In celebration of our Fanatic FENG’ers

In celebration of our Fanatic FENG’ers Cover Image

In late December, there as an article in The Wall Street Journal titled “How Kindness Echoes Around Our Worlds.” My initial reaction was they had found out about us. But, no, we weren’t mentioned.As I hope you know, The FENG is an unusual organization. We are a society of friends, not a “f...


Jan 02, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Paint on a smile

Paint on a smile Cover Image

During the upcoming New Years Day holiday weekend, a great opportunity will be presenting itself to you in the form of gatherings of those who know you (and presumably love you).In order to enjoy the greatest benefit, you need to paint on a smile. I don’t care if you have been out of work ...


Dec 27, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The captain can show no fear

The captain can show no fear Cover Image

There was this very amusing comedy routine that I heard many years ago. During part of it, the comedian pointed out that when operating on a patient under local anesthetic, surgeons are not allowed to say “oops.” (I know what I mean when I say oops. What did he mean?)In much the same way, ...


Dec 03, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Every gathering is a networking event

Every gathering is a networking event Cover Image

I hope that all of you have plans for the Labor Day weekend. Please know that every gathering is a networking event.Although I don’t recommend bringing resumes to the various barbeques you may be attending, do bring business cards and that winning smile of yours.People know people. And, if...


Aug 30, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Unsolicited advice

Cover Image

There was a cartoon I saw many years ago. The picture was of a man playing a piano in what was obviously a western saloon. The sign above the piano read: “Don’t shoot the piano player. He’s doing the best he can.”I have often lamented that the most difficult task I face each day is getting...


Jun 27, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Paint on a smile

Paint on a smile Cover Image

During the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, a great opportunity will be presenting itself to you in the form of gatherings of those who know you (and presumably love you).In order to enjoy the greatest benefit, you need to paint on a smile. I don’t care if you have been out of work 3...


May 25, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Do you know who I am?

Do you know who I am? Cover Image

There is an extended joke I heard a while back about a man who experienced a flight cancellation. As a matter of fact, he was not alone. The line was long and as the minutes turned to an hour, he was getting angrier and angrier.When he finally got to the head of the line he demanded to be ...


May 24, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Asking for and accepting help

Asking for and accepting help Cover Image

Several years ago I got a note from one of our new members that warmed my heart.He forwarded a note to me with a copy of his resume and as I scrolled through his message I smiled to myself in pride at what a remarkable organization we have created for ourselves.I didn’t actually need yet a...


Aug 18, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The sounds of silence

The sounds of silence Cover Image

There was an article in the New York Times several years ago about how employers and recruiters no longer seem to get back to job seekers, even when they have been serious candidates for particular opportunities. Things haven’t gotten much better over the years.As easy as it is to click re...


Jul 12, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Unsolicited advice

Unsolicited advice Cover Image

It is a well-known fact that men don’t like unsolicited advice. It is for this reason that we used to drive in circles from time to time, even though our spouse quietly suggested we stop at that gas station we kept passing and ask for directions. (GPS has at least solved that problem.) We ...


Dec 15, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Cover Image

As we begin “the holiday season,” I hope everyone will spend a few minutes counting their blessings.Although the specter of Covid-19 appears to be continuing to hang over us, it is vitally important to keep a positive attitude about life and our career prospects in the days, weeks, months ...


Nov 23, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Watching each other's back

Watching each other's back Cover Image

I don’t know if you have noticed, but all of the job leads from The FECG include a sentence that says “You may forward this to other members of The FENG if you are aware of their background and/or interest in this kind of opportunity.”I wish all the job leads in our newsletter had this sen...


Nov 09, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Putting your own mask on first

Putting your own mask on first Cover Image

For those of you who were flying road warriors before Covid-19, I can understand that you may no longer remember the very helpful discussion that preceded take off.Personally, I don’t think that anyone who doesn’t know how to work the seat belt should really be let out alone to wander the ...


Oct 20, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The intimidation factor

The intimidation factor Cover Image

One of the many things I hear members comment on from time to time when they are out and about networking within our group is: “I can’t believe how talented everyone is. How can I ever expect to get a job if some of these folks are out of work?”I am not sure why I am caught off guard by th...


Sep 12, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

No one ever calls

No one ever calls Cover Image

I had an interesting comment from one of our members of long standing several years ago to the effect that no one was calling him. Of course, the ultimate revenge would be to give all of you his phone number and ask you to call our very own “lonesome George,” but that would be mean.While i...


Sep 01, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Law and order

Law and order Cover Image

Over the years I have been asked many times how large The FENG could get before “law and order” breaks down. By law and order breaking down I am talking about a point in time when we can no longer count on our members to treat each other with respect.Respect comes in many forms. We all tak...


Aug 09, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The art of friendship

The art of friendship Cover Image

Perhaps because we fill in so many forms during the course of our careers, it seems that as financial types we are always looking for a fill in the blank approach to just about everything.Is there a formula for 90-second announcements, I am frequently asked? Well, there are some basic guid...


Jul 28, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Life is a journey

Life is a journey Cover Image

I have often noted to my friends who aren’t into boating that the difference between a power boater and a sail boater is that power boaters usually use their boats to go somewhere, whereas sail boaters are already there once they step onto their boat.In our goal driven, management by objec...


Jul 26, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Curb your enthusiasm-NOT

Curb your enthusiasm-NOT Cover Image

There is a memorable scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in which Paul Newman is challenged for control of the Hole in the Wall Gang. They agree that the best way to settle their disagreement is with a knife fight. Paul suggests that before they get started that they should decide ...


Jul 20, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Human Interaction

Human Interaction Cover Image

Since we have so many new members each year, I thought I would write something tonight about the mission of The FENG and how we accomplish our objectives for one another.Sailors are a naturally friendly lot. (Yes, another sailing analogy!) As one of the other couples my wife and I met at a...


Jul 12, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Why bother saying thank you?

Why bother saying thank you? Cover Image

For those of you who are sailing fans and/or history buffs and saw the movie Master & Commander: The Far Side of The World, there was a scene where Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany were having a heated argument about the merits of flogging. The comment made by the captain was that the go...


Jun 28, 2021

By Matt Bud, The FENG