Chasing Rainbows

 

 

 

 

                                                                                       Edition 433 Monday 25/06/18

 

Hi, I couldn’t get out of bed so I rolled out and on to the floor.I was in agony but somehow managed to crawl on all fours across the room and drag myself up to my knees on a couch.Slowly and inch by inch I clawed myself to my feet and miraculously started shuffling forward.Every normal thing I was used to doing seemed like an impossibile task and the pain was excrutiating…Crikey what happened?

Good question but whatever it was severely strained the muscles in my lower back and turned me into a disabled person overnight.With the assistance of anti inflam tabs and painkillers plus my wifes expert massaging skills I was unbelievably lucky and grateful to get through a difficult week.

Its times like this that I realise how lucky I am to enjoy good health and fitness 99% of the time and I feel total compassion for those who are disabled or have restricted movement and function.

Fletcher reckons he is pleased I showed early signs of recovery as there was no way he was willing to engage in a round of scissor, rock and paper for the dubious honour of assisting Dad in the toilet!

Something funny….sign spotted on the back of a ute last week “This vehicle is not permitted to exceed the speed limit”. Crikey I think our office phone would run hot if it was on my ute!!

Christine has decided to join the Aged Care Profession and is looking forward to using her considerable and caring skills to assist residents of a new local facility to grow old with dignity!

Given the back story above and my own advancing years her new profession may come in more handy than we realise!!!..I have already offered to run public speaking courses for my fellow oldies!!!

I hope there is plenty of good stuff going on in your world too,have an ‘Upbeat’ week,Cheers Jonesey.

 

Kate and Lily reckon for the right treats they could be enticed to provide some ‘aged care’.

 

 

 

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Some weeks are definitely harder than others to get traction.

They are the ones where you feel like the mouse in the wheel running hard but getting nowhere.

Its these weeks that you need to stay focused and trust your systems and processes.

I often liken it to sports training, the harder you work on technique and fitness the better you go.

The All Blacks are a perfect example, no matter what happens on field they trust their systems.

Another is Mahe Drysdale the rower who concentrates intensely on technique, fitness and power.

So how does this relate to business? I think its about working smarter not harder.

Systems, process and technique are things that come from experience and analysis.

They are not things that are developed in times of blind panic, dispair or disorganisation.

So last week after a number of tough ones I did the hard yards and trusted in my ability.

I was rewarded for my efforts with some long overdue and large wins for the team.

Yes you can take a moment to celebrate however rising budgets beckon and there is no time to lose.

So it was back out there making more calls on customers to top up the ever hungry sales funnel.

The wins gave the week momentum and provided the confidence and drive toward future sales.

Interestingly I parked in one quiet street not far from our office and generated a number of leads.

Not content with that good fortune I headed a short distance down the road and struck form again.

One call led to three opportunities for future business all from the momentum of the earlier success.

Its times like this that I wish I knew what I know now 20 years ago as I was battling away in sales.

I guess we all have that thought at some stage in our careers however the sooner the better.

The best thing I can do now is pass on as much of that knowledge and enthusiasm as I can to others!

 

“Selling is essentially a transfer of enthusiasm.” Zig Ziglar

Windfall

 

 

 

 

                                                                                       Edition 432 Monday 18/06/18

 

Hi,one of my ‘happy places’ is collecting and hoarding stuff so imagine my joy at discovering the show ‘American Pickers’ on Duke channel 13 recently.The show follows a couple of antique (junk) collectors who scour the US for old and intersting stuff.They call in on people who have been hoarding and collecting a multitude of stuff for decades.They ask for permission to pick through these private treasure troves and then attempt to purchase items that take their fancy. The buzz for me is the intersting,iconic and priceless memorabilia that has been accumulated from the past including cool old signs, motorbikes, cars, juke boxes, pin ball machines and so much more,what a cool program, check it out junkies its an exciting retro blast from the past.

Fletcher reckons fishing is his happy place out chasing monsters from friends boats east and west coast or land based off the cool network of Auckland inner harbour wharves…tight lines team FJJ.  

Something funny….a quote spotted at a fave café last week “Listen before I had my coffee I didn’t know how awesome I was going to be today either.”Life is too short to put up with bad coffee!!!

Following on the happy place theme above I was cruising around an industrial area last week when I noticed a couple of old school signs in a scrap pile(as a Steptoe type does).Never one to be shy I rocked up and asked if I could have the signs given they were being thrown out anway?Hey presto ala kazam I am now the ‘happy place’ owner of totally cool ‘old school’ Heineken and Tip Top signs!

It would be fair to say my long suffering wife was not as excited as me about this windfall!!!

I hope you have fun visiting your happy ‘Upbeat’ places in the week ahead…………Cheers Jonesey.

 

Kate and Lily reckon it could be time to invite the American Pickers to # 48 soon!!

 

 

 

“Work for a cause not for applause,live to express not to impress.”

 

There are a number of amazing ‘not for profit’ organisations doing great work.

My boss(comedian)often reminds me….”we are not one of them so don’t discount prices”.

Jokes aside, wherever possible I like to try to support these organisations fully.

Last week the guys from the Cook Islands Development Trust did a waste collection for us.

The incredible thing is the stuff they collected from one of our retailers was a windfall for them.

Instead of having to be dumped it was a pile of shop fittings, mannequins and storage displays.

It went straight into a ‘pop up’ store they were setting up for selling other stuff to raise funds.

Wow talk about a coincidence and double whammy, payment from us and a shop fit out at no cost.

Now that is what I call a satisfying win/win business deal that leaves goodwill and smiles all round.

The money raised by these guys is spent on assisting with Cook Islands housing and infrastructure.

Another of my favourite ‘not for profits’ is “Abilities’ an organisation that employs IHC workers.

These are people who would find it almost impossible to find employment elsewhere.

Abilities take on lots of work mostly jobs people cant be bothered doing or find others to do.

Their workforce cant wait to get to work, get stuck in and get recognition for a job well done.

We assist them by referring their services to our customers and by providing ongoing GG support.

If you could see the sheer ‘Upbeat’ joy in the faces of the people at Abilities you would be moved.

They consider themselves the luckiest people in the world just to have a job no matter how mundane!

A lot of people who hate their job or don’t want to work need to visit Abilities for a reality check.

Helping these organisations makes us feel good and keeps us grounded…both essentials in business!

 

“Be miserable or motivate yourself , whatever has to be done, its always your choice.”

The Tooth Fairy

 

 

 

 

                                                                                       Edition 431 Monday 11/06/18

 

Hi,my fitbit is definitely the Christmas present that keeps on giving and couldn’t have been a better gift for someone like me.Last week I gained my NZ award for covering 1593 km (or the length of the land of the long white cloud) since clipping on my fitbit December 2017! Last week I recorded a PB 110,523 steps (av 15,789 per day and best day 22,087)!!!! Crikey not bad for an Ol fella!!

This is all well and good but it does run the fuel tank and immune system low exposing one to the dreaded man flu at this time of year.I am battling a bout at present and have been reminded yet again that it is better to take a day or two off than try to carry on regardless…yeah right!

Fletcher reckons losing his first tooth was a milestone and well worth the $5 bucks the tooth fairy shelled out for such a collectible (where does one go to establish the going rate?...Google?).

Something funny…. ‘from the mouth of perceptive babes’….I asked Fletcher to do something the other day and added….”Im the boss so just do it”, to which he replied “you are not the boss Daddy, Mummy is, so I don’t have to do it”.Hmmmm ok it may be semi-accurate but how did he know that?

It was nice to drop off a load of ‘upcycled’ firewood for my Mum and Dad after receiving plenty of loads from them over the years….time to give back….gave me a nice warm (excuse the pun) feeling.

I hope you have a fun and ‘Upbeat week ahead…………Cheers Jonesey.

 

Kate and Lily reckon Mummy is definitely the boss at 48?....(after all Ive done for them?!!)

 

 

 

“Keep calm and close the deal.”

 

True story….

Last week I was busting to follow up  call a potential customer.

In fact it would be fair to say I was beside myself to pick up the phone and call him.

The history;

Initial calls, audits and analysis had been done and a proposal had been submitted.

Follow up discussions had been held and the proposal had been presented to the boss.

In the meantime I had organised an extra special ‘mates rates’ clean up of their yard.

So the scene was set for the big final push to victory and glory….the order!!

However;

The decision maker was in no hurry and had displayed loyalty to existing suppliers in the past!

Additional to this he had extended his annual duck shooting trip and wasn’t in a hurry to return.

So…..what is an impatient sales hungry finger on the trigger sales professional to do?

Most of us would have reported/recorded the sale as won and spent the commission big time already!

However;

As seasoned professionals we understand the need to let our buyers take their time (yeah right).

So enough was enough the silence was deafening so I picked up the phone to call……

Then I second guessed myself and the little voice of experience said to me….wait another day!

So I did and then miraculously in fact unbelievably the very same customer called me!!!!!

OMG I couldn’t believe it….the little voice was my hero and the deal was saved and ON again.

So in summary;

His call was to ask some questions about our deal (great)and then a 2^nd call to arrange a meeting.

WOW, as a result of not calling first I find myself in a stronger position than if I had….so cool.

So the lesson….if you are asked to back off and wait then do as you are told and trust your process!

 

“Be stubborn about your goals and flexible about your methods.”