Author Archives: Kevin

About Kevin

I am extremely interested in both current events and the ever evolving world of technology. Business and finance have exceedingly become important areas to me, as well. Over the next few years, I hope to log many interesting personal views and opinions concerning important aspects of the world in which we live. Keep in mind that all content posted by me on this web site reflects only my personal views and opinions and not those of anyone else.

LinkedIn Endorsements – Love ‘em or Hate ‘em?

Posted on by
Reply

Whether you love them or hate them, I think LinkedIn Endorsements are a fairly good gauge of your professional skills, and especially your online professional persona.  I promised myself that after my personal LinkedIn profile achieved 99+ (99+) Endorsements in any particular category then I would share some of my honest observations on the topic of LinkedIn Endorsements.

I checked a few of my LinkedIn contacts at random and viewed their Endorsements.  Knowing all these persons in various capacities whether it be only virtually, in-person or a mixture of both, I can say that most of these persons highly ranked Endorsements personified their professional skills fairly decently.  In other words, LinkedIn Endorsements might not deserve the harsh criticism they received when initially launched about one year ago.

Are Skills Perception or Reality? (…and does it matter as long as it is accurate)
linkedin reqs 011016Let’s dig a bit deeper and see if LinkedIn Endorsements are truly representative of one’s professional skills.  As a reference, my personal LinkedIn Skills & Endorsements screen print as of 1/10/16 is listed to the left.  As you can see the three Skills for which I have 99+ Endorsements are ‘SaaS’, ‘Enterprise Software’ and ‘Cloud Computing’.

With over 100 of my professional contacts ‘endorsing’ me for each skill, (without asking or any sort of encouragement) anyone that didn’t know me personally would think that my entire career might have been in the solutions and software business.

Au contraire! (On the contrary)

I have never worked one minute for a ‘SaaS’ (as-a-Service) company.  Never have I received a paycheck ever from any ‘Cloud Computing’ organization.  Nor have I been a part of an ‘Enterprise Software’, until the past few years.  So what does this mean exactly?  Are all my Endorsements bogus, or is it misguided individuals or is it blatant propaganda?  None of this – let me explain.

 

Where there is smoke, there is (professional) fire!

Passion for work, industry and others is I’m sure where my Endorsements came from.  People know Kevin Neal as an extremely passionate professional about the topics of SaaS, Enterprise Software and Cloud Computing.  I don’t hide this passion; in fact I embrace it and wish to share experiences with others with such interests.

* I am a proud Professional Member of AIIM (aiim.org) – A nonprofit educational organization of the topic of Information Management

* I am honored to be a ‘Expert Blogger’ on the topic of ‘Capture’ for AIIM’s web communities

* I genuinely enjoy using my personal time sharing my knowledge freely with others and with no expectations in-turn.  A few examples are below:

    • SaaS:  saas
    • Enterprise Software:  enterprise
    • Cloud Computing:  cloud

In summary, my professional life is an open book which I am glad to share with others.  I feel it is a pay-it-forward type attitude for those that have helped me so much in my personal career.  I can’t thank them enough and I would just encourage others to do the same.  Share your experiences, express your thoughts and have an opinion.

Carl Cook (Oct. 8, 1918-Oct. 25, 2014)

Posted on by
Reply

carl cookOct. 8, 1918-Oct. 25, 2014

Carl Cook, 96, of Sallisaw passed away on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, in Talihina. He was born on Oct. 8, 1918, in Brent to Lewis and Georgia Cook. He married Christine Dotson on Dec. 31, 1939, in Sallisaw. She preceded him in death on March 31, 2001.

Mr. Cook was the founder of Blunt Baptist Church, a teacher of Veteran’s Agriculture Training Program, a caseworker for the State of Oklahoma and a furniture and mattress maker. He served in World War II in General Patton’s 3rd Infantry.

He leaves to mourn his passing, one daughter, Georgia Christine McAlister of Oklahoma City; one son and daughter-in-law, Lewis C. Cook M.D. and Janie of Texarkana, Texas; seven grandchildren, Les Ruark of Tulsa, Greg Ruark of Mustang, Kurt Ruark of Sallisaw and John Cook, Dr. David Cook, Lisa Soyars and William Cook all of Texarkana; 10 great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Sarah, Maggie and Harris Cook, Ben, Will and Sophia Jane Soyers, Rachel Ruark Byrd, Steven and Sean Ruark, Tabitha Ruark Kreilaus and Hannah and Emily Ruark; three great-great-grandchildren, Nathan Daniel Byrd, Noelle Christine Byrd and Bonham Reid Ruark; one brother, Floyd Neal of Colfax, Calif.; and one sister, Mary Alice Blackford of Sallisaw.

 

cookcarl_agent

Is it 2015 already?!?!

Posted on by
2

2015 calendarIt’s the strange time of year for me.  As fall sets-in and we start considering what Halloween costume we are going to wear or we start planning our feast for Thanksgiving and business generally slows down, it’s always just the opposite for me – and I love it!

This is where a competitive advantage can set you ahead.  Before the end of 2014 I have much activity planned and many initiatives to take care of.  I’m really excited about these great opportunities.  Also, the clarity of a mid-term plan into 2015, and even further ahead is becoming clear through effective communication.  This is absolutely refreshing.

neal family cover

Lotsa Family Events still in 2014

But, of course, the work-life balance comes into play and family is the first priority.  So between now and end of year my schedule goes something like this:

  • Mom birthday
  • Halloween
  • Brother Birthday
  • Thanksgiving
  • Other Brother Birthday
  • Christmas
  • Wife Birthday

So, here’s wishing you a terrific closing to 2014 and great opening to 2015 no matter how you choose to spend your time.  Your time is precious so spend it how YOU choose to.

-Kevin

‘Wake Up Dead’ – Megadeth (Music Review)

Posted on by
Reply

Megadeth_-_Peace_Sells..._But_Who's_Buying-

The song ‘Wake Up Dead’ by Megadeth has been a favorite of mine from the first time I heard it.  As the lead track for Megadeth’s ‘Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?’ album, ‘Wake Up Dead’ was not the most popular song on the album due to the smashing success of other singles such as the title track, ‘Peace Sells’.  However, ‘Wake Up Dead’ certainly does not disappoint heavy-metal header-banger enthusiasts in the least.

As always Megadeth delivers a great sound for the song that is groovy if you like heavy metal music but this song has particular harmony among the sound and lyrics that is uncanny.  The song itself is a short-story about someone getting home from a late-night of drinking and crawling into bed with a wife that might bit a tad upset (to say the least).

The sound:  While ‘Wake Up Dead’ has all the common attributes of the Megadeth sound, there certainly is a unique rhythm and cadence of this particular song that flows beautifully with the lyrics.  It’s almost as-if Dave Mustaine himself had lived some of these described life events personally:

“I had too much to drink,

Said I was out with the boys,

I creep in my bedroom,

I slip into bed,

I know if I wake her,

I’ll wake up dead”

The lyrics:  The tone and demeanor in which ‘Wake Up Dead’ is performed by Dave is what I personally love about this song.  Definitely check-out some of his YouTube performances if you have a chance because these videos much better capture the spirit of the song.  For some reason to me the word ‘ironic’ wants to be an appropriate one-word description of ‘Wake Up Dead’.

For the great combination of ironic lyrics and incredible sound, the song ‘Wake Up Dead’ by Megadeth deserves highest possible KevinNeal Steeler Star rating of ten-out-of-ten stars!

steeler_star_smallsteeler_star_smallsteeler_star_smallsteeler_star_smallsteeler_star_smallsteeler_star_smallsteeler_star_smallsteeler_star_smallsteeler_star_smallsteeler_star_small