Critic

After spending a lot of time on a few special projects, I got rocked. Slapped in the face. Put down. My boss' boss' boss asked me to do some things, and I did them. But apparently it wasn't how the person he was doing it for wanted it. But I never got that information. So he just slammed me for not doing it right. But I'm really sure I did everything I was asked. If it wasn't what he wanted, either the person doing it before me was doing it wrong, or he didn't give me good instructions. He obviously isn't good at giving feedback. Whether it was just the way he communicated it, or whether he really felt I did a bad job, it definitely felt like I took a serious hit. And apparently I'm not the only one picking up on this sentiment. My boss and my boss' boss both mentioned their impressions separately. It looks like I'll have to adjust my work. That's the corporate game.

Dressing Up

Today (actually, all week) we have another of our infinite Casual Days. Usually, I just ignore them, and suffer through Business Casual. I stick out like a sore thumb even then. But on casual day, I might as well be wearing a tux. But of course, today (and all week) is Passover. So I wore a suit and tie to celebrate the occasion. They can make me work on a holiday, but they can't keep me from celebrating a holiday at work.

But of course, I succeeded in sticking out more than usual. No less than two senior people asked whether I'd seen the memo about casual day. And no less than two people asked how my interview went.

I'll keep marching to my own beat. I don't think anyone thought it was bad.

Hotshot

Not so much to do with Kosher, but I had Finance Orientation on Thursday and Friday. I got to meet Kraft's CFO. In a company this big, it takes a special occasion for this to happen. I asked him a question about the company's position regarding leasing of assets. He basically told me that the company was so cash rich, it had no need to lose percentages on leasing. That answer doesn't fully account for all benefits of leasing, but I let him get away with that for now. Then I asked him about the recent divestitures, and why they are cutting all these businesses lose if they have as much cash as he says. He told me that these are "tail" businesses, and our resources are wasted on them. He told me that with $3 billion in cash flow a year, $1 goes to dividends, $1 goes to buy back stock, and $1 goes to pay down debt. So basically, they really can't think of anything to do with their money. I'd leverage that cash up and go on an acquisition spree. Even if I couldn't integrate a business, it would still be worth buying it on a cash return basis alone. Short of that, I'd decrease the company's capital investment to a minimum, so that investor's could find better investments for themselves if I couldn't use their money.

Bottom line, I was not exactly thrilled with Kraft's future. I'm definitely not buying any stock for now.

On a separate note, I was able to eat some of the packaged snacks they fed us with at the orientation. And at the cocktail reception, I had to forgo the h'or Deurves, but was able to enjoy the Planters cocktail peanut mixes (OU). And I got away from speaking with the CFO just in time to cut out and make it to a minyan for Mincha!

Website

I emailed the webmaster for the www.kraftfoods.com website. I asked who was maintaining the http://www.kraftfoods.com/kosher page. I got a response back that "The requested information was not available at this time." Gee, you'd think somebody had to be updating it. And I told them I was an employee.

This seriously slows down my efforts to educate Kraft employees about what Kosher can mean to the business. First they're going to have to get a hold of the company.

Catching On...

I've stocked my cubicle with a wide selection of tasty treats. The food has been disappearing pretty fast, leading me to believe that my efforts to win over my coworkers. I thought they would be awed by my altruistic methods, but one of them came by and said, "So, you're clearing out for Passover?" I actually was awed by her perception.

Return

It's been awhile. I have so much else going on for a change, that this blog has been put on the back burner. I guess that's a good thing.

My mother showed me an insert in a Jewish magazine appropriately named "Kraft Kosher." It was a compilation of recipes that could be Kosher. I guess that is a start. Apparently Kraft is at least smart enough to have somebody aimed at the Kosher audience. Now I just have to find out who that person is and how much leeway they have. I can leverage them for my numerous other attempts at taking over Kraft. I think I'm going to push on my Kraft Cookbook. Basically it involves me getting Kraft to pay me for putting together a cookbook, that they can put their name on and insert their ingredients.

Let's see how far I get.