Wednesday, May 21, 2014

May 2014 - Empathy, Tweedy, & Break-Dancing Monks!

Good Afternoon, Happy Wednesday!


Today I had lunch al fresco, enjoying the sites, sounds, tastes (ice-cream truck!) and sunny conditions.  This is one of my favorite times in Chicago as the city officially comes out of hibernation and looks for any reason to be outside.  It reminded me of this great TED talk (3 minutes) about taking a walking meeting.  I hope you can find yourself on one in the next few weeks (park pictured is one my favorite outdoor spots)!
 

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 Charity

EMBARC is an organization helping Chicago's most undeserved students and schools. They have an awesome event coming up next week if you're available, Next Thursday, the 29th from 7-11pm will be EMBARC's Unbelievably Amazing and Terribly Entertaining Blowout Variety Spectacular!  It is being held at Salvage One  (super cool place if you've never been) with Entertaining Acts, Live Music, Craft Cocktails, Great Food and an Amazing Cause. DETAILS HERE.
 

Sales Best Practices

Pearl Jam has this lyric that I always loved - "I change by not changin' at all!"  With age I've realized that Eddie was wrong; not changing is impossible - we are re-shaped every day through our experiences and interactions, whether we like it or not.  This month I share an analogy on the importance of practicing empathy. (Also from my blog, "Add this one "timing" thing to your TO-DO list)

I get asked all the time "What traits do the best sales rep have?"  Here is a fresh list of top attributes and skills the modern-day sales person should possess.  

What I'm Up To

Always recruiting! Please connect me with any college graduates looking to go into sales.  Sales Empowerment Group clients and our outsourced inside sales team, Sales University Group, are always on the look-out to connect talent with opportunities.

I'm seeing hiring pick up out there, which is great to see.  There are several government tax credit programs out there for job creation.  We have partners at Precision Payroll that can help you identify if you could be eligible.  If you're hiring, let me know! 

Random Joy


Breakdancing Buddist Monks - these guys were honoring the late Beastie Boys rapper, Adam MCA Youch, who supported the cause for a free Tibet.  Enjoy.  

Attention Parents - here are 33 cool summer ideas to keep the kids occupied.  I think I may go home and try#24 tonight...  Some fun ideas! 

Chicagoland

In case you were starting to miss the word "Vortex" in daily conversations, you're in luck.  Evidently we are now dealing with a "Pollen" Vortex - get ready for a big sneezing season.  I was in a meeting the other day and the person sneezed into their right hand - gross.  Read this article and remember to the do the "V"! 

One in Five bike accidents in the city are bikers getting doored; I witnessed two in one week a couple years ago!  I'm sharing this article again - read these heads-up poignant tips, no matter your preferred mode of transportation.     

Music 

Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco & Uncle Tupelo fame) will be embarking on a tour this summer promoting his first solo record.  He'll be performing locally at Taste of Chicago in July.  For now, enjoy him performing his tune Jesus, Etc. at Bonnaroo music festival from a few years back.

Attention Piano Players: check out the Seaboard - a continuous touch keyboard.  

Quotes

One thing you will probably remember well is any time you forgive and forget. Franklin P. Jones

The most dangerous strategy is to jump a chasm in two leaps. - Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)  

The height of cleverness is to be able to conceal it. - Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613 - 1680)

Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save. -Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)

It's all right letting yourself go as long as you can let yourself back. - Mick Jagger (1943 - )

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.   


Tony Lenhart | tony@salesempowermentgroup.com | 773.991.4236

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