"Go to the Buick and turn around."

I'm watching "Any Given Sunday" the other night on AMC, not one of my favorite movies but there was nothing else on and I hadn't seen it in a long time. I did get motivation from the inspirational speeches that happens throughout the movie...in fact the speeches are so popular that you find many of them posted on YouTube.

The one that stood out to me this time, was one that happens early in the movie when Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino) pulls 3rd string quarterback Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) off to the side after he's pulled off numerous bad plays and attempts to settle him down.

The thing that calmed Willie down was when D'Amato reminded him of playing back home in his youth. He said, 'Don't you remember telling the guy to go to the Buick and to turn around' so that he could make the throw?

"Go to the Buick and turn around." So simple.

Is there something going on in your life now that's got you over anxious, not properly focused and maybe even those around you questioning your ability to deliver? If so, maybe you need to go to your Buick and turn around.

Until next time, remember “Your Success Is My Business.” ™

[Note: photo from http://www.library.jhu.edu/]

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The Greatest of the "New Hire"

The "new hire". Don't you love them? The brand new team member (employee) at your business --- all happy, excited, energetic, optimistic and enthusiastic. They come in like a sponge looking for every drop of information they can get. Their minds are fresh & full of creative thoughts - even if some of them won't fly, they voice ideas about ways they believe will grow and prosper the organization.

Everyone they meet or are introduced too around the office they're smiling and shaking hands with, all seemingly amped up on caffeine or some magic "new hire" drug. They get home and tell their friends & family about how they've just landed the best job every. They share all the incredible opportunities ahead of them and what a super company it is they're associated with.

But somewhere along the line, something happens to these new hires. Haven't you seen this happen? Did it even happen to you?

What is it?

Somewhere along the path they stop smiling at everyone, they stop shaking hands, end all their enthusiasm and energy, quite coming up with creative ideas...and have none of the excitement or motivation like they used too. Now, the career that they once thought was a blessing has suddenly caused them to curse it.

As the leader or business owner, you have the more difficult task in all this: Keeping everyone motivated and acting like "new hires" each and every day!

As a leader, here is a list for you to review:

• Are you, the leader, constantly sharing the vision?
• Are you constantly talking about the culture?
• Are you removing roadblocks that create frustration?
• Are you the great communicator within your company?
• Do you immediately resolve internal conflicts?
• Do you constantly carry the rallying cry of the purpose of your company?
• Do you provide constant, regularly scheduled employee evaluations so that people know exactly where they stand?
• Do you eliminate incompetence?
• And finally, do you make work fun?

As the leader, it's up to you to continue to fuel your team and to help them maintain that "new hire" mentality regardless of how long they've worked with you. Do so and watch your business grow!

Until next time, remember “Your Success Is My Business.” ™

[Note: photo from http://www.shanesart.com/]

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Twins

I'm a pretty big guy. Sure there are guys bigger than me, but I'd have to say I'm up there myself. It's not often that I see someone taller than me. At 80 inches tall and about 270lbs, it takes a lot of material to fully cloth me.

And I don't think of myself as tall or out-of-the-normal. When I stand around with a group of guys, I just feel like a normal "one of the guys" guy myself from my perspective. It's only when I see someone that's really tall that it dawns on me about my physical size.

My friend Francis Mitchell always calls me her "twin" when we see each other..."twins separated at birth" is what she always tells me, kinda like Arnold Schwarenegger and Danny Devito from the 1988 movie Twins. Of course you can see from the photo that this would really be like the movie Twins if it were true. From Francis' perspective, I can't imagine how I "look" to her. It's got to be a little scary.

So as I was pondering on all this, my perspective of the world versus Francis' perspective of the world, I began thinking about this from a business point-of-view.

My friend Jason Jennings wrote one of my favorite books, "Think Big, Act Small" about great companies that are really big (such as Dot Foods, Sonic, Cabelas, etc.), but how they act small in the attention they give to not only their customers, but also to their employees. As a fan of Cabelas myself, it's always a pleasure to shop in their stores because of all the wonderful customer service I've always received. They always seem like the small town business that cares so much for their customer. This giant of a company seems to me like a friend.

What businesses do you shop with that is a really big business, but from your perspective seem to be a friend to you, or maybe even closer - like a brother...or even a twin? Why do you think they have this perspective?

Until next time, remember “Your Success Is My Business."™

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False Peace

I just read a statement that said, "There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our ignorance." Now that really makes you stop & ponder on what it is that we currently have peace with simply because of our ignorance of it.

Let's not look at this from a personal point-of-view (though I encourage you to take some time to ponder it that way) but rather let's look at this from a business stand-point.

Since the down-turn of the economy, the majority of businesses have great clarity now on items that before I don't think were very obvious to them. To me a great business has focus on being cost effective in all they do, are efficient at all the processes and deliver world-class service to all their customers regardless of current ecomonic conditions. Were they ignorant to all these when we were living in the "good times" (stock market growing) so they were at peace with all the issues they've given priority focus on in the past few years? What if they'd implemented all their recent changes back in 2000 before the down-turn in the economy? What if...

What issue(s) do you see businesses over-looking and living "at peace" with that they should have focus on?

Until next time, remember “Your Success Is My Business.” ™

[Note: photo from http://www.stephenblack.org/]

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The "Plecia Nearctica" (You know what I mean if you live in the South)

Just a "thought" and reminder...

As we begin the month of September here in the South, this typically means that we will have a month of those pesky flies we call "Lovebugs". It's always weird for me when I travel around the country in May and September ( the two "lovebug" months for us) in locations where these flies don't exist. For those of you like this, you can't imagine what you're missing.

These things swarm in the hundreds of thousands and just completely cover the front of your vehicles. And its no easy task to clean them off either! I've heard of, seen and tried many methods to remove these from the front of my vehicles: from lightly spraying a film of Pam across the forward edge of the hood and grill/bumper to (most recently) seeing that using a slightly damp dryer sheets to wipe them away will work.

And not only do they cover your vehicles, they seem to be highly attracted to the color white. Whether its your vehicle, house or even something you're wearing.

THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!

So, mentally prepare yourself, because here they come!

How You Can Choose to Make a Difference

Gratitude…a recurring topic in these posts. Giving to others without expectation of reward.

One of my favorite quotes is “Give without remembering, receive without forgetting.”

Today, I share a message I received via e-mail and I can’t confirm who the author is, and also a short video I hope you view:

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers.

They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies…

Awards tarnish.

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials…the most money...or the most awards.

They simply are the ones who care the most. Be sure to THANK someone today. I knew you'd think that was a great message! Here is the video presentation I wanted you to view as well.

Who are you thankfull for today? More importantly, have you told them?

Until next time, remember “Your Success Is My Business."™

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The "Squeaky Wheel" Philosophy

What if your customers never had to say "I won't stop because I'm the squeaky wheel" because you're delivering such legendary service they're always WOW'd? How is your customer service department stacking up?

Customer service is harder to deliver now more than any time in history. With the advent of the internet, social media, and the new "4-second rule" (hey, it was only recently that it was the 8-second rule) we've self-created a hyper-drive customer service society.

Regardless of the size of your company, customers expect a LEGENDARY CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE (including service) regardless of how THEY elect to connect with you. Whether they communicate with you via face-to-face 'walk in' business, via the phone, via e-message, via website self-service, via social media, via whatever method THEY elect, they are expecting your immediate attention to their requests. And when you don't deliver to their expectations, this is when they become "the squeaky wheel".

The days of your business electing to provide one or two customer interaction paths are a thing of the past. Customers will seek out the businesses that provide them the method in which they want to do business. Are you providing all the paths your customers want?

I'd like to hear any success stories you've had with implementing new customer service options for your customers.

THANKS! And until next time, remember “Your Success Is My Business.” ™

[Note: photo from http://www.businessalone.com/]

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