Life before and after – Part 2, The Final Journey
The first time I saw her, I was captivated by her smile.
It seemed to display the beauty that was inside her heart, it was truly breathtaking. I was lost at sea until I found Fiona, stumbling around trying to find success personally and professionally. A quote from Lao Tzu sums it up so well, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
In my post on June 1 2017 I talked about the news we received about Fiona and I mentioned the cancer hospital.
From the outside it appears inconspicuous, but inside doctors and nurses are doing a remarkable job saving people’s lives, while patients are fighting for theirs and coping with remarkable adversity.
I recently drove past that same cancer hospital in a taxi, but on this occasion, I had Fiona’s ashes in the back seat with me.
It was her final journey to her resting place in the graveyard in my home town of Glenties, Co. Donegal. It was a surreal moment and one that hammered home the fact that life would never be the same again.
Fiona had spent two years attending that cancer center and received 173 days of chemotherapy. Her doctors called her “the special one” – she had surpassed their wildest expectations beating every statistic, she was a miracle!
Sadly, Fiona’s fight came to an end.
In February of this year, we received the news that her treatment had stopped working and we scrambled desperately for other options.
It seemed that the only option was a clinical trial at the University of Chicago. The doctors heading up the trial accepted her pending a final medical. Because her type of cancer was so rare, they were excited to have her on the trial.
Fiona had small cell cervical cancer with about 100 cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Because these tumors are so rare, the cause is not yet fully understood. This was an exciting opportunity for the doctors to understand more about this uncommon cancer.
For Fiona, she was hoping it would give her more time but more importantly, she wanted to give others with the disease a better chance of survival.
The treatment was about a ninety-minute drive from where we lived, depending on traffic, so this was possibly a three or four hour return journey on top of an eight hour treatment day.
We were a family, Fiona, Josie our dog and I.
We had to consider how we were going to look after Josie as I was working, and Fiona would be spending a lot time in hospital. After many conversations and tears we decided that we needed to find Josie a new home.
An acquaintance was looking for a dog as her own had died several months prior. We introduced her to Josie and they immediately bonded. They spent a few weeks getting to know each other and then we dropped Josie off at her new home. It was extremely sad and distressing to come home without Josie but we knew it was the best thing to do for her.
In life there are certain moments, that while they are playing out, you sense something life changing is happening.
For us, that moment was the phone call Fiona received about an hour after we got home from her medical at the University of Chicago. It turned out that her liver was so badly damaged from all the chemo that she was unfit to attend the trial. We were both devastated.
Ironically that day was April 1st.
A few days later, we met with our local doctors at the cancer center and they wanted to try one more throw of the dice and they prescribed an oral chemo drug. Fiona was starting to have more severe issues with her liver around the same time, but with her zest for life and her positivity she wanted to try everything she could to continue to live.
The doctors told us that we would know quickly if the drug was working. With her liver deteriorating very quickly and in a lot of discomfort, they stopped the chemo drug after only a week. They gave her one, maybe two weeks to live and recommended we find suitable hospice care.
We interviewed several hospice organizations, but settled with Northwestern who had provided Fiona with such excellent treatment and care for over two years. Fiona wanted to die at home, so they came and prepared our home and us mentally and spiritually for Fiona’s passing. They are remarkable people who do an amazing job.
As difficult as this time was, they helped us cope with this excruciating situation. Very quickly, Fiona’s condition deteriorated and she became bedridden three days after the final diagnosis from the doctor.
As the news spread about her condition, her friends and neighbors rallied round. They all came to see her and although she was weak, in and out of consciousness, she recognized them. She had a smile and positive words to share with them as they recalled happier times. They were exceptionally supportive as were all my colleagues and my employer.
On the afternoon of Sunday April 28th Fiona passed.
That morning she seemed agitated, and while trying to make her comfortable in bed she whispered to me, “I don’t see the point in this”. She was having difficulty just lying in bed, not her normal positive self.
Later, three of her friends called around, all independently of each other. As the afternoon progressed, Fiona’s breathing became irregular. Her friends were gathered around the bed and I was sitting by her side, holding her hand.
She looked around the room, then back into my eyes and took her final breath.
It was a beautiful moment, one that will stay with me until the time comes to take my final breath. Her passing into her next life was as beautiful as the life she lived here on earth.
As I made the calls to the hospice and dealt with the funeral director, I felt Fiona’s spirit guide and support me. She was still there calling the shots.
We had a beautiful memorial service for her at our local golf club, Cress Creek.
Golf was a big part of Fiona’s life, and she loved spending time with her friends whilst hitting the wee white ball around. Even through her treatment she would not let her condition dictate how she lived her life. Regardless of the challenges, she was on the golf course enjoying golf and nature all around her.
Fiona’s other love was fitness and Orange Theory Fitness. She treasured their support, and encouragement during her illness.
Throughout the two years of treatment, she always joked about spreading her ashes in one of the ponds at the golf course. She would comment that most of her golf balls are in the pond on hole number nine and that’s where she would want to be when she eventually passed.
As the time got closer, she became more considered on exactly where she would want to be laid to rest. Shortly after the disappointing news regarding the trial, she told me that she wanted to be buried in our family grave in Glenties. I was surprised by her request but deeply touched.
So, we began that final journey, passing the cancer hospital and to the airport.
Along the way there were some strange moments, going through security at O’Hare and Dublin for instance. Normally impatient and busy border police became very accommodating once they understood what was in the small wooden box I was carrying. Having the urn in the overhead bin while we were flying across the Atlantic was another surreal moment.
Once back home in Glenties, family and friends gathered around and we had another beautiful ceremony in the chapel.
Our priest Father Gerard and the amazing music made it a special occasion. So many friends and family were there to help and share their memories of Fiona. She made a lasting impression on so many people without even realizing.
Laying her remains in the grave was one of the hardest things I have ever done. The Irish do funerals probably better than anybody and this funeral was no exception. In true Irish fashion, we had a few drinks in her memory and sang a few songs, just as Fiona would have wanted.
They say you should live your life the way you want to be remembered – Fiona truly did.
Her positive attitude, energy and zest for life never wavered. We should all aspire to live our lives as she did.
Fiona was one of those special people that uplifted everyone.
I will miss her and her beautiful smile and contagious laugh. Just being in her presence changed my life for the better. She saw something in me as she saw in everyone she met; she saw their light. Even when her body grew weak, her spirit increased each day, there was a light in her heart. She loved her culture and tradition and regardless of how the day was, Fiona had her million- dollar smile.
I think back to the first time that I saw that smile, the treasured time that we had together and how it has gone by in a flash. Treasure your time with loved ones, it can be snatched from you so very quickly.
Fiona, thank you for each and every single precious moment.
John x
Five Minute Interview with Yours Truly!
I stumbled upon this interview that I did a few years ago in Microscope magazine and I thought it would be interesting to share with people so they get a better sense of who this Irishman from Donegal is!
Tell us what you do for a living.
I am senior vice president, responsible for leading the global business development team in the promotion and sales of CompTIA Certifications.
I have since changed roles and am now the Executive Vice President for Global Certification at CompTIA.
Why are you the right person for this job?
Because I was willing to live on an airplane, or in a hotel for 80% of my working life!!
What gets you up in the morning?
Apart from my alarm clock?
Knowing that I have a busy day ahead, doing a job I love in an industry I am passionate about and can add value to, gives me my motivation and drive – you've got to love what you do and give it 100% otherwise, no one benefits.
Who helped you get to where you are today?
Several people through my life have been a great help – my parents for instilling in me my work ethic, my wife for her support through the years and several colleagues and peers who I have taken advice from, been mentored by and admired.
What is the best or worst business advice you have received and from whom?
My father always taught me to choose a career I enjoy, be happy and have fun. He said, when you enjoy your work you are generally successful at it. And always be truthful to your colleagues and in life in general.
What advice would you give to someone starting out today in IT?
Take the CompTIA A+ certification J and specialise in cyber security!
What’s running on your smartphone?
As I travel a lot, I just love my iPhone. It helps me communicate, get me from A to B without getting lost (well most of the time), keeps me up to speed on what happening in the world and I can listen to my music.
What did we do before iPhones were invented? Looking forward to the new iWatch!
Tell us something most people do not know about you.
I come from a small village in the Republic of Ireland called Glenties in County Donegal, with a population of less than 900 people – in my teenage years, I owned a mobile disco unit and used to run discos all round the local area.
What goal do you have to achieve before you die, and why?
Personally, to play a round of golf under par without any handicap shots then play against Phil Mickleson and Tiger Woods!
What is the best book you've ever read?
There has been many wonderful books but the most recent I really like is Start with Why by Simon Sinek.
He talks about how important it is that leaders and organisations inspire people. His bold goal is to help build a world in which the vast majority of people go home every day feeling fulfilled by their work. Something I try to emulate in at least some small way.
Simon is leading a movement to inspire people to do the things that inspire them.
And the worst film you’ve ever seen?
There have been several, but the one I think was the worst to me was Kill Bill.... Just awful.
What would be your Desert Island MP3s?
I’ve always fancied myself as a bit of a rocker, so some Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Coldplay and a bit of Rihanna to spice it up!
What temptation can you not resist?
It’s hard to say no to a good glass of red wine. A dark, fruity deep red would always win for me accompanied by a decent bar of chocolate.
That’s two temptations I know, but I can’t have one without the other.
What was your first car and how does it compare with what you drive now?
A 1977 Ford Escort Van, yellow and I got a “Dukes of Hazard” stripe on it. In my eyes it was the best car I ever had. Fun and multi-purpose. I now have an E-Class Mercedes but the Escort van holds many fond memories.
Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with? Why, what did they do?
Can’t think of one specific person. But imagine as you are about to close the lift doors, you saw this guy coming and you were kind enough to hold it for him.
Then, you’re stuck for what could be hours and the guy will not stop singing and whistling I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas. That song is annoying as is, but could you imagine if you were forced to listen to this guy over and over again?
If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be and why?
A golden eagle. I think being able to fly anywhere I wanted with no traffic to contend with is one reason, but also because I think it’s a magnificent species and king of the skies.
If you could take part in one event in the Olympics, which would you choose and why?
Although it’s not officially in the Olympics yet but will be from 2016, it has to be golf for me. I see myself and Rory McIlroy teeing it up together and ripping up the course!!!
If I had to pick a current sport in the Olympics, the 100 metres – it’s over so quickly and I guess that 10 seconds effort would be more than enough for me.
If you were facing awesome peril and impossible odds, which real or fictional person would you most want on your side and why?
This has to be two people.
Firstly my wife. If there is a chance that this would be my last day on earth, I’d want to spend it with her; knowing someone loves you right at the end would help me face what was ahead.
Secondly, my hero, Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis in the Die Hard movies) – this guy can get you out of anything single-handedly!
And finally, a grizzly bear and a silverback gorilla are getting ready for a no-holds-barred rumble. Who is your money on and why?
The silverback – I think he would have a strategy of knocking the grizzly out with a well-timed heavy blow while the grizzly would just hope for the best – one swift thump from the silverback and the grizzly would be down and out!
Thanks for reading ...time to train for the 100 meters!
John McGlinchey
John McGlinchey is the Executive Vice President of Global Certification for CompTIA
Good Neighbors
This is my fifth winter in the Chicago area and this one is shaping up to be a corker. Not as bad as the polar vortex of 2013/2014 but lots of snow and freezing temperatures.
Unlike Ireland (I'm originally from a little village in Donegal in Called called Glenties) and the UK, each household makes clearing of snow in their driveways and sidewalks outside their house a priority. Clearing the sidewalks outside your home is mandatory by law.
Right on cue on Super Bowl Sunday we had our first major snow fall of the winter. So, Fiona and I were sitting waiting for the snow to finish, when we heard a scraping noise coming from our driveway, a sound similar to someone clearing snow. As we went to the window to investigate, we saw our neighbor Sarah, in a blizzard, with a snow shovel clearing our driveway.
Feeling somewhat shocked but also elated that we wouldn’t have to shovel any snow, we asked her why she was clearing our driveway, her response blew us away.
She said she was just being neighborly and wanted to do something to help us. She said she wished she could do more. I do not know why we were so shocked as this is typical of the neighbors and friends we have in this community. Sarah’s husband Fred has been clearing our snow all week.
While Fiona was in hospital over Christmas, I received many cooked dinners, food deliveries and offers of assistance from all our friends.
I come from a very rural part of Ireland where neighborly good deeds and kindness are taken as given. I certainly didn’t expect it in the suburbs of one of the largest cities (Chicago) in the world. I have been told it’s a “MidWest thing” but speaking to my colleagues at work, some of whom live on the east coast, I believe it is just human nature.
We genuinely want to help each other out when times are difficult and challenging.
In a world where our politicians seem hell bent on division and exclusion, it is so refreshing and reassuring to know that our societies and neighborhoods are united in helping each other and promoting inclusion.
Thank you to all our friends and neighbors, you have made living in the U.S. such a wonderful experience.
John McGlinchey
John McGlinchey is the Executive Vice President of Global Certification for CompTIA
Jeffrey Gitomer's 10 Sales Tips
My last blog “A Super System for the Salesman” defined a system for successful selling when in front of a potential prospect or customer.
Although using the APPCOM system will give you that focus and structure, there are also a set of principles and strategies that will move you from that hum-drum mediocre sales career into a more supercharged career.
I absolutely love Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Red Book of Selling.
It has become my bible and he covers some of these topics and much more in his book. I would advise strongly that if you are interested in becoming a very successful sales person or even if you are veteran, then buy this book.
As with everything in life there is no quick fix or magic potion here, just a series of common sense values and standards that have been used by successful sales people for generations.
- Make mistakes, take risks and be brave – I recently reposted a blog by Lisa Blackwell, “The Power of Mistakes”. In it she talks about the value of making mistakes and how most people learn more from their mistakes than their successes. It’s a great opportunity to learn and develop. We all have made mistakes and I can certainly list myself as having made many. It’s important that we approach mistakes and risk from a growth mindset. In one of my previous blogs “Everything is Possible with a Growth Mindset” I talk about how a growth mindset makes you concerned with improving whereas a fixed mindset makes you concerned about how you will be judged.
- Nothing happens until you take action or do something – You may be the most intelligent person on the planet, have the best idea or plan, be super prepared, but all of that is useless unless you take action. If you wait for something or someone else to act, it is likely that you will be unsuccessful, or you will be unable to control the consequences. Take action even if you have only 80% of your plan ready. Come back for the other 20% later.
- Believe you can – It all starts out with belief and having that positive attitude. It’s amazing how often sales people make bold positive affirmations publicly and yet privately they are completely the opposite.
- Create the environment - Your work environment impacts your mood, drive and performance. If you work in a dreary office setting with unfriendly workers, its likely you won't feel motivated or confident to speak up. That's why creating a productive work environment is critical to your overall success.
- Surround yourself with like minded individuals – In order to successfully transform our careers, we often have to transform our lives and have the support of the people whom we choose to have around us. Be smart and know that a good work environment starts with hiring the right people. Make sure your group are professional and team players. The same idea translates to those who are already in the office. When employees work with toxic workers, they are more likely to become toxic themselves. Do not tolerate corporate terrorists.
- Always be learning – Almost every salesperson, or at least every salesperson over age 40, has seen the movie Glengarry Glen Ross. In it Alec Baldwin plays a “tough love” sales manager brought in to motivate the office. One of his favorite mantras is “Always Be Closing”. In other words, a salesperson is never off the clock. We should apply the same concept to learning. Whether you're right out of college or a seasoned business professional, there are always new things to learn and ways to improve ourselves. Education never stops. Take responsibility for your own destiny.
- Plan for the new day the night before - If you plan your next day the night before you’ll be amazed at how much your overall productivity skyrockets. When you plan ahead for the next day, you will set yourself up for everything to run smoothly. You’ll be able to make the most of your day, your day will be calmer, more productive and you won’t spend time getting frustrated or wasting your valuable time. More importantly, you’ll end up having way more time. Plan your goals and make a list of what you want to achieve. What do you need to read or know before the day starts?
- Be the go-to person for answers for your prospects and customers – The more valuable you are the more you will get rewarded. Give first, become known as a resource not a salesperson. Your value is linked to your knowledge and your willingness to help others. Have the answers your customers and prospects need. The more you can solve problems, the easier path you will have to sales success. Prospects do not want facts, they want answers. In order to have those answers, you must have superior knowledge about what you do.
- Stay alert for opportunities - As you move through your day today, remember that opportunities for growth and movement in new directions are always all around you. Because many of us are so "outcome-focused" and goal-driven, our minds are tuned more toward getting things done, than staying open to receiving those seeds of opportunity that surround us. It is vital for us to sustain a positive attitude. Attitude allows you to see the possibilities when opportunity strikes—because it often shows up in the form of adversity.
- Set your goal and stay on track. Do not give up - Success is not always achieved by the fastest, the smartest, the richest or even by the most capable people out there. Life has taught me that success goes to anyone that simply doesn’t quit. Action will help you achieve your goals. Inaction is a dream crusher. Own your goal, don’t talk about what you are going to do, talk about how you are going to make it happen.
As you see none of this is complicated but it’s amazing how few people are willing to execute these principals.
Happy Selling!
John McGlinchey
John McGlinchey is the Executive Vice President of Global Certification for CompTIA
A super system for the salesman!
When I first started life as a professional sales person, I wasn’t that good!
Some might say I am still not that good!!
I stumbled around trying to find my way and had limited success. Although I had most of the pieces of the sales process in my arsenal, my sales calls lacked structure and focus. I didn’t have a system. I was primarily self-taught, so I suppose that was hardly surprising.
In 1990, I changed jobs and my new employer put me on a training course that changed the way I sold to this day. The fact that twenty-seven years later, I still remember the system, is testimony to the effectiveness of this process.
Most people starting out in sales are unsuccessful for one or two reasons, either they don’t work hard enough or they lack a system or process. The system I learned twenty-seven years ago, was instrumental in giving me that focus and will almost certainly ensure greater success for you.
The APPCOM System
Whether on the phone, face to face or social selling, the APPCOM cycle is as relevant today as it was all those years ago.
A – Acceptance
The first few seconds of any sales call or meeting are vital.
A Forbes article suggests that we make major decisions about each other in the first seven seconds we meet. Therefore, it is vital that we ensure that the person we are meeting gets the right impression.
Are we trustworthy, likeable, someone they can do business with?
Prepare beforehand, ensure that your opening comments should not be canned, and instead engage in a short discussion that will succeed in “breaking the ice”.
P - Purpose
Probably the most important part of the call or meeting, is to know why you are there.
It is vital at this point that you are direct and make them aware of exactly why you wanted to meet.
Something like “I want to discuss your requirements for our consultancy services and if I can satisfy your needs, I will be asking you for your business at the end of the meeting”.
PMO (Primary Meeting Objective)
Before the meeting you must set out your primary objective.
What do you want the customer to agree to? Signing the contract? Introduce you to someone else?
What is the main action item that you want as a result of the meeting and write it down before entering the meeting.
SMO (Secondary Meeting Objective)
What is the minimum acceptable objective?
Perhaps agree to another meeting. Again, write it down prior to entering the meeting.
P - Probing
In order to define a need or a requirement a sales person needs to probe to find out more about the business or organization.
These are questions about their business, the organisation structure, what is working, what is not, what are the pain points?
It needs to be a mix of “open questions” and “closed questions” which allows you to fully explore all opportunities.
Before advancing onto the next stage in the process, it is vital that you find an approach or connection that will allow you to present your solution.
C- Consulting
This is your moment to present your organization and solution, so the outcome from your probing questions are key to the entire cycle.
You need to be clear about the most important points you will want to cover in the presentation - what are they?
What are the areas that you want to highlight that solve some of the pain points of the organization?
Every customer is different and their requirements are different so your presentation should differ customer to customer.
O - Overcoming Objections
It is inevitable that there will be objections and you should welcome them.
Do not take them personally. It’s an indication that the buyer is engaged and is thinking about your proposition.
Four really good steps for overcoming objections are:
- Listen Fully to the Objection
- Understand the Objection Completely
- Respond Properly
- Confirm You've Satisfied the Objection
M - Motivating to Act
Remember the PMO and SMO from the purpose stage - This is where you determine if you have achieved your primary or secondary objectives.
What is it that you want to ask the customer to commit to?
If your primary objective was to obtain the business and you have overcome all their objections, make sure to ask for the business.
Following the APPCOM cycle will provide so much structure and focus to your sales meetings - and the really cool thing is that it doesn’t just apply to sales meetings.
Whether you are meeting with your Operations, HR, Finance department or even on your first date, use the APPCOM cycle!!
Happy Selling!!
John McGlinchey
John McGlinchey is the Executive Vice President of Global Certification for CompTIA
Is it time to show love to the Robot?
It's late in the evening and I am at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport waiting on a flight.
As I look down at the throngs of people still milling around the airport, I notice that no one is paying attention to, or even noticing the giant robot, standing all alone in the terminal!
It’s about ten feet tall and four feet wide and part of a promotion by the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.
Almost all those travelling at this time of the day are adults.
Then I see what was probably the only child in the airport, come running up to the robot and started engaging with it. He was about seven or eight years of age and he seemed to be having a lot of fun until his parents arrived on the scene and dragged him away from his fun.
All the adults seemed to be plugged into their phones or immensely distracted by whatever was going on in their world, while the child was curious as to what this amazingly shinny thing was and how he could play with it.
Perhaps it is because children are accustomed to seeing robots and interacting with them, as robotics and automation are part of their DNA, as they are growing up in a world that is vastly different from any previous generation.
In a world where in the not too distant future, robots will become part of our families, like our pets in our homes today!
Maybe it’s because children are also more naturally curious than adults and gradually over time we lose that curiosity.
According to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago our worldwide levels of curiosity are at an all-time low and our attention spans are shrinking.
Robots are increasingly becoming more prominent in our society and used in many different areas.
For example, they are being used to teach students in the classroom for a number of subjects across science, math and language. But according to a recent study, while students enjoy learning with robots, teachers are slightly reluctant to use them in the classroom.
It appears that the teachers were very skeptical of using robots, stating that they did not have confidence in their technical capabilities. There was also trust issues as the teachers were concerned that robots may eventually replace them (how many of us feel this way?).
Regardless of the concerns, we need to recognize that robotics is not intended to replace teachers but to enhance the experience in the classroom, to be used as learning aids.
By the way, I recently returned to the airport and that robot is still there, hopefully it has had a lot of love and attention in the meantime!
Is it time to start loving our robots?
John McGlinchey
John McGlinchey is the Executive Vice President of Global Certification for CompTIA
Scammed in Nigeria
I always thought of myself as a seasoned traveler and quite capable of avoiding any major incidents and disasters when on the road. That is, until recently, when I was trying to get on a plane from Lagos, Nigeria to Rwanda!
In the space of 90 minutes I potentially had my two corporate cards, my own personal card and my phone compromised. I could see all of the risks unfolding in front me and even having a good understanding of cyber security and how vulnerable we all are, I still fell into a big trap.
I was so desperate to get an airline ticket, I disregarded all common sense and good cyber practices.
Our African leg of the trip took us to Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa. Prior to the trip we got the appropriate visas for Nigeria and Rwanda. However, due to the timing of the trip, my Rwandan visa expired the day before I was due to travel there. My travel companions, being from the US and UK had no issues as they could buy a visa on arrival. Being an Irish citizen, I could not.
Never one to be deterred from a challenge, I thought that I could use my charm, my years of sales experience and talk my way onto the plane. My optimism was soon dashed as the chap on the desk referred to a very large manual which listed all the countries that could buy visas on arrival in Rwanda. Ireland was not on the list and he was not going to allow me onto that flight.
So, I waved goodbye to my colleagues and agreed to meet them in Johannesburg a few days later. There was a flight nine hours later, all I needed to do was buy a ticket - that should be easy I thought.
As I was standing trying to find the right airline desk, a knight in shining armor appeared behind me, like he was dispatched by my guardian angel. As it turned out, he wasn’t so much of a knight in shining armor!
As the flight was over 9 hours until departure, the airline desk was not open. But my new-found friend took me to a kiosk at the end of the terminal where I could buy a ticket. The girl behind the desk confirmed the flight and there were seats available.
Excellent news I thought as I handed over my card to her. For some reason, the card was declined on her machine so she tried her other card reader. It also was declined. She tried it several times on each machine but to no avail.
I then gave her my other corporate credit card and got the same result, declined.
I phoned both banks and they confirmed that there was ample credit on the cards and no transactions had come through on their side. As you can imagine, I was starting to get worried at this point. I tried to use my phone to book the ticket but the 3G connectivity in Nigeria is very poor.
At this point my new-found friend is still by my side and trying to help me and he has another fantastic idea...let’s get some cash and he can get me connected to his Wifi hot spot in the airport.
As I was starting to get desperate, I went along with his idea and went to the ATM. I tried both of my corporate cards and they were declined. Nigeria is notorious for credit card fraud but feeling really under pressure to get a flight, I used my personal card and got enough cash to pay him for a password for his Wifi.
Unfortunately, his Wifi hotspot was not working and he somehow disappeared, nowhere to be found. As I looked around at the others in the hotspot I realized that I may have been the victim of a scam. Were these other people logged into my phone? It only takes two minutes to access a mobile device, if you have the skills. I quickly disabled the Wi-Fi on my phone.
For a brief moment, I felt like the Tom Hanks character Viktor Navorski in the movie Terminal - Was I going to be in this airport for a very very long time?
Never one to admit defeat or perhaps in sheer desperation, I went to try and find somewhere to get a better signal on my phone. I eventually did and phoned our HQ in Chicago where one of my colleagues booked the flight for me.
To date, one of my cards has been compromised. I am not sure if that is a result of my experience at the airport or from somewhere else.
Some very good lessons learned and a lot of schoolboy errors that were made in a state of panic by this pro!
Always be CyberAware...
John McGlinchey
John McGlinchey is the Executive Vice President of Global Certification for CompTIA
Should we all go back to pen and paper?
You will be surprised to hear that I was playing golf at the weekend. As always over the duration of a round, we discussed all manner of things.
On Sunday, one of my playing partners brought up cyber security and how insecure he felt about his personal information and bank details.
He suggested going back to pen and paper and taking all his banking offline, because it's more secure.
We all agreed that this was a silly idea but in truth its not that silly unless we personally get very serious about our online security and staying up to date and ahead of the game.
In relation to our cyber security, we are all feeling insecure at the moment. But I'd like you to think about a time in your lives when you felt most secure. Go ahead and close your eyes for a moment.
Where are you? Are you a child? Are you with a parent or a trusted friend?
Remember how it felt to feel safe and content at that moment in time.
For me it was growing up in Donegal, in the northwest of Ireland. It’s also, by the way, the area National Geographic recently named as "the coolest place on the planet” (I'm so proud of Donegal - You must visit!!)
For me this was a great time, it was a safe time and it was a time when I felt secure.
And now - like when I remember seeing a storm roll in from the Atlantic Ocean back in my childhood home - we live in a time that can feel a lot less secure, don't we?
Consider the U.S. Elections and the alleged meddling by Russia and the hackers reportedly breaking into computer networks of companies operating the United States nuclear power stations, energy facilities and manufacturing plants, according to a new report by The New York Times.
It’s not just companies and organizations that are vulnerable - every person, place and every online device in the world is potentially vulnerable.
I don’t know about you, but back in the 90’s, whenever I used to hear about hackers and viruses, I tuned out.
But now, in the news, it seems we are hearing this happening on a daily basis - we're getting bombarded about the cyber-crime reality that we live in. It can make you feel anything other than secure.
An article in Chief Security Officer Magazine, predicted that damages from cyber-crime will cost the world six trillion dollars a year. The threat of cyber-crime will more than triple the number of unfilled cyber security jobs, which is predicted to reach 3.5 million by 2021.
So that's exactly why we need to become more dedicated to getting not just IT workers, but every worker, involved with protecting and defending apps, data, devices, infrastructure and people.
Cyber-crime is a very real and very scary threat, but I also see this as an opportunity if we embrace it - to help us all feel more secure, to be committed in helping everyone with their cyber responsibilities - to become good cyber citizens and have superior processes in place before a cyber breach is threatened.
We are all imperfectly human and hackers are very skillful at tracking human beings, not computers, and taking advantage of our vulnerability, our weaknesses.
Human error is still the most likely reason for a hack.
Going back to pen and paper is definitely not an option but becoming more aware of our cyber responsibilities is.
John McGlinchey
John McGlinchey is the Executive Vice President of Global Certification for CompTIA
Lessons I learned from my first job!
I love this time of the year and one of the things that I really like about it is coming across so many young people who are clearly working in their very first summer jobs.
I love their youth, their energy and their enthusiasm (hopefully!) and I wonder about the valuable part that this first job will play in their professional lives.
It makes me reflect on my first job, many moons ago.
Growing up in the north west of Ireland had many advantages, especially during the summer months. We had long days, with lots of tourists milling about and as I remember through my rose tinted glasses, the sun was always shining in Donegal!
Although we always had a lot of fun, we were no strangers to hard work either. That work ethic gave me a real respect for the value of earning a wage.
My parents returned to Ireland from London in the late fifties and opened a small corner shop at the bottom of the main street in a small village called Glenties (this name is derived from the word 'The Glens' as it is situated where two glens meet, west of the Bluestack Mountains).
Initially the store sold basic supplies, the necessities, like bread, milk, butter and newspapers.
If you consider their typical customer at that time, it was quite an ambitious plan. Glenties was a very rural town (a population of under 1,000 ) where most of the community baked their own bread, grew their own vegetables and used their cows for milk and butter. People were very self-sufficient.
However, the family business grew and thrived.
Both my parents were very innovative and committed to providing excellent customer service. They introduced new product lines, like frozen foods, or what was considered rare fruits back then, such as pears and tangerines. They built a reputation for having really great ice cream and the business grew and from the initial small room to other parts of the house.
During those exciting years with the business growing, my brothers and I chipped in and helped in the shop, after school and in the evening, at weekends and during holiday times.
Being part of the family meant sharing the work load.
This is where we really learned the valuable lesson of working to earn pocket money. We weren’t just given money, we had to earn it. If we spent all our money and wanted to go to the cinema or if we wanted to buy the new Thin Lizzy album and didn’t have any money left, my dad found a job for us in the shop. And there were many of those jobs to choose from!
Back then, eggs came in a large box and had to be packed into smaller, dozen and half dozen cartons. Potatoes came in four and eight stone bags and needed to be packed into smaller size bags.
None of us liked filling out the potatoes. The fear of that foul-smelling potato hidden somewhere in the sack and the horrible sensation when your fingers slid inside that rotten potato...yeuch!
And then there were the customers - as we know only too well these can come in all sorts and sizes and like each of us they all have their own quirks and strange habits.
Each of us served behind the counter and we all had the responsibility of looking after the customers - in a small village we were dependant on a small number of people and it was up to us to make sure that they were happy and kept returning.
While it was tough and every one of us was expected to do their part to look after the family business, these were special, simple days that will warmly stay with me forever.
Learning the value of hard work and the importance of customer service are valuable lessons that have stood to me throughout my career - these apply in my parents little grocery store just the same as they do in a global organisation such as CompTIA.
Thank you mum and dad!
What did you learn from your first job?
John McGlinchey
John McGlinchey is the Executive Vice President of Global Certification for CompTIA
7th March - Life before and after
On my way home from work I drive by our local cancer hospital. From the outside, it is just a normal building and there doesn’t seem to be much going on inside.
That is, until March 7th.
This time I was inside that very hospital looking out at all the cars driving by, who like me a few days earlier, were oblivious to the battles, challenges, illness and sadness that engulf those inside.
It is almost full to capacity every day with each treatment cubicle, sadly occupied. The nurses and doctors inside that hospital do an amazing job looking after those patients with their expertise, care and professionalism.
My wife Fiona had been feeling unwell for a few weeks. The first diagnosis we had was that she had an infection, but after several weeks the bleeding wouldn’t stop and she was scheduled for a biopsy. We both knew that it was something serious and could possibly be cancer.
I had a business trip planned to the Middle East and my departure date was the day before the biopsy. Both Fiona and I agreed that the trip should go ahead. I landed in Abu Dhabi and Fiona called me to tell me the news. The biopsy results confirmed our worse fears, it was cervical cancer.
I felt so regretful that she had to take that call alone, the fear she must have felt hearing those words and the horrible uncertainty of what was to come.
I returned to Chicago in time to accompany her to the various scans that had been scheduled.
Three days later we had our meeting with the Oncologist to get a better understanding of the course of treatment for cervical cancer.
That’s when we had an even bigger blow hit us.
It turns out that Fiona has Small Cell Cervical Cancer with five secondary tumors around her body. Her liver, lungs and lymph nodes were all infected. Small Cell is the rarest type of cervical cancer and it accounts for less than 1% of all cervical cancers diagnosed. We were told that we had a battle ahead.
Thankfully, we had caught the cancer in its early stages but the diagnosis was still devastating to us.
Without treatment, Fiona would have 6 months to live and probably 18 months with treatment. We were shocked and overwhelmed that this could happen to someone so young and fit. Prior to the illness Fiona was running 7-minutemiles and squatting with 60lb dumbbells. She was forty-three years of age when we got the diagnosis. She is also such a positive and optimistic person, living life as it should, with a warm smile on her face.
The doctor commented that nothing we could have done would have prevented this from happening. It’s just like being struck by lightning.
Like most challenges life throws at you, it’s how you react and behave that makes the difference. We have learned a lot about each other and how vital it is to make the most of every day.
Fiona has completed three cycles of chemo and had a further assessment and scans. The results were very promising and positive with the tumors shrinking in size and activity. Her attitude and fitness levels certainly contributed to the positive results. Needless to say we were thrilled.
We may have won a battle; however, the war is not yet won.
She is on her fifth cycle of chemotherapy with further scans after the sixth cycle. Even at the best-case scenario, she will have to complete another three cycles. Never at any point throughout this ordeal has she ever felt any illness from the cancer but it’s the many cycles of chemo that have hit her the hardest, taking its toll both mentally and physically.
One of the many lessons we have learned from this experience is to be more aware of the feelings and emotions of others. It has taught us to be more tolerant as you just never know what's happening in someone’s life.
More importantly, when life gives you lemons, you most definitely should make lemonade.
John McGlinchey
John McGlinchey is the Executive Vice President of Global Certification for CompTIA