By Stephanie Elsen

Red Wing Software customer Carol Peck from EL-VI Farms LLC in Newark, New Jersey had some great things to say! Thanks so much Carol!

“We upgraded from Red Wing Payroll and AgCHEK Accounting software to CenterPoint Accounting and integrated Payroll in January 2012. At first, it seemed difficult to adapt to the different types of menus, and new terminology.

But now it is July, and I am so glad that we made the switch. It now takes only about 1 to 1.5 hours to process the payroll from start to finish, not counting downloading the hours from the time clocks. The post and print procedure in the payroll program works so smoothly in transitioning from employee paper checks to direct deposit pay advices. No longer do I have to process two complete pay runs like I did before purchasing the Direct Deposit module, and the pay run report has all the net pay amounts broken down by the amount and the bank account in which they are deposited. After a few glitches at first, it runs without any problems.

Also, being able to have multiple screens open at the same time allows me to retrieve information when needed, or to look up an account setup if I need clarification. I am constantly being interrupted at work with questions or requests, and it is so easy to switch to another screen to retrieve the information requested, and then return to the work in progress.

My heartfelt thanks to all the support staff at Red Wing Software. They are a very knowledgeable group of people, willing to help you through most any problem. I know that I can count on them to help when time is of the essence.”

Matt Hilton is a software sales consultant here at Red Wing Software. If you purchased a product from us, you have probably spoken with him! He is extremely well-versed in Red Wing Software products, and has been working here for 12 years! But did you know that Matt is also a huge fan of all types of music? I checked in with Matt this month to learn more about his musical interest.

1. Music is your passion – how did your appreciation for music start?

   My music passion began at a very young age and was mostly influenced by my parents. My father was a musician and played in several bands when he was younger, and both of my parents always encouraged my sister and me to explore many different musical genres.

2. What kind of music do you enjoy, and which instrument do you play?

   I listen to and enjoy about every genre of music that exists. My musical tastes range anywhere from country to classical. I do not limit my musical preference to any specific genre. I primarily listen to rockabilly and jazz at the moment, but it does vary quite a bit from day to day. I grew up playing trumpet but don’t play as much anymore, but still enjoy the instrument.

3. How have you been able to keep music in your life over the years?

   Although, I do not play much anymore, I do enjoy teaching. I have spent many summers over the last few years teaching drum and bugle corps, as well as private lessons. I very much enjoy watching young musicians develop into very talented adults. I believe that teaching helps me personally and professionally by giving me the opportunity to evaluate situations from different angles to come to a solid solution.

During working hours, Greg Lahaie can be found helping Red Wing Software customers get their payroll done on time. Greg has been working in support at Red Wing Software for 16 years, and is an expert in his field. Customers depend on his help daily to get their questions answered, complete processes, learn something new, and much more.

Outside of work, Greg is well known as an adventurous world traveler! His most recent travels took him to Alaska, for a vacation filled with fun and excitement. He and his wife even sent an e-mail while they were out, with a subject line of “We’re Not Dead Yet”. Well, all of us at Red Wing Software were extremely glad to hear that! (We were pretty sure our customers would feel the same way.) Have a look at Greg’s Alaska pictures, and you will understand the wild title. (Hint, there was zip-lining, white-water rafting and four-wheeling involved, just to name a few!)

Have you ever noticed when you ask someone what they “do” you usually get one of two responses; one, they are almost apologetic about their job, or two, their voice gets high pitched as they try to put some excitement into their answer that you can tell they clearly don’t buy into. What’s wrong with this picture? We all know we spend a vast majority of our life “working” and more time is spent with our co-workers than with our own families. How can we create some excitement into our chosen line of work, or our “job”?

We need to get a “gig”!

Just the word brings a connotation of fun and a sense of freedom! Musicians have gigs, comedians have gigs -- all of the “cool” jobs have gigs. Just think, an accountant could say, "I have a numbers gig." A software developer could say, "I develop 'gigs'" (no pun intended). I, a marketing manager, have a creative gig. You get the picture. Just the word “work” or “job” sounds boring, lacking the excitement and fun of what we know a “gig” to be. We spend too much of our life just working jobs, we need to recapture what the “cool” factor or passion was that brought us to the job and re-energize ourselves and rock that gig! If you are in-between a “gig” (like I might very well be after my boss reads this post), look for a “gig” not just a job. Life’s too short not to enjoy every minute of it, and when you find that gig, rock it!