New Employee Announcement: Jason Smith, Java Developer

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Jason joined the Managed Solution team as a Java Developer on January 18, 2016. Growing up around farm equipment and having a passion for old cars, Jason began his career as a mechanic at ten years old when he decided to purchase and restore a 68’mustang. Jason took this passion to the service and later worked his way up to designing engines and mods for Marionette Marine (FMSNA), the biggest ship builder in the world. Jason changed to Software Engineering in 2014 due to a physical disability, and now joins us as he finishes up his Bachelors in Software Development at the end of 2016.
Jason was born in Deer Creak, Oklahoma. After joining the marines in 2008, he moved around to San Diego, North Carolina, and Hawaii. While in the service, he traveled to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ireland before moving back to San Diego in 2012, where he met his wife. Jason is now happily married with three children, two cats named Ozzy Osbourne and Otis Redding and a Husky named Delilah. Jason and his family love taking trips to SeaWorld and the beach.
Jason considers himself a hot rod junkie because he loves anything with wheels and an engine. He has a 2010 Dodge Challenger r/t classic Mopar edition with the drag pack, a 2003 Chevy 2500 HD crew cab lifted truck with a 400 small block, and a 1/10 scale RC that has a brush less engine that he drives 70+mph on the track. Jason loves building fast cars no matter their size so when he’s not in the office or doing school work, he’s probably working on his cars or motorcycle. His dream is to open his own hot rod shop someday, so he also spends time trying to get his startup off the ground.
At Managed Solution, we strive to be the best technology based company by investing in our top assets; our people - CAREERS

Five steps to a strong company culture

office 365 nonprofit - managed solution

Five steps to a strong company culture

"Great leaders inspire. They pull in talented and high-performing staffers. But behind each powerful leader you'll find something equally powerful: a company culture that motivates people to work hard and stay with the business."
As long as you have a business, you have a company culture. Instead of leaving it to grow on its own, you can nurture it and make it into something that will breed loyalty and motivation. Creating a strong culture—one of fun, sharing, collaboration, and connection—can be done in five simple steps, according to Carol Skube, a Minneapolis-based human resources consultant.

Step 1: Understand

A strong culture is founded on more than just paid lunches or personalized parking spaces. Great leaders understand what is important to their employees. As a business leader, developing a strong company culture starts when you take steps to find out what motivates the people who work for you.
The process of understanding starts with communication. Talk to your employees to find out what you both expect from the job, Skube says. This will help you clarify your expectations of your staff and, in turn, help you learn what motivates them. It will also send a message to your staff that collaboration and communication are important to your company.
As you talk to your employees, you also will learn what's important to them. This understanding will help you build a culture of fun and sharing that is appropriate for your company, rather than one based on your idea of what people might enjoy.

Step 2: Take action

Once you've taken the time to understand your employees, it's time to take action. This follow-through is important, as it shows that you have taken your employees' interests and concerns to heart.
Try this simple exercise: Divide a blank piece of paper into four quadrants labeled fun, sharing, collaboration, and connection. For each heading, brainstorm a list of actions you can implement to improve your company culture in this area. For example, under "fun" you may have things like a Friday drawing for free passes for dinner, a movie, or some other treat.
When you take action, it's important to set yourself up for success. Rather than doing everything at once, try implementing a selection of ideas that you know you can do and do well. Highlight a few of the items from your brainstorming list that you'd like to implement immediately. The rest you can save on a prioritized wish list of things to do later.

Step 3: Involve

A company culture comes from all employees. When it's successful, it's something that you start and that your employees continue.
Ask your employees how they think they can contribute to the success of the business and its culture. Encouraging them to take a personal stake in the company can nurture a new and positive energy, Skube says. When this happens, your employees have gone beyond their day-to-day duties. They now feel responsible for the company's success.

Step 4: Collaborate

At this stage, your employees should be involved in your company culture. Now comes the time to grow, deepen, and further develop it. This is where collaboration really comes into play.
Give your employees the room they need to follow through with their own ideas. This doesn't mean allowing them to go off in all kinds of different directions. In your pivotal role as the leader, it is up to you to oversee and guide this creative force along the right path. Encourage them, but discuss concrete ways of putting ideas into action, and hold them to any agreed-upon action plan.
It's important the employees understand that the perks and benefits they enjoy come as a result of this work. Individuals who view them as an expectation can potentially affect the entire group attitude in a negative way. "Are people going to be held accountable for meeting their objectives and delivering their commitments? If I'm not held accountable, I may or may not do it," Skube says.

Step 5: Demand accountability

Company culture isn't something you start and then ignore. Like a well-tended garden, a strong culture is the result of creativity and care. Make accountability part of your culture, through strong communication and follow-up. Make it easy to communicate with tools like Yammer and Lync Online in Office 365.
You will know if your culture has been built effectively if your employees are not only trying out new ideas but meeting expectations and commitments regularly. Their interests and needs will change as your company grows. Take the time to re-evaluate these motivation factors if you find a change in performance.

Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/business/articles/five-steps-to-a-strong-company-culture

Managed Solution Kicked off the New Year with Seven Microsoft Certified Competencies. Dedicated Engineers Pass over 5 Dozen Exams… Knocking the Home Run Derby Employee Incentive Program Out of the Park!

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Since the launch of the Home Run Derby program in May 2015, engineers have successfully passed over 5 dozen exams, helping Managed Solution start off 2016 with the below Microsoft competencies:

Certifications help engineers grow professionally as well as help Managed Solution grow as a company. Congratulations to everyone who helped obtain these new organizational level Microsoft competencies and best of luck to the fourteen engineers on deck to bat, with tests scheduled in the near future.

Shaun Fagan Player of the Month (January 2016)

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Congratulations to Shaun Fagan, Project Manager, for being selected as Managed Solution’s January 2016 Player of the Month.
This award is given on a monthly basis to a Managed Solution employee who has done an amazing job of exemplifying and living up to the Managed Solution Core Values.
The Managed Solution leadership team selected Shaun Fagan as Player of the Month because he has shown great communication between teams. Shaun consistently proves to be a great team player at work, and he also proves to handle difficult clients with ease. Shaun, who has been with Managed Solution for over three years now, also works hard outside of the office to further his education.
Shaun is originally from Costa Mesa and now lives in Lake Elsinore. He has one son who is 24 years old that he spends a lot of time with, as shown above at Snow Summit. In his free time, he enjoys snowboarding, biking, hiking, playing the guitar, shooting, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Shaun’s hard work ethic, extraordinary communication skills, and outstanding client service prove he deserves to be recognized as this month’s Player of the Month.
Managed Solution recognizes outstanding employees (players) by awarding them Player of the Month. This award is given on a monthly basis to a Managed Solution player who has knocked the socks off of one of our members of leadership by living up to the Managed Solution Core Values on a daily basis. Our values are important. They’re the foundation behind all we do. Players of the Month are recognized and highlighted on the Wall of Fame and rewarded with an extra day of PTO to use on a day of their choice.
Congratulations to all of our Players of the Month:
Here at Managed Solution we thrive in an energetic, performance-driven environment where results, teamwork, and quality of customer satisfaction are recognized and rewarded. Our corporate culture is diverse, open and creative. We look for team members with proven experience, a strong sense of passion and dedication to the highest levels of excellence, technology and business ethics.
At Managed Solution, we strive to be the best technology based company by investing in our top assets; our people - CAREERS

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Tina Rountree Player of the Month (December 2015)

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Congratulations to Tina Rountree, Business Development Manager, for being selected as Managed Solution's December 2015 Player of the Month.
This award is given on a monthly basis to a Managed Solution employee who has done an amazing job of exemplifying and living up to the Managed Solution Core Values.
The Managed Solution leadership team selected Tina Rountree as Player of the Month because she not only exceeded her sales goal for the year, but she continues to enhance her knowledge of technology with certification courses, conferences and seminars while also inspiring her colleagues and other women in the field. Tina recently became the President of the San Diego Community of Women in Technology (WIT), whose mission is to connect creative, innovative and hardworking women for the purpose of providing mutual support in achieving professional and personal goals. On December 10, 2015 Tina organized two great events highlighting women leaders who are working in technology. Hoover Academy of Information Technology students who are interested in pursuing careers in technology enjoyed an afternoon event featuring a movie screening of Big Dream, Q&A with a panel of women leaders and some fun games. The Future of Tech: See how Women in Tech are Inspiring Great Minds held at the Microsoft Stores in San Diego, CA and Scottsdale, AZ were both special evenings for women leaders who are passionate about changing the ratio of women in tech. Several guests brought their daughters and together guests shared their knowledge and resources to help young women understand and expand their potential as future leaders in technology – from the classroom to the boardroom.
Tina's passion for technology is inspiring to her colleagues, young women, as well as leaders in technology, therefore leadership is excited to award her dedication and hard work with this month's Player of the Month.
Managed Solution recognizes outstanding employees (players) by awarding them Player of the Month. This award is given on a monthly basis to a Managed Solution player who has knocked the socks off of one of our members of leadership by living up to the Managed Solution Core Values on a daily basis. Our values are important. They’re the foundation behind all we do. Players of the Month are recognized and highlighted on the Wall of Fame and rewarded with an extra day of PTO to use on a day of their choice.
Congratulations to all of our Players of the Month:
Here at Managed Solution we thrive in an energetic, performance-driven environment where results, teamwork, and quality of customer satisfaction are recognized and rewarded. Our corporate culture is diverse, open and creative. We look for team members with proven experience, a strong sense of passion and dedication to the highest levels of excellence, technology and business ethics.
At Managed Solution, we strive to be the best technology based company by investing in our top assets; our people - CAREERS

Merry Christmas! We wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

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Merry Christmas! We wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

Hope you're not working over the holidays, but if you are....
Our 24/7 On-Call Support will be available throughout the holiday to assist customers with any urgent support needs and can be reached at 858-429-3000 , Option 2.
For non-urgent issues, please submit a ticket by emailing helpdesk@managedsolution.com

Happy Holidays from the Managed Solution Team! Check out this fun, interactive take on the 12 days of Christmas, Managed Solution Style!

Hope you're not working over the holidays, but if you are.... 24/7 On-Call Support will be available throughout the holiday to assist customers with any urgent support needs and can be reached at 858-429-3000 [Call: 858-429-3000] , Option 2.
For non-urgent issues, please submit a ticket by emailing helpdesk@managedsolution.com
We wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

New Team Member: Tony Pecora, Technical Account Manager

Tony Work PhotoTony Pecora joined the Managed Solution team as Technical Account Manager on November 23, 2015. Tony started working in the managed services provider (MSP) space seven years ago and never looked back. He has experience working for larger companies including schools, Cardinal Health, Houghton Mifflin, etc. but prefers life in the MSP world because he loves the comradery and the ability to wear "multiple hats," while being able to make significant changes in a client's business.
Tony's favorite job before MSP life was tutoring at his first alma matter, Mira Costa College - he even still keeps in touch with the tutoring coordinator. Tony tutored introductory English, Physics, and a range in Mathematics from Pre-Algebra through Calculus III.
Tony grew up in Virginia and moved to San Diego when he was fifteen. After eighteen years in SoCal he moved to San Francisco but plans on moving back to wonderful San Diego in a month. Tony is an active person and enjoys softball, the gym, the shooting range and paddle-boarding. He's been on several competitive softball teams but says he stays away from tournaments because of the attitudes a lot of people bring.
Tony Valencia Peak

Tony exploring the outdoors at Valencia Peak

Along with several co-workers at MS, Tony is a motorcycle rider and has strong preferences for.. and against food. Tony says he's not a picky eater, but he can't stand bacon, cheese, salt, cilantro, or any kind of salad dressing, although he recently made peace with sesame vinaigrette. He's never had coffee and isn't a fan of caffeine so doesn't think he's missing out. He does say there is no such thing as too much garlic, or sugar, or BBQ anything (sauce, meat, BBQs, etc.)!
We're excited to have Tony on board, please join us in welcoming him to the Managed Solution team!
At Managed Solution, we strive to be the best technology based company by investing in our top assets; our people - CAREERS