MTA 2014 was a great source of learning for me, as I had a chance to interview many subject matter experts discussing how broadband operators’ can provide even better service to their customers.

Someone who would appreciate this idea of not resting on one’s laurels and providing better service is Everett Christensen, as to quote him, “We need to appreciate what we have, but not be satisfied with it.”

This happens to be the title of one of the chapters of Everett’s latest book, 73 Magic Management Words +2.

As frequent ViodiTV viewers know, Everett is also the owner of Christensen Communications, a broadband operator out of Madelia, MN. Christensen Communications is just one slice of the very rich life he has had in the banking industry, as an HR Director, as a professor of management, and as the owner of multiple businesses, including a movie theater.

Unfortunately, Everett wasn’t at this year’s conference, so I didn’t get a chance to interview him about the book. The above video provides a flavor for the exhibit hall at this year’s MTA, while providing a mini-review of his latest work. Coincidentally, it was several years ago, while on the exhibit floor of MTA, that Cliff Albertson introduced me to Everett’s book 60-40 or Fight.

This book is a refinement of his original work from 1981 called 50 Magic Management Words and proves that, to paraphrase another of his chapters, “He is learning from the past and not living in it.”

Although management is in the title, this book is a must-read for everyone, whether they are in management or even in the workforce. As he points out, we all are responsible for the management of at least one resource; ourselves.

It is an easy read, as it is split into 73 or 74 chapters each is about 2 pages long. Each chapter focuses on one of his magic words and there is much reinforcement between the chapters. The book is filled with stories and examples as proof-points.

His writing puts a framework on things that in many ways we inherently know, such as the Golden Rule. As he points out, part of the purpose of Magic Management Words is to stimulate the thought process for the reader.  I could easily see how the format and structure of what he has written could be turned into an interactive blog or a series of short videos.

It’s clear that Everett is sharing the wisdom of his varied life experience to help others. As he points out in this book as well as his other books, “The greatest contribution we can make to ourselves is to contribute something to someone else.”  He states that the road to happiness is paved with contributions; this reminds me of the work of so many of my rural telecom friends, like Everett, who routinely contribute to others in their community.

This book has pearls of wisdom and anyone can benefit from Everett’s sound insight found on the pages of 73 Magic Management Words + 2.