Oh Well!
When a brick wall refused to get out of the way of my car on Sunday night; I was real bummed for about 30 minutes. At first I wanted to blame the person who parked in my reserved space, then the security guard who suggested that I park in this other space for the night. I even wanted to blame the wall; anyone or anything other than myself.

No Biggie
After sulking for about 15 minutes I snapped these photos, sent them to the Cadillac dealer saying, “I screwed up, and will be there in the morning. Fix this right away.” Once I did that I felt fine and slept well. And since dropping the car off I haven’t thought about it much at all. Out of sight. out of mind. The lesson is; when you screw up, it’s human to look for the blame, but once you accept responsibility and then take some corrective action all is well.

Changes? Yes
I was born in 1941; Yes, that makes me 69 years old this year. My High School graduation class just held its 50th reunion; No, I didn’t go. I have seen a lot of changes in the world since leaving high school; I don’t remember too many before that.

The 60’s
Yes; I remember the 60’s; that’s when I launched a career in selling, business and managing people. Can you spot me in the photo above? I have learned a lot about those two subjects as well in the past 50 years. It seems like a lot has changed; some changes better than others.
CLICK HERE to see Conan Obrian getting a history lesson.

41 Chevy
When I came across a 1941 Chevrolet Sales Training and Motivational Movie for managers recently, I made numerous observations. At first I was offended by the use of the terms, “He, Him, Man” and “Men” when referring to salespeople. In all fairness, that’s just the way it was in 1941. Today, women represent the majority of most company sales teams. My only purpose in mentioning this is that I would like for you to overlook that outdated language as you watch this movie. There is a very strong message in here for TODAY’S sales manager. I hope you get it.
If you missed the link above, and you manage people, you must see this movie:
CLICK HERE and then share your comments about the message I refer to.

Look Ahead to the Future
When selling, think about more than just this sale. With a little added thought and effort you can manage the lifetime buying cycle of your customers. There is someone else out there that wants your customer, and it is a sad scenario when a customers goes to a different store next time when you have what they are buying.

Communication Tools
The key to future sales is building lasting relationships with existing customers. You have access to tools today that didn’t exist just a decade ago. How effectively are you using e-mail, your computer, your web site, CRM, and the good old the telephone? When you use all of these tools (and more) to stay in touch with your customers, you will have satisfied customers that wouldn’t dream of buying from your competition. Could you imagine getting great service in a restaurant and then dropping your tip on a different table?

Become Addicted to Exercise
Make endorphins your drug of choice. They are a strong analgesic, and provide a sense of happiness. Endorphins are best known to those who exercise a lot, and can trigger what is known as the “runner’s high.” Some people find the rush from endorphins addictive, making exercise easy. These chemicals are natural; they work on your brain in a way that helps relieve stress, promote good moods, while helping you stay happier.

Stay Fit
The “battle of the bulge” becomes tougher as one gets older. Success, jobs, family and other responsibilities can hamper your appearance and physical condition if you allow them to take a higher priority. I find it interesting and motivational that some of the busiest (and successful) people still find the time to exercise regularly, while some of the most complacent are in bad shape.

Do Something - Move More
Dedicate some time to exercise. If you can’t go to go to the gym, don’t like the gym, or just don’t want to go to the gym, do something else. Find some sort of activity that requires the use of your muscles and gets your heart beating faster. It doesn’t have to be intense, but it does have to be regular. Bill Clinton, David Letterman and numerous other busy (and successful) people found the time to exercise regularly after having their heart by-pass surgery. Don’t wait for that motivation; do it now.

Take a Walk
One of the easiest and most effective forms of exercise is walking; and it’s free. There are no gym dues, you can wear pretty much what you want to, and you can do it all alone or with a companion. Get going now! I will too!!!

Secrets of His Success

Forbes Magazine reports Bill Gates as having a net worth of $46.5 billion dollars, making him the richest person of the world.

  He started out as a nerdy looking kid that got into his share of trouble with the police.

 He fell in love with the computer at a very young age and created Microsoft while his friends were still getting into trouble.

Bill Gates was recently asked why he closed his Facebook account and opened a Twitter feed. His reply, “I had too many people that I don’t know wanting to be my ‘friend.’ Facebook is about who you know; Twitter is about what you know.”

It is said that he is a very hardworking and benevolent person. The world has been talking about his secrets of success for many years. When asked what they were, he offered his five-point master formula of success:

1-Passion
2-Intelligence
3-Integrity
4-A Good Team
5-Leadership
  

Take Others Up With You
Regardless of where you are today, always look up to the next rung of the ladder and reach for it. At the same time look down to see who is just beneath you and extend a helping hand to pull them up with you. If the person above you starts to slip down, give him or her a boost back up. The more people you have on the ladder with you, the easier it is for everyone to keep climbing.

It’s a Win-Win Deal
If you are a business owner, help prepare your employees to take over your job someday. If you are a manager, help your staff members get to the same level you are at now. When they do, you will be a noch upward.
And… if you are a salesperson help your customers succeed by buying what you are selling.

Be Your Own Coach

In professional football, we see the best of the best playing. In spite of all of that talent, there are more coaches on the sidelines than there are players on the field. The head coach never misses a down. And this is with pros!

How many people in business go at it without a coach? How many coaches miss a few downs? The answer to both questions is, “Too many.”

One of the most important tools that Success Dynamics brings to the table is the Morning Report. This document makes your goal the boss, and you the coach. When you coach yourself to do whatever it takes to reach your goal you will be more successful; It’s Easy!

Can You See an Important Lesson Here?

In 1986, Mikele Mebembe was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University.
On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Mikele approached it very carefully.

He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant’s foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Mikele worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Mikele stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Mikele never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.

Twenty years later, Mikele was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Mikele and his son Tapu were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Mikele, lifted its front foot off the ground, and then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.

Remembering the encounter in 1986, Mikele couldn’t help wondering if this was the same elephant. Mikele summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Mikele’s legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.

It probably wasn’t the same elephant.