Battleship HMS Richmond spotted off the coast of Tywyn

I found this interesting as goes to prove that the public doesn't understand what a "Battleship" is.

Battleship HMS Richmond spotted off the coast of Tywyn

28 February 2013

A BATTLESHIP which played a main role in the opening hours of the 2003 Iraq campaign was spotted off the coast of Tywyn on Saturday.

HMS Richmond, was spotted by Tywyn resident Ian Wasse on Saturday afternoon.

He said the ship sailed close to the shore for around 10 minutes before heading off in a northernly direction.

The HMS Richmond is among the most tried and tested in the fleet, having pounded Saddam Hussein’s defences on the Al Faw peninsula in the opening hours of the 2003 Iraq campaign, and providing vital aid in the Caribbean after Hurricane Ivan.

The ship has just completed a period of training under flag officer sea traning in HM Naval Base Devonport.During 2012, the focus for the ship was on ensuring the ship’s readiness for operations for many years.

The Richmond has undergone structural repairs to extend the life of the hull, together with a wide va-riety of upgrades to the sensors and weapons.

Celebrate Battleship IOWA's 70th Birthday!

We Made Every SugarCRM Employee A Salesperson – Here’s How You Can, Too

CLINT ORAM

Saturday, February 9th, 2013

6 Comments

Editor’s note: Clint Oram is the CTO and co-founder of SugarCRM. Follow him on Twitter@sugarclint.

I have worked with companies that considered its customers to be obstacles to avoid or ignore: “If only we didn’t have to deal with those pesky complaining customers,” they’d say, “we’d have time to do really great work.” Any company whose employees still cling to the “customer is always wrong” mindset can kiss success goodbye.

Customers will trust each other before they’ll trust a company, relying heavily on user opinions before deciding where to spend their money. And they don’t need to wait for brands to create a place to share these views; they can find plenty of places to talk trash about your company if you’re ignoring them. Social media has empowered customers to the point where they are self-sufficient and demanding of attention and delivery of quality products.

With so many customers becoming advocates (pro or con) for your company, you need to respond by creating advocates at every level of your business, which may require a major shift in culture. The old-school view of customer relations is that only the sales department gets and keeps customers. Now, all employees, from the CEO to sales to accounting to HR, are players in the customer-satisfaction game.

How do you create this “everybody is in sales” culture? By promoting enterprise-wide engagement. In other words, quickly connect your employees with your customers in high-value interactions, and you create more, happy customers.

ENGAGE YOUR CUSTOMERS

To make the significant shift to a sales culture, change needs to start at the top. Over the past 10 years, there’s been a movement at enlightened companies to align their operations specifically around customers. For example, many companies ranging from public, like Zynga, to private, likeOnswipe, have added the new C-level position of chief revenue officer, which oversees sales, service, and support departments to keep all of these customer-facing functions operating with common goals.

Other positions that are popping up in the C-suite to create a broad-based sales culture include the chief product officer who is charged with developing solutions that customers truly need (not what you in the business think they need). Chief culture officers, whose brief includes making sure everyone is reaching out to customers in a company-approved manner, is another role that businesses are considering.

And of course, the CEO needs to think of herself as part of this process. In the end, the CEO is your chief customer officer.

ENGAGE WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES

As you enlist your employees in a customer-centric approach to their work, you need to engage in these discussions on their terms. This means establishing places where they can share ideas for raising the bar on customer service – for example, private groups online or internal solutions like IBM Connections or Jive.

Along with providing vehicles to encourage employee camaraderie, you need to give them access to the information that will help them become better, smarter customer advocates. In the old days, customer information did not travel far in the organization; it was mainly delivered up the ladder to management for reporting purposes.

But this unidirectional, siloed approach to customer data no longer helps create a customer-focused culture. The CRM revolution means that this information can be accessed across the business, so that sales can come from any department, or with the help of several departments – not just sales.

ENGAGE THE ENTERPRISE

Everyone is becoming part of the sales process. Your company is most successful when you create a company culture that understands this. In addition to encouraging employees to share ideas and revamping your executive structure to place the focus on customers, you need to make changes in how various departments talk to each other.

Traditionally, departments’ goals weren’t shared with others. But today, everyone expects to be part of the decision-making process. Company leaders at SugarCRM are encouraged to create visibility into goals and targets for each quarter. Equal visibility is a terrific motivator.

The process of gathering the enterprise together in a united view of customer service requires social collaboration solutions. They provide the access to information that fuels engagement and can help you share each department’s goals in order to align people, processes, and technology to reach the overall business goal. And make sure to reward all employees when that deal is closed – don’t just limit awards to sales teams.

The combined impact of these customer, employee and enterprise engagement steps is that you send a clear message to customers that they won’t hit barriers when they try to get problems solved or inquire about new products. No matter who they contact in the business, or what department that person is in, the customer will quickly be well-informed.

Broadside February 8, 2013

From the Bridge:

We had a great past week with solid attendance and an increase in crew involvement. Group sales booked eight groups for the end of this week and ten groups next week. Our Museum Committee had its first meeting this week and the Education Committee will kick off with its first meeting in the early part of next week. It is exciting to see the sewer and drainage project in full swing. The entire project is being sponsored and donated by the Engineering Contractors Association, Laborers Union, Chief Engineering Company, Herzog Construction, Cal Portland, Bubalo Construction, Wells Supply, Enortraffic, Alhambra Foundry, OC Winwater Company, Penhall, and support by Councilmember Joe Buscaino's office. Please give these folks a big thank you when you see them.

We are beginning to look at potential sponsorship opportunities that include education programs, arrival experience, advertising, and many other areas. Our curator is busy at work getting ready to receive historic artifacts and begin building our collection. Don't forget to join us on February 17, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM to celebrate IOWA's 70th birthday. We will have cake, music, activities, and celebrations to honor this special day. I will be attending the Spirit of ‘45 National Leaders Conference on February 14th to the 16th to further promote "Celebrating the American Spirit," and to garner the national support of our sister ships, and other WWII museum and memorials. Best of all, we had an important museum consultant visit the ship this week who was amazed and impressed with the crew, the cleanliness the ship, and the pleasantness of every crew member they encountered . This is IOWA pride at its best! We are doing a great job honoring the ship and veterans that served aboard her. Thank you again for being a crew member. First and foremost, have fun!
- Jonathan Williams, President & Chief Operations Officer
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What’s all that digging and dirt in the parking lot?
Sewer and drainage Update from our operations manager
In the words of Jonathan Williams “Today was a great day, it’s really a great day”! We started
the excavation for the first lateral of the sewer line at the North end of the parking lot. This work is
being donated by the Engineering Contractors Association which includes Underground Contractor,
Labors Union and many gracious suppliers from the local area. This is planned to take about 4 -5 weeks
of hard work and coordination with the Port of LA and the LA City building department. If you see the
folks out there working please take the time to tell them ‘Thank You’. We will update you more as the
project flows ahead. –Dan Pawloski

As explained by Mike Getscher:
This is the first step in a number of steps to bring sewer / drainage to the ship. Eventually we will be tying the ship into these lines. While this is an exciting development, it does not mean that we will have working toilets on board anytime soon. That is a long, complicated process, but at least we can say we’ve started!

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Thanks for all the great suggestions, but we decided to keep “The Broadside.” Yes! I will be contacting those of you who wish to help. Formatting and content will be improved! Bear with me. Cheers! -Sue
The Broadside 2/8/13
Crew Newsletter of the USS IOWA
Celebrating the American Spirit Volume 2

More from Dan P. – Ship ops Update
Last week I sent out an email for some special work that came up and the response was fantastic. I would like to thank all that came and helped out with the up and over light aft, and helped tighten up the mooring lines. It was great to have that kind of response on short notice. We still have some great work going on so come on down and help, we need more volunteers every day. -Dan Pawloski, Ship Operations Manager
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Tour Department
We are looking forward to some interesting challenges in servicing some very large school groups in the very near future. One of the school groups has over 250 students that will be here for a guided tour and lunch afterwards. Check your emails for a special call for assistance on that one. Our own tour department training team continues to produce materials that will soon be presented to the Education Committee for review. We want to welcome the newest member of that team, Bob Maronde. Bob hit the ground running and has produced a “Tour Guide Training Brochure” based upon the information this team has already developed. This Brochure is designed to assist the new Tour Guide to become acquainted with the expectations and operation of the Tour Department onboard the Battleship IOWA. Thanks, Bob.
- Craig Post, Director of Attractions and Programs
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FROM THE CURATOR
The Curator's office is moving to a larger compartment amidships on port 2nd Deck this week. The new area will allow more room for staff and volunteers to properly catalog and prepare artifacts for storage, plus process items for display on Iowa's tour.
Iowa's February 17th Birthday Celebration - Preparations for a small exhibit in celebration of Iowa's 70th anniversary of her first 1943 Commissioning are in works. Those photos and memorabilia will probably be placed in the Officer's Wardroom. We have also been coordinating the visit of an FDR and General Mac Arthur impersonator for the celebration. They, along with other invited dressed WWII combat re-enactors, will be outside the Captains' Cabin 01 "veranda" Deck for visitors to speak with and take pictures.
- Dave Way, Curator
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Have you been to our Ship’s Store lately? They have been getting in new items almost every week, including this throw - like the one on the bed in the Captain’s Cabin. Whether it’s an IOWA mug, jacket, challenge coin, custom 16” wooden ruler, hat pin, dog toy, or DVD – you can find it and much more in the Ship’s Store. Crew receive a 15% discount. Show your crew ID and remember to ask for your discount BEFORE they ring up the sale.
Welcome Aboard!
Bob Parent – Ops Dale Thompson – Tours Emma Thornton-Gines - Ops
Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer
Erik Krause – Security Ike Del Hierro – Tours Jason Arellano - Ops
Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer
Renan Gongora - Ops Ron Loebner – Tours Steve Zastoupil – Ops
Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer
Ross O’Brien
Chief Financial Officer
Welcome also to new volunteers Joe Vanderhoof ,Ty Williams, Tony Peeples, and Aron and Adam Wahl in Ship Ops, and John Poat, Corky Elliot, and Dave Bates who bring MARS experience to our radio team. (Sorry, but I couldn’t get the photos to load properly. –Sue)
On the horizon
 Sunday, February 10 - Behind the Scenes Crew Tour – 2nd Deck (active crew only) 3:00 PM
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FA5A623A02-crew1 for all dates. Access code: BB61
 Wednesday, February 13 - Behind the Scenes Crew Tour – 2nd Deck (active crew only) 5:00 PM
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FA5A623A02-crew1 for all dates. Access code: BB61
 Friday, February 15 - Lunchtime Potluck - Come celebrate February birthdays and Valentine’s Day:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FA5A623A02-crew24
 Saturday, February 16 – The Great Los Angeles Air Raid at Fort MacArthur 3:00 – 8:00 PM
Tickets and information: www.ftmac.org (310) 548-2631
* We have 10 free tickets that were donated for distribution to volunteers. Email volunteer@labattleship.com
 Sunday, February 17 - Presidents Day and Celebration of the USS IOWA’s 70th Birthday 11:00 – 4:00 This event is being promoted, so expect a need for extra hands that day.
 Monday, February 18 – Docents from the USS Midway will be aboard IOWA from 10:00 – 1:00
 Wednesday, February 20 - Behind the Scenes Crew Tour – 2nd Deck (active crew only) 5:00 PM
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FA5A623A02-crew1 for all dates. Access code: BB61
 Sunday, February 24 - Behind the Scenes Crew Tour – 2nd Deck (active crew only) 3:00 PM
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FA5A623A02-crew1 for all dates. Access code: BB61
 Wednesday, February 27 - Lunchtime Potluck with crew from LA Fire Department station 112
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FA5A623A02-crew11
all hands on deck!
We will be having an All Hands Crew Meeting on Wednesday Evening, February 27, 5:00 – 6:00 PM in the Crew’s Mess. Please sign up so we can get an idea of how many will attend, but if you don’t, come anyway.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FA5A623A02-allhands This meeting will be followed by the movie, “Battleship” along with hot dogs, chips, and popcorn. It may seem silly, but since many may not be able to stay – or others can only join us later, there is a separate sign up for the movie. A head count will really help. This includes staff. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044FA5A623A02-mess
Do you enjoy Facebook? You are invited to join our closed group:
USS Iowa Active Volunteers. Go to: www.facebook.com, search USS
Iowa Active Volunteers, then request to join the group. Crew Only.

Thank you all!

Thank you all for the surprise birthday cake and get together last night. I didn't expect it and I am thankful to call of you shipmates. Continue to have fun, have IOWA pride, and Celebrate the American Spirit. -JW

Night at Battleship Cove

Submitted by Joe Miller | Posted: Friday, February 1, 2013 10:52 am

The Berlin Pack 5 Scouts, sponsored by Willard School, visited Battleship Cove in Fall River, Mass. At Battleship Cove, the scouts explored the world’s largest collection of historic naval ships. After touring battleship Massachusetts, destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., submarine Lionfish, PT Boats 617 and 796, and the Russian missile corvette Hiddensee, the scouts, their parents and adult leaders spent the night on board the USS Massachusetts. Battleship Cove’s Nautical Nights program included a knot tying class, storyteller, living history presenter, major motion picture and a Morse-code class. Battleship Cove serves as the Commonwealth’s official memorial for Massachusetts citizens of all military branches who lost their lives in World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf conflicts, and the Commonwealth’s victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.