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Hi,there is nothing like a weekend away especially to an exotic overseas location!! So when the opportunity to use Mum and Dads place on Waiheke presented itself we didn’t need to think twice….we were there. In fact this weeks edition is coming to you hot off the press on the fly bridge of the vehicle ferry as we return.It has been like a week away and contained a number of firsts for our adventurous son!!I guess the most notable and memorable for him being swimming to the offshore raft in the bay with his lifejacket on and then a couple of scooby doo rides on one of his older brothers 1300cc jet ski (see pics) (some anxious moments for his safety conscious Mother!!!).

Fletcher reckons; he is in two minds now whether he will ask Santa for a motorbike or a Jet ski….although with an August birthday perhaps both could be accomadated?..yeah right!

It is hard to explain how incredibly rested we feel after such a relaxing weekend….crikey we have to do that more often….if you get an opportunity to get away…don’t hesitate!!

I hope you are in a similar state as you look forward to another exciting week full of opportunity and challenge……have an extra ‘Upbeat’ one…………Cheers Jonesey.

 

The Hendersons reckon Nana and Poppa should relax the Waiheke dog policy!

 

“No deal , No meal”. New and used car sales reality!!

 

I have had an interesting time in the last few weeks observing a sales process.

I am in market for a new company car and have contacted a number of sales people.

Having spent some time in the industry in a former sales life I still have contacts.

I approached four companies all selling the type of vehicle I was interested in.

I explained what I wanted to each and asked each for the same information in return.

Two of the sales people had previously worked for me as their Sales Manager.

The contrast in the quality of the responses was remarkable.

Of the four only one gave me exactly what I was after whilst the rest varied from average to totally terrible.

Not surprisingly the one who gave me what I wanted was also the only one who followed up promptly to ensure I had what I wanted and to offer a test drive.

There was one other follow up a little later but nowhere near as professional and I am still waiting two full weeks later for the remaining two to touch base??!!!!

Now I know that car sales have been good lately and that a one car sale is probably not that exciting however I was astounded with the lack of urgency or professionalism in an industry where sales people are remunerated mostly via commissions from sales??!!

In another twist to this story the most impressive sales person is severely impaired by a rare strain of Parkinsons disease yet he has been the best salesman nationally for 10 years!

The vehicle he is selling drives well and has a number of extra features the others don’t have and is competitively priced.

It will justifiably be an absolute pleasure to give him my order given his commitment to winning my business…..after all I guess I taught him a lot of what he knows!! :).

 

“Good sales people are not born they are trained”J. Dave Kurlan

Hidden treasure !

                                                                                       Edition 367 Monday 20/02/17

 

 

 

 

 

Hi,it would be fair to say I am no longer a ‘spring chicken’. This is something I have to remember given my relentless pursuit of ‘elite athlete’ status.After 50 something years of regular exercise I have finally accepted that stretching before and after exercising is probably a good idea! Whilst some of my vintage may be motivated by things like the World Masters Games for me it is more wanting to be fit and youthful enough to pass for Fletchers Father rather than his Grandfather for as long as humanly possible!!

Fletcher reckons; his Dad and his Mum will need to bring their A game if they want to keep up with him.So far so good although a bit shaky on the skateboard and scooter!!

My life is rubbish and I wouldn’t have it any other way!!I get such a buzz out of creating sustainable solutions for others.Unfortunately we live in a ‘throw away’ society where it is too easy and cheap to discard large volumes of reusable stuff!I love making a difference redirecting this preloved treasure trove to people who appreciate it.

Poor Christine never knows what I will turn up with at home next. Luckily we have similar tastes so most of my treasure finds a special place in our home J.

Happy treasure hunting, have a great week ahead…...Cheers Jonesey.

 

The Hendersons reckon they are treasures in their own right!!

 

 

“Succeeding in business is all about making connections”. Richard Branson

 

I attended a sustainability forum last week that was good for my soul!!

In the past I have been guilty of not attending things like this on the premise I am too busy.

Interestingly there were heaps of lonely name badges at the registration desk of other ‘busy’ people who had accepted the invite but were ‘missing in action’.

These industry related events are an ideal opportunity to be updated and motivated.

They also provide an excellent chance to network with like minded professionals.

Yes they can also be a slow death by power point however therein lies an opening itself!

With my Toastmaster hat on I was able to provide some constructive feedback,which I did.

I also learn’t a lot about some exciting stuff happening in my industry whilst catching up with past and present associates, meeting new contacts and hatching cunning plans!

Events like this always stimulate my creative side and I tend to come away with new ideas to work on and innovative ideas for future solutions.

In fact as a result of attending I was able to broker a deal between a customer with something to dispose of and a new contact who has a need for that same something!Magic!

I also made time with another major influencer on a deal I have been working hard on.Gold!

It is good for business to be seen and heard at these events.

For me the informal networking opportunities are equally as important as the information shared in the presentations.

I am glad I made the effort to attend and strongly recommend you do the same whenever you get the chance……seize the day and make sure you show up !!

 

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”. Joseph Campbell

Call me Loyal

                                                                                       Edition 366 Monday 13/02/17

 

 

 

 

 

Hi,woven throughout the rich ‘Upbeat’ tapestry is regular reference to one of our ‘happy places’now the the Hunting Lodge Winery formerly Matua Vineyard. We were delighted to return this weekend for the North West beer and wine festival featuring live music in the vines from Nomad (some kids from ChCh on the rise),Trinity Roots (absolutely, positively ‘Wellington as reggae bro’) and the one and only classic Dave Dobbyn(loyal as the weather from the hinter to the heartland…otherwise fine!!!).There is no better way to spend a lazy,hazy,sunny Saturday afternoon…life doesn’t get any better!!!

Well maybe it did for us as Christine won the raffle for a basket of the best wine, food and local business vouchers in the North West!In a bizarre sequence of events 1000 tickets were issued in ‘goody bags’ given to attendees.The draw had to be done twice as the first ticket holder didn’t front up and we won the second draw…what are the chances…Yay the Joneses!

Fletcher reckons;he wants to be a rock star after attending his first live ‘gig’ at the Hunting Lodge and raging it up the front in the mosh pit with his Mother (yes really).

He also reckons getting your gear off with your girlfriend at a local ‘do’ is ok too (see pic

With my planet saving hat on I have managed to divert hundreds of mattresses and deck chairs from landill off cruise ships visiting Auckland in recent weeks. I am also working with a customer and my reuse contacts to divert 100 railway sleepers from the hole in the ground…yes I am a legend and yes it feels good to be making a sustainable difference J

I hope you are also getting an ‘Upbeat’ buzz from life,have a good week..Cheers Jonesey!

 

The Hendersons reckon a couple of cruise ship deck chairs wouldn’t go a miss!

 

“ He who holds the hook is aware in what waters many fish are swimming”.Ovid

 

I read a salesy(is that a word?) article recently that had some good advice.

Yes, salesy stuff comes at us daily thick and fast but something in this one stuck.

It more or less said if we wanted to make more sales and reach targets we needed to identify who our prime target customers were and why (ok not rocket science I admit).

It recommended analysing our customer base and the industries they represented.

Once this info was known a preferred customer  target  group would (and did) emerge.

This resonated with me because I tend to be reactive prospector rather than proactive.

So unlike a lot of other advice I get I actually took this on board and did the exercise.

I discovered a clear trend and quickly identified a specific target group of industries.

Interestingly for me these businesses tended to be based in similar locations.

Even more exciting was the fact that their waste material is ideal for our processing facility!!

Talk about excited I couldn’t wait to get cracking as I planned my cold calling campaign!

!).

Someone once wisely said to me “Fish where the fish are” and this could not be more true of the campaign I am on the verge of launching.

I had a brief sortee last week and established two potential leads without trying too hard!

It brings back memories of fishing with my Dad, we always headed for the spots where the birds were diving for the small fish driven to the surface by the larger ones!

So sage advice indeed, quite simple, obvious and logical but often overlooked..good luck!

 

“Everyone should believe in something.I believe Ill go fishing”. Henry David Thoreau