I just had one of those days where I realized how much I love my job. I know it sounds kind of corny but I really do. I seriously cannot sleep right now because of all the stuff I have rolling around in my dome.

Usually when I get asked what I do for work, I can't really explain it. After I tell them I work for Yamaha, and then have to explain that we sell outboard engines and not electronics, I tell them my title is Supervisor of Business / Market Planning and they want to know what a Supervisor of Business / Market Planning does. And honestly, I can't give them an answer. My job description is a blank sheet of paper. And today was a perfect example of that and I really do have to share...

We have had our three boat companies in that we own as well as our newly purchased propeller manufacturer discussing year end for 2008 and the forecast for 2009. And if you hadn't noticed, it's kind of a tough market out there right now and we sell a product that isn't really a necessity. So we have to drastically change our course to survive...So between these meetings as well as the other things I have going on right now, here's a random smattering of things that I did today...

1) Discussed the timing of new EPA regulations and how it pertains to the pricing, programs and new product launches for this year and beginning of next.
2) Dug through different HR stuff (ie work share programs and WARN act) as we deal with staff reductions at some of our facilities
3) Talked through aluminum ingot prices and how they are affecting gross profit at our boat builder in Missouri. We use several million pounds of aluminum each year at this factory so you can do the math when we have a penny swing per pound in aluminum pricing.
4) Had a conversation with a web designer in Southern California who I am working with and talked through the layout of a new product we are trying to get introduced in about a month.
5) Worked with our product manager on the copy for a brochure we are getting ready to pull the trigger on...Need to finish this one first thing in the morning.
6) Had to explain what is going on with the Yen vs. the dollar and how that affects cost of goods. If you didn't know, Yamaha is built in Japan where the Yen is kicking the dollar's ass right now.
7) Attended a video conference with another boat builder in Vonore, TN and was given the lead on reducing our emission footprint at each of our group's five locations.
8) Drew up a new process for our monthly financial meetings...First one due on Wed.
9) Starting pulling data for 50 different markets in the US for a huge competitor of ours to find out their market penetration and how we can combat.
10) Worked with our boat builder GMs on contingency plans on wholesale and retail financing of boats and motors (If anyone has any good ideas, I would love to know it because getting money right now sure isn't easy)
11) While giving a tour of our new warehouse, saw that some product I just had brought in had a wrong label and had to call our supplier in Indy stat...This one kind of sucked...
12) Talked with a boat designer in Florida about our schedule moving forward on some really cool stuff...
13) Began making plans for a couple of focus groups in Dallas and Shreveport for above said "cool stuff"...
14) Learned about acid passivation on stainless steel boat propellers and how to combat rust
15) Ended the night with a video conference with some super cool electic Japanese boat designers on some new concepts

Whew!!! What a day...It's typically not that crazy where I'm juggling so many things at once. I'm usually working on two - three of those things a day but nothing like today...But seriously, I loved today. That's pretty much why I can't explain to anyone what I do or what my job title means. I really just want to put "Dude" down on my business card. I think it would better suit me anyways and I wouldn't have to really explain it.

I'm so thankful that I have a job that isn't boring. I'm so thankful for my bosses for letting me run with some of this stuff and letting me make big decisions. I'm so thankful for the incredibly smart people I get to work with and absorb stupid amounts of knowledge.

Anyways,,,just wanted to get that mind dump on paper while I was rollin' around...Time to go back and spoon with the missus...