JeffWilhelm.com

Quick Post

It's been awhile since the last post; things have been very busy!

We have made some progress on the wedding planning, and have finalized a date and a place. We have also picked a caterer and photographer, and are close to picking a florist. So far everything is going great, and all of Jill's research into the vendors is paying off. We love the venue we picked for the ceremony and reception, and since we're coming up on the one year mark before the wedding it's time to really start digging in.

The house is coming along well. I feel the move-in date slipping a bit, based on the progress and projected timeline for the remaining items. We have picked the paint colors, which are going up this week and next, the front door and hardwood floor stains, the granite went in (mostly), and everything is moving ahead. We decided we didn't like the mantle (not the mantle itself, just the way it looked on the stone fireplace) so that's going to be redone a bit. The faucets, sinks, and other fixtures are ready to go in, the tile wok (or tile work!) is being done next week I think, but it's coming along!

Time to go, 9a conference call...

Job Opening: Marketing Database Analyst

Position Title: Marketing Database Analyst
Member Of: Marketing Division
Location: Ft Myers, Florida

The Marketing Database Analyst is responsible for the management and quality of our marketing data warehouse and will provide expert data analysis/reporting services to business stakeholders. The scope of this position encompasses executing demand generation activities, campaign tracking efforts and ad hoc analysis for the acquisition of new customers through several channels (online and offline), retention marketing efforts, and sequencing of offers to existing customers/registered users of AccuLeads.com to increase share of wallet. This role requires hands-on experience for the timely execution of deliverables and directing/project managing internal staff (or external consultants/vendors) when required to meet critical deadlines.

Performance will be measured on the following critical competencies:
(1) Marketing Campaign List Development
(2) Marketing Analytics and Campaign Reporting
(3) Marketing Database Management and Database Hygiene

Standard Qualifications:

BA/BS in marketing, business or statistics
Minimum of 1-3 years of direct marketing experience is required. Ideal candidate will have prior experience in contact center or telemarketing operations management and the execution of customer acquisition programs, customer database administration and marketing analytics.
Maintains documentation of each database/project including, but not limited to, procedures for generating reports, maintaining data files and databases, a data dictionary and database archives or backups.
Demonstrated hands-on, detail-oriented project management experience with a high sense of accountability and integrity to drive results.
Strong business acumen, with abilities to assess business needs and charge forward with a solutions-oriented focus.
Comfortable with ambiguity and able to identify or pursue goals without close supervision in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated capability for managing/juggling multiple assignments and tasks simultaneously is essential.
Power user with Excel, Access, Visio and Goldmine contact management software.
Knowledge of statistical analysis including techniques for segmentation, data hygiene and data cleansing.
Act as a liaison between the Marketing department and IT when required.

Preferred Experience:

Experience working with large and complex data files which includes analyzing file structure, using/creating file layouts, and transforming raw data into reports or products.
Knowledge of call center best practices, permission-based marketing, DNC regulations, and online privacy.
Change agent with ability to influence leaders and others to adopt/embrace new initiatives and challenges.

Job Opening: Front End Developer (CSS, JavaScript, HTML)

About Us

Location Inc® is a Rhode-Island based company whose primary product is NeighborhoodScout.com®, a neighborhood search engine helping home buyers, movers, and investors find their perfect neighborhoods. In the last 12 months NeighborhoodScout has served more than 1.8 million consumers and been covered by the New York Times, U.S. News, Parade Magazine, and ABC News. The company is about to launch an all-new consumer-facing site to serve over half a million unique visitors per month.

About the Position

We are searching for an exceptional Front End Web Developer to join our team of professionals.

*If you are the best at CSS and JavaScript, we want you as part of our team.*

The successful candidate will have broad experience and a passion for creating world-class products. This person will be someone who can take a visual layout of a web application, do the cut up, and implement a solution in XHTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The candidate must be able to manipulate elements via the DOM, send and receive data using XMLHttpRequest, and have a working knowledge of one or more frameworks such as Prototype, Dojo, and YUI, and hand-code from scratch. The successful candidate will also have a working knowledge of Photoshop, and of XSL, and basic familiarity with Linux OS.

A Bachelor's degree is required and qualified individuals will possess 5+ years of front end web development experience, preferably for consumer-focused community, entertainment, or e-commerce products.

As the ideal candidate, you will have passion for and pride in your work. You will be problem-solving, proactive, and smart-thinking. If there is an issue with the spec, you will tell us before you code to it. You're the kind of person who likes conceiving of a better way to do something, but who can compromise when existing technology interferes. Demonstrated communication and collaboration skills are essential, including solid SDLC experience.

Location

This position is based at our Woonsocket, Rhode Island headquarters, just 8 miles from I-495 (Mass.), less than 20 minutes from downtown Providence.

Compensation

We want the best, and in turn we are offering highly competitive compensation, a great work environment, and a chance to be part of something truly great - all without having to drive to Boston! This is a full-time direct hire position that offers PPO health benefits, 401(k), paid vacations and holidays, and unlimited gourmet coffee!

How to Apply

If this opportunity sounds right for you, please e-mail your resume and a cover letter describing you and your previous experience. In addition, please include a sample of your best work.

Condo For Sale...

http://www.riliving.com/PropSearch/cndformdetails.asp?MLSid=841819

Life: Explained.... Makes You Think! :)

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs. I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

"And after that?" asked the Mexican.

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the Mexican.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."

So I guess the moral of the story is... know where you're going in life... you may already be there.

Quick Post

It's been awhile since I last posted, but I have been adding house construction pictures a couple of times a week to make up for it.

The house is coming along nicely. The stone on the front is almost done -- maybe one or two more days of work there. Then the masonry contractors move inside and get working on the fireplace! Although I am not actually sure if they start that next, or if there is some delay while other work is done inside. Inside the house we finished the electrical, ethernet, coaxial cable, surround sound wiring for the main room, HDMI runs, some conduit runs, whole-house (not whole, but that's what they call it) audio runs, and the alarm system wiring. After that they finished the insulation and should be hanging the wall board soon.

Of course right on cue, a few months before moving, the water heater at the condo died. Two or three months ago this problem started, and what would happen is that the pilot light would go out. With the pilot light off the water heater couldn't fire on to heat the water, so I would have to go out there a couple of times a day (mornings before showers, before doing laundry or dishes, when I got home from work...) to relight the pilot. Pretty annoying, so I had the thermocoupler replaced after doing some research. The pilot light stayed lit after that, and everything was good. Disaster averted I thought, although considering the water heater was from the mid-90s I was just crossing my fingers that it would keep working until we moved. Although of course on the flip side I knew it would come up during the inspection for the new buyers, so part of me was thinking it might just make sense, and make an easier sale, to replace the water heater. Well the decision was made for me, because last week the pilot light went out and we're back where we were three months ago. I got quotes for the water heater, installation, and removal of the old unit from Lowes, Home Depot, GEM Plumbing, etc... and finalized all the details late on Friday. The new unit should go in early next week.

Of course this all happened at the most perfect time of course, considering how busy last week was... most of my day Friday was spent with Simon, an IT Director at Equifax, auditing the physical and technical security of one our offices and data centers. After the tours and questions we had a three hour conference call with more folks, with more questions. A very long day, but I really liked the guy and it was pretty informative too.

Back to the house updates, and then time to go get ready for the day... We are now officially behind on picking items on the selection schedule. Specifically we are behind on tile and grout, kitchen and bathroom door handles / knobs, granite, and master bathroom sinks. I think there is another thing too, but I can't even remember. We have to get it in gear! :)

So Busy...

Jill and I have both been very busy. Not much to write since the pictures have probably been tracking the progress with the house better than I could explain here anyway... the rest of the time we have spent together have pretty much been trying to do some wedding planning. I had the electrical walkthrough this morning where we mapped out all the lighting, cable jacks, ethernet jacks, electrical receptacles, wall switches, etc... hopefully the weather will improve though so the stone outside can be finished. Allright, well back to work -- just wanted to post a quick update!

Help!

OK, poll time.

Pick the color of our house from the following color chart:

http://www.jeffwilhelm.com/pictures/pictures.showpic.php?img=2008-January24-6&size=original

Post your choice...