What do Hershey, Pennsylvania, 700 Verizon second-level managers, and the month of April have in common? An executive team, led by Claire Beth Nogay, SVP & Chief Network Officer, who is eager to update the Verizon managers about the company’s latest challenges, will discuss Best Practices, and arm them with knowledge that empowers them to do their job better.

Why gather these Network Services professionals together now, at a time when there’s so much to do in the field and so little time to deliver on commitments? Because now, more than ever, they need updates, education, collegial problem-solving sessions, and connection with their leaders.

Some may grumble at this thought. I call these folks eeyores. They walk around like the little gray donkey from the classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories; they are always worried about the potential for rain. (Interestingly, a storm cloud seems to follow them wherever they go.) These people put up a fight to remain pessimistic, no matter how excited their peers get about something new and energizing in their work world. And though A.A Milne’s Eeyore is cute in a donkey-downer kind of way, these people are not endearing.

Why do I bring up eeyores on the eve of Verizon’s 2008 Technology Forum? Because a few of you may find yourself feeling a bit Eeyore-like if you’re not a part of the experience.

If you work with another provider, be hopeful that your company will see the benefits of such an event when we share the highlights in print in an upcoming issue of OSP™ Magazine. Maybe your company will create a similar event for you. Or, if you’re a part of the Verizon team and can’t attend the forum, take heart. Knowledge of great things doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Your team leaders are asked to bring things back, and everyone wins when they share the new wealth of knowledge with you.

But mostly, remain open to enriching ideas whether you’re at the Verizon Technology Forum or not. During the most harried times, we must remember to recharge and re-invest in ourselves. It’s responsible and respectful to our company, our colleagues, our families, and ourselves. (And who really wants to be an eeyore anyway?)

Questions? Comments? Contact Sharon via her email: sharon@ospmag.com