Posts
A man feared his wife wasn't hearing as well as she used to and he thought she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach her, he called the family Doctor to discuss the problem.
The Doctor told him there is a simple informal test the husband could perform to give the Doctor a better idea about her hearing loss.
Here's what you do," said the Doctor, "stand about 40 feet away from her, and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response."
That evening, the wife is in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he was in the den. He says to himself, "I'm about 40 feet away, let's see what happens." Then in a normal tone he asks, 'Honey, what's for dinner?"
No response.
So the husband moves to closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from his wife and repeats, "Honey, what's for dinner?"
Still no response.
Next he moves into the dining room where he is about 20 feet from his wife and asks, Honey, what's for dinner?"
Again he gets no response.
So he walks up to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away. "Honey, what's for dinner?"
Again there is no response.
So he walks right up behind her. "Honey, what's for dinner?"
"James, for the FIFTH time I've said, CHICKEN!"
The problem may not be with the other person as we always think, could be very much within us!
--- Author Unknown
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Success or Failure?
What separates failure from success? Look at some of these people below and when you feel a little discouraged, just remember what these people accomplished when everyone else looked at them as failures. Stay focused, channel your emotions and Believe in Yourself!
Einstein was 4 years old before he could speak.
Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school and was considered "unpromising."
When Thomas Edison was a youngster, his teacher told him he was too stupid to learn anything. He was counseled to go into a field where he might succeed by virtue of his pleasant personality.
F.W. Woolworth got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21, but his boss would not permit him to wait on customers because he "didn't have enough sense to close a sale."
Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.
Bob Cousy, a legendary Boston Celtic basketball player, suffered the same fate, but he too is a Hall of Famer.
A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney because he "lacked imagination and had no original ideas."
Winston Churchill failed 6th grade and had to repeat it because he did not complete the tests that were required for promotion.
Babe Ruth struck out 1,300 times, a major league record.
A person may make mistakes, but is not a failure until he or she starts blaming someone else. We must believe in ourselves, and somewhere along the road of life we will meet someone who sees greatness in us and lets us know it.
Author Unknown
Einstein was 4 years old before he could speak.
Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school and was considered "unpromising."
When Thomas Edison was a youngster, his teacher told him he was too stupid to learn anything. He was counseled to go into a field where he might succeed by virtue of his pleasant personality.
F.W. Woolworth got a job in a dry goods store when he was 21, but his boss would not permit him to wait on customers because he "didn't have enough sense to close a sale."
Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.
Bob Cousy, a legendary Boston Celtic basketball player, suffered the same fate, but he too is a Hall of Famer.
A newspaper editor fired Walt Disney because he "lacked imagination and had no original ideas."
Winston Churchill failed 6th grade and had to repeat it because he did not complete the tests that were required for promotion.
Babe Ruth struck out 1,300 times, a major league record.
A person may make mistakes, but is not a failure until he or she starts blaming someone else. We must believe in ourselves, and somewhere along the road of life we will meet someone who sees greatness in us and lets us know it.
Author Unknown
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Want to be successful?
Want to know the secret to success?
The secret is …
There are no secrets!
Success usually is not easy. Henry David Thoreau said: "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." Webster’s defines success as: an event that accomplishes its intended purpose. There is no magic or short cuts to legal success. This is what you do. Start your day every day with ardent resolve toward your goals, passion for life and a love for your neighbors. Not every event accomplishes its intended purpose, if you don’t accomplish yours, learn what you can then move on and try again.
Every day we are blessed with new opportunities. Take a chance, play the game and expect to win. Every day, demand your best and expect the best from your team. Encourage and build up people around you. Don’t settle for mediocrity and remember giving up is easy. Thoreau gives us some good advice: get busy! A dear friend commented to me last week after reading my blog and reminded me of Nike’s slogan: Just Do IT!
Great days don’t just happen, they are made!
The secret is …
There are no secrets!
Success usually is not easy. Henry David Thoreau said: "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." Webster’s defines success as: an event that accomplishes its intended purpose. There is no magic or short cuts to legal success. This is what you do. Start your day every day with ardent resolve toward your goals, passion for life and a love for your neighbors. Not every event accomplishes its intended purpose, if you don’t accomplish yours, learn what you can then move on and try again.
Every day we are blessed with new opportunities. Take a chance, play the game and expect to win. Every day, demand your best and expect the best from your team. Encourage and build up people around you. Don’t settle for mediocrity and remember giving up is easy. Thoreau gives us some good advice: get busy! A dear friend commented to me last week after reading my blog and reminded me of Nike’s slogan: Just Do IT!
Great days don’t just happen, they are made!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
When will your Life Change
One day all the employees of a very unusual company reached their office and all saw a big sign on the main door which said this:
"Yesterday, the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym."
In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that person who hindered the growth of their colleagues and the company itself?
The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room. The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.
Everyone thought - "Who is this person who was hindering my progress?"
One by one the intrigued employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it, they suddenly became speechless. They all got to stand near the coffin, and all ended up shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.
There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see themselves!
There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: There is only one person who is capable of setting limits to your growth and IT IS YOU!
Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your husband or wife changes, when your company changes, when your church changes, when your location changes, when your money changes, when your status changes.
No, your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs.
Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don't be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses. Be a winner, build yourself and your reality. It's the way you face life itself that makes the difference.
Author Unknown
"Yesterday, the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym."
In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that person who hindered the growth of their colleagues and the company itself?
The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were ordered to control the crowd within the room. The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.
Everyone thought - "Who is this person who was hindering my progress?"
One by one the intrigued employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside it, they suddenly became speechless. They all got to stand near the coffin, and all ended up shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.
There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see themselves!
There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: There is only one person who is capable of setting limits to your growth and IT IS YOU!
Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your husband or wife changes, when your company changes, when your church changes, when your location changes, when your money changes, when your status changes.
No, your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs.
Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don't be afraid of difficulties, impossibilities and losses. Be a winner, build yourself and your reality. It's the way you face life itself that makes the difference.
Author Unknown
15 Rules for all Sales Professionals
1. Be passionate about what you do, the products you offer, and the company you represent. If you are “just” earning a paycheck, it’s time to move on!
2. Don’t make excuses! When something goes wrong, accept responsibility. Businesses are run by people, and people make mistakes. It’s not necessarily the mistake that can cause you to loose a client but how you react to the mistake, is above all, the most important.
3. Be a consultant for your client. It doesn’t matter if you are selling shoes or airplanes; make sure your client get the product that will solve their problem. I use the SPIN Selling model and would highly recommend this or a similar model.
4. If you are having a bad day, take the day off! The difference between a good day and a bad day is attitude. Remember the 90/10 rule: 10% of life is made up of what happens to you and the other 90% of life is decided by how we react.
5. Set expectations and over deliver. When you promise something, make sure it happens!
6. Know your market and the strengths, weaknesses and threats of your competition.
7. Set your goals, write them down, and review your progress frequently. The frequency depends on your product and how it is tracked. Goals need to be achievable and measurable. The more you can break your goals down, the easier it is to measure your success.
8. Plan your attack! Few sales people will do a business plan and even fewer will update their plan. In my plan, I analyze the market including competitive SWOT analysis, document goals and the activity needed to reach the goals. I consistently monitor my plan and make changes as needed. Your business plan should be a living breathing document. If you are doing the same thing over and over, you are going to get the same results!
9. Smart activity drives sales. Pick up the phone or go see a client. Use your time wisely and know how many “No’s” you need in order for that “Yes”. “No’s” aren't necessarily a bad… You are getting closer to the “Yes”
10. Selling is all about relationships. I had the highest sales in a territory for my company. Like all companies, none are perfect. When I left, sales plummeted not because I was a Super Sales Hero but because of the relationships I had forged and maintained were no longer attached to the company and the imperfections of the company were seen as a barrier in doing business with.
11. Be humble! There is a lot of pride in this world and the last thing the world needs is another ego to deal with.
12. Give thanks. Show your appreciation to your clients, your support staff, your boss and most importantly, your Maker for without them you have no success!
13. Help others succeed and grow. We hear of the WIIFM “what’s in it for me” change that to WIIFO “what’s in it for others”
14. Be yourself! Don’t try to be someone you are not. This will inhibit your growth
15. The last rule is simple but hard… Make it a Great Day! Good days might happen but Great days never just happen, they are made! Your attitude will determine your altitude!
2. Don’t make excuses! When something goes wrong, accept responsibility. Businesses are run by people, and people make mistakes. It’s not necessarily the mistake that can cause you to loose a client but how you react to the mistake, is above all, the most important.
3. Be a consultant for your client. It doesn’t matter if you are selling shoes or airplanes; make sure your client get the product that will solve their problem. I use the SPIN Selling model and would highly recommend this or a similar model.
4. If you are having a bad day, take the day off! The difference between a good day and a bad day is attitude. Remember the 90/10 rule: 10% of life is made up of what happens to you and the other 90% of life is decided by how we react.
5. Set expectations and over deliver. When you promise something, make sure it happens!
6. Know your market and the strengths, weaknesses and threats of your competition.
7. Set your goals, write them down, and review your progress frequently. The frequency depends on your product and how it is tracked. Goals need to be achievable and measurable. The more you can break your goals down, the easier it is to measure your success.
8. Plan your attack! Few sales people will do a business plan and even fewer will update their plan. In my plan, I analyze the market including competitive SWOT analysis, document goals and the activity needed to reach the goals. I consistently monitor my plan and make changes as needed. Your business plan should be a living breathing document. If you are doing the same thing over and over, you are going to get the same results!
9. Smart activity drives sales. Pick up the phone or go see a client. Use your time wisely and know how many “No’s” you need in order for that “Yes”. “No’s” aren't necessarily a bad… You are getting closer to the “Yes”
10. Selling is all about relationships. I had the highest sales in a territory for my company. Like all companies, none are perfect. When I left, sales plummeted not because I was a Super Sales Hero but because of the relationships I had forged and maintained were no longer attached to the company and the imperfections of the company were seen as a barrier in doing business with.
11. Be humble! There is a lot of pride in this world and the last thing the world needs is another ego to deal with.
12. Give thanks. Show your appreciation to your clients, your support staff, your boss and most importantly, your Maker for without them you have no success!
13. Help others succeed and grow. We hear of the WIIFM “what’s in it for me” change that to WIIFO “what’s in it for others”
14. Be yourself! Don’t try to be someone you are not. This will inhibit your growth
15. The last rule is simple but hard… Make it a Great Day! Good days might happen but Great days never just happen, they are made! Your attitude will determine your altitude!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What IF?
Do you ever ask yourself “what if?’ The problem with this question is it tends to ponder variables that are usually outside of our control or choices we make at a particular time in history. We humans are not perfect and we tend to make mistakes. It’s ok to have a personal debrief after any event in your life. Use the debrief as a time to learn but do not to ponder on things that are not. I live with a few simple rules that I will share:
The first 2 rules are rules we have heard before. 1. “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff “ #2 It’s all Small Stuff! What you are experiencing today in the grand scheme of things will be smaller as time goes on. It might seem huge today but will be forgotten next week. Present time is miniscule when compared to eternity. Learn from the small stuff and let this time train you so that you may empathetically counsel others in the future and you will be better equipped to handle new challenges. Learn but don’t be a victim.
The last set of rules are just as simple: #3 only worry about thing you can control and #4 Don’t worry about things you can’t control. I can only control my variables .. How I act, react, what I say and what I do but I can not control what you or someone else says, does, or thinks. We can’t control the weather so why would I want to go outside in the middle of a storm. If you lost your job because of economic down turns don’t worry about the things you can’t control, like perhaps the number of candidates applying for the next position. What you can control is your attitude, your drive, your conviction, your passion. Set yourself apart and remember there are too many victims out there don’t become the next.
Parting thoughts: Give your worries to your Maker and look inside for changes you and only you can make. Learn from our past, and if we don’t, a wise person once said we are doomed to repeat it. Help others, love other and work internally on being the best you can be. There are some what if question you could ask yourself: What if you see yourself as a strong, sensible, lovable and appreciative person that was created to succeed? What if you gave thanks for your success? What if I take charge in my life? What if I embrace the new and look for ways to change the world? It all starts with you… Go out and make it a great day!
The first 2 rules are rules we have heard before. 1. “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff “ #2 It’s all Small Stuff! What you are experiencing today in the grand scheme of things will be smaller as time goes on. It might seem huge today but will be forgotten next week. Present time is miniscule when compared to eternity. Learn from the small stuff and let this time train you so that you may empathetically counsel others in the future and you will be better equipped to handle new challenges. Learn but don’t be a victim.
The last set of rules are just as simple: #3 only worry about thing you can control and #4 Don’t worry about things you can’t control. I can only control my variables .. How I act, react, what I say and what I do but I can not control what you or someone else says, does, or thinks. We can’t control the weather so why would I want to go outside in the middle of a storm. If you lost your job because of economic down turns don’t worry about the things you can’t control, like perhaps the number of candidates applying for the next position. What you can control is your attitude, your drive, your conviction, your passion. Set yourself apart and remember there are too many victims out there don’t become the next.
Parting thoughts: Give your worries to your Maker and look inside for changes you and only you can make. Learn from our past, and if we don’t, a wise person once said we are doomed to repeat it. Help others, love other and work internally on being the best you can be. There are some what if question you could ask yourself: What if you see yourself as a strong, sensible, lovable and appreciative person that was created to succeed? What if you gave thanks for your success? What if I take charge in my life? What if I embrace the new and look for ways to change the world? It all starts with you… Go out and make it a great day!
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Quick Poem That Will Last Forever
Into each life a rain must fall
There's joy and pain you can recall
Life's full of challenge; big and small
But you can overcome them all.
Put everything in perspective
See things clearly, be positive
Life's wonderful, plenty to give
More goals and dreams you can achieve.
Leave the past, to the future move on
No regrets, just wisdom and vision
Everything happens for a reason
It's your new dawn, change your direction.
Look at life on a brighter scope
No burden's too great, you can't cope
In time; wounds will heal, do not mope
You'll rise and shine, never lose hope!
*****
What is Hope?
Two of my favorite definitions:
1)to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence
2)to believe, desire, or trust
There's joy and pain you can recall
Life's full of challenge; big and small
But you can overcome them all.
Put everything in perspective
See things clearly, be positive
Life's wonderful, plenty to give
More goals and dreams you can achieve.
Leave the past, to the future move on
No regrets, just wisdom and vision
Everything happens for a reason
It's your new dawn, change your direction.
Look at life on a brighter scope
No burden's too great, you can't cope
In time; wounds will heal, do not mope
You'll rise and shine, never lose hope!
*****
What is Hope?
Two of my favorite definitions:
1)to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence
2)to believe, desire, or trust
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Today
I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.
Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.
Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
Today I can wail because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.
I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has entrusted treasures into my care.
Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.
What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!
I hope your day is as good as mine will be!
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.
Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.
Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
Today I can wail because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.
I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has entrusted treasures into my care.
Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.
What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!
I hope your day is as good as mine will be!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Here is a Question to Ponder
A friend shared this with me and I hope it brightens your day as it did mine.
What if... Every day I will wake, look at myself in the mirror and say:
"There is no justice. I may be the victim of many unfortunate circumstances in life of which I have no control over. Regardless, I will not make excuses. I will not whine and complain. I will not feel sorry for myself. No!
Instead, I will find solutions! I will encourage others around me to think more positively. Most importantly, I will reconcile myself to a life of action, the kind of action that will set an example for others to emulate.
I will push myself beyond the limits of what I felt was possible before. I will remember the phrase: 'If I believe I can, or if I believe I can't; I'm probably right!'
I will not be afraid to take the challenge. Because of that, I can.
I WILL SUCCEED!!!"
One more thing if you are looking for a tenacious, competitive and results oriented person to lead a Sales Team then we must talk further. Thank you for reading and remember Great Days don’t just happen they are made.
What if... Every day I will wake, look at myself in the mirror and say:
"There is no justice. I may be the victim of many unfortunate circumstances in life of which I have no control over. Regardless, I will not make excuses. I will not whine and complain. I will not feel sorry for myself. No!
Instead, I will find solutions! I will encourage others around me to think more positively. Most importantly, I will reconcile myself to a life of action, the kind of action that will set an example for others to emulate.
I will push myself beyond the limits of what I felt was possible before. I will remember the phrase: 'If I believe I can, or if I believe I can't; I'm probably right!'
I will not be afraid to take the challenge. Because of that, I can.
I WILL SUCCEED!!!"
One more thing if you are looking for a tenacious, competitive and results oriented person to lead a Sales Team then we must talk further. Thank you for reading and remember Great Days don’t just happen they are made.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Giving Back
Winston Churchill said,” We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” In the Bible Paul teaches, “…the person who plants a little will have a small harvest, but the person who plants a lot will have a big harvest. Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give.” So why give? By helping other, I have found it gives a clarity, purpose and direction in my life.
One of my wife’s friends, Lisa who lives in Chicago, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As her condition deteriorated, her husband could not continue to live up to his wedding vows (in sickness and in health) and left. Being in Houston made it difficult for my wife and I to do much for her. Some friends told me about the MS150, a bike tour from Houston to Austin to raise money for MS. I decided: I would be Lisa’s champion and enter this event and ride in her honor. How hard could it be, it’s a bicycle! I don’t have to run or walk. Being overweight, I thought I could get in shape too. Once the training rides started, I quickly realized that I was in over my head. Not only did I tell all of my friends, family and associates but I told Lisa and her family. It was too late, no turning back. This was one of those defining moments in my life. Knowing that I couldn’t do it, I was determined to prove myself wrong. I trained 5-7 days a week. My driving force came from knowing that the pain I was experiencing was nothing compared to what Lisa was going through on a daily basis. How I suffered and knowing how Lisa was suffering gave me clarity, purpose and direction. She needed someone to stand up for her and face adversity with her. I am glad that I was there and used for that purpose. I did it and I survived and I have been continuing to ride in this event, in honor of Lisa, for the last 4 years.
To be loved, you have to love. It’s your chance to Pay It Forward. Help a friend, coworker or stranger down on their luck. Find a cause and be a champion for that cause. You will experience blessings that money can’t buy and meet people along the way that will change your life. Try it today. Do something unexpected for someone and start changing the world.
To learn more about MS or make a donation please visit:
Click Here or copy and past http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/EdHenderson
Great Days don't just happen, Make it a Great Day.
One of my wife’s friends, Lisa who lives in Chicago, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. As her condition deteriorated, her husband could not continue to live up to his wedding vows (in sickness and in health) and left. Being in Houston made it difficult for my wife and I to do much for her. Some friends told me about the MS150, a bike tour from Houston to Austin to raise money for MS. I decided: I would be Lisa’s champion and enter this event and ride in her honor. How hard could it be, it’s a bicycle! I don’t have to run or walk. Being overweight, I thought I could get in shape too. Once the training rides started, I quickly realized that I was in over my head. Not only did I tell all of my friends, family and associates but I told Lisa and her family. It was too late, no turning back. This was one of those defining moments in my life. Knowing that I couldn’t do it, I was determined to prove myself wrong. I trained 5-7 days a week. My driving force came from knowing that the pain I was experiencing was nothing compared to what Lisa was going through on a daily basis. How I suffered and knowing how Lisa was suffering gave me clarity, purpose and direction. She needed someone to stand up for her and face adversity with her. I am glad that I was there and used for that purpose. I did it and I survived and I have been continuing to ride in this event, in honor of Lisa, for the last 4 years.
To be loved, you have to love. It’s your chance to Pay It Forward. Help a friend, coworker or stranger down on their luck. Find a cause and be a champion for that cause. You will experience blessings that money can’t buy and meet people along the way that will change your life. Try it today. Do something unexpected for someone and start changing the world.
To learn more about MS or make a donation please visit:
Click Here or copy and past http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/EdHenderson
Great Days don't just happen, Make it a Great Day.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Story of 3 Brothers
This story was shared through an email I received. It reminds me that every day we are faced with task and how we approach these tasks ultimately defines our success and can determine our value. This story does an excellent job of illustrating these points.
Some years ago, three brothers left the farm to work in the city. They were all hired by the same company at the same pay. Three years later, Jim was being paid $500 a month, Frank was receiving $1,000, but George was now making $1,500.
Their father decided to visit the employer and find out why each son was being paid a different amount. The employer listened to the confused father and said, "I will let the boys explain for themselves."
Jim was summoned to the supervisor's office and was told:"Jim, I understand the Far East Importers has just brought in a large transport plane loaded with Japanese import goods. Will you please go over to the airport and get a cargo inventory?"
Three minutes later, Jim returned to the office. "The cargo was one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," Jim reported. "I got the information over the telephone from a member of the crew."
When Jim left, Frank, the $1,000 a month brother, was called. "Frank," said the supervisor, "I wish you'd go out to the airport and get an inventory of the cargo plane which was just brought in by Far East Importers." An hour later, Frank was back in the office with a list showing that the plane carried 1,000 bolts of Japanese silk, 500 transistor radios, and 1,000 hand painted bamboo trays.
George, the $1,500 a month brother, was given identical instructions. Working hours were over when he finally returned."The transport plane carried one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," he began. "It was on sale at sixty dollars a bolt, so I took a two-day option on the whole lot. I have wired a designer in New York offering the silk at seventy-five dollars a bolt. I expect to have the order tomorrow. I also found five hundred transistor radios, which I sold over the telephone at a profit of $2.30 each. There were a thousand bamboo trays, but they were of poor quality, so I didn't try to do anything with them."
When George left the office, the employer smiled. "You probably noticed," he said, "that Jim doesn't do what he's told, Frank does only what he'd told, but George does without being told."
How can we be more like George today not only in your business dealings but personal life as well?
Hope you enjoyed.
Remember Great Days don’t just happen, Go out and “Make it a Great Day”
Some years ago, three brothers left the farm to work in the city. They were all hired by the same company at the same pay. Three years later, Jim was being paid $500 a month, Frank was receiving $1,000, but George was now making $1,500.
Their father decided to visit the employer and find out why each son was being paid a different amount. The employer listened to the confused father and said, "I will let the boys explain for themselves."
Jim was summoned to the supervisor's office and was told:"Jim, I understand the Far East Importers has just brought in a large transport plane loaded with Japanese import goods. Will you please go over to the airport and get a cargo inventory?"
Three minutes later, Jim returned to the office. "The cargo was one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," Jim reported. "I got the information over the telephone from a member of the crew."
When Jim left, Frank, the $1,000 a month brother, was called. "Frank," said the supervisor, "I wish you'd go out to the airport and get an inventory of the cargo plane which was just brought in by Far East Importers." An hour later, Frank was back in the office with a list showing that the plane carried 1,000 bolts of Japanese silk, 500 transistor radios, and 1,000 hand painted bamboo trays.
George, the $1,500 a month brother, was given identical instructions. Working hours were over when he finally returned."The transport plane carried one thousand bolts of Japanese silk," he began. "It was on sale at sixty dollars a bolt, so I took a two-day option on the whole lot. I have wired a designer in New York offering the silk at seventy-five dollars a bolt. I expect to have the order tomorrow. I also found five hundred transistor radios, which I sold over the telephone at a profit of $2.30 each. There were a thousand bamboo trays, but they were of poor quality, so I didn't try to do anything with them."
When George left the office, the employer smiled. "You probably noticed," he said, "that Jim doesn't do what he's told, Frank does only what he'd told, but George does without being told."
How can we be more like George today not only in your business dealings but personal life as well?
Hope you enjoyed.
Remember Great Days don’t just happen, Go out and “Make it a Great Day”
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
What Does Your Echo Say?
On a daily basis, what are we telling ourselves about who we are? What are we telling others about ourselves? How does this reflect on our interactions with others? This is a great story and someone shared this with me a few years back. I wish I knew who the author is to give appropriate credit. Enjoy.
A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself and screams, "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells, "Who are you?"
He receives the answer, "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams, "Coward!"
He receives the answer, "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks, "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says, "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain, "I admire you!"
The voice answers, "I admire you!"
Again the father screams, "You are a champion!"
The voice answers, "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains:
"People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it.Your life is not a coincidence. It's a reflection of you!"
A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself and screams, "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells, "Who are you?"
He receives the answer, "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams, "Coward!"
He receives the answer, "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks, "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says, "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain, "I admire you!"
The voice answers, "I admire you!"
Again the father screams, "You are a champion!"
The voice answers, "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains:
"People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; life will give you back everything you have given to it.Your life is not a coincidence. It's a reflection of you!"
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Making a Difference with a Personal Mission Statement
I started my career in sales like many others: doing whatever it took to make the sell and counting commission dollars along the way. I had a mentor that suggested not to count commissions, but to count quantity of production. He also advised to take the word sell out of my vocabulary and replace it with the word help. It took me a while to grasp this approach and it wasn’t until I had another mentor whom suggested developing a personal mission statement. Her personal mission statement was “To Improve the Quality of Life for the People I Serve”. I liked her personal mission statement so much that with her permission I adopted and made it my own.
This personal mission statement governs every interaction with the people that I serve. Who do I serve? My direct reports, my boss, other departments within our organization, our customers, and our agents that sale our products, my family, the youth sports teams I coach, my church, my friends and the list goes on. Identifying who I serve was just part of the equation, but how do you improve their quality of life? What I do is try to be one’s advocate, looking out for others best interest, making every interaction as positive as it can be, doing what is asked and helping them grow. Sometimes my products are not the best match for a client. If I am an advocate for that person then I need to make honest recommendations. Admit mistakes and don’t hide them. Take a genuine interest in others and watch how you can make a difference.
Once I adopted this personal mission statement and started living it out, my life changed. Sales grew and relationships deepened. I have another friend who has a personal mission statement that I love: “Helping Others Grow" She uses this similar to the way I use mine. As a VP of Sales, this governs her interaction with her staff, family and in her church. It’s a wonderful way to live – “helping others grow”
Email me your favorite personal mission statements and I will post them in the future.
Remember Great Days don’t just happen they are made. Make it a Great Day!
This personal mission statement governs every interaction with the people that I serve. Who do I serve? My direct reports, my boss, other departments within our organization, our customers, and our agents that sale our products, my family, the youth sports teams I coach, my church, my friends and the list goes on. Identifying who I serve was just part of the equation, but how do you improve their quality of life? What I do is try to be one’s advocate, looking out for others best interest, making every interaction as positive as it can be, doing what is asked and helping them grow. Sometimes my products are not the best match for a client. If I am an advocate for that person then I need to make honest recommendations. Admit mistakes and don’t hide them. Take a genuine interest in others and watch how you can make a difference.
Once I adopted this personal mission statement and started living it out, my life changed. Sales grew and relationships deepened. I have another friend who has a personal mission statement that I love: “Helping Others Grow" She uses this similar to the way I use mine. As a VP of Sales, this governs her interaction with her staff, family and in her church. It’s a wonderful way to live – “helping others grow”
Email me your favorite personal mission statements and I will post them in the future.
Remember Great Days don’t just happen they are made. Make it a Great Day!
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