August 2013 Update

Good afternoon, happy Tuesday!

Hello again to my friends, colleagues, clients, and business partners.  I am very fortunate to be out every day networking with an eclectic group of people.  I’m always interested to hear about what others are reading about, listening to, watching, or just flat-out DOING.

With that in mind, this monthly digest shares the latest Chicagoland findings, music I’ve enjoyed, new ideas I’ve been exposed to, the latest in the world of Sales Empowerment Group & Precision Payroll, as well as other things that may be of interest to you or someone you know.  Thank you for your recommendations and thoughts, as well as taking time out to enjoy it.

Well, I finally had to give in to an email marketing platform.  Ends up Google frowns upon BCC-ing hundreds & hundreds of people...who knew?!  So, I'm not trying to track your clicks or benchmark data or anything… just trying to stay out of federal prison so I can take care of my (almost) newborn child (With that said, I may start trying some fun things - baby steps...).  So…thanks Mailchimp!  You were the cheapest and easiest to set-up. :)

Featured Charity

Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center takes on the critical work of helping children heal from the devastation of CHILD ABUSE.  Thankfully the unbelievable people at CAC take these children out of these environments, help put the perpetrator behind bars and most importantly heal the children.  One of their best annual events coming up is called ‘Guys Night Out for the Kids’.  Phenomenal Chicago Athletes attend, such as 85’ Superbowl Champs (Richard Dent and Dan Hampton), Chicago White Sox pro’s Ron Kittle and Dan Pasqua, and Chicago Pro Cheerleaders. Come enjoy food, spirits, cigars and atmosphere – an excellent event to bring friends, clients and important relationships for entertaining.  This event is Thursday, September 12th - Here is a link to purchase tickets.  Please let me know if you plan to attend - thanks!  

Sales & Business

• Emotional Intelligence is often an over-looked component of success.  This article describes it four key factors.  It helped me take a quick inventory of how I am with the four attributes and where I still have room for growth.

• This month in my Sales Drummer blog I discuss change – its inevitability and how we sometimes need to do it voluntarily.  LEAP! …and the Net Will Appear.   

Sales Empowerment Group & Precision Payroll

• Sales Empowerment Group – a recent article in Harvard Business Review speaks to the growing trend toward inside sales (5 min read here).  This is EXACTLY the type of model we are building with our newest division, Sales University Group.  We’re employing young hungry sales professionals looking to become the best in their field.  We are breeding a culture of success and energy @ our new Sears Willis Tower headquarters.  

• Precision Payroll – NEW TECHNOLOGY ALERT!  Now check stubs can not only be emailed, but also text-messaged to employees!  Owners/CFO’s can also be texted the overall cash-flow summary before their bank account is debited for payroll.  Email me if you’d like to get your company set-up or learn more.      

Web 

• Check out Medium.  I can’t put it any better than their slogan – “A better place to read and write things that matter.”

 
Chicagoland

• 25 years ago last August they turned the lights on at Wrigley.  Cubs fan or not, you will no doubt enjoy this funny dialogue (first 2 minutes of clip) between the great late Harry Carey and Bill Murray – absolutely classic. 

 
Music 

• The song Blurred Lines has been one of this year’s summer anthems.  So, I love it and hate it.  However, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots (and Robin Thicke) put a smile on my face with their fun acoustic version.

A beat-boxer extraordinaire, Tom Thum comes from Australia and can mimic just about any noise you can imagine.  He showcases his unique talent in this TED Talk. 

Quotes
The fool tells me his reasons. The wise man persuades me with my own. - Aristotle

The time to stop talking is when the other person nods his head affirmatively but says nothing. – Henry S. Haskins

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. – Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

I take the view, and always have, that if you cannot say what you are going to say in twenty minutes you ought to go away and write a book about it. – Lord Brabazon (1884 - 1964)

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. – Dorothy Nevill
 
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter and found something of value for yourself or someone you know.   Again, I appreciate your recommendations, thoughts, and referrals that so many of you have shared with me.  Next time I write you, I'll be a DAD!      

LEAP! ...and the Net Will Appear.

I’m about to do something I’ve never done before – be a dad.  From what I’m told, it’s the wildest ride I’ll ever go on.  Am I super excited?  Absolutely.  Am I super scared?  Yes.  However, it’s not because I have to be a dad now; it’s because I’ll never not be a dad again.  I am no longer the care-free young man with limited responsibility.  I have to shed this old skin and grow into a new one. 

“If you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done.” ― Thomas Jefferson.

So it got me thinking the other night as I sat with Lindsay, freaking a bit about our last fleeting days of freedom…  Anytime we go through changes in our life and career (which are inevitable), there is going to be some fear and anxiety – and it’s good for us.  It drives us to put our head down and try harder.  That leads to greater tenacity & resilience. 

Another way to view the Thomas Jefferson quote above… To do something you’ve never done, you have to become someone you’ve never been.  Or as Einstein alternatively put it - “The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result.” 

In professional sales, there are always ways for us to be faster, smarter, and better.  So why don’t we change our habits?  …No time?  Or no guts?   Here’s a thought – what can you adjust or add to your sales routine that seems a bit scary, but in the end will make you better (not to mention happier and wealthier)?  If you’re internally motivated, you probably already think about these things.  If you’re externally motivated, then consider this the kick in your butt!  

It’s easy to keep doing the same thing over and over – it’s comfortable.  And if you do that, it’s also easy to keep pointing the finger when things don’t go right, instead of pulling the thumb.  I get it.  But if you’re not hitting your sales quota/goal, what can you do different – what must you do different?  …Is it picking up the phone more?  Getting up a bit earlier?  Staying up a bit later?  Not checking your personal email at work?  What is it?  I bet you already thought of something, didn't you?

The cool thing is – I know you can do it.  And once you make that change – you will embrace it and inevitably make the best of it.    If you already have that scary change in mind, share it below in the comments and what you can will do to overcome it. 

If I don’t get back to you right away, it’s because I’m a dad now and super busy!  In the meantime, take that frightening LEAP!