Clever Duck Days

Clever Ducks Take to Water

2009-09-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

On the hottest day of the year (111 degrees at SLO Airport), the Clever Ducks took to the water... Morro Bay that is for a picnic and kayaking. The timing was superb as it was hot but not as hot on the bay. Here's a link to the album of photos.

I get by with a little help from my friends…

2009-08-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

Late last week Channel Pro, a national trade magazine focused on the small and medium sized business IT providers, called and wanted to send a photographer up to SLO from LA to shoot images at our office to go with an interview I gave a few weeks earlier. That was great news, of course. And our friends at Wingswept were key in the interview and its contents. (I’ll post a link to it here once it comes out).

But then, I immediately thought, how am I going to make the office and me look good. So I called on some good friends. It all went well yesterday. And I want to thank my friends:

Janet Hooper of Recreated Spaces for dressing up the office
Ian Saude of iansaude.com for the fabulous jewelry and wadrobe consulting
Coverings for the great clothes
Salon Lux and Marissa for the great makeup
Christa at Jassi and Christa’s for the great hair

Thanks to my staff for accommodating all the commotion here . It was quite a production. And thanks to the photographer Steve Morales, for making the trip up. And his assistant Brian. We look forward to seeing the results.

Cal Poly Wheelchair and Rotary Mission to Oaxaca

2009-08-10T07:40:00.001-07:00

We met our intern Jordan through the planning for the mission. He's just back and here's the video that will show you the brightest lights are those that give back. Jordan, thanks for sharing your light at Clever Ducks this summer too! Congratulations on a great mission to help those who need it most!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7BO-3LOZwI

Happy System Admin Day

2009-07-31T13:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a big thanks to all the system admins that keep things running behind the scenes!
July 31 is your day!

http://www.sysadminday.com/

Junior Life Guards at Avila

2009-07-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

It is summer and Junior Lifeguards (and a sandy house) are a big part of my life. Sophia came in 3rd in Carpenteria in Girl's Paddling. Way to go! Ducks take to water, as you all know!

Customer Service is Everything

2009-07-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

I saw this sign at Rancho Grande Motors this week and thought it was worth sharing. Without customer focus there is no reason to be in business. A good reminder!

Matt's Wife Wins: Smiles all around

2009-07-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

So Lisa enters this contest for sending someone a smile and mega candy bouquet and Matt gets this today. How cool is that? It made the whole office smile. And the Lindt chocolates went fast. Thanks for making us all smile, Lisa!

End of Another Rotary Year

2009-06-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Bob Hather for a successful year at the helm of the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo. For more info see www.slorotary.org Our focus this year was clean water to the Third World. I hope Bob forgives me for squirting him with a mega squirt gun at the demotion! He was all geared up for it after all!
Julie Aguilar is our incoming president and just back from the international meeting in Birmingham, England.

Bicycle Coalition Presents Clever Ducks with Livable Community Award

2009-06-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 30th, the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition honored Clever Ducks Computer Network Services with a Livable Community Award to celebrate the company’s dedication to promoting bicycle transportation. For the last two years, Clever Ducks has generously donated office space to the Bicycle Coalition, which has made it possible for the organization to achieve enormous success in advocating for better bikeways. “We are enormously grateful for the support of Clever Ducks” said Adam Fukushima, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition. “Without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to do the work that we do.” One other organization and an individual also received the award this year: the San Luis Obispo Bike Club and volunteer Gary Havas.

Clever Ducks is in good company. Past recipients of the award include the City of San Luis Obispo, Congresswoman Lois Capps, bicycle educators Kevin Christian and Rod Hoadley, and SLO City Planner Peggy Mandeville.

The awards is presented annually during May’s Bike Month to individuals and organizations which have made significant contributions to bicycling and walking in San Luis Obispo County.

We love the SLO County Bicycle Coallition

2009-06-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

It is Clever Ducks pleasure to donate office space to our friends, the Bicycle Coallition. They have made us proud over with lots of accomplishments. We love how they make cycling safer for kids, easier for commuters and appreciated by everyone.
Kudos to Adam and Dan for a job well done! You can feel proud of your many accomplishments. We are glad to play a small part in your success.

Over the last five years, the Bicycle Coalition has had so many triumphs. They include:

1) working with Sacramento, Congress, and local agencies to secure $3 million for the railroad safety trail, $500,000 for the Bob Jones Trail and over $6 million for other bicycle and pedestrian projects

2)The county's first bicycle only traffic signal--one of only five in the country!

3)The county's first bicycle boulevard

4) The county's first sharrows

5) More bike lanes and wider bike lanes all over the county

6) Improved sweeping of bike lanes

7) Passage of new laws such as Complete Streets, the Bicycle Commuter Act, and Safe Routes to School

8) Over 13,000 bikes parked with our bike valet service

9) Expansion of our Bicycle Confidence Workshops

10) Bicycling improvements put in the top budget goals for the City of SLO for the last four years

Receiving Fun

2009-06-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

Jessica likes it when boxes show up. Here she is posing with a delivery of HP workstations.

Mission Possible: Mastering Your Email in Outlook and Blackberry

2009-06-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

Amy Kardel, of Clever Ducks, will help busy professionals optimize productivity when using the tools most at hand every day: Microsoft Outlook and mobile devices, with a focus on Blackberry. By gaining control of both tools, you will get better business results while reducing stress and staying in sync with the flood of emails that come your way.

Although these devices serve as your primary access to calendar events, emails and other tasks, they often become a distraction because of the amount of information that is often thrown at you. By effectively leveraging both tools, you will find it is possible to stay on task and sort through the clutter. Amy can help make life simpler by setting up some systems, using some tricks and understanding some advanced functions of your technology.
Friday, June 26 12-1 pm at Collaborations Office at 3196 S. Higuera Street, Suite D, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
RSVP for your free lunch at
http://www.collaboration-llc.com/upcoming-programs/educational-business-lunch/

Amy Kardel Bio
Amy Kardel brings over fifteen years of proven results and professional experience in the operations of international and high tech business to the job. She is the COO of Clever Ducks – Computer Network Services, a San Luis Obispo-based IT solution provider. A serial entrepreneur, she grew and then recently sold Global Accent Translation Services, a translation agency that provides technology, business and government with foreign language services. Amy loves to speak with other business leaders and share tips to help others grow their businesses.
Ms. Kardel completed degrees in UC Berkeley and Washington University, as well as graduate course work in at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Ms. Kardel returned to her native San Luis Obispo, California from Europe in 1993. She is active in the SLO Chamber of Commerce and Rotary. She enjoys living locally on the Central Coast while working globally with her husband Peter and four children.

Process is everything

2009-04-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

In small business using the right software to run your business is important to making sure processes can be standardized and efficient. We focus heavily on our core software, Connectwise. Apparently, so do our kids.

St. Patrick's Fun at Clever Ducks

2009-04-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

James made Irish Stew and brought in soda bread. We were the best fed IT support company in San Luis Obispo for sure. Thanks to our friends from the law firm of Carmel & Naccasha for joining us.

Clever the Duck goes to the Pacifc Northwest

2009-04-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

The first Starbucks is also duck-friendly.....

Ducks ride for free on buses in Seattle....

Wow, they are really into Ducks at the University of Oregon! Just look at these ladies!

Then on to the Columbia Gorge::

A stop for coffee at Stumptown:

Welcome Lacy, Director of First Impressions

2009-04-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

Lacy joins the Clever Ducks team in a newly created position, Office Administrator. You'll be seeing and talking to her on the front lines of our IT support services. Join us in welcoming Lacy, King City Native and recent graduate of UC Davis in Poli Sci. She's got great stories about Sacramento politics too.

Meet Clever the Duck

2009-04-01T17:20:00.000-07:00

Clever gets around and travels with Team Members. Look for his travel logs on this blog.

Who's up for Wheel of Fortune?

2009-03-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

Ever wanted to win luggage? Good at scrabble? Let's try out for the Wheel of Fortune! The Wheel-mobile is coming to SLO the weekend of March 28...I am up for it. Who wants to join me? After making the final round of Jeopardy try outs last year, I think I am ready :)

Team Columbia Charity Ride: Pedal to Pier

2009-02-12T07:32:00.000-08:00

You can't beat the Central Coast in the winter. What a treat compared to our friends in the cold parts of the country! Last Saturday Peter and our friend Jason Beal from Ingram Micro rode in the first Pedal to Pier metric century. The event raised money for Alpha, a charity that supports new families here in our county. Our kids enjoyed meeting some of the world's best riders: you can see Erik getting George Hincapie's signature and Kim Kirchen looking on at the BBQ afterward.
It was a beautiful day and the rain came just as we put the bikes on the cars! Team Columbia is the world's best cycling team and based right here in San Luis Obispo. You can't blame them for picking our area.
Thanks for the ride and good luck in the Tour of California! We are cheering for you!

To see the album from the day click here.

Christmas Party To Wrap Up 2008

2009-01-10T07:23:00.000-08:00

It has long been a tradition (9 years in fact!) to have an interactive meal at Central Coast Culinary with Debbi Duggan instructing. This year we went to Tuscany and wrapped it up with a new twist: the Baked Alaskan. You can see all were a hit! Thanks to the many volunteer chefs!

Small Business Specialist Annoucement

2008-12-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

SAN LUIS OBISPO - December 6 , 2008 ---- Clever Ducks - Computer Network Services today announced it has attained Small Business Specialist Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program, recognizing Clever Ducks expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Small Business Specialist, Clever Ducks has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customers' needs. Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

IBM Blade Server Showcase in North Carolina's RTP

2008-12-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

This week I want to thank Gary Isaacs of IBM for the hospitality and tour of IBM's executive briefing center in Research Triangle Park near Duke University. Packing more computing power, yet using less watts, it is an impressive solution with IBM's tradmark innovtion. The cabinet shown above is rotated compared to a traditional rack -- this "doublewide" design allows a huge increase in density and also better airflow. Thanks for showing us around to Gary and his team at IBM. It was a great event.

Meet the New Duck

2008-11-15T08:48:00.000-08:00

Mason Radke joined Clever Ducks as its newest Technician, coming referred from trusted business partners. His expertise in business automation and Sharepoint will be of value to our clients. Prior to coming to us, he worked in his family's art glass business, Paula Radke Designs. They make incredibly beautiful dichronic glass beads sold through big national players. Take a look at this local treasure. A native of Morro Bay, Mason enjoys surfing. He's an avid reader and fan of sushi. We are glad to have him onboard!

Professional Networking Group: My Thursday Lunch Pals

2008-11-02T18:18:00.001-08:00

Meet some of my networking group, from the left: Kevin Lewis, Central Coast Appraisal Services; Erin from Sprigs and Things, Ellen Curtis from Whizbang....

We have a great group, sharing business news, ideas and leads. Thanks to Dawn Rowland from Collaboration and Dan Pronsolino of California Coastal Real Estate for running our little group.

We are looking to add another strong business to business local company to our group, which is now about 18 people. Let me know if you are interested!

Please Don't Feed the Ducks at Stanford

2008-10-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Being a Berkeley Alumna, I have always regarded Stanford with suspicion. These suspicions were confirmed when I saw this sign at their pond last visit: "Wildlife Experts Recommend: Please do not feed the ducks." I am surprised the sign does not have a footnote or URL linking to further reasons/explanations and experts!

Global Duck Photo Safari Contest

2008-10-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

We want to invite all of our friends and readers to send us photos of themselves with ducks for our "It's a Duck's World" photo contest. All photos may be published on our blog and will be judged by whoever is sitting at the coffee shop across the street on the random day in April 2009 that we judge the contest. Entries are due by April 15 (like something else is too). We will publish the winners here May 1. Oh, did I mention the prize? A local wine collection from our winery clients and a Clever Ducks custom apparel item (hat or T-shirt). Happy Photo Safari!

Global Duck Watching

2008-09-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

As Clever Ducks we have all taken more notice of ducks than ever before. Duck watching, collecting and duck gifts are a surprise consequence of the job. Here is James in St. James Park in London in a photo he just sent in from vacation.

Lunch and Learn

2008-08-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

The Ducks in the conference room learning over lunch, a quarterly event at Clever Ducks and a chance for one of our clever ducks to share with the others all the clever things they know about a technology, from Blackberries to Sonicwalls, we've had many topics and different lunches. Knowledge is food for the mind!

More Gold Medal BBQ Photos

2008-08-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Some of the tasting crew

The scores

Clever Ducks Olympic BBQ Championships

2008-08-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

It was Texas vs. California... it was close...but the team tasted and agreed the Lone Star State was the winner...but everyone who got a taste was the true winner...great job, JT and Jared.

Beijing Bound

2008-08-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Kardel Bunch is Beijing Bound...to visit our Rotary Host Son, Vincent for the Olympics.
You can track with the adventure online...

http://www.myslocounty.com/node/682

Here's a shot of Vincent at the Birdnest

Clever Ducks New Hands Free Phone Option

2008-07-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

Peter and Matt are Certified SonicWALL Security Administrators

2008-04-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

Two days in LA and one big test later, our guys passed SonicWALL's http://www.sonicwall.com/us/index.html exams!
That confirms their real-world knowledge and experiences with SonicWALL products such as SonicOS firmware, VPN solutions, and security applications.
Not everyone in the class did pass, so we know it was a challenge.

SonicWall is a key vendor for Clever Ducks providing security appliances, such as firewalls with security inspection technology that are a key piece in stopping network threats before they start.

Congratulations to Peter and Matt.

International Understanding: China, Germany and California

2008-03-21T06:44:00.000-07:00

This year we are double dipping with hosting high school exchange students. Both have really enriched our family and the office too. Since the high school is close by Clever Ducks, both are frequent visitors after school. At Clever Ducks you can see language lessons on the whiteboard in the living room. Count to ten in Chinese anyone? Or German?

Meeting the Governator

2008-03-15T18:11:00.000-07:00

Arnold came to San Luis Obispo to talk to business leaders about the state budget. I was very delighted to be invited as a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board. He gave a very compelling presentation and was a better speaker in this small group of fifty than I would have expected. He is not as tall as you may think, but he has a very good handshake. Congratulations to our Chamber staff for having him come to our town.

Comparing Ducks to Chickens

2008-01-25T13:18:00.000-08:00

Soon we are expecting an update from Jonathan comparing working with Clever Ducks to growing up on a chicken ranch. I have so much respect for any farmer or rancher - they have the original 24/7 job. It makes any long hours in IT pale in comparison. Here's what Jonathan has to say:

There are an array of similarities and differences between Clever Ducks and my family’s ranch, but I’m only going to highlight a couple of those. Though it may surprise many people, both companies actually involve a high level of technology. At Cleverducks the use of technology is more obvious since computers are everywhere and the company purpose is to implement technology for other companies. In contrast, the technology that it is used on my family’s chicken ranch is much more concealed, but it is extremely important to the operation and success of the company. My family’s ranch has actually been an innovator and early adopter in this area. Our egg machine, which is able to magnetically tag eggs and keep track of them as they go through the process of being cleaned and packaged, was imported from Holland and is the first of its kind in the US. My family’s ranch was the first to use and helped develop a distribution software package from a company that now does a billion in sales every year. I am always impressed at how technology has become such a vital tool that can benefit such a huge array of businesses.

I would say that one of the major differences between the two companies is the workforce. At Clever Ducks, not only are there significantly fewer employees, everyone is highly skilled and aside from some of the service calls, most of the work is done indoors. At the ranch, while there is an office where 8 people reside full time taking care of calls, orders, and the like, the majority of our workforce is unskilled labor working out on the ranch doing maintenance, gathering eggs, and taking care of whatever is necessary to keep the ranch running properly. Though there is certainly a dichotomy between Clever Ducks and my family’s ranch, what does shine through is the quality of the employees in both companies. Everyone at Clever Ducks works hard to give 100% and support the goals of the company and the same is true on the chicken ranch. Everyone on the ranch works hard to get the job done no matter what that job may be.

Brownies in the Data Center?

2008-01-25T10:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a big thanks to Kirk, Tim and Mary at Digital West for giving our Girl Scout Brownie Troop 197 from Hawthorne Elementary a tour of Digital West Networks.

The girls really enjoyed the hands on learning about how the internet works, how to stay safe there and about careers for girls in technology. Who would have thought that the table top speakerphone would be such a hit.

Thanks DWNI! You are the best!

Is Chuck a Duck?

2008-01-24T09:27:00.000-08:00

He's a good egg, though! Smiling and signing autographs!
Chuck Liddell, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, was a guest at the SLO Chamber of Commerce Good Morning SLO Breakfast today. Ducks definitely like Chuck and showed up to meet him. Stephen, Julie, Peter, Amy and Erik (who missed some school to get his "Chuck"-hawk head signed) are pictured below. Chuck said he wants to take the championship back by December. Clever Ducks is rooting for him! Who says Chamber events aren't exciting! And who knew Julie dated one of Chuck's roommates back in college? SLO definitely has just two degrees of separation, not six like Kevin Bacon says!

103rd Chamber Annual Dinner

2008-01-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

The oldest volunteer organization in the county has its "prom" every January. This is also the night the citizen of the year is unveiled. Rob Rossi deserved the high honor!

The Clever Ducks table was graced with great company this year: Rod Levin, Roxanne Carr, Ed and Susan Cox, Adam Fukushima, and our Duck friends: Stephen, Gabi, Jessica and James. Peter and I really enjoyed our evening with you all. Especially the V-Mail (or veggie mail pictured below). The Frameworks table was very clever with their "Wouldn't you like to be a pepper" V-mail.

Also, a lot of folks asked me if Ed and Peter are related. They do bear a strong resemblance, now that you mention it! I should have taken a photo to prove it. Next year!

Peter Scores 20 Under 40 Award

2008-01-15T20:49:00.000-08:00

The Tribune puts forth an annual list of achievers under 40. Peter joins the group just 2 months before his 40th birthday.

You can see the story online. Thank you to the publisher Chip Visci for a nice lunch with a beautiful view at the Country Club. Editor Tad Weber was a delightful table host.

Peter and Iare the only husband and wife team to both have earned the honors (I was in the class of 2005). Seriously, no pressure kids!

And I wish I had taken a picture at the event. If anyone has some, please send them to me. I didn't want to be the "scrapbooking wife", but heck, I should have! That was a blog moment!

Peter K. Kardel - Founding CEO/CTO, Clever Ducks
By Raven Railey

Peter K. Kardel Founding CEO/CTO, Clever DucksGrowing up in San Luis Obispo, Peter K. Kardel, 39, discovered his passion for technology while working at his father’s law office. His “one-man show” providing technical support to local firms eventually grew into Computer Network Services and is now called Clever Ducks, after a Danish term of endearment.

As chief executive officer and chief technology officer, Kardel heads its 12-person team. He “is the archetypical ‘Live Here — Succeed Here’ business founder,” said attorney Tom Lebens, who nominated him.

A “pragmatic environmentalist” who maintains company bikes, Kardel donates office space to the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition. When not mountain biking, Kardel works with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, The Endowment for the Advancement of Children, Big Buddies and other local groups.

He and wife, Amy, have four children — Haven, 11, Erik, 10, Sophia, 7, and Jorgen, 5. They also host foreign exchange students, currently Vei Jun, 17, with whom they plan to visit China and attend the Summer Olympics.

“Every interaction you have, you have the opportunity to be a spark, a light, or not,” Kardel said. “I want to be somebody who’s a light to the world.”

Leadership Class XVII

2008-01-06T21:24:00.000-08:00

The SLO Chamber has a wonderful program called Leadership SLO. Clever Ducks is proud to send a team member each year. Jessica is off to a great start as seen here in the retreat to Wonder Valley that kicked off the class's year. (Stephen's class last year froze on the wall, but this year it was t-shirt weather.)

Why would we as a small company give a key person the equivalent of two extra weeks off to participate in this program? First, we think that the hard skills, connections and understanding of our community that they will learn from the class help them make better bottomline business decisions for our company. Secondly, we think the soft skills they will gain just can't be found anywhere else. Plus, it is part of our company mission to give back to the community and this program teaches and does just that.

Additionally, I am so honored to be the Class Chair for Leadership this year. I look forward to getting to know all 36 members well and can say that, except for Class XV, this is the best class ever. Just look at this textbook wall climb. That's my class!

And here's kudos to Lindsey Miller, who is new executive director of Leadership and put together a fabulous weekend. Mike Kokinos, our facilitator, also did a wonderful job. We are going to have a great year!

When the Ducks are Away...

2007-12-28T21:18:00.000-08:00

the A-team will play! When JT went on vacation for New Year's, Julie could not wait to take his prime window seat and cool dual monitors. She made sure he could not tell when he returned. All in good fun, JT. All in good fun!

Four years on the Chamber Board and all I got was this wall plaque

2007-12-20T21:46:00.000-08:00

Acutally, the plaque is the perfect momento that reminds me of all I have learned. Thanks to outgoing chair Jeff Buckingham for the thoughtful gesture. So what did I learn from the four years I served on the board, and the final year on the executive committee?
I learned that just like the world, San Luis is flat, but smaller. There are always less than two degrees of separation between you and any issue in the county.
I learned how our Chamber is the respected, perfect vantage point overlooking the happenings in our county, connecting people on issues and serving as the voice of business in doing so.
I learned things are always more complicated than they seem.
I learned to appreciate our civic culture, sense of community and special resources and met many people who work hard to keep those going despite a world that does not always value those things.
I learned that business and other interests often have a lot in common, but fail to communicate.
I learned that Jeff's stories about cows can be fascinating and anyone in ag has my full respect for all their hard work.
I learned that Dave Garth is an amazing leader for our Chamber. It was a pleasure to watch him. How does he do that with his budget? And will I ever learn his secret?

Thanks for the plaque, learning and the memories. It was an honor and pleasure to serve with some very strong and wise fellow board members.

I am going to miss those 7 am meetings. This is certainly a board where early birds can shine. And I am pleased to accept the assignment of chairing the Chamber's Leadership program in 2008. See you around the Chamber!

Girls just want to have fun

2007-12-16T20:58:00.000-08:00

Okay, so girls do just want to have fun. With flowers. Making Christmas centerpieces was the centerpiece of the appreciation event I put on for the special women who help me all year: Bonnie, Caroyln, Jennifer, Julie and Jessica. I love you guys and was really impressed with how well all our arrangements turned out. Of course, Bob Gordon is a fabulous teacher and host at his floral design studio just up the street. Let's do it again next year. I even learned a new word: ting ting. It's the glitter fabulous, sparkly, curly reed-like accent we used.
Thanks again girls for everything you do to make us Ducks fly - and look like Martha would like us to! Merry Christmas!

Cooking for Christmas

2007-12-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

It's a tradition at Clever Ducks to kick the traditional Christmas party up a notch and cook it ourselves with Debbie Duggan at Central Coast Culinary Academy.
This years theme was Tuscan, with a malted chocolate milk creme brulee for dessert.
Bon Appetit!

2007-12-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Simon Jones, the star photographer for this fun shot. It's a company tradition and next year we are going to get him a reflective vest so he can run across the street safely when taking the photo.

Jonathan's first day

2007-12-05T21:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our new intern, Jonathan. We have had a select few wonderful interns over the years: Sheldon, Matt and Kevin started that way. Thanks to Leslie McKinley from the College of Business for introducing us.
His hometown is Petaluma, he's a first year at Cal Poly in MIS and the oldest of four boys. He'll be getting hands on experience in IT with us, and we are honored to be his first employer. He's work previously for his family's chicken ranch. I have asked him to write a blog entry on his first impressions of ducks versus chickens. Expect that soon. Welcome again, Jonathan. You are a delight to have in the office.

Clever Duck Days Launch

2007-12-03T16:38:00.000-08:00

I heard this week from a consultant hired by the City of San Luis Obispo on succession planning say "The War for Talent is won on culture." How true. Our Days at Clever Ducks are now going on over 15 years and it is clear to see that good people and a great place to work attract more great people and making it a better place to work every day.

This blog is dedicated to these Clever Duck Days, chronicling our adventures and keeping a scrapbook of memories. It is long overdue and now takes the place of our beloved company baby book, leather bound and embossed with the years of memories. It is time to go digital and make this experience easier to share.

Maybe I will scan in those pages for grins. Prepare for flashbacks.