Good Afternoon, Happy Tuesday!
I'll start with a drum story... Like many of you, I get caught in mind-numbing, soul-crushing traffic. Last week while humming along at 3 mph on I-90E, I encountered the gentleman pictured happily drumming away on his steering wheel - with actual drumsticks! We've all seen people jamming, but this was kicking it up a notch. I snapped a pic, threw him the rock'n'roll sign \m/, and happily turned on Led Zepplin's "Fool in the Rain" for a drumming session of my own. It was nice reminder...suffering is inevitable, but misery is optional!
I am fortunate to be out every day with an eclectic group of people and business cultures. I’m always curious to hear about what others are reading about, listening to, experiencing, and just flat-out DOING. With that in mind, this monthly digest reflects the things I've tripped across lately - new music, business & sales ideas, 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 Charities
Two events, two causes...
First one is short notice, but tomorrow night there is an event benefiting a community center in the Austin neighborhood; their story in the Daily Herald here. In attendance will be local church leaders, business owners and athletes David Tyree, Anthony Bonner, and Bears chaplain Ray McElroy. Event and Donation Info here.
Next week - Kentucky Derby time! On Saturday, May 3rd the Holiday Heros Foundation is throwing a fun fundraiser (raffles, open bar, Derby outfit contest) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood - details here!
Two events, two causes...
First one is short notice, but tomorrow night there is an event benefiting a community center in the Austin neighborhood; their story in the Daily Herald here. In attendance will be local church leaders, business owners and athletes David Tyree, Anthony Bonner, and Bears chaplain Ray McElroy. Event and Donation Info here.
Next week - Kentucky Derby time! On Saturday, May 3rd the Holiday Heros Foundation is throwing a fun fundraiser (raffles, open bar, Derby outfit contest) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood - details here!
Sales Best Practices
"How are you doing today?" is one of the most over-used, cliche kick-off phrases to a phone conversation. When I hear a sales rep say it to me I'm already figuring out how to get off the phone. Stop saying it and try some of these other ideas. (Also from my blog, "Get Stuck in your Prospects Head like Hall & Oates")
What do people think very successful people do vs. what they actually do? Great question and better article.
"How are you doing today?" is one of the most over-used, cliche kick-off phrases to a phone conversation. When I hear a sales rep say it to me I'm already figuring out how to get off the phone. Stop saying it and try some of these other ideas. (Also from my blog, "Get Stuck in your Prospects Head like Hall & Oates")
What do people think very successful people do vs. what they actually do? Great question and better article.
What I'm Up To
Our outsourced inside sales team, Sales University Group, continues to grow. In the last two weeks we helped one new client set 10 appointments! When we combine the right sales playbook, talent, target list, and focus - good things are happening.
Precision Payroll continues to build-out their technology platform, offering clients mobile technology to maximize communication between management and employees. And, we're growing the sales team! If you know recent college grad looking to start a career in sales this is an amazing opportunity.
Our outsourced inside sales team, Sales University Group, continues to grow. In the last two weeks we helped one new client set 10 appointments! When we combine the right sales playbook, talent, target list, and focus - good things are happening.
Precision Payroll continues to build-out their technology platform, offering clients mobile technology to maximize communication between management and employees. And, we're growing the sales team! If you know recent college grad looking to start a career in sales this is an amazing opportunity.
Random Joy
David Letterman's retirement was big news this past month - he's been at it 32 years. His very first episode, first guest...Chicago's own Bill Murray. As you can imagine...comedy gold. Enjoy the interview.
Continuing with the theme of making the best out of a bad situation... Cows (doing their business) produce 25% of the total global Methane emissions. Well, some wise men in Argentina have invented a solution - cow fartpacks. Not a joke, but it is funny!
David Letterman's retirement was big news this past month - he's been at it 32 years. His very first episode, first guest...Chicago's own Bill Murray. As you can imagine...comedy gold. Enjoy the interview.
Continuing with the theme of making the best out of a bad situation... Cows (doing their business) produce 25% of the total global Methane emissions. Well, some wise men in Argentina have invented a solution - cow fartpacks. Not a joke, but it is funny!
Chicagoland
Ohhhh Chicago...it's finally time...FESTIVAL SEASON! Get out your calendars and mark'em down!
And, just as good - bike season! Divvy set a record a couple weeks ago with the most rides in a single day - over 10,000. This means more bikes on the road and avoidable accidents occurring. Whether you bike, drive, or walk - please read this.
Ohhhh Chicago...it's finally time...FESTIVAL SEASON! Get out your calendars and mark'em down!
And, just as good - bike season! Divvy set a record a couple weeks ago with the most rides in a single day - over 10,000. This means more bikes on the road and avoidable accidents occurring. Whether you bike, drive, or walk - please read this.
Music
Lindsay and I were lucky to see Mavis Staples (also Chicago's own) this past weekend at Symphony Center. She is a national treasure - here is my favorite performance by her in The Last Waltz, a perfectly done documentary by Martin Scorsese about The Band.
Or next concert will be at City Winery (first time!) to see one of our favorite performers, singer & amazing songwriter Josh Ritter. With seven studio albums, it's hard to pick a favorite, but here is one of my favorite tunes - the appropriately timed, Snow is Gone.
Lindsay and I were lucky to see Mavis Staples (also Chicago's own) this past weekend at Symphony Center. She is a national treasure - here is my favorite performance by her in The Last Waltz, a perfectly done documentary by Martin Scorsese about The Band.
Or next concert will be at City Winery (first time!) to see one of our favorite performers, singer & amazing songwriter Josh Ritter. With seven studio albums, it's hard to pick a favorite, but here is one of my favorite tunes - the appropriately timed, Snow is Gone.
Quotes
Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. - Carl Jung (1875 -1961)
He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man i ever met. - Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)
Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. - Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made. Very few people die past that age. - George Burns (1896 - 1996)
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. And remember the next time you're stuck in traffic, get the Led out!
Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. - Carl Jung (1875 -1961)
He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man i ever met. - Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)
Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. - Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made. Very few people die past that age. - George Burns (1896 - 1996)
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. And remember the next time you're stuck in traffic, get the Led out!
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