Happy 90th Toastmasters

Edition 257 Tuesday October 28th 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi,what would McGuyver do?....a question most # 8 wire kiwi types probably don’t have to ask themselves because we are just used to making do…..right? Well not exactly(in my case) but recently listening to an interview with the actor who played McGuyver, Richard Dean Anderson,reminded me of how legendary his #8 improvisation skills were. Do you realise that show first screened nearly thirty years ago in 1985!!, crikey talk about make you age instantly!

I could have done with his help last week when I forgot to pack some cufflinks and was left in a Hotel room with nothing but my imagination to solve the problem. A number of innovative ideas from using shoe laces,sellotape and dental floss eventually succumbed to having the Receptionist and Concierge awkwardly fit 2x safety pins that were far too small for the job.

The interesting part was trying to remove them later that night and refit them next day one and a half handed!! McGuyver I am not nor do I possess the patience or the motor skills……Such fun!!!

Fletcher says; who needs rocket fuel when he has the turbo boost from the chocolate icing off Mummys special cup cakes!......yes, he likes it when Nana and Poppa visit !!

After the ignomy of receiving a speeding ticket last weekend I received another one in the mail snapped on a camera earlier in the month!!!Yes they do say these things normally arrive in triplicate and if that is true in my case you may well see my sorry face peering from a bus or train at you :(

Enough said, not laughing and not enjoying sleeping with Harry and the Hendersons in the dog box :(

On a positive note I had an awesome week as MC of the New Zealand Association of Training and Development professionals. I was honoured to be part of their conference and to rub shoulders with the movers and shakers within this industry. What a buzz and a truly inspiring experience..much fun!!

I hope you had a relaxing and safe Labour Weekend with family and friends……..Cheers Jonesey!

 

Harry and the Hendersons reckon Fletcher is a legend after they found the ‘bad’ cupcakes in the rubbish bag outside the back door , they like visits from Nana and Poppa too :)

 

 

“All civilisation, all progress, depends on communication of ideas.” Dr:Ralph Smedley

 

How many organisations can boast having been around for 90 years or have 14,650 branches(or clubs) in 126 countries , with over 313,000 employees (or members).....not many if any !

Ladies and Gentlemen, Toastmasters can and whats more also boasts regular year on year growth like the 7.3% increase in membership and the 17.2% increase ib clubs in the 2013/14 club year.

In October 1924 Dr.Ralph Smedley held the first Toastmasters meeting in Santa Ana California and the organisation has not looked back since.

Shortly before his death in 1965 he wrote these words; “As I look back over half a century of connection with the Toastmasters movement, I am impressed by the fact that a simple idea, put to work in so simple a manner, has grown into such an instrument of service for so many people. It must have met a real need.”

In 1973 the organisation made a pivotal decision : It opened its membership to women. Previously women had attended meetings as guests of friends or spouses but could not officially participate as members.The inclusion of women as members was an overdue and bright move, it prompted a new spurt of Toastmasters growth. In 1982 , membership reached the 100,000 plateau!

The organisation continues to thrive domestically and internationally on the back of the success and growth experienced by its members past, present and prospective.

Dr:Ralph Smedley provided the vehicle and the direction,members realise and accept they must provide the momentum and the drive. Clearly it is a successful and powerful recipe for success!!!

 

“Speaking success furthers our capacity to live and serve.” Dr:Ralph Smedley

Ouch !!!

         

 

 

Edition 256 Monday October 20th 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi,I will never complain about the traffic during the week again after this weekend. Every Spring/Summer it seems like thousands more people discover our district and all own cars,dogs, motorbikes,surfboards,horses and mountainbikes! In other words if you are planning to go anywhere on the weekend, allow extra time to get there. Now that is something I have never done so find it hard to get used to,although the hefty speeding ticket received on Saturday will provide motivation!

Aaaarrrrrgggghhhhhhhhh.I think my impromptu explanation hindered rather than assisted my cause!

Fletcher says; slow down Daddy!although the red and blue lights on top of the jazzy red car in the rear vision mirror telling us to pull over were pretty exciting !!The policman was also friendly arrrggg!

Lucky the local volunteer fire brigade arnt involved in speeding callouts is all I can say or then I would have had serious trouble explaining that, as it was,a zillion locals drove past tch tch tch tching!!

I hate it when I am in the wrong,I am sure it is Gods (and Christine’s)subtle way of being right!

Thanks for the recent outpouring of concern and sympathy after my mauling by a blue bottle jellyfish. I am pleased to report I have fully recovered from the injuries and the embarrassment!

We are loving the ruggers at the moment with the ITM cup coming to a passionate and exciting finish in all divisions and the mighty AB’s reigning supreme in the international rugby championship. What an amazing finish in Brisbane on Saturday night….. proving it aint over till Colin Slade sings !!!!

 

I hope you are enjoying life with family and friends……..Cheers Jonesey!

 

Harry and the Hendersons reckon they were never suspects in the recent fatal seal attack  at Muriwai but came forward voluntarily to clear their names all the same...special treats!

 

 

“Wonder what your customer really wants? Ask. Don’t tell.” Lisa Stone, BlogHer Founder/CEO

 

Working out of my mobile sales office for a big part of my day and week I often use the 018 Directory service. I cant say I have been that impressed with their ability in the past to provide the phone contact information I have required………until my momentus discovery last week………..

I have always suspected the 018 service was based offshore and I have subconsciously doubted its ability to provide service as good as a local operation. The times I have experienced difficulty sourcing the correct or any information have reinforced this view for me……until last week when……

 

I discovered that 018 are using locals to handle overflow calls and sometimes I have been lucky enough to receive a local operator who has been easier to deal with and always gone over and above to ensure I have received an outcome to my enquiry.

In a classic example last week I called and got a local lady Liz(that’s the other thing they actually tell you therir name!). Liz couldn’t find the number of the company I was looking for at the address I gave so she ‘googled’ it and was able to get the info I needed from her doing that.

 

But that wasn’t all, Liz also informed me when I commented how much I liked the local service that  I could regster with her and by doing that I would ensure every time I called in I would receive a local operator!!!......yay what a great outcome and something that will make my life easier !!

Interesting the little things you pick up in a week that can make a large difference,look out for them!

 

PS; Did you know Toastmasters is 90 years old this month…..much more next week !!!

 

“Always deliver more than expected.”  –Larry Page, Co-Founder, Google

7 Days !!!

 

 

 

Edition 255 Monday October 13th 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi,nothing prepares you for a week like the last one we have just made it through! In the two short years something months Fletcher has been on this earth I have paid tribute many times to parents out there. Raising children is full on, there is no time out,no opting out and anyone who says it isnt demanding needs a kid!The positives were many;1)We all made it.2)Christine passed her 7 day basic training tests minus some skin and a few kilos.3)Fletcher didn’t starve or get left at daycare.4)An apple fired into the back of the drivers head whilst the car was in motion is no way to say thank you for healthy after school treats. 5)Exhaustion is temporary kids and work are permanent! Yay made it!

Fletcher says;Marmite on toast is a  morning favorite but due to lack of adequate morning supervision he discovered marmite straight from the container is better by far.Additionally combining marmite with strawberry jam on toast has proved a hit with both him and his supervisor!

Our fave is to head to a local café to tuck into the best carrot cake muffins ever  made or tasted. The problem is that as my son has grown so too has his share of the muffin! We are supposed to have some each and save some to feed to the chickens that run free outside the café in an orchard. The chickens and I are definitely losing out as Jones Junior is seriously threatening at least 75% of the treat including the prized icing! Crikey we have created an insatiable muffin and icing monster!

Whilst I found my seven day stint on duty exhausting it produced priceless special times together with our son. I have seen him laugh out loud happy and secure in his world. I have seen his special personality developing and his love for animals growing with our dog family and the local bird population he feeds daily. I have seen his fragility,his fears and tears , felt his pain and saved him from his little two year old exhausted self on numerous occasions. The favourite thing for me will always be looking in and watching our angelic son in a deep contented sleep. Two reasons 1)Peace and quiet 2)Kid sleeping= parents sleeping J.

There will never be a substitute for special times with special people……….Cheers Jonesey!

 

Harry and the Hendersons reckon Fletcher is a cool two legged dude and honorary bro!

 

“We become what we think about all day long.”Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

I was sitting in a customers reception area last week and couldnt help noticing their framed list of company values on the wall.

The headings were compelling; Passion, Ownership,Integrity,Excellence,Commitment,Success, Education, Innovation,Balance, Systems and Consistency !

As you can tell by now I wrote these down and then proceeded to refer to most of them as a bit of a road map in my meeting with our customer.

I often use things like this to map out a direction in a customer meeting, they certainly indicate what is important or should be to that customer.

Linking my presentation to stuff like this is not being cynical or condescending it is my way of saying ‘hey I noticed you place importance on these things, well guess what so do we !”

In my view we can learn from stuff like this by also having our vision or values displayed prominantly for staff, customers and suppliers to see and be aware of.

For our own staff it is a visual reminder what we are there for and why adhering to these values needs to be our prime focus.

The meeting went well, there was recognition by our customer that we had noted their values and that we we in congruence with them as an ongoing business partner. Look for the little things , they can and do make a big difference.

 

“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” Roy E. Disney

Fire in the belly !!!!

 

 

 

Edition 254 Monday October 6th 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, I am fascinated by mother nature, I am drawn to the raw energy, power and unpredictable mood of the elements.This weekend I have been reminded never to underestimate the sea. With a deafening roar the Tasman has lashed the coast in an all out southerly assault surging giant swells effortlessly past the wind swept dunes standing but powerless to resist. Stretching her frothy white fingers out beyond the normally safe car parks and picnic areas.Yes we are lucky to live so close to such power and majestic beauty but we are quickly reminded to respect and never to take that privelege for granted or ever think we are in control of its next move!! Crikey !!

They say behind every good fire person is an equally committed crew and in Christine’s case you already know that is true. So you wont be surprised to know that when I wasn’t sitting staring at the Tasman I was down the local station helping Firewoman Jones get organised for her upcoming week of basic training. Fletcher and I were busy cleaning fire boots when you guessed it the siren went off! Well talk about drama we were so lucky and excited to witness her first ever callout from inside the station! Crikey I reckon our little family will remember that forever!!The emergency was a tree across the road and our rookie was allocated traffic control but you would have thought she had scaled ladders sprinted across scorching hot collapsing roofs to rescue a stricken family from perishing she was so proud.Whilst also proud we were pleased she was safe and that her boots didn’t get dirtyJ!

Fletcher says; he wants more of the fire station action and has put his name down for future duty as soon as eligible!!!Crikey that means two sets of boots for the support crew to polish !!!

We have a big week ahead with the basic training and all other household duties needing to roll on smoothly.I guess,nothing different to anyone else reading this, just need to get sorted and crack on. Hope you are all as organised and prepared for your week,have a good one………Cheers Jonesey!

 

Harry and the Hendersons reckon all this fire brigade fuss will settle down eventually!

 

“A pound of pluck is worth a ton of luck.” James A. Garfield

 

As many of you know one of my favourite sales quotes is an old Chinese proverb that  talks about a person standing for a long time with their mouth open waiting for roast duck to fly in !!!!

We know it says that opportunity and success come to no one but that you must chase it rather than expect it to fall into your lap. (fairly straight forward as many of you already know!)

Even though I understand this concept and work hard not expecting something for nothing I was surprised last week when the roast duck did arrive on my plate!

I have busted my proverbial to get New Zealand’s largest construction company to use our services. Every time I make one step forward I receive a setback that puts us two steps back !

It has been a hard road and we continue to battle for this work in the face of intense competition, internal politics and old school tie tradition…….plus a bit of old fashioned ‘smoke and mirrors’.

So imagine my sheer delight when a senior Project Manager from a large Auckland construction site called me at an unusual early hour with a desperate plea for help!!

Seems our competitor had let him down and left him in a precarious position facing a forthcoming Health and Safety audit. He had a desperate need and couldn’t get anyone to sort it out for him.So faster than a speeding bullet we jumped into a phone booth and transformed his site into a gleaming clean, healthy and safe site from which they could produce a compliant report.Just when it seemed we would never score a point the competition own goaled and this opportunity came out of left field. It was worth months of phone calls and all the words that were ever written about service and quality.This was Green Gorilla GOLD and the best roast duck we ever tasted,watch this space !!!

 

“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”Thomas Jefferson