I know that I've been AWOL from this blog for the past several weeks -- sorry about that.  But I'm back to writing again, and pleased to start out with congratulations for our latest impressive group of Core Values Awards Winners.  Here are the seven winners of the Spring 2010 Core Values Awards as presented by our Core Values Awards Committee:

1. Jared Easterday

Web Production Project Manager, Law.com, New York

Jared consistently demonstrates the ALM Core Values, in particular Quality, Innovation and Teamwork which were evident in a recent project he worked on. The company recently launched a revamped registration process for our Web sites.  Jared stood out because had been lobbying to "fix" the registration process for several years and his perseverance and vision finally made this happen.  The business issue he resolved was allowing people who come to our sites to register on one simple page, rather than the old eleven page format.  Improving this process will generate higher registration levels which significantly contributes to revenue and will increase customer satisfaction.  Working on registration is not even part of Jared's job description, but his desire to make this process better and knowledge of how the system worked led to his involvement.  He worked tirelessly for many weeks and continues to make improvements.  His work on this project was Innovative, often asking both business and IT to reconsider an approach. His willingness to be part of the team and giving extra effort exemplify our core values.

2. Lazette Jackson

CLE Accreditation Manager, Law.com - Customer Service/ Fulfillment, New York   

Lazette started with the company as a temporary employee working within the mailroom. It was quite evident when she started that she possessed the abilities and determination for a much bigger role within our company. Lazette demonstrated time after time that she understood the essence of our business, core values, customer service, respect of clients and peers as well as effort and sacrifice beyond what was asked for or customary. Because of these qualities she was soon hired as a full-time employee within our events division. Since that time Lazette has managed the difficult task of re-organizing our CLE accreditation program. In this role Lazette has instituted Innovative policy change and reform, all of which has not only streamlined and automated this program, but has raised the level of Quality and customer satisfaction, while controlling costs and driving revenue.

3. Dan Levine

Reporter, The Recorder, San Francisco

Dan is an aggressive and accomplished reporter who routinely scoops competitors on the high profile federal court beat in San Francisco. His approach to covering the Prop 8 trial earlier this year exemplified ALM's core values in two key ways. First, Dan saw the Prop 8 trial as a great way to build an audience for the Twitter feed <http://twitter.com/FedcourtJunkie>  he'd launched the previous month. So he got permission from the court to use a laptop and cell phone in the courtroom, and was one of a handful of observers - and the only reporter - to tweet the trial in real time. He attracted hundreds of followers his first day, and scores more each day of the three-week trial (he ended with about 1600 followers). Dan's mix of play-by-play, color commentary, and off-the-cuff analysis was a hit with readers, and got other reporters and editors here to see new potential in Twitter and other social media. Bill Pollak called Dan's feed out in his blog as an example of how ALM should be using social media. And Dan did all this while filing more than a dozen print stories during the trial, plus numerous blog posts. He certainly demonstrated the core value of Innovation. Dan is also known as strong Team player which was very evident during the trial when he did a story for the NLJ from the courtroom while still doing his Twitter updates. His Innovation with social media and consistent Teamwork exemplify two of our core values. Read his work, and you'll see him demonstrate a third value: Quality.

4.  Eileen Vella

Executive Assistant, Legal, New York

Eileen was nominated by six different managers whom she works with. She has many roles on the National Magazine team, from Top Gun administrator, confidant, chief of institutional memory, employee advocate, counselor and advisor, ringmaster, coordinator, juggler, financial whiz, and much more. She is described as the sometimes-unsung heroine of the editorial division. Most of all, having a fierce "moral compass" and a passion to do the "right thing"  -- whether it is quietly helping an edit team meet a crucial deadline, coordinating the "contest" season with its almost endless paperwork, or diving in to help a manager who has staff vacancies. Eileen has a commitment to Quality/ excellence, Integrity, Teamwork and Trust in everything she does. She exemplifies ALM Core Values and the managers who nominated her said it was an honor and privilege to do so. 

5. Michael Weingart

Account Executive, Expert Witness, New York

Michael's manager says he nominated Michael because he demonstrates all of our Core Value, and has since he started with the company over five years ago.  He describes him is an inspiration to his co-workers, and an example of an employee who combines Quality with Integrity when doing his job. As a sales group, selling in a difficult economy Michael is one of the top sales reps, and continues to be successful and set a good example for the rest of the group. Michael exemplifies Integrity and never spins the truth or takes the easy way out to sell. Michael's attention to Quality is obvious on a daily basis. He is the first one in in the morning, and he focuses on his work non-stop until the end of the day. His clients get the best of care and attention. In fact he hand-writes a thank you note to every customer. Michael is also described as a great Team Player that the rest of the team benefits from. When he has a good idea (which is quite often), he is sure to share it with everyone on the team. He sets a high bar for the other sales reps, and the results he achieves are indisputable.

6. Samuel Wong

Production Manager, Legal, New York

Sam received two separate nominations for a Core Values Award. Both of those nominations described how he embodies the ideals laid out in the Core Values and uses these qualities to the benefit of The National Law Journal and Legal Times team in DC. Sam's entire job is resolving business issues as he lays out the paper every week.  He is a Trusted colleague who works closely with the business and editorial teams so that the newspaper contains everything it is supposed to, looks attractive and is easy to read.  Sam deals with several various deadlines for advertising - a juggle every week - and he makes himself available at all times for changes and additions - right up to Friday afternoon when the paper is closed out.  Sam exhibits great Quality in his work, has very quick turnaround times, and is a strong Team Player.  

7.  Jason Young

Conference Producer, Realshare - Real Estate, New York 

Jason received three separate nominations for a Core Values Award. These nominations described him as a problem solver in capital letters who frequently handles multiple conference productions far beyond the normal already-intense expectation. He does so while demonstrating a completely positive attitude. His show formats are Innovative and of high Quality as evidenced on the In House Website. Jason is respected by his colleagues and considered by them to be a trustworthy team player. It is for these reasons that they have nominated him for representing the best of what our Core Values are all about. He is professional, courteous, prepared, well organized and a true team player who raises the bar for anyone working with him. 

Please join me in congratulating our winners on this notable accomplishment!