November 2013 Update

Good Morning, Happy Friday!

I'm getting very excited about indulging in my favorite meal of the year - Thanksgiving Leftovers!  In my family, that Friday after T-giving means that mom busts out her big cast-iron skillet, scoops in heaps of turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and more...and then simmers it all in a bed of gravy.  The flavors meld together to perfection.  And...my mouth is watering.  I hope you're looking forward to your upcoming traditions too.  

I am extremely fortunate to be out every day with an eclectic group of people and business cultures.  I’m always interested to hear about what others are reading about, listening to, experiencing, and just flat-out DOING.  And personally I’m always up for a good tangent if it peaks my curiosity (nice way of saying I have ADD!). 

With that in mind, this monthly digest reflects my latest findings – new music obsessions, interesting ideas I've been exposed to, helpful sales tips, Chicagoland musings, and a brief update about the work I've been up to.  Hopefully these snippets are of interest to you or someone you know, and perhaps offer some across-the-board perspective.  I appreciate your recommendations, thoughts, and replies - as well as taking time out to enjoy it.

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Featured Charity

WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger) provides safe and secure refuge and support services for women and children who are fleeing the devastating effects of domestic violence or homelessness.  WINGS began changing lives forever when it opened its 45-bed emergency domestic violence shelter in January 2005.  WINGS is now expanding to the city of Chicago to increase the beds available in the city to victims of domestic violence by 36%.  This will be the first emergency shelter built for women and children who are victims of domestic violence in the Chicago area in ten years.
     

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Sales Ideas & Practices

In today’s hyper-connected over-worked world, people are working later into the evenings more than ever.  Email on your phone is modern technology’s preeminent double-edged sword.  Here is a simple best practice I've done for years to help me drive productivity, while also spending more time with those I love.  

Here is one of the best articles on the true nature of networking that I've ever read. 

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What I'm Up To

Sales Empowerment Group – what does your revenue generation model look like currently?  Do you have the proper people, process, & technology in place to succeed in 2014 and beyond?  SEG can help evaluate these areas across the board to drive action, positive change, and increased sales.  

Precision Payroll – this is the busiest time of year in payroll - January is the best & easiest time to make a move.  If your company or someone you know is looking into changes, I appreciate introductions to those that may need help.   

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Random Joy

GE ran a contest asking a simple question - "How much science can you fit into 6 seconds?"  The submissions are great and you might learn something!

Some beautiful bucket-list destinations for you.  I've made it to two of these places (so far)...how about you?  

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Chicagoland

A beautiful time-lapse of our expansive city.  

Just what this town needs - coming January 26th, 2014...DONUTFEST!

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Music

Lindsay & I had the pleasure last month of seeing Janelle Monae at The Vic Theater.  Hands down - the best live show we saw all year.  She is a female version of James Brown & Prince rolled up into one - absolutely mesmerizing.  Here she is doing her thing on a recent episode of SNL.      

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Quotes

Democracy is a process by which the people are free to choose the man who will get the blame. - Laurence J. Peter (1919-1988)

You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in. - Arlo Guthrie

Education's purpose is replace and empty mind with an open one. - Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990) 

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end. - Margaret Thatcher

Progress isn't made by early risers.  It's made by lazy men trying to find an easier way to do something. - Robert Heinlein (1907-1988)

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.  Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy your traditions! 

One Simple Habit for More Money & Family Time

In today’s hyper-connected over-worked world, people are working later into the evenings more than ever.  Email on your phone is modern technology’s preeminent double-edged sword…  Always know what’s happening, but interrupt any moment in your life with the Pavlovion BUZZZZZ of your smart phone.

Here’s a way to fight that urge & help you control your productivity.  Practice Five After 5.  Simply do FIVE impactful things at/right after 5pm.  These activities should help you focus on...

• Wrapping up your day
• Growing your business
• Teeing you up for a solid tomorrow

Here are prime examples:

1.      Call/Email prospects you’ve had a difficult time getting a hold of.  Chances are their “gatekeeper” is gone and they’re done with their daily meetings.  If you email, chances are good they’re checking their inbox at the end of a busy day and you’re now at the top of it.

2.      Reach out to a networking partner(s) that you haven’t talked to in a while.  Don’t call with any particular agenda, just see what’s been going on in their world and let them know what you’ve been doing.  If it makes sense, schedule an early coffee or happy hour drink in the near future.  Beforehand review each other’s LinkedIn and pick out some people you could introduce to one another.  

3.      Make your next day’s to-do list.  Who do you need to contact/call/email, what personal things do you need to address.  I find it best to make it on an actual piece of paper as opposed to on your phone.  That way you can draw a line through it & CROSS IT OFF!  

4.      Read or Write for 15 minutes.  This is a habit of life-long learners.  Pick up a sales/business book, newspaper, or read your favorite business blog.  Write down some ideas that will spark creativity.  There is nothing like getting your ideas out on paper to help spark that next big idea – INVEST IN YOURSELF. 

5.      Follow-up activities from today’s meetings.  You’re not sending those follow-up/proposal emails in the middle of the day are you?!  In professional sales, your 9-5 needs to be spent in front of or trying to get in front of prospects, not sending emails.  Send that meeting recap, write the thank you note, or finish that proposal after 5pm.   

Get into the healthy habit of Five after 5.  Let’s say you always decide to reach out to five prospects – 25 more touches per week, 1,300 more touches per year.  I promise you that will lead to more deals.  After you complete your five tasks, close your laptop, put your phone on the charger, and go spend time with your family uninterrupted.