What's The Buzz?

JUNE 2015

No poet's work has pushed the envelope like
Emeril E. Dickinson
(Emmett Lee Dickinson's great-great-grand nephew).

With poems like "Because I could not stop for the weekly staff meeting," "Safe in their Alabaster cubicles," and "I'm the Assistant Administrator to the Administrative Assistant. Who are you?" his poetry is known the world over!

We'll peel back the onion throughout the month, so take a look for our deep dive into Dickinson's work. It's sure to be win-win!

June 1:

Who was Emeril E. Dickinson? He was the great-great-grand nephew of Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request) and he is known the world over for his business poetry and buzzword poetry. His autobiography, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, was turned in an award-winning Broadway musical, a first-class movie, and an exceptional Power Point presentation.

Pictured at the left: Emeril E. Dickinson, the great-great-grand-nephew of Emmett Lee Dickinson.

Emeril E. Dickinson began his career as a private factotum for the president and CEO of General Business Services, and he worked his way up to become a general factotum for the chief executive and director of the Universal Trades Association.

He is also known around the world for his poetry of business jargon and buzzwords.

Pictured at the right: Dickinson's autobiography, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, was turned into a Broadway musical, a movie, and an impressive Power Point presentation.

June 2:

Emeril E. Dickinson was the first to introduce the "secretarial pool" to corporate America, and he furthered his idea when he opened the Dickinson Amanuensis Training Academy in Washerst, PA. To this day, the academy is the premier secretarial training school in the United States if not the world.

Pictured at the right: A post-graduate degree class at the Dickinson Amanuensis Training Academy in Washerst, PA.

Emeril E. Dickinson was particularly proud that throughout his career he had worked his way up from private factotum to general factotum. He wrote about his days as an assistant in his now-classic poem, "I'm the Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Administrator! Who are you?" (below on the left). On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "I'm nobody! Who are you?" Did Emeril E. Dickinson influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around?
You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

I’m the Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Administrator! Who are you?
Are you an underachiever, too?
Then there’s a pair of us – don’t tell!
It’s part of our DNA, you know.

How tiring to emote Synergy
How overused, like a buzzword
To drink the koolaid the livelong day
With a never-ending blog!

By Emily Dickinson:

I’m nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us - don't tell!
They'd banish us, you know.

How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!

June 3:

Pictured at the left: Late in life, Emeril E. Dickinson founded and opened the American Research Center for the Study of Buzzwords, Business Jargon, and Policyspeak.

Below: In addition to the research center he founded, Emeril E. Dickinson made major impacts in the world of business -- many of are still present today. Here are the Top Ten ways Dickinson influenced the workplace:

1.   He invented the rumor mill.
2.   He instituted the coffee break.
3. He established the water cooler as the official office meeting place.
4.   He coined the term "Human Resources" (although, he actually complained that companies drove
       employee like horses, and he actually called the practice "Human Race Horses").
5.   He conceived of and started office politics.
6.   He invented cubicles.
7.   He instituted casual Fridays.
8.   He created motivational posters to hang in offices.
9.   He was the first to use "In/Out" boards.
10. He invented Buzzword Bingo

June 4:

Pictured at the right: The Strategic Communications Office at the American Research Center for the Study of Buzzwords, Business Jargon, and Policyspeak, founded by Emeril E. Dickinson.

Shortly after the ARCSBBJPS opened, Dickinson alluded to its Strategic Communications Office in his now-classic poem, "This is my strategic communication for Globalization" (below on the left). On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "This is my letter to the World." Did Emeril E. Dickinson influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around?
You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

This is my strategic communication for Globalization
Because we have not been hitting our numbers –
I’ve peeled back the Onion –
To discover what’s Mission Critical

I’ve broken through the clutter
To begin to identify unrealized SMART goals –
So going Forward – Sweet – stakeholders –
Let’s work together for – Quality Assurance controls

By Emily Dickinson

This is my letter to the World
That never wrote to Me –
The simple News that Nature told –
With tender Majesty

Her Message is committed
To Hands I cannot see –
For love of Her – Sweet – countrymen –
Judge tenderly – of Me

June 5:

Did you know that Emeril E. Dickinson invented the rolodex? He said that the idea came to him after he wrote his poem entitled, "There is not Frigate like a Staff Directory."

Pictured at the left: The original rolodex invented by Emeril E. Dickinson is on display at the Emeril E. Dickinson Museum in the heart of the financial district of Washerst, PA.

Shortly after he wrote "There is no Frigate like a Staff Directory," Dickinson invented the rolodex. Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "There is no Frigate like a Book." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around?
You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

There is no Frigate like a Staff Directory
To land us new Accounts
Nor any Win-Win like an email List
Of a client’s All Contacts –
This Traverse may any Entrepreneur take
With all the latest gadgetry –
How much leverage is there with New Sincerity
That bears an Exit strategy

By Emily Dickinson:

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry--
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll--
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human soul

June 6:

Emeril E. Dickinson also invented the "pink slip." It was actually a 5-part form called "Notice of Termination of Employment," and the employee's copy was the fifth -- and pink -- page of the document.

Pictured at the right: A copy of an original pink slip is on display at the Emeril E. Dickinson Museum in the heart of the financial district of Washerst, PA.

Shortly after he invented the "pink slip," Dickinson wrote "Apparently with no surprise." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem by the same name. Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

Apparently with no surprise
According to the Rumor mill –
The Company will be contracting certain operations and responsibilities
to a third-party service provider
As a result of strategic cost management –
The company’s Chief Solutions Architect proceeds unmoved
To measure off the customer base shift during the organization's evolution
For an Approving Corporate Office

By Emily Dickinson:

Apparently with no surprise
To any happy Flower
The Frost beheads it at its play –
In accidental power –
The blonde Assassin passes on –
The Sun proceeds unmoved
To measure off another Day
For an Approving God.

June 7:

Another invention of Emeril E. Dickinson's was the world-famous double vault at the Washerst First National Bank. After a spate of robberies at the bank, Dickinson suggested the double vault so that would-be robbers wouldn't know which one held the bank's funds -- since the bank could move the money on any given night. The double vault did reduce the number of robberies, however it created problems with bank customers who could never remember which vault contained their safe deposit boxes. This adverse side-effect gave Dickinson the idea for his poem "I lost a World of Added Value – at the end of the day!"

Pictured at the left: The world-famous double vault at the Washerst First National Bank

After numerous bank customers complained of losing track of their safe deposit boxes in Washerst First National Bank's world-famous double vault, Dickinson wrote "I lost a World of Added Value – at the end of the day!" Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is a poem by Emily Dickinson which was inspired by Emeril E. Dickinson's poem. Did Emeril E. Dickinson's work influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

I lost a World of Added Value – at the end of the day!
Has anybody found?
You’ll know it by its Return on Investment
And a marketing strategy that’s sound.

A Fat Cat – might have to calibrate expectations –
Yet – from my Perspective,
Of more Esteem than Social Currency –
Oh find it – Sir – for me!

By Emily Dickinson:

I lost a World – the other day!
Has Anybody found?
You'll know it by the Row of Stars
Around its forehead bound.

A Rich man – might not notice it –
Yet – to my frugal Eye,
Of more Esteem than Ducats –
Oh find it – Sir – for me!

June 8:

Did you know that there was a time when businesses did not use pie charts to report data? That's because pie charts hadn't been invented yet, and all information was conveyed on what was called a "cake chart."

Pictured at the right: Two examples of "cake charts," the main method used by businesses to convey information.

Later, Emeril E. Dickinson invented pie charts, and they have come to be the most often used method to represent information graphically.

In his poem "I never saw a more solutions-oriented vision statement," Dickinson mentioned his new invention, the pie chart. Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "I never saw a Moor." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

I never saw a more solutions-oriented Vision Statement.
I never saw a customer-focused Rock Star –
Yet know I how a Paradigm shifts,
And what long-term low-risk high-yield Logistics are –

I never pushed the Envelope
Nor run it up the flagpole –
Yet certain am I that I’m singing to the choir
As if the pie chart were whole –

By Emily Dickinson:

I never saw a Moor.
I never saw the Sea –
Yet know I how the Heather looks,
And what a Billow be –

I never spoke with God
Nor visited in Heaven –
Yet certain am I of the spot
As if the Checks were given –

June 9:

What would the world of business be without consultants and motivational speakers? It would certainly not be as strong and robust. The Society of Consultants, Advisors, and Motivational Speakers (SCAMS) states that the service of consultants boosts a company's bottom line by a minimum of 83% and a maximum of well over 200%.

Pictured at the left: Founded by Emeril E. Dickinson, the Society of Consultants, Advisors, and Motivational Speakers (SCAMS) has its world headquarters in Washerst, Pennsylvania.

June 10:

Emeril E. Dickinson was a consultant himself for many years for all of the "Five Families" in the publishing industry (information on the "Five Families" can be found HERE. Later in life he wrote an ode to the profession entitled "Consulting on the clock." Dickinson's poem is below on the left. That poem inspired Emily Dickinson to write "Consulting summer's clock," below on the right. Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson

Consulting on the clock,
And half my hours remain.
They’ll ascertain my invoice with a shock –
But sign a contract again.
The second set of deliverables
Will have more takeaways than the first.
The truth is I’ll increase significantly my chargeables –
I muffle with a jest!

By Emily Dickinson:

Consulting summer's clock,
But half the hours remain.
I ascertain it with a shock
I shall not look again.
The second half of joy
Is shorter than the first.
The truth I do not dare to know
I muffle with a jest.

June 11:

If you get a paid two-week vacation every year, you should thank Emeril E. Dickinson -- he's the one who first conceived of the idea of vacation time and vacation pay.

Pictured at the right: Vacationers relaxing on the beach on Dickinson Lake. The lake was named for Emeril E. Dickinson's great-great-grand-uncle, Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request).

Shortly after he suggested the idea of paid vacation, Dickinson wrote "Mundane Days! Mundane Days!" Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "Wild Nights! Wild Nights!" Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

Mundane days! Mundane days!
Were I on holiday
Mundane days would be
Past memory!

Futile the thoughts
To a hand at work
Dealing with clients
Dealing with jerks.

Hoping for Freedom!
Ah! the sea!
Might I wish more,
Vacation, for thee!

By Emily Dickinson:

Wild nights! Wild nights!
Were I with thee,
Wild nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile the winds
To a heart in port,
Done with the compass,
Done with the chart.

Rowing in Eden!
Ah! the sea!
Might I but moor
To-night in thee!

June 12:

Another legacy of Emeril E. Dickinson's in the world of business, trade and industry is the founding of the American Society of Downsizing and Rightsizing Consultants.

Pictured at the left: The national headquarters for the American Society of Downsizing and Rightsizing Consultants in Washerst, Pennsylvania.

Dickinson's poem "If I can stop one Firm from downsizing" is now the consultant's creed for the American Society of Downsizing and Rightsizing Consultants. Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "If I can stop one Heart from breakint." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

If I can stop one Firm from downsizing
I shall not consult in vain
If I can ease one Corporation from outsourcing
Or preempt the redistribution of Human Resources

Or help one failing Company
Unto an Integrated Marketing Solution
I shall not consult in vain.

By Emily Dickinson:

If I can stop one Heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one Life the Aching
Or cool one Pain

Or help one fainting Robin
Unto his Nest again
I shall not live in vain.

June 13:

The fiscal year for many companies in the United States runs from July 1st through June 30th. It is set that way to begin on Emeril E. Dickinson's birthday, July 1st. Dickinson founded the Institute of Internal Auditors, and to honor him, the IAA established the fiscal cycle to begin on his birthday.

Pictured at the right: The national headquarters for the Institute of Internal Auditors in Washerst, PA.

Shortly after he founded the Institute of Internal Auditors, Dickinson wrote "The Months have reports – the Year – an audit." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "The Months have ends – the Year – a knot." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

The Months have reports – the Year – an audit –
No Power can undo
To stretch a little further –
A Time of Misery –

The Accountants inspect the bottom line –
And the mysterious Ledgers –
To ascertain there is no doubt
That there’s an ultimate Fudger –

The manner of the Receivable and Payable Clerks –
Who weary of the Day –
Themselves – the nervous Bookkeepers
Till documents are put away –

By Emily Dickinson:

The Months have ends – the Years – a knot –
No Power can untie
To stretch a little further
A Skein of Misery –

The Earth lays back these tired lives
In her mysterious Drawers –
Too tenderly, that any doubt
An ultimate Repose –

The manner of the Children –
Who weary of the Day –
Themself – the noisy Plaything
They cannot put away –

June 14:

"Drink the Kool-Aid" is a phrase coined by Emeril E. Dickinson to indicate blind obedience to a person or cause. He came up with it after his boss reminded him that his job description included the catch-all phrase "and all other duties as assigned." Dickinson responded by stating, "I guess one has to drink the Kool-Aid to succeed around here." It later came to refer to knowingly going along with a doomed or dangerous idea because of peer pressure.

Shortly after he coined the phase, Dickinson wrote "To One who's drunk the drink." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "To One denied to drink." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

To One who’s drunk the drink
To tell what Kool-Aid is
Would be mission critical, would it not
Than letting Him peel back the onion on the back end?

To lead Him to the Water Cooler
And let Him draw a cup
Remind Him, would it not,
There is no exit strategy to offer up?

By Emily Dickinson:

To One denied to drink
To tell what Water is
Would be acuter, would it not
Than letting Him surmise?

To lead Him to the Well
And let Him hear it drip
Remind Him, would it not, somewhat
Of His condemned lip?

June 15:

Three of Emeril E. Dickinson's uncles are credited with developing the test which certifies individuals take to become Certified Public Accountants. The also developed the concept of regular corporate or company budget meetings and reviews.

Pictured at the left: Two of Emeril E. Dickinson's uncles, the founders of Dickinson, Dickinson and Dickinson, Public Accounts. Everett Dickinson is on the left. Averett Dickinson is on the right. Everist Dickinson is not pictured.

After attending his uncles' training seminar on the importance of regular budget reviews, Emeril E. Dickinson wrote "After budget meetings, a painful feeling comes." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "After great pain, a formal feeling comes." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

After budget meetings, a painful feeling comes –
The Gurus sit ceremonious, as if they’re Offline –
The COO questions was it You, that brought about this downward trend
Yesterday, or 24/7/365?

The Brain, dysfunctional, goes round –
And Round, Aware of Naught –
Like nailing Jello to a tree
Been there done that,
Between a hard place – and a rock –

This is the Hour of Analysis Paralysis –
Remember, if survived,
As Desperate persons recollect the tip of the iceberg –
First – Run it up the flagpole – then Stretch the envelope –
then the writing’s on the wall –

By Emily Dickinson:

After great pain, a formal feeling comes –
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs –
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

The Feet, mechanical, go round –
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought –
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone –

This is the Hour of Lead –
Remembered, if outlived,
As freezing person recollect the snow –
First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –

June 16:

Emeril E. Dickinson invented the concept of product placement. For fees he charged corporations, he would strategically place items -- from Starbucks coffee cups to M&M candies -- within his cubicle. The concept caught on -- particularly in the television and motion picture industries -- and later Dickinson founded the Institute of Product Placement.

Pictured at the right: The Institute of Product Placement in Washerst, PA.

Shortly after he founded the Institute of Product Placement, Emeril E. Dickinson wrote "To fill a Gap (or a Banana Republic)." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "To fill a Gap." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

To fill a Gap (or a Banana Republic)
Insert the Thing as product placement –
H&R Block it up
With Other stuff – and ’twill sell the more –
You cannot straddle an Abyss
Without Air Jordans.

By Emily Dickinson:

To fill a Gap
Insert the Thing that caused it –
Block it up
With Other – and 'twill yawn the more –
You cannot solder an Abyss
With Air.

June 17:

For a short time, Emeril E. Dickinson was the Frobisher Hildebrand Cregan Professor of Social Enterprise and International Management & Director of the Center for Customer Insights and Institute for Global Affairs at the Emmett Lee Dickinson Community College in Washerst, and during his tenure he developed what are known as the "Six Phases of a Big Project": 1. Enthusiasm; 2. Disillusionment; 3. Panic; 4. Search for the guilty; 5. Puishment of the innocent; and 6. Reward for the uninvolved.

Pictured at the left: Dickinson's handwriting on a legal pad where he developed the "Six Phases of a Big Project." (Click the image to enlarge) -- on display in the lobby of ELDCC's Center for Customer Insights and Institute for Global Affairs.

Shortly after he developed the "Six Phases of a Big Project," Emeril E. Dickinson wrote "Enthusiasm is the first Act." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "Finding is the first Act." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

Enthusiasm is the first Act
The second, disillusionment,
Third, Panic and hysteria for
The “Golden Prize”

Fourth, Discovery of the guilty –
Fifth, Punishment of the Crew –
Finally, a Golden Prize –
For – the – uninvolved.

By Emily Dickinson:

Finding is the first Act
The second, loss,
Third, Expedition for
The "Golden Fleece"

Fourth, no Discovery –
Fifth, no Crew –
Finally, no Golden Fleece –
Jason – sham – too.

June 18:

Emeril E. Dickinson is credited with being the first to say "It's 5 o'clock somewhere" and "If you don't believe the dead come back to life, you should be here at quitting time."

Shortly after he first stated, ,"If you don't believe the dead come back to life, you should be here at quitting time," Emeril E. Dickinson wrote "The greatest Rebirth ever known." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "The largest Fire ever known." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

The greatest Rebirth ever known
Occurs each Day at Five –
Discovered as we watch the clock
With our utmost concern –
The quitting bell reports to men
To head back to their Town,
Until another morning
When work must carry on.

By Emily Dickinson:

The largest Fire ever known
Occurs each Afternoon –
Discovered is without surprise
Proceeds without concern –
Consumes and no report to men
An Occidental Town,
Rebuilt another morning
To be again burned down.

June 19:

As noted above (see entry dated 6/17), Emeril E. Dickinson was the Frobisher Hildebrand Cregan Professor of Social Enterprise and International Management & Director of the Center for Customer Insights and Institute for Global Affairs at the Emmett Lee Dickinson Community College. However, he resigned after he was passed over at the college to become the Center's Dean and Lead Executive of Tactical Operations, Research, and Infrastructure.

Pictured at the left: Emmett Lee Dickinson Community College's Center for Customer Insights and Institute for Global Affairs is now named for Emeril E. Dickinson.

After he was passed over to be the Dean and Lead Executive of Tactical Operations, Research and Infrastructure, Emeril E. Dickinson wrote "Promotions are counted sweetest." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "Success is counted sweetest." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

Promotions are counted sweetest
By those who ne’er advance
To comprehend the rungs on the ladder of success
Requires more than chance.

Not one of all the applicants
Who interviewed today
Can doubt the strategic portrayal
So clear, of their transferrable job skill sets,

As he, defeated, crying,
On whose agonizing ear
The call from Human Resources
He didn’t want to hear.

By Emily Dickinson:

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple host
Who took the flag today
Can tell the definition,
So clear, of victory,

As he, defeated, dying
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear.

June 20:

Did you know that office cubicles were invented by Emeril E. Dickinson? He said he got the idea after he spent time in the Reading Room at the Emmett Lee Dickinson School for Boys in Ithaca, New York.

Below: The Reading Room at the Emmett Lee Dickinson School for Boys in Ithaca, New York.

Below: Some of the first cubicles invented by Emeril E. Dickinson, the great-great-grand nephew of Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Shortly after he invented the office cubicle, Emeril E. Dickinson wrote "Week hours have perished here." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "Sweet hours have perished here." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Week hours have perished here,
This is my cubicle –
Within its walls I dream to play
On weekend's beautiful.

By Emily Dickinson:

Sweet hours have perished here,
This is a timid room –
Within its precincts hopes have played
Now fallow in the tomb.

June 21:

Another poem Emeril E. Dickinson wrote about his invention of office cubicles was his class poem, "Safe in their Alabaster Cubicles." Dickinson was very clever with this poem by embedding the names of his three daughters: Safein, Alabaster, and Dolly (whom Dickinson called "Dolls").

Pictured at the right, from left to right: Dolly "Dolls" Dickinson, Alabaster Dickinson, and Safein Dickinson the daughters of Emeril E. Dickinson.

Dickinson called his second poem about office cubicles "Safe in their Alabaster Cubicles." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "Safe in their Alabaster Chambers." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

Safe in their Alabaster Cubicles –
Untouched by Coffee Breaks –
And untouched by Lunch –
Sleep the meek members of the Sales Team –
Out of the loop, and Inside the box –

Slow go the Hours,
In the Office around them –
Work fills their Days –
And Managers – growl –
Morale – drops –
And Workers surrender –
Lifeless as Dolls,
At a Puppet Show.

By Emily Dickinson:

Safe in their Alabaster Chambers –
Untouched by Morning –
And untouched by noon –
Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection,
Rafter of Satin and Roof of Stone –

Grand go the Years,
In the Crescent above them –
Worlds scoop their Arcs –
And Firmaments – row –
Diadems – drop –
And Doges surrender –
Soundless as Dots,
On a Disk of Snow.

June 22:

The concept of "truth in advertising" came about after the landmark case Marlboro/R J Reynolds Tobacco vs. Lucky Strike when Emeril E. Dickinson represented the R J Reynolds Tobacco Company after Lucky Strike ran their "A Gift of Pleasure" advertising campaign showing Santa Claus smoking a Lucky Strike. Dickinson argued convincingly that Santa Claus was really a Marlboro man, so Lucky Strike had to run subsequent ads showing Santa smoking a Marlboro cigarette along with the statement, "TRUTH IN ADVERTISING: As determined by the Virginia District Court in the case of Marlboro/RJReynolds Tobacco Company v. Lucky Strike, Santa Claus smokes Marlboro cigarettes.

Pictured at the left: Lucky Strikes original advertisement.

Picture at the right: The ad declaring "Truth in Advertising" after the finding in the Virginia case Marlboro/RJReynolds Tobacco v. Lucky Strike.

Shortly after he developed the concept of "truth in advertising," Emeril E. Dickinson wrote, "Tell all the truth but tell it through customer-centric Content Marketing." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "Tell all the Truth but tell it slant." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

Tell all the Truth but tell it through customer-centric content marketing –
Success in Earned Media lies
Integrated marketing solutions for our firm’s Success
The Marketing’s superb R O I [1]

As the latest Gizmo to the Propellerhead [2] raised
With enthusiasm met
The Marketing must dazzle rapidly
To cast a wider net –

[1] Return on Investment

[2] A trendy techno-geek (in reference to those beanies with the spinning propellers on them)

By Emily Dickinson:

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant –
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind –

June 23:

The movie "Sex Tape" is directly related to the poem "The computing Cloud surprised this Guy" by Emeril E. Dickinson. When the main characters realize the mistake they've made after they've uploaded a naughty tape on the Internet, Jason Segel as Jay barks, "It went up! It went up to the cloud!"

"And you can't get it down from the cloud?" cries his wife Annie (played by Cameron Diaz).

"Nobody understands the cloud," shouts Jay. "It's a #$!@-ing mystery!"

Pictured at the left: The movie poster for "Sex Tape" states "Based on Emeril E. Dickinson's poem about 'the cloud.'"

Shortly after he developed the concept of "the cloud," Emeril E. Dickinson wrote, "The computing Cloud surprised this Guy." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "A curious Cloud surprised the Sky." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

The computing Cloud surprised this Guy,
’Twas like a virtualization Grid;
The scale was Large –
The Services Shared –
It really flipped my lid!

So slow I learned – then wearier grew –
And trailed like shadow play,
With Trial and Error though I’ll
Figure it out one day.

By Emily Dickinson:

A curious Cloud surprised the Sky,
'Twas like a sheet with Horns;
The sheet was Blue --
The Antlers Gray --
It almost touched the lawns.

So low it leaned — then statelier drew --
And trailed like robes away,
A Queen adown a satin aisle
Had not the majesty.

June 24:

Emeril E. Dickinson was always a champion of the common man, and this was never more obvious than when he founded the Bureau of Bankruptcy and Ruin, an institute dedicated to helping individuals, couples and families who overspend and overextend their credit.

Pictured at the right: The Bureau of Bankruptcy and Ruin, founded by Emeril E. Dickinson.

Shortly after he founded the BB&R, Emeril E. Dickinson wrote, "The Sun is rising in the East." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "The Sun is reigning to the West." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

The Sun is rising in the East
I barely make a sound
Inside my Car on road to work
I want to turn around
But I need pay for All my debts

By Emily Dickinson:

The Sun in reining to the West
Makes not as much of sound
As Cart of man in road below
Adroitly turning round
That Whiffletree of Amethyst

June 25:

Does your boss drive you crazy? There's always counseling available if your company has an EAP -- or Employee Assistance Program.

Emeril E. Dickinson conceived the idea of the EAP, and he founded the Guild of Employee Assistance Program Counselors. The guild's headquarters is located in Washerst, PA, on Dickinson Boulevard (named for Emmett Lee Dickinson -- Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed, at her request).

Pictured at the left: Counselors at the headquarters for the Guild of Employee Assistance Program Counselors

Shortly after he founded the Guild of Employee Assistance Program Counselors, Emeril E. Dickinson wrote, "It is easy to work when the boss is away." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "A curious Cloud surprised the Sky." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

It is easy to work when the boss is away –
But when the boss is a pain –
The hearing him bellow at an all-hands meeting about how we have to bite
the bullet, pull our weight and face the music
Makes work difficult – then –

It is simple, to ache to the Bone, at the Grind –
And Retreat – he’s got some nerve –
Morale declining – terribler –
Like a roach in the hor s’doeuvre –

By Emily Dickinson:

It is easy to work when the soul is at play –
But when the soul is in pain –
The hearing him put his playthings up
Makes work difficult – then –

It is simple, to ache in the Bone, or the Rind –
But Gimlets – among the nerve –
Mangle daintier – terribler –
Like a Panter in the Glove –

June 26:

For a short time Emeril E. Dickinson worked as a picker at Ben & Jerry's Coffee Plantation in Burlington, Vermont. The coffee beans are used for Ben & Jerry's "I Taste a Coffee Never Brewed" ice cream (information is HERE). It was there that Dickinson came up with the concept of "low hanging fruit" -- a thing or person that can be won, obtained, or persuaded with little effort).

Pictured at the right: Ben & Jerry's Coffee Plantation in Burlington, Vermont.

Shortly after he was a coffee picker for Ben & Jerry's, Emeril E. Dickinson wrote, "The low hanging fruit." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "A word is dead." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

The low hanging fruit
Does not leverage repute
Some say.

I say it just
Is on the runway
At the end of the day.

By Emily Dickinson:

A word is dead
When it is said,
Some say.

I say it just
Begins to live
That day.

June 27:

A penny saved is a penny earned, and as a child, Emeril E. Dickinson would save pennies in an antique bank depicting his great-great-grand-uncle, Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request).

Pictured at the left: An antique coin bank like the one Emeril E. Dickinson owned as a child. The bank depicts Emmett Lee Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe when they worked together in vaudeville as "Izzy Sharp and Moe."

Saving pennies in his bank gave Emeril E. Dickinson the inspiration to write "I pay -- in Social Currency." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "I pay -- in Satin Cash." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

I pay – in Social Currency –
You did not state – the opportunity cost –
One million, for a Startup
Is just a ballpark figure –

By Emily Dickinson:

I pay – in Satin Cash –
You did not state – your price –
A Petal, for a Paragraph
It near as I can guess –

June 28:

Emeril E. Dickinson was instrumental in helping to turn the "Holiday Season" into the "Shopping Season." He introduced the idea of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday, Mega-Mart Sunday, and much more. He even helped turn "Thanksgiving" into "Thanksgetting"! Information about the "Shopping Season" is HERE.

Starting in August (or in July with some department stores) you'll see the Christmas lights and decorations going up -- all thanks to Emeril E. Dickinson!

Pictured at the right: A "Happy Shopping Days" card.

Shortly after he conceived of the idea of the "Shopping Season," Emeril E. Dickinson wrote "The Holiday Season has two Beginnings." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "Summer has two Beginnings." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

The Holiday Season has two Beginnings –
Beginning once in August –
Beginning on Black Friday
Effectively again –

Without, perhaps, the Riots
So graphically for Sales –
With the challenge of managing multiple traditional bricks and mortar store types
to online and mobile
Let’s hope the consumer demand and spending tips the scales –

Departing then – forever –
Forever – until May –
Forever can be calamitous
Expect for some struggling business to die –

By Emily Dickinson:

Summer has two Beginnings –
Beginning once in June –
Beginning in October
Affectingly again –

Without, perhaps, the Riot
But graphicker for Grace –
As finer is a going
Than a remaining Face –

Departing then – forever –
Forever – until May –
Forever is deciduous
Except to those who die –

June 29:

The water cooler was invented by Emeril E. Dickinson's great-great-grand-uncle, Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). The original idea was to place it outside a business establishment as a meeting location for employees. However, it was Emeril E. Dickinson who thought to move the water cooler inside.

Pictured at the left: One of the original water coolers invented by Emmett Lee Dickinson.

Shortly after he came up with the idea to move businesses' water coolers indoors, Emeril E. Dickinson wrote "I would die -- to know." Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "I could die -- to know." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

I would die – to know –
’Tis some office gossip –
Office -Staff whisper More –
Bosses – joggle by –
Keep a bold face – stare out the window –
Intertwine – with Chatter where some truths Lie –

Friends asked on a Hunch
Just shrug their Shoulders –
Careful – in my Rolling Chair – I see – how near –
To the Water Cooler – where words are passing –
Possibly, this moment –
While I – dream – to Hear –

By Emily Dickinson:

I could die – to know –
'Tis a trifling knowledge –
News-Boys salute the Door –
Carts – joggle by –
Morning's bold face – stares in the window –
Were but mine – the Charter of the least Fly –

Houses hunch the House
With their Brick Shoulders –
Coals – from a Rolling Load – rattle – how – near –
To the very Square — His foot is passing –
Possibly, this moment –
While I – dream – Here –

June 30:

Meetings at the American Research Center for the Study of Buzzwords, Business Jargon, and Policyspeak -- founded by Emeril E. Dickinson -- are legendary. The ARCSBBJP has multiple meetings every day, and several of them last for days!

Pictured at the right: A meeting of the executives at the ARCSBBJP.

Though Emeril E. Dickinson did not like meetings, he knew that they were, in fact, a necessity of doing good business. Early in his career, he wrote "Because I could not stop for the weekly Staff Meeting. Below on the left is Dickinson's poem. On the right is Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I could not stop for Death." Did Emeril E. Dickinson's poem influence Emily Dickinson? Or was it the other way around? You be the judge:

By Emeril E. Dickinson:

Because I could not stop for the weekly Staff Meeting,
It kindly stopped for me.
The Conference Room held but just myself
And the Lead Brand Supervisor, the Senior Marketing Liaison,
the Corporate Research Specialist, the National
Implementation Coordinator, the Regional Response
Administrator, the Global Paradigm Architect, the Internal
Applications Developer and Infrastructure Facilitator, the
Chief Web Strategist, and the District Usability and
Metrics Facilitator and Data Strategist.

We slowly met – We knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor and my industry,
For a (very predictable) game of BS Bingo –

We passed the Agenda, where Key Objectives
Were posted – on the page –
We passed the Old Business –
We passed the New Business –

Or rather – It passed Us –
The Hours grew agonizing and dull –
For only Gobbledygook, our Talk –
Our Debate – did numb the Skull –

We paused before a Lunch that seemed
A Swelling on the Plate –
The Taste was scarcely noticeable –
The Flavor – was not Great –

Since then – ’tis centuries – and yet
Feels longer than even that
I first realized the Committee
Was toward Next Generation Client Centric Strategies –

By Emily Dickinson:

Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –

We passed the School, where Children strove
At recess – in the ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –

Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown--
My Tippet – only Tulle –

We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –

Since then – 'tis centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity –