Good Afternoon, Happy Spring!
I'll say it (again) - Spring is now HERE! Last month was a total jinx, sorry... And yes, it did snow this morning, but March wasn't so bad, right? St. Patty's Day, The Bachelor finally ended, Jimmy Fallon jumped in Lake Michigan, and now...March Madness! Speaking of, here are five great places to watch the games(other than your couch). Best of luck to all you aspiring bracketologists!
I am 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. With that in mind, this monthly digest reflects my latest findings – new music, helpful sales tips, Chicagoland happenings, a brief update on yours truly, and more.
I hope these snippets are of interest to you or someone you know, and offer a quick breather from the driving force of everyday life. I appreciate your recommendations, thoughts, and replies - as well as taking time out to enjoy it.
Featured Charity
March of Dimes - my wife, Lindsay, is a NICU nurse. During the last six years she has shared with me many stories of heart-break and triumph with families that have had their babies prematurely. Every year the March of Dimes Walk helps raise money and awareness for these families and newborns everywhere. This year's walk is on April 27th - click here to donate and learn more.
March of Dimes - my wife, Lindsay, is a NICU nurse. During the last six years she has shared with me many stories of heart-break and triumph with families that have had their babies prematurely. Every year the March of Dimes Walk helps raise money and awareness for these families and newborns everywhere. This year's walk is on April 27th - click here to donate and learn more.
Sales Ideas & Practices
Earlier this month I was lucky to attend the Sales 2.0 Conference sponsored by Selling Power Magazine. One of my favorite speakers was author Lisa McLeod who discussed the idea of selling with a noble purpose. Read her points on that premise and if you agree, check out her book on Amazon.
Where are you looking to anticipate change? What is the diversity measure of your network? Are you courageous enough to abandon the past? Great questions, right?! Watch this TED Talk (9 minutes) to explore these ideas and help hone your leadership qualities. Favorite Line - "Great leaders are not head down - they see around corners. Shaping their future, not just reacting to it."
Earlier this month I was lucky to attend the Sales 2.0 Conference sponsored by Selling Power Magazine. One of my favorite speakers was author Lisa McLeod who discussed the idea of selling with a noble purpose. Read her points on that premise and if you agree, check out her book on Amazon.
Where are you looking to anticipate change? What is the diversity measure of your network? Are you courageous enough to abandon the past? Great questions, right?! Watch this TED Talk (9 minutes) to explore these ideas and help hone your leadership qualities. Favorite Line - "Great leaders are not head down - they see around corners. Shaping their future, not just reacting to it."
What I'm Up To
This month I started an interim VP of Sales project working with a fast-growing medical supplies company. They are getting ready to hire their first few sales reps and design their entire structure (comp, territories, metrics, etc). Along with the founder, we're designing their sales playbook and building a solid foundation for repeatable success. If you know/work with an owner getting ready to launch or rebuild a sales-force, those are perfect (and much appreciated) introductions!
No beach vacation for me this year, but next week is my long-awaited annual golf trip. Heading down to Alabama with my good friends to play Grand National in a Ryder Cup format. The 70 degree weather will feel like a heat wave!
This month I started an interim VP of Sales project working with a fast-growing medical supplies company. They are getting ready to hire their first few sales reps and design their entire structure (comp, territories, metrics, etc). Along with the founder, we're designing their sales playbook and building a solid foundation for repeatable success. If you know/work with an owner getting ready to launch or rebuild a sales-force, those are perfect (and much appreciated) introductions!
No beach vacation for me this year, but next week is my long-awaited annual golf trip. Heading down to Alabama with my good friends to play Grand National in a Ryder Cup format. The 70 degree weather will feel like a heat wave!
Random Joy
All you need are potatoes and tonic water for this fun home science project - send me pictures if you try it with your kids!
Another trick with food...this is a very logical and convenient way to separate egg yolks.
All you need are potatoes and tonic water for this fun home science project - send me pictures if you try it with your kids!
Another trick with food...this is a very logical and convenient way to separate egg yolks.
Chicagoland
Take a break from the norm and check out one of these local coffee shops. I'd be quite okay never stepping into another Starbucks or Corner Bakery. Luckily this town is big enough to provide options, and unique ones at that. Glad to see this list include FILTER, which has been a long-standing go-to for me.
Take a break from the norm and check out one of these local coffee shops. I'd be quite okay never stepping into another Starbucks or Corner Bakery. Luckily this town is big enough to provide options, and unique ones at that. Glad to see this list include FILTER, which has been a long-standing go-to for me.
Music
Last week was SXSW Festival in Austin. Every year close to 1,500 bands descend upon that weird little oasis in central Texas; dozens from Chicagoland. I lean on the lucky music critics who attend to sift through the sea of bands and hand-pick the winners. Here is a shortlist of ones I enjoyed that could be the next big thing.
Royal Teeth - joyous, anthemic, pop-rock (for lovers of the band Vampire Weekend)
Ghost of the Saber Tooth Tiger - swaggering rock fronted by Sean Lennon (yes...his son). Lincoln Hall June 1st.
St Paul and the Broken Bones - Southern Soul Rock with a James Brown flair. Milwaukee May 31st.
Future Islands - the 80's are back with this one, but the guy's voice reminds me of Van Morrison.
Nikki Lane - female singer-songwriter whose recent album was produced by The Black Keys frontman, Dan Auerbach.
Last week was SXSW Festival in Austin. Every year close to 1,500 bands descend upon that weird little oasis in central Texas; dozens from Chicagoland. I lean on the lucky music critics who attend to sift through the sea of bands and hand-pick the winners. Here is a shortlist of ones I enjoyed that could be the next big thing.
Royal Teeth - joyous, anthemic, pop-rock (for lovers of the band Vampire Weekend)
Ghost of the Saber Tooth Tiger - swaggering rock fronted by Sean Lennon (yes...his son). Lincoln Hall June 1st.
St Paul and the Broken Bones - Southern Soul Rock with a James Brown flair. Milwaukee May 31st.
Future Islands - the 80's are back with this one, but the guy's voice reminds me of Van Morrison.
Nikki Lane - female singer-songwriter whose recent album was produced by The Black Keys frontman, Dan Auerbach.
Quotes
What is life but a series of inspired follies? The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance; it doesn't come every day. - George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
O Lord, help me to be pure, but not yet. - Saint Augustine (354 AD - 430 AD)
Time sneaks up on you like a windshield on a bug. - John Lithgow
The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it. - Terry Pratchett
Some people will never learn anything because they understand everything too soon. - Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
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 rest of the month and perhaps we'll see one another - hibernation is over!
What is life but a series of inspired follies? The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance; it doesn't come every day. - George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
O Lord, help me to be pure, but not yet. - Saint Augustine (354 AD - 430 AD)
Time sneaks up on you like a windshield on a bug. - John Lithgow
The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it. - Terry Pratchett
Some people will never learn anything because they understand everything too soon. - Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
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 rest of the month and perhaps we'll see one another - hibernation is over!
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