up high and have a gait that's a tad faster than just lollygagging along seem to have the attitude that makes them successful. Show me the slow, drag your feet, head down walker and I'll show you someone who, in all probability, isn't as successful as he'd like to be. And we know from all the very successful comedians, successful people laugh a lot. They enjoy making others laugh. Laughter is contagious. Successful people with a good attitude tend to find humor in things quickly.

 4. Resist negative tendencies - Successful individuals stay away from negative tendencies. Successful people with a good attitude resist becoming part of others negativity. They feel better for it and their attitude stays in check.

 5. Be a 'whatever it takes' person - Seems it is real easy to turn customers (or anyone) down and not make a second effort. Successful people are what we call double checkers. They look for positive alternatives. Their attitude tells them to double check the situation and offer a positive alternative.

 6. Accept change - Things didn't go your way? You couldn't/didn't get what you want? Successful people can accept change and move on or forward much better than others.

 7. Be grateful for what you have - Those that are successful with a good attitude are most often void of jealousy. They share. They help. They donate. They are genuinely happy for others. Are you?

 8. Smile - We know the most successful individuals with that great attitude SMILE - a lot!

Quote of the Month

Quote of the Month:

“Respect is honoring the worth or dignity in a person or process.

 When we respect others, we take their preferences and ideas seriously.

We thoughtfully weigh our own insights and experiences against theirs.

 Respect is merited particularly by those who are our elders, because knowledge, insight, and wisdom often are hard won through a lifetime of discipline and learning.

 Cultivating respect as a virtue does not mean insisting that all ideas, beliefs, or actions are respect-worthy.

 It does mean that we recognize the basic human dignity of others, even when their ideas or values are different from our own.

 A general attitude of respect also assumes that each person has something to teach us if we are willing to learn.”

EMAIL

We all communicate more and more by email.

In business, in particular, we need to be very careful how we word an email and how we respond.
It is too easy to get frustrated or angry and to type a quick response that will only serve to increase tension.
In those cases you may be best to type away and just minimize it and come back to it later and reread it.
Do Not Just Push Send

I also receive a lot of email that just starts off with "read below" or "start at the bottom " only to find a 6 or 8 email chain that was going back and forth. In some cases it takes me 10 - 15 minutes just to get the main idea on why I was even sent the email.
At least have the courtesy to give the person a quick synopsis of what your email is about and then you can reference an email below if you wish but just " read below" is not a good way to start an email.

Try to start your email with a good morning or good day and end it with a thank you.
Good manners are just as imporatnat in an email as in a conversation, probably more important.
At least when you are face to face with a person you can read their facial expressions or their voice inflictions. Maybe the person can even see that maybe then is not the time to approach you because you are in the middle of trying to find a solution to a problem or just recieved some bad news.

When you email you do not get all that information so beware of how you approuch the person and how you word your email. If you wouln't say it to a person's face you may not want type it.

Ken Blanchard

Kenneth  Blanchard (born May 6, 1939) is an American author and management expert.

His book The One Minute Manager has sold over 13 million copies and has been translated into 37 languages.

 He has coauthored over 30 other best-selling books, including Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach To Customer Service (1993), Leadership and the One Minute Manager: Increasing Effectiveness Through Situational Leadership (1985) (in which he coined the term seagull manager), Gung Ho! Turn On the People in Any Organization (1997), Whale Done! The Power of Positive Relationships (2002) and Leading at a Higher Level: Blanchard on Leadership and Creating High Performing Organizations (2006).


Some quotes from Ken Blanchard to help you manage.....

Feedback is the breakfast of champions.

For a manager to be perceived as a positive manager, they need a four to one positive to negative contact ratio.

I absolutely believe in the power of tithing and giving back. My own experience about all the blessings I've had in my life is that the more I give away, the more that comes back. That is the way life works, and that is the way energy works.

In the past a leader was a boss. Today's leaders must be partners with their people... they no longer can lead solely based on positional power.


People who produce good results feel good about themselves.


The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.

Too many leaders act as if the sheep... their people... are there for the benefit of the shepherd, not that the shepherd has responsibility for the sheep.

The new mind set

For my generation and for all of the generations before that in America if you landed a full time job you worked hard and tried to climb your way up the ladder. Your testimony to a good work ethic was your tenor at where you worked. Most stayed in the same job until retirement, or at least that was their goal.

Today I am told that five years is the average length that a person stays employed full time by an employer. Then it is time to move on. They feel that they get stale or stagnant and can better grow by moving on.

A different mind set for sure.

I can see their point and I have witnessed where employees who have been at the same place of employment for a few decades or more can become complacent. They spend much of their time talking about how it was when they started or think that the company now owes them.....not good.

On the other hand by staying in one place you have loyalty and your employer knows YOU . If your work ethic remains high you can help add the old and the new and continue to push things in positive direction everybody wins. People like to work for someone that appreciates them and you know that they trust you and will have your back if you need them and they you.

That said business has changed. Back then there were more companies that were smaller size and the managers or owners had more say and their backing meant something. Today everything is corporations and what we feared or disliked most entering the work force back in the late 70's is more true today then ever, that is you are a number.

The end result is after what you perceive as years of loyalty to your employer is now more of an economic decision for them. If they can replace you with a younger person for less money OR better yet replace you with a computer program then you are let go.

Times have changed and like it or not we all need to change with them.

I can definitely see where the days of staying in one job for thirty or more years is a thing of the past.

What has not changed is in order to succeed to have to give your honest best EVERY day, no matter how long you have been employed at any place of business. That even goes for people that run their own businesses.

A different mind set, yes...but the same same work ethic must apply.....one must adapt.

Don't talk...

Do not talk about a person...talk to the person.

It is hard at time to confront somebody when you have something negative to talk about or have constructive criticism but you are best to nip it in the bud. Most times you may even find out that it was not what you heard or what you suspected.

It may be hard but it also gains you a positive reputation, a tough but fair reputation.

If you speak negatively about others to people those same people that you are confiding in will wonder if you are speaking about them that way to others.

By confronting the person and speaking honestly you will begin a constructive dialogue and even if they do not like what you are saying they will respect that you said out loud and to them.

Always gather the facts and approach the person letting them know that you are not judging them and that you know that there are always two sides to every story. Let them know that all you want to do is to be honest and to try to help.

If you do not hit the problem head on it will only fester and manifest itself in another manner. You may get short tempered with that person and start reading into things that are not even there.

Take a breath and take a minute to air it out....don't talk negatively about a person behind their backs. It can only come back to hurt you and your reputation.

GOLF

It was a sunny Saturday morning, and Joe was beginning his pre-shot routine, visualizing his upcoming shot when a voice came over the clubhouse speaker-

 " Would the gentleman on the Ladies tee please back up to the Men's tee, please ! "

Joe was still deep in his routine, seemingly impervious to the interruption. Again the announcement-

 " Would the man on the woman's tee kindly back up to the men's tee ! "

Joe had had enough. He shouted,-

 " Would the announcer in the clubhouse kindly shut up and let me play my second shot ! "



Just thought you may need a good laugh......unless of coarse you play golf in which case you may be able to relate and have a laugh.

A nice story from one of our drivers...

Last year I spent 4 months trying to get a psyatic nerve problem worked out...Traction,shots into my spine,and,re-hab.It took the full 4 months to get me back up to working status,this was so bad at the start,I almost needed crutches,my left leg was not working,pain running down it...ECT...

WELL,This year,4 months ago,it popped up again.At that point I could afford no more time off and just had to manage the pain...That's where it gets interesting...

I had a Pack and load out of Birmingham,Al.and brought help over out of Atlanta(best help in the southeast)to get a 14,000#job done and on the truck.Here comes the bad part,the nerve started screaming on the first day of pack and,here,I was,just wanting to lay on my back in the trailer,feet up against the wall and cry......

My shipper was an Indian(India)MD,who also had a PHD in medical device design(Implanted defebs).

His first words were,”Often,that is mis diagnosed,there's a muscle that runs along the lower hips,that sometimes swells up and presses on the psyatic nerve,displays the SAME symptoms....”Well?,What's the cure?He said 6-7 days,HEAVY meds and it would relax...Sorry boss,Gotta get your stuff to Minnesota....He said,there's another way.....Ever think about acupuncture?ACCU-WHAT?He said the Chinese have been using it for 25000 YEARS and there is something to it,Try and find an old chin ease woman and get it done...Called the wife and told her what to find....Then on to DOCTOR Loo.

Doctor Loo,in and old(75)young lady who's been sticking folks foor 50 YEARS,her words were”I can get you relief”REALLY?Problem was( and I was worried about being held captive-2 time a weeks for the rest of my life)how long it would last......3 ½ to 4 days the first time(remember,I came into her shop on crutches the first time,my left leg was so painful,and I was leaning to the right in the truck to drive,could not sit on my left cheek)10 minutes on her table,she twisted the 17 needles(some 4”long)and tapped on them(something ran down my left leg...right spot)came back after 20 minutes,pulled them out and told me to sit up?OK here comes the pain......I sat up and NOTHING?I got up and put the crutches under my arm and WALKED out to pay the bill...

True to her word,3 ½ days later it came back with a vengeance,it took 7 visits,and now I just get stiff sometimes,NO PAIN....I let her do my knee's,shoulders,got my wife going too.

All Thanks to my shipper who suggested it.....

LIFE IS GOOD!

Thank you Kenny.....you DO make a difference...

To Whom it may Concern,

I am writing you this letter to express how impressed and satisfied my wife and I were with Kenny Robinson. He was, and is a credit to your company and is an exemplary person. He took great care in handling every aspect of our move and took care of our possessions as if they were his own. Kenny was very professional and very kind, and enjoyable to be around throughout the entire moving process. Kenny made such a great impression on us that we would recommend your company based solely on him.  We were very impressed with Arpin and the great job your company did with our move but what made the experience truly enjoyable was being able to work with Kenny.



Moving is rated as one of the most stressful things that you can go through and for someone to reflect on their move and say the experience was truly enjoyable is something that we should be proud of.....

Arpin Drivers Are The Best !

Some more of my most favorite quotes from Muhammad Ali

Age is whatever you think it is. You are as old as you think you are.

Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.

I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.

I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.

I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."

I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want.


I never thought of losing, but now that it' s happened, the only thing is to do it right. That's my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life.


I wish people would love everybody else the way they love me. It would be a better world.

 

It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe.

It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.

It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.



Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.


The man who has no imagination has no wings.

The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life

We have one life; it soon will be past; what we do for God is all that will last.


What keeps me going is goals

Impossible is......

FROM MUHAMMAD ALI....

Interview with our driver Skip

Please check out my interview with Skip Austin, one of Arpin's outstanding drivers.

Skip shares his experience, and his knowledge on what it takes to become a successful driver, and to have a llong and productive career.

Pay particular attention to Skip's emphasis on details, and presentation.

http://www.arpinbroadcastnetwork.com/Arpin-On_The_Road.html

A long way from delivering ice with a horse and carrage...

A little history lesson....above is a picture of Paul Arpin's grandfather, Paul X Arpin. In 1900 he started the business delivering coal and ice to homes in Providence R.I.

It would be 1941 when my mentor and boss would take over the business, Paul X's grandson , Paul G Arpin.

In 1962 under Paul's guidance the company became a National Van Lines.

1979-  One of Paul's sons, David Arpin joins the company

1981-  Another of Paul's sons , Peter Arpin joins the company

1983- Paul Arpin Van Lines builds their new world headquarters in West Warwick R.I.

1985- Yours truly, me- David Vieira, is hired by David Arpin to help learn operations.

1989- Arpin International is born

1990- Paul Arpin Van Lines gains it;s first rating as # 1 in overall customer satisfaction by the nation's leading consumer publication.

1991- David Arpin becomes CEO and President of Paul Arpin Van Lines while his father remains on as Chairman of the Board

1999- Paul Arpin Van Lines becomes the nation's 7th largest carrier......a long way from delivering ice..

2000- we celebrate our 100 year anniversary

2002- Paul Arpin Van Lines becomes Arpin Van Lines

2006- Arpin Van Lines and Arpin International merge to form Arpin Group

2007- Arpin Group expands to Toronto, Hong Kong, China, Wiesbaden and Germany...wonder of Paul X ever thought that would be possible?

2008- Arpin Broadcast Network is launched and Peter Arpin begins leading in Green initiatives.

2009 and 2010 Arpin continues to strategic centers around the world

2010- Paul G Arpin passes away but lives on every day through the thousands of lives that he effected through his dedication and work.

2011- Arpin main headquarters begins a face lift and expansion.

2012- David and Peter Arpin flick the switch to a warehouse mostly powered by solar and green technology, not only helping to save our environment but also saving thousands of dollars every month.

Like a said ...a long way from delivering ice and coal......and we feel we only just begun...





.

 

1978

THIS WAS THE YEAR.....1978

US PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT:  JIMMY CARTER & WALTER MONDALE HEADLINES:  Soviet Troops invade Afghanistan ~ China institutues One - Child - per - family policy ~ US Law extends mandatory retirement age to 70  ~ Gas shortages lead to long lines at the gas pumps and  rationing in some states. TIME MAGAZINE PERSON OF THE YEAR:  Ayatollah Khomeini POPULAR TV SHOWS:  Dallas ~ Fantasy Island ~ The Dukes of Hazzard ~ Benson ~ Hart to Hart ~ Nightline ~ Knots Landing SONGS:  Babe ~ Heartache Tonight ~ Heart of Glass ~  Hot Stuff  ~ I Will Survive ~ My Sharona ~ What a Fool Believes ~ Still SPORTS:  Champions include Pittsburgh Pirates (baseball), Pittsburgh Steelers (football) , Rick Mears (Indianapolis 500), Montreal Canadians (hockey), Michigan State  (NCAA Basketball), and Bjorn Borg, and Martina Navratilova  (Singles at Wimbledon Tennis) COST OF LIVING:  Granulated Sugar .80 per 5 pounds ~  New Car $5,768 ~ Gasoline .75 per gallon ~ Eggs .48 per dozen  ~ Bacon $1.20 per pound ~ Ground Hamburg .85 per pound ~ Fresh Bread .47 per loaf ~ Postage Stamp .15 ~ Average Rent $280 FADS:  Togas ~ Colored Designer Jeans ~ Pet Rocks ~ Lava Lamps POPULAR MOVIES:  Star Trek ~ Alien ~ Kramer vs Kramer ~ Life of Brian ~ Mad Max ~ Apocalypse Now ~ Being There ~ The Muppet Movie ~ The Deer Hunter ~ Same Time, Next Year

SKIP

Skip Austin is a owner operator for Arpin and he is one of the best household movers that has been affiliated with our Van Lines.

He is a man of integrity and cares about each and every customer that he moves.
 It is personnel to Skip and takes his role very serious.

Skip has been one of beta testers with our new computerized driver inventory system, along with four other of our drivers Kelly, Kevin, Ron, Robbie and Mike and their contributions are helping to pave the way for better system for all.

Skip has done a lot in his life time and he certainly most proud of his family and his children.

Please keep an eye out for Skip's interview on our ABN (Arpin Broadcast Network).
 It will be released this Monday, February 13th.

If you have not yet checked out our " On The Road" segment on ABN please do so.
http://www.arpinbroadcastnetwork.com/Arpin-On_The_Road.html

Thank you Skip and thank you to all of Arpin's drivers.
 Arpin has the BEST drivers in the industry and we are proud of all of you.

Any one who questions the work ethic of Americans need to look no further then professional household movers and the team at Arpin Van Lines.

CHECK OUT - "ON THE ROAD" at our Arpin Broadcast Network.

" FOREVER YOUNG"

"Forever Young"

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

 

http://vodpod.com/watch/480038-bob-dylan-forever-youngfrom-the-last-waltz

Who are you.....

Who are you......when no one's watching ??

The true test that we all go through in business and in life is- who are you when no one is watching?

Who are you when your boss is not in the room?

 Who are you when you are away from your spouse?

Are you the same person?

The Kinks had a song that said you are two people, one that goes to work and one that goes home to the wife.

I try to go to the gym at least every other day and have belonged to gyms or clubs or YMCA's all my life.
I normally have a little workout routine by myself. It would be easy to cheat and not do as many reps on some days or not ride as long on the bike but who would I be cheating?
Actually it quite the opposite I try to always push myself to do one more, it is not because someone is watching or because of any competition it is for self pride.

That is what needs to drive each of us every day, self pride.

Not because your boss is watching or you want to make the other guy look bad it's because you want to do your best ALL THE TIME.

Set a goal for yourself and strive for it....every day.!

I worked with a guy who was completely different when Paul Arpin was not around. In front of Mr Arpin he was polite and said all the right things. When Mr Arpin was not around he swore and could not give a good shake about anybody else.
He did not get it.

You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Your true colors will eventually emerge.

In the end you only cheat yourself. I have found that people that lie once will lie again, the same as with those that cheat in their relationships. There is no such thing as "just one time".

That said we all make mistakes and can change if you want to.

Just be the same person all the time, and stay true to yourself and you will win in the end.

A-S-S-U-M-E

This one word is the cause of more problems in operations and in most businesses.....A-S-S-U-M-E.

In order to prevent a problem you can ASSUME anything.

Repeat yourself if need be but cover all the bases.

Look at it from every angle and gather as much information as possible. Do not leave one stone unturned.
Put your self in the other person's shoes and ask what would you need.

Over prepare, ask questions...and LISTEN !

Does the person you are speaking to sound concerned or nervous or unsure of themselves. If so stay in the circle and help them prepare so that you and they feel comfortable.

Once you ASSUME that the person you are speaking to knows something you leave yourself open for a problem. Stay ahead of it.

One of our best agents, who consistently does quality work is Studdard Moving out of Leavenworth Kansas.
They take on the philosophy of their founder, Charles Campbell, who never assumed anything.
Charles would go over every detail with every packer, laborer or driver until he was assured that he had done his very best to prepare that person to succeed. Even if that person had worked for him for decades he NEVER assumed anything. He was repetitive and relentless in HIS efforts.

DO NOT EVER ASSUME........Building a quality reputation is always a work in progress.

ALL IN....

All in.......that is what the New York Giants used as a rallying cry mid season. Their season was on the line and they had to pull it together.
They got together as a team and their theme for the rest of the year was ...ALL IN....

 They pulled together as a TEAM and took their team all the way to the championship.

At the end of the Super Bowl they all said that you just have to believe in each other and great things can happen.

This season was probably Belecheck's best coaching performance and Brady's most determined season. They are both the BEST at their craft.....you can take nothing from them.

To succeed in sports or in business you need the ALL IN philosophy.
Together you are stronger, together you can have each other's back and at the end of the day you are all better for it.

ALL IN......

Congratulations to the Giants for their championship and for the Patriots for a great season.

Listen to the man himself....Vince Lomardi

Click on the link below to hear Coach Lomardi on what it takes to be NUMBER 1

"It's not whether you get knocked down,
it's whether you get up."
-Vince Lombardi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpBKzjkpX0Y

Creating Customers for Life

Below is a email from a customer we recently moved..


..these days so many people are quick to respond to a company regarding some bad service they feel they have have gotten. I on the other hand think it's more appropriate to write when I see someone who goes above and beyond providing a service that helps everyone involved. Such was the case yesterday when I met Lorenzo Moore. The size of the truck worried me when I saw it compared to the street sizes in the RV park where my mother lives. My worries were quickly eased when Mr Moore got the truck to the front of the house quite nicely. He went way out of his way to meet us, view and tag every item that was to be moved, and quickly and carefully get them into the truck. This is the third time my family has used Arpin Van Lines for moves between Massachusetts and Florida. With company representatives like Lorenzo Moore I am sure that your company will continue to get and keep customers for a long time.

Thank you for reading this, and please let Mr Moore know of our appreciation for the excellent job he did. My mother felt he took great care of her personal items one which was a cedar chest she has had for 64 years!


That's what we're talking about.......Pride in what you do and the difference that it can make.

SOLAR

   Exciting new on the Energy Conservation Front!

Arpin’s Corporate Facility has gone Solar! In a “Switch On” ceremony yesterday the new Solar Panels atop the Arpin Corporate Facility have been turned on !!!

Making the total facility GREEN !

ARPIN CONTINUES TO BE A LEADER IN RENEWABLE ENERGY...

Why is renewable energy important?

Renewable energy is important because of the benefits it provides. The key benefits are:

Environmental Benefits

Renewable energy technologies are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact than conventional energy technologies.

Energy for our children's children's children

Renewable energy will not run out. Ever.
 Other sources of energy are finite and will some day be depleted.

 

Jobs and the Economy

Most renewable energy investments are spent on materials and workmanship to build and maintain the facilities, rather than on costly energy imports. Renewable energy investments are usually spent within the United States, frequently in the same state, and often in the same town. This means your energy dollars stay home to create jobs and fuel local economies, rather than going overseas.
Meanwhile, renewable energy technologies developed and built in the United States are being sold overseas, providing a boost to the U.S. trade deficit.

Energy Security

After the oil supply disruptions of the early 1970s, our nation has increased its dependence on foreign oil supplies instead of decreasing it. This increased dependence impacts more than just our national energy policy.

Content for this section provided in part by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Department of Energy.

We all need to congratulate and encourage leaders like Peter Arpin that understand the importance of Renewable Energy......THANK YOU PETER !

The Devil on your shoulder

We have lost two very good employees in the past few years and they both died too young.
Kevin Sullivan, who was our West Coast dispatcher and most recently Steve Sweet, who was once in our safety department.

Both had the devil on their shoulder, both had bouts with alcohol and drugs.

I am very familiar with this devil as it has been in my family for years. My dad and both sisters have had and some still do have this terrible disease effect their life's.

With Steve's passing I once again wonder how different someones life could have been if they were not bitten by this devil.

All of the people that I know that have fought this battle all have good hearts and when sober and straight they are some of the nicest people that I knew.
Unfortunately it takes hold of them and changes the direction of their entire life.

All we can do as outsiders is to be honest with them and to be there for them.
Believe me I know that this is easier said than done because ultimately the only person that can help them is themselves.

If you know of anybody that fits this mold hang in there, fight the fight with them and realize that most of the time that the person themselves  do not even like what they are doing or their predicament.
They are stuck in death spiral and do not know how to get off.

Every one has a different bottom before they decide to seek help and some never do.

Steve and Kevin are missed and I know that in their heart of hearts they were good people and it is a loss for so many.
Steve was only 50 years old and leaves behind four daughters, ages 15-22.

May GOD bless both Steve and Kevin and may they rest in peace.

Help someone if you can, a life is too precious to have the devil win.