Sunday, July 20, 2014

Crazy world


         

 

 

Edition 243 Monday July 21st 2014

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Hi,winter is the coolest time literally and metaphorically,there is something special about hearing the rain cascading onto the tin roof while you are enveloped in warmth mesmorised by the happy flames shimmering and dancing alluringly across the log fire!....yes add yummy comfort food to this formula and hibernation has a lot going for it if you want to be as smart as the average bear!!

 Fletcher says; who said being two was so terrible?I don’t know what all the fuss is about. I have decided to break the mold because I am seriously cute!(and modest like Dad).

I have a lot of trouble comprehending how crazy and senseless the world is most times but never more so than in the last week. I have been consumed in shock and sympathy for the families and friends of those who tragically perished in MH17 and for the innocent people affected by the endless and escalating unrest in the so called ‘holy land’ ….yeah right !

I am eternally grateful that our intrepid travelling son Mark who is currently catching breath in Bangkok was not involved and that we live in New Zealand that is far away from this global craziness.

Life is short, none of us know exactly how short so best we all seize every day for what it is , another opportunity to make the most of our time on this earth with the people that mean the most to us,our family and our friends. Have a great week, take care, laugh and smile a lot…….Cheers Jonesey!

 

Harry and the Hendersons reckon those Russkies have always been a dodgy bunch!!!

 

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“Walk the yard , kick the tyres, talk to staff, live and breathe the business”. Pat Gilman

 

One of my favorite former Managers Pat had some great sayings and habits, his quote above was both rolled into the one.

How can you manage a business if you don’t know what happens within it? You need to experience the coal face, kick the truck tyres in the yard talk to the drivers and staff in the office all of whom drive the business daily. He was so right a walk through the business talking to all staff can be revealing and rewarding for all concerned.

Pat used to arrive early and meet the drivers and office staff in a collection business before the rubber hit the road. He would find out information that assisted him to understand what made the business tick and that also helped him to build the trust needed to make important decisions to ensure the business was able to continually grow and improve.

This was a valuable advice that I have tried to use in my own career both in the businesses I have worked in but also when working with the businesses of the customers I have built relationships with.

Establishing and understanding what makes your customers businesses operate is crucial to being able to provide them with creative/innovative solutions that assist them to also ‘be better’.

There have been many instances where a commitment to understanding a prospective customers business has provided vital information that has created an important point of differentiation.

It seems simple and straight forward enough but it is surprising how many people I know don’t know all they should about their businesses or those they provide equipment, services and products to.

Knowledge is definitely power on all counts so my challenge to you all is to set yourself the goal of improving your knowledge on both fronts,it can only benefit you and those you work for and with!

 

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