I was having a candid conversation with an old business colleague today and I had the opportunity to share a few thoughts with him.  He was looking for a little advice on how to get some of his service providers motivated so I let him in on my little-known secret that has served me extremely well in the past.  Almost every service provider I know find it hard NOT to have a positive response to my secret WMD (Weapon of Mass Development).

Out of all my investments in advertising, marketing and business tools, I’ve found this one thing to be pound-for-pound and dollar-for-dollar the single most economical, efficient, effective PR tool this side of the universe.  What is this public relations juggernaut you ask?   Well, it’s plain-ole, everyday ordinary Chocolate.  Yes, my friends the best things in life aren’t really as complicated and complex as we make them.

I can’t tell you the countless times that I’ve invested good money in purchasing chocolate that was specifically designed to be hand delivered personally, with a smile and short conversation, to my service providers in the field of operations.  The results are nothing short of phenomenal. 

At least once or twice a month appears to be the optimum and most effective frequency.  A little recognition and chocolate to brighten someone’s day can go a long way in raising your value in the eyes of others.  Master this little known technique and watch how fast you get attention to your problems and concerns.  It works for me.  You should try it sometime.

Let’s take this life and choke it into submission with kindness and make it GREAT! 

O  ver the past few years I’ve received several offers to partner with a few different companies or organizations.  Some of the offers have been pretty significant however I’ve found that the company or service/product provided has nothing to do with my passions, goals and dreams.  In fact, I’ve often realized that the activity would be more of a distraction than a help to me.  I have the feeling that I’m not alone in this belief.

I invite you to consider the following today.  There are many of us who become easily distracted by “good” money at the expense of putting our goals and dreams on the shelf.  Maturity in business and life has taught me that our dreams should not be for sale.  “More focused than ever” should be our statement of the day and every day here-forward.

So let’s take the barcode off of our goals and dreams and place them in the “priceless” glass case behind the counter and stay focused on why we’re really here.  Found your “Why” yet?  No need to answer out loud, just make me proud.   One more day of focus and yet another step closer to that goal or dream as we all attempt to make it GREAT! 

“NOT FOR SALE !!!”

I’m convinced that if laziness was a criminal offense some people would be fried in the electric chair, paraded before the firing squad or hung from the gallows. 

I pulled into an ARCO Gas Station not long ago and I was getting ready to fill up my tank when I noticed a gentleman approaching me with an “I need some money” look.  I’m sure you all know the one I’m talking about.  But unlike “Most People”, I actually like these opportunities to see what the person’s story is. 

“Sir, would you happen to have some change that I could use, my truck ran out of gas and I need to get me and my wife home.” he said.  It was about 10:00pm that night and I did notice his beat-up, black, gas-guzzling pickup truck over at another pump with his wife in it.  So I peppered him with a few other questions like, where specifically did he live at, how many kids he had and what was he doing on this side of town knowing that he was low on gas?  I cautioned him ahead of time that I would be checking all of his answers with his wife in the truck to make sure that he was being truthful.

To my surprise he obliged me.  Among many other things in our conversation he also stated that he had been looking for work but had been having trouble finding anyone who would hire him.  Feeling a bit pleased with his comments and answers, I moved the conversation over to his wife and after confirming that his story matched up, I preceded to run my debit card through his pump and told him to fill it up.  He and his wife were most grateful and verbalized the sincere appreciation over and over again.

It was painfully obvious that he had neglected his hygiene for a while and his hair was matted and his clothes were tattered.  So, one hundred dollars later, I figured it was a good time to express to him the importance of his first impression and maintaining a level of pride in himself no matter what his situation, circumstance or condition is.  I then beamed one of my signature, big, toothy smiles at him and he returned the favor.  I told him to pay it forward when he gets back on his feet.  Then I gave him my card and advised him to call me the next day before 12 noon.  I also told his wife to make sure that he calls me and she insisted she would.

I would love to tell you the juicy details of what happened next in Kendrick’s story but you’ll just have to get the book.

This story along with many others can be found in my book “Make it GREAT” that’s due to be released this November 2012.  Many have taken the opportunity to Pre-Order their copy to assure they won’t miss out on the limited number of copies.  Don’t miss your chance.  Pre-Order today and you’ll also get a FREE bonus CD with tons of power-packed audio content to enlighten you.

Order Today:

Bread Crumbs to Making It Great (Volume 2)

During the seasoned-citizen years of our life I’m told that one of the most important assets we will possess is not necessarily our retirement nest-egg or free & clear house.  And it won’t be that retirement bonus or new, jazzy sports-car that gets crappy gas mileage either.  All these things will pale in comparison to this one asset that has been declared priceless time-and-time again by those who have had the good fortune of reaching their golden years.  What is this priceless asset you ask?  Well, it’s simply your “Memories”.

The memories of the first things you’ve had in your life,
Like the first time your kid’s ever road a bike. 

The memories of the picture show,
Or the trips to the local rodeo.

The theme park with the fun rides,
Or when the kids were seekers and they wanted you to hide.

The first time you got that meaningful hug,
Or the unforgettable time you first fell in love.

The time you had more work to do,
But you took the day off to take your kids to the zoo. 

No money are material things can ever take the place
Of these memories that will hopefully never be erased.

So if money over memories ever crosses your mind,
Pause for a moment and remember my short rhyme.

Be ambitious and make as much money as you can,
But forget NOT creating the memories with your woman or man.

Memories will keep you warm in those winters of life. 
So, Money over Memories? Not for me. Not tonight.

My unsolicited advise today is, please don’t be deceived into compromising the best years of your life by chasing the all-mighty dollar at the expense of delaying and deferring memory creation.  Time can be a lot of things, but it can’t be regained.

We only get one time through this “life” thing, no do’over’s, so go ahead and delay your gratification, but don’t delay your memory creation.

Let’s make it GREAT!