'Upbeat'

         

 

 

Edition 203 Monday September 16th 2013

 

 Hi, Spring is an exciting time as daylight saving and the long hot days of Summer approach. Inevitably the days are not the only things getting longer as the ‘to do’ before Summer list also starts to grow. Whilst that can be daunting it is also exciting as you build the list and start to tick the boxes as the tasks are ‘knocked off’ one by one…….hmmmm sounds easy enough. Well it sort of did till we took time out this weekend to compile our ‘to do’ before Summer list! It was exciting to visualise us achieving our goals yet hard to see the spare time required! So like that chap who posed the question about “how to eat an elephant?” we decided that we will consume our list one ‘bite’ at a time. Project ‘Summer 13’ is officially underway with the soft launch being the list completed this weekend and the harder version being the two physical projects per weekend till Christmas starting next weekend!..watch this space as “The Block” moves to our shack at Muriwai !!

Wow,big sporting weekend @ 48 with plenty of action, drama, blood, sweat and some tears. Speaking of tears given Fletchers impressionable age and penchant for repeating what those around him explete we have introduced a gold coin fine system to discourage swearing especially during close sporting encounters ! The proceeds are going into Fletchers BNZ piggy bank and ultimately into his Kiwi saver account !!! Needless to say after this weekends events and the subsequent stream of non compliant language he has done nicely out of the deal. Swearing = being lazy and is not a good look, time for the grumpy man to get more creative with vocab !!

From the ‘Upbeat ‘ file….Last week I heard the word ‘Upbeat’ used a number of times which always brings a smile to my face. I was prompted to visit the personalised plate website to find that someone already has the plate ‘Upbeat’ but that if I parted with a mere $899.00 I could have several other versions using numbers  instead of letters! !hmmmmmmmm,better buy paint instead!!

I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Spring weekend, have a great week ahead, Cheers Jonesey!

 

.Harry and the Hendersons reckon dogs can teach Fletcher fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down!!!

 

“Monday you can fall apart. Tuesday, Wednesday break my heart. Thursday doesn't even start. It's Friday, I'm in love.” The Cure

Most people I know are more ‘Upbeat’ and happy on Fridays than any other day of the week.

The Friday mind set can be counter productive as there is a tendency to perceive that people don’t want to see or talk business with anyone on a Friday given they are on the weekend wind down.

This applies especially to my profession ‘sales’. If I had a $1 for every time I have been told by a colleague that there is no use calling on a customer on a Friday (especially after lunch) I would be a wealthy man. This is a dangerous perception and one neither we or our colleagues can afford to have.

To give you a good example I was able to call on three customers last Friday afternoon. In two cases I had arranged appointments without any hassle and in the third I called in to close a deal I have been working on for some time. In all cases my customers were pleased to see me and happy to talk.

The myth that everyone is winding down for the weekend on a Friday is exactly that, a myth. If you think that no one wants to see you on a Friday or that there is no business to be done on a Friday then you need to have a Stephen Covey style ‘Paradigm shift’ and change your mindset. The fact that people are more ‘Upbeat’, happier and expectant of a cool weekend makes them easier to do business with. Fridays are BIG business days and maybe the reason they are is because a large number of your competitors arn’t out there,preferring instead to waste time in the office and finish early to get a flying start to their weekend !!! Believe me, Fridays are BIG for business, I bet if you focus on making this the case you and your company will benefit….good luck, have fun on Fridays!

 

“Monday you can hold your head. Tuesday, Wednesday stay in bed. Oh Thursday watch the walls instead. It's Friday, I'm in love.” The Cure

Team NZ

         

 

 

Edition 202 Monday September 9th 2013

 

 Hi, from as early as I can remember the Ranfurly Shield has always had a special magic for me. At Primary and Intermediate school I can remember interhouse rivalry for summer and winter sports  trophies and I guess the Ranfurly Shield struck me as being the same thing in the real world! The sheer excitement of challenging, the euphoria of winning as challenger or holder or conversely the desperation and disappointment of losing as challenger or holder,Ranfurly Shield games have magical ingredients that often produce drama, events, games,outcomes and key players that are legendary and become folklore for generations to come.

Speaking of which,WOW!!!!,. what a month it has been with firstly Otago winning the shield off Waikato after coming so close on so many occasions previously, in fact their first time with the ‘log o wood’ for over 50 years, then losing it 7 days later to Hawkes Bay who hadnt seen it for even longer!!! And then Counties taking it from Hawkes  Bay a record shortest tenure time of 6 days later to secure the Shield for the first time in that unions history since coming in to being in 1958 !!!! If you or someone you know  hasn’t been affected or captivated by this amazing series of games then you need to tune in and get blown away by ‘shield fever’.

As a player my two greatest memories were of being involved in shield games. The first in 1979 when as an under 21 player I played the curtain raiser to the Auckland v Counties game at Eden Park. The crowd swelled to 50,000 by the time our game concluded and the atmosphere was electric. The second was 1986 when I was lucky enough to play in an actual challenge for North Harbour against Auckland again at Eden Park and again in front of nearly 60,000 people!! Yes a long way from Primary and Intermediate School sports challenges but as fiercely contested and celebrated afterwards……great memories and testament to the game that is woven so deeply into the fabric of our society. The last month has been an enjoyable and motivating return to my rugby womb!!!

Hey how about those America’s Cup sailors and the mighty AB’s !!, capping off an amazing weekend of sport for ‘Aotearoa’ land of the long white cloud……be proud Kiwi’s….life doesn’t get any better !!! Cheers Jonesey!!.....stop press, and our Equestrian Eventers at Burley…..YAY.

 

Harry and the Hendersons reckon“why keep dogs if you are going to bark heaps yourself?”

 

“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.”

 Mark Twain

I was lucky enough to represent our Toastmasters Club at an Impromtu speaking competition on the weekend. I was even luckier to have things go my way well enough to win that competition!!!

Yes I am competitive and yes this was a huge thrill and an honour to compete successfully at this level. Impromtu speaking is just one of the many skills I have worked hard on a fortnightly basis to get ‘better’ at in the many years I have been a member of a Toastmasters club.

Any success is never an overnight thing, it is usually the culmination of many hours hard work honing skills and techniques to produce a consistent quality performance….ask any golfer or goal kicker!!!

My goal in 2013 is to ‘be better’ at everything I do so my choice to become a Toastmaster over 20 years ago has enabled me to continue achieving my objective this year in the many areas that this organization benefits members…..visit www.toastmasters.org.nz to find out more !!!!!

As Toastmasters we are taught to listen so we can evaluate and provide objective feedback to others. I often evaluate non- toastmasters and provide advice and it is my opinion there are plenty of people who would benefit from being better communicators including prominent figures who talk often in public. The only way to get better at anything is to work longer and harder at it,good luck,go for it!

Victory is sweet however this doesn’t guarantee photographers will catch your best look(attached)!

 

“There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.” 

 Mark Twain

C.O.A....(centre of attention!!)

         

 

 

Edition 201 Monday September 2nd 2013

 

 Hi, early September is the best time for me, not only does it signal the start of Spring, warmer weather and the end of the winter hibernation but it is also time for Fathers Day and my birthday. For someone who finds being the centre of attention rather stimulating and impulsive this is a time where it sort of happens without me having to force the issue. Being made to feel special and appreciated is one of my favourite things and a reason why I enjoy this time of year so much. Whilst I am a Father I am also a son so it is a time where I get to give and say thanks to my Dad who god willing is still going strong in his 81^st year!!. I feel particularly lucky to have both my parents around and especially so in Dads case after his close shave with death earlier this year. I know a lot of people are not as fortunate and I feel blessed to have the continued opportunity to say thanks in person. As a son I respect and admire my Father and have always wanted to emulate and please him, I will be eternally grateful to him for the huge sacrifices he has made in his life to enable me to always pursue my dreams. I am lucky that my Father has always been a role model and example for me and one that I have tried to replicate for my own sons to want to follow. That to me is a key element of Fatherhood, seeing the pride and delight in the eyes of your son as you lead, explain, or demonstrate a way forward. Reflecting in his excitement and satisfaction, wiping away the tears of occasional failure and sharing the joys of  more regular success and a bond for life as Father and Son!!

Wow, in all the excitement I conveniently forgot to focus on the fact that another year and digit has slipped by however I have found that by focusing on this years goal to “be better” at everything I do the relevance of my age has been zapped by my own delight at being noticeably better at most stuff.

We had a cool family time this weekend remembering , thanking , being remembered and thanked I hope you did too. Take care and have a great week ahead, Cheers Jonesey!!

 

Harry and the Hendersons were sad to see Schmichael the Great Dane pass away on Coro Street this week They are regular watchers and BIG Schmichael fans!!! RIP mate, Scooby Doo had nothing on you!

 

“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” Aristotle

 

If you won lotto would you still turn up to work on Monday?

Like everyone who takes a lottery ticket I dream about what I would do if I won all that money or even just a slice of it.

I can honestly say that I love selling so much that if I won I would turn up to work on Monday and keep working……………yes really !!!

I do get pleasure out of being a sales person. I get upset with some peoples perception of our profession and I often imagine myself on a personal crusade to rid our industry of the poor image many out there have of us.

Guess what?, I sold cars at one stage of my career, I can honestly say it was one of the most exciting and satisfying jobs I have ever had, in fact, if I had my sales time all over again I would start on the car yard. It wasn’t a place where sales people were hell bent on ripping people off or pushing them into hire purchase arrangements well beyond their repayment capacity.It was a vibrant learning environment where we cared about people and making sure theirs and their families needs were exceeded without overextending their budgets or their circumstances.

I reckon car sales people are amongst the best trained in the sales profession and that being a professional sales person in any field is such a sort after career that winning a few million bucks on lotto should and would only form a minor distraction to the thrill of the selling chase !!! Just do it!!

 

“You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job, and not be paid for it.”

Oprah Winfrey

2 hundy Not Out

         

 

 

Edition 200 Monday August 26th 2013

 

 Hi, Crikey!, can you believe it, you better believe it, ‘Upbeat’ edition 200 coming right at you!!

Upbeat began life as the ‘Monday Morning Motivator’ at Hirequip back in May 2007 !! 99 editions later it was replaced with the first ‘Upbeat’ on Monday 8^th June 2009  and now 200 turbo charged ‘Upbeat’ editions and over 4 years later we are still going strong ,how Scooby Doo is that?? !!! :)

It has certainly been a roller coaster ride for this Jones boy having experienced and more importantly survived a wide range of lifes trials and tribulations during that time including open heart surgery and the global financial crisis to name a couple The highlight undoubtedly for me apart from sitting down each Sunday afternoon to share some of these special personal and business experiences has been meeting my soul mate Christine after 50 years of searching and having two wonderful sons 30 years apart !!!

Being ‘Upbeat’ is not something that comes naturally to me and is definitely a work in progress. I use ‘Upbeat’ to provide me with the discipline and focus I need as I review the positives from my previous week and use them to create a personal ‘Upbeat’ state of mind as I prepare to face the challenges and maximise the opportunities of the coming week.

I could not have come this far or continue on without the regular support and feedback I get from many of you and so I consider  reaching this and future milestones is part of an overall team effort which we can all share and be proud of. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment honestly and frankly, your objective feedback has provided me with ideas and guidance that has challenged and assisted me to be ‘better’……and crikey isnt that what this thing called life is all about, you bet !!!

I look forward to continuing to share my experiences and thoughts with you and trust that the process continues to be a mutually beneficial one. Thanks again, take care and always make sure you remain true to yourselves and try hard not to miss the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends.Don’t live life regretting you didn’t make the most of every minute. Have a good one!!

Cheers Jonesey!!

 

Harry and the Hendersons say the 200 ‘Upbeat’ editions would be the equivalent of 1400 in the canine world WOW !!!....not bad in their opinion,and a big thanks to their fans !!!

 

There are three intolerable things in life - cold coffee, lukewarm champagne, and overexcited women...” Orson Welles

 

Coffee culture saga ….part 3

I am overwhelmed with happiness to say that the ‘Cosy Café’ continues to exceed my coffee and customer service expectations in every way. The food is also superb and reasonably priced, the staff call me Jonesey and make me feel like I have been a loyal customer for life!

I know what you are thinking, that you already knew all this but what I want to demonstrate to you today is that the power of keeping customers happy is not just in having ‘upbeat’ and repeat customers, it goes deeper still than that,happy J customers tell their friends and business associates!

I have introduced four other people to this café and held two business meetings there since becoming a convert. The owner James is over the moon and most appreciative. You see happy customers are a steady and regular source of new customers by referral so it pays to keep customers ‘cosy’ J Conversly unhappy customers L also tell others and prevent prospective new customers from using businesses who don’t take the time to listen to their customers or make the effort to satisfy them !

 

“The powers of a man's mind are directly proportioned to the quantity of coffee he drinks.”
― James Mackintosh

Nothing about nothing!

 

Edition 199 Monday August 19th 2013

 

 Hi, I am pleased to say I excelled at relaxing this weekend. I tore into doing absolutely nothing with great gusto. I cant believe how tiring doing nothing is so I had to sleep for long periods to recover. Stacking up ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz should always be the ultimate pursuit on the weekend closely followed by couch and sport channel surfing.

As I was busy doing nothing during a typical Auckland weekend that featured all four seasons I was able to share a special weather moment with Fletcher when a massive rainbow formed in the sky(see attached). You sort of forget how amazing that sight or how cool it is to explain it to a wide eyed one year old who is trying to figure out exactly what is going on.

Life is full of stuff like rainbows, sunrises and sunsets that we walk, drive or run past daily without stopping or even slowing to appreciate for their beauty or significance to us.

The rainbow on the weekend made me stop and think a bit and this was a good thing because the next evening I spent time watching and explaining the amazing sunset to Fletcher as well.

So while I was on an educational roll I thought I would also introduce him to watching the All Blacks live on TV however the 10.00pm kick off proved a bridge too far for the weary student and this chapter of his education will have to wait for a local game with an earlier kick off.

Great win in Sydney for the AB’s and a cool welcome back for Richie(Clark Kent) McCaw.

I hope you were also able to have a relaxing weekend doing nothing but chillaxing with Family and friends. I hope this also means you will be able to hit the coming week with everything you have.

Cheers Jonesey!!

 

Harry and the Hendersons reckon to err is human—to forgive, canine.

 

 

“Coffee is a language in itself. “ Jackie Chan

The continuing coffee customer service saga;

After complaining to the new cafe owners over three weeks ago and having not received a reply or any acknowledgement I decided to vote with my feet yet again.

I know what you are thinking I am rapidly running out of cafes in Onehunga to adopt ! and you would be right as this is now #4!

I am pleased however to announce that the ‘Cosy Café’ on main street Onehunga is my new favourite place. Not only do they have my favourite brand of coffee but the staff have learned my name already and welcomed me with open arms whilst also setting me up with a loyalty card from day one without me even having to askJ

This café is small and cosy with a quaint ambience that none of the previous cafes have had. I feel like I have found a place where I am at home and somewhere I will be appreciated where I can relax and read the paper whilst enjoying my favourite brew. I always loved the programme ‘ Cheers’ because of the family atmosphere and fun a regular group of patrons engendered at their corner bar in Boston. I know it was a sitcom but it was so well done that I always felt like a Cheers regular when I tuned in each night! Well my new café is my new ‘Cheers’ on main street Onehunga…”where everyone knows your name!!”

All I am looking for (like every customer who buys anything) is to feel wanted and appreciated……not rocket science really is it…..hmmm time will tell at the Cosiest café in Onehunga, watch this space!

 

“I am a coffee fanatic. Once you go to proper coffee, you can't go back. You cannot go back.” Hugh Laurie

Base Camp

 

 Hi, planning an event is not my strong suit. I tend to over worry every aspect and always fear the worst. So when I saw the weather forecast for the weekend I had the perfect excuse to go into a tailspin! To their credit Fletcher and Christine insisted I ‘harden up’ and reminded me that he was never going to be one again so his party was going to fly rain hail or shine!

As you know when you fear the worst the end of the world doesn’t eventuate and things work out well in the end . This was definitely the case this weekend with Fletcher’s first birthday celebration and on reflection I think this milestone is as much for the parents reaching that point as it is about our dear wee dust mite getting there.

Reflecting more after a lovely event where our guests and the weather both overwhelmed us with their warmth and generosity I realised yet again how lucky I am.

Lucky to have met Christine and to now have Fletcher but also to have family who accept and love me unconditionally and  supportive friends who also accept us for what and who we are.

Whilst the heading of this intro is ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ we will let you into a little secret, we don’t try to upstage anyone, our life is lived looking out for each other first and foremost and if there is anything we do or experience or think is cool we share it with others. We also like to hear what you and yours are doing that is cool or fun and then we can experience that too, we think that is far more important than trying to be all things to all people. If there is one thing we have learned along the way that is you will never please or keep up with every one.There will always be someone who will be bigger,better,faster or have more….why waste the energy worrying about competing, better to concentrate on what is good in your life and on enjoying it and making it better!

Yay, All Blacks are on the campaign trail next week , cant wait to see King Richie back in black.

I hope you had a cool, fun weekend with family and friends, have a great week, cheers Jonesey!!

 

Harry and the Hendersons are the experts when it comes to unconditional love !

 

“Customer satisfaction is worthless. Customer loyalty is priceless.” Jeffrey Gitomer

Customer service is something that is dear to my heart and as such I have developed the habit of always trying to exceed my customers expectations.

So as a customer I notice when people exceed my expectations and I also notice when they don’t.

Sadly I have to say that I notice poor service far too often and whats even worse when I complain I notice that a lot of businesses don’t seem to care or want to do anything about it. If we ever get a customer complaint I make sure we investigate fully and always get back to the customer with the outcome of our investigation, a follow up action plan and a gratuity or good faith gesture in an effort to make ammends or at the very least an apology.

Case Study; I love my morning coffee, it is a treat and as such I am willing to pay a premium (aka small fortune) for it. Recently my favourite café chnaged hands and a  number of staff  left. I continue to support this café however the attention to customer service and their loyalty coffee card system has slipped noticeably in my view. As a loyal customer I have pointed this out online.

I have not received an acknowledgement of my comments nor has there been any attitudinal change at the coal face or any effort to reward my loyalty by actively working their coffee card process.

This has disappointed me greatly to the point where I have now carried through with my threat to take my business elswhere? I know this probably wont worry them but if enough of their regulars do this then they will soon realise the ‘goodwill’ component they paid heavily for in the purchase will soon dissipate like ‘sand in the hour glass of time’!!!

I now visit a café where the owner appreciates my business and rewards me for supporting him with good service and a free coffee after vigilantly working his coffee card loyalty system. He is an owner who realises how important my business is to him and makes sure I know that…..not hard really is it?

“You don't earn loyalty in a day. You earn loyalty day-by-day.” Jeffrey Gitomer

Flying Blind !

         

 

 

Edition 197 Monday August 5th 2013

 

Hi,getting older is something you prefer to think is happening to others not you and something you try not to be reminded of or think about…….until you sort of have to. Unfortunately losing your glasses is one of those times where you have to face the facts and admit you have got to a point where you cant do without them. The fact that your aging also probably had something to do with misplacing them is temporarily lost on you in the panic to find them! Not to mention that screwing my face up whilst squnting to write this is also accelarating the face wrinkle process as well is a blow!

Never mind I remain ever optimistic they will magically reappear as I try to visualise their location!

Jones birthday season is upon us anyway so probably timely to be reflecting more positibely on the aging process. In the next 6 weeks, Christine, Fletcher, me, Mum and Dad will all celebrate birthdays, throw Fathers Day in the mix and it is always a busy family time.

It is a  time  to remember we are here for a good time not a relatively long time so it is important to be happy with our lot  and to make the most of it. Always a good time for reflection and gratitude.

And on reflection…….life doesn’t have to be complicated, keeping things simple can make it a pleasure and allow us to get the most from it. We have found that taking regular time out to focus on us what, is going well,who we have in our lives and how important that is to us will always be better than dwelling on what we havent got and maybe what has failed or why!!

Being ‘Upbeat ‘ is fun and feels good but it is a work in progress annd in many cases it is a team effort so keep those comments and ideas coming  because your feedback and support is warmly received and greatly appreciated always,

I hope you continue to live your lives to the full spending as much time with famuly, friends as you can. Have a great week ahead being positive and upbeat , Cheers Jonesey!!!!!

 

Harry and the Hendersons love birthday party season at 48, lots os Scooby Doo dog treats!

 

“Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.”Vince Lombardi

 

As you know it is one of my goals to never turn down an opportunity to get better at anything,

So when I am offered the chance to present to a group I always accept.

This was no different recently with the conference and again last week with a presentation I was invited to do to a Rotary Club in Manukau.

I have been guilty in the past of leaving my preparation for these presentations far too late and then rushing the preparation and hence not being 100% happy with my performance. So lately I have made sure I have taken more time over my preparation to ensure my performance was as good as it could possibly be or as super coach Vince Lombardi rightly says above make your practice perfect and your peformance will also be…..good advice,

Lets face it what is the point of accepting an opportunity to get better if you are not going to do everything you can do to achieve that objective. With my involvement in Toastmasters I can accurately say I have trained for over 20 years to present to these groups today, I better come across like that or they are going to ask the question about what I have been doing all those years!

My goal is to be the best I can be everytine so that my audience gets a consistently  professional performance from me.

I also know that  accepting these opportunities as well as the fortnightly Toastmasters meetings where I receive a top up of inspiration and motivation will combine to ensure I am using my ability to communicate effectively with others rathe than getting lazy and complacent “use it or lose it” !!!

 

“The way anything is developed is through practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice and more practice.”  Joyce Meyer