So, it's been two months... and I have been quite busy! Don't know if anyone but me is reading these posts, so not sure if it's something I want to make time for.
Until future notice I am going to take a (more) extended break from posting. If you are a fan, or interested in reading more, knowing either would probably get me back to the soapbox and posting sooner.
Thank you~
Ethan
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Life Plan...
So most successful businesses have business plans right? The best in business update and modify their plan according to changes in the economy or as they add new services or products, even when certain milestones are attained.
What about your life? Is it a endless-cycle of Sunday-to-Saturday with things you'd like to work towards, dreams you'd love to pursue stuck in the ether of "someday, sometime"? Month after month, season changing into the next, kids growing, bills getting paid, food bought prepared, on and on with regularity...Ho-hum dee-dum?
Time to consider working on a Life Plan. I've found that going through the process in preparing your Lifeplan can be just as beneficial as a company working on their business plan. Developing your vision, outcomes, disciplines, and so on can enable you to really put some targets, short-medium-long-term milestones, and help you to set the non-negotiable disciplines.
If you're interested in finding out more about the process, or are curious of what all this would entail with Phero Consulting Group, please drop me a line. I've seen many people engage their dreams and goals, and really get a positive-boost from the Life-plan development process. Some find it necessary and encouraging to review there own on a daily basis as they plan out there day.
~Ethan
What about your life? Is it a endless-cycle of Sunday-to-Saturday with things you'd like to work towards, dreams you'd love to pursue stuck in the ether of "someday, sometime"? Month after month, season changing into the next, kids growing, bills getting paid, food bought prepared, on and on with regularity...Ho-hum dee-dum?
Time to consider working on a Life Plan. I've found that going through the process in preparing your Lifeplan can be just as beneficial as a company working on their business plan. Developing your vision, outcomes, disciplines, and so on can enable you to really put some targets, short-medium-long-term milestones, and help you to set the non-negotiable disciplines.
If you're interested in finding out more about the process, or are curious of what all this would entail with Phero Consulting Group, please drop me a line. I've seen many people engage their dreams and goals, and really get a positive-boost from the Life-plan development process. Some find it necessary and encouraging to review there own on a daily basis as they plan out there day.
~Ethan
Easy or Better?
As a coach I am often in pursuit of more education/learning/information that can be helpful or aid when I am working with a client. As I set up this blog to share these insights, here's another...
In choices you make, do you choose "EASY" over "BETTER"? Often our mode and mood can have us in a hurry, and as a dad sometimes looking after my boys "easy" is far too easy to pass up sometimes. In some cases, waiting and doing the "better" over the quick (dirty?) "easy" can pay-off much sweeter in the end.
An "Easy" I took advantage of over the weekend went like this. With the help of my aforementioned sons we went about the task of cleaning Dauphinee (my wife's car). While my youngest considered playing far more important, my older boy went to it with the shop-vac with gusto on the floors and upholstery. When it came to washing the outside, here's where the "easy" took pole-position in front of "better". As it was a slightly chilly and quite windy day, hand-washing the car wasn't a preferable way to go about cleaning the car. For less than $10 we did the "easier", and the boys enjoyed the time in the car with my as the "robot" touchless car-wash did it's thing. When we got back home, and got the boys inside for some lunch I took a few minutes to look over the job that "neato" robot did. In a nutshell: Crap-tacular! I needed to re-washed the windows, wipe off some of the grime it missed along the bottom of the doors, and so on. Naturally a much better job would have been done if I'd done it all by hand (and even with the waxing it'd be cheaper!).
This is just one minor (real-life) example of the "better" being side-stepped for "easy". How many business, or even more-major personal decisions have been blown when you chose "easy" over "better"?
~E
In choices you make, do you choose "EASY" over "BETTER"? Often our mode and mood can have us in a hurry, and as a dad sometimes looking after my boys "easy" is far too easy to pass up sometimes. In some cases, waiting and doing the "better" over the quick (dirty?) "easy" can pay-off much sweeter in the end.
An "Easy" I took advantage of over the weekend went like this. With the help of my aforementioned sons we went about the task of cleaning Dauphinee (my wife's car). While my youngest considered playing far more important, my older boy went to it with the shop-vac with gusto on the floors and upholstery. When it came to washing the outside, here's where the "easy" took pole-position in front of "better". As it was a slightly chilly and quite windy day, hand-washing the car wasn't a preferable way to go about cleaning the car. For less than $10 we did the "easier", and the boys enjoyed the time in the car with my as the "robot" touchless car-wash did it's thing. When we got back home, and got the boys inside for some lunch I took a few minutes to look over the job that "neato" robot did. In a nutshell: Crap-tacular! I needed to re-washed the windows, wipe off some of the grime it missed along the bottom of the doors, and so on. Naturally a much better job would have been done if I'd done it all by hand (and even with the waxing it'd be cheaper!).
This is just one minor (real-life) example of the "better" being side-stepped for "easy". How many business, or even more-major personal decisions have been blown when you chose "easy" over "better"?
~E
Primary Company Attitudes...
So, as I do, I'm reading another business book and stumbled upon something I thought was worth spreading around. This is keen-stuff for you if you're one who owns or manages a business, and likewise could be profitable to consider if you're just a "regular joe" with a dream of starting a business some day. The book I'm reading today is Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur by Sir Richard Branson (yes, the Virgin guy). So, despite linking the book, this post isn't directly related to the book, but something I read in it about another airline I admire, and the founder's (Herb Kelleher) "primary attitude" about the culture the company aimed to keep. I share this information because it seems to me one of the best lists to imitate for one's own business::
1. Employees are number one. The way you treat your employees is the way they will treat your customers.
2. Think small to grow big.
3. Manage in the good times for the bad times.
4. Irreverence is OK.
5. It's OK to be yourself.
6. Have fun at work.
7. Take the competition seriously, but not yourself.
8. Think of the company as a service organization that happens to be in the _____ business. (Airline is in the blank on the original, left blank to describe your business)
9. Do whatever it takes.
10. Always practice the Golden Rule, internally and externally.
Now, I know there are many other things one could add or substitute on their own version of that list. Just the same there are probably other lists out there that make sense, and are probably more applicable to your particular business in regards to the culture of the company.
All in all, I have felt pretty blessed that the Albuquerque Sunport is a hub (although minor) for Southwest, as when I need to get on the the "bus with wings" at least I can count on the steward-team to embrace #4, 5, 6, &10.
~E
1. Employees are number one. The way you treat your employees is the way they will treat your customers.
2. Think small to grow big.
3. Manage in the good times for the bad times.
4. Irreverence is OK.
5. It's OK to be yourself.
6. Have fun at work.
7. Take the competition seriously, but not yourself.
8. Think of the company as a service organization that happens to be in the _____ business. (Airline is in the blank on the original, left blank to describe your business)
9. Do whatever it takes.
10. Always practice the Golden Rule, internally and externally.
Now, I know there are many other things one could add or substitute on their own version of that list. Just the same there are probably other lists out there that make sense, and are probably more applicable to your particular business in regards to the culture of the company.
All in all, I have felt pretty blessed that the Albuquerque Sunport is a hub (although minor) for Southwest, as when I need to get on the the "bus with wings" at least I can count on the steward-team to embrace #4, 5, 6, &10.
~E
Friday, January 14, 2011
Sales Training anyone can use...
So I've had a thought about compiling some sales training for clients who want to improve/train/teach their team. It's not part of any step-formula to the "sale", but is critical before you ever "step to the plate". What is interesting about this foundational or ground-floor lesson, is that it can prove beneficial to anyone. I'll relay that point with a short (real) story.
I was at a children's birthday party with my family some months ago, and while the children attending played, the parents did the "fellowship thing" and chatted small-talk. Another gentleman and I got to talking about the personal weather-stations you can purchase on the market. He related that he read a review of a particular model that was top-notch, did everything it promised in the marketing, and wasn't too expensive (trifecta!). The critical factor in his relaying this information was he didn't remember the model number or even the manufacturer.
The takeaway from this story is simple: know your product. Especially in the realm of sales, if you are not somewhere on the trail to knowing the absolute most about your product you are not going to close the sale (in most cases). Naturally, we are not robots with infinite and fast-response memory, so a client/customer will understand if you ask them if you can get back to them on one thing or another. But at least know the bullet-points! Do your best in the information-gathering stage to learn all you might be asked so that you can adequately represent the manufacturer or service provider. As mentioned above, there are step-intensive processes to selling being taught here and there on the web or otherwise.
I hold the opinion (loosely) that everyone sells, but not everyone closes all the time. Although the bulk of this post is aimed at those in a actual selling profession, it's probably evident how this would apply to those who don't sell for a living in some way. You don't want to tempt someone to be annoyed with you because you didn't know at least more than a miniscule about something!
I was at a children's birthday party with my family some months ago, and while the children attending played, the parents did the "fellowship thing" and chatted small-talk. Another gentleman and I got to talking about the personal weather-stations you can purchase on the market. He related that he read a review of a particular model that was top-notch, did everything it promised in the marketing, and wasn't too expensive (trifecta!). The critical factor in his relaying this information was he didn't remember the model number or even the manufacturer.
The takeaway from this story is simple: know your product. Especially in the realm of sales, if you are not somewhere on the trail to knowing the absolute most about your product you are not going to close the sale (in most cases). Naturally, we are not robots with infinite and fast-response memory, so a client/customer will understand if you ask them if you can get back to them on one thing or another. But at least know the bullet-points! Do your best in the information-gathering stage to learn all you might be asked so that you can adequately represent the manufacturer or service provider. As mentioned above, there are step-intensive processes to selling being taught here and there on the web or otherwise.
I hold the opinion (loosely) that everyone sells, but not everyone closes all the time. Although the bulk of this post is aimed at those in a actual selling profession, it's probably evident how this would apply to those who don't sell for a living in some way. You don't want to tempt someone to be annoyed with you because you didn't know at least more than a miniscule about something!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
First... and not last...
Hello-Hello! So I've started blogging again, and it comes at somewhat a surprise to me. I had ended my previous blog due to busyness, and the thinking that "hey, Facebook is pretty cool, I don't need to post on my own anymore". I did that for a while, (and still do), but have had a different opinion slowly simmering over the last few years, courtesy of my good friend Azin. He founded a great company whose goal in business is to provide "Solutions for Great Causes", and when we spoke a few years ago (has it been that long?), I didn't think it was something I wanted to do. Then, after getting through only half (so far) of Linchpin, by Seth Godin, I had a major change of heart.
A good portion of my day consists of driving from one place to another, to see my accounts. More often or not, this provides ample time to reflect on whatever I've listened to or experienced in the recent past. I have a tremendous desire to help people, encourage, motivate, and feel particularly called to the business-set who could (with help, mine preferably) improve in some way or another. I've had extensive experience with the DiSC personality profile system, Grip-Birkman Blueprint, and other assessments, and through those different tools have helped others to change for the better in how they do things.
I started a business a few years ago that dealt with the sales aspect of business, and it's been doing OK, bills are getting paid, life goes on. Phero Sales Group provides representation and distribution service to various clients in the automotive industry. With all the experiences I've had since that initial start-up, or you could say "with this realization of my 'life-passion' or 'purpose'" I've launched another branch of my business: Phero Consulting Group.
This is the slow expanse of that "consulting" into the web-o-sphere, a personal blog from me, Ethan, and occasionally guest-posts from my colleagues that I work with, and cherish as good friends. I pray you find something encouraging or motivating as you read the posts. I cannot promise this to be a daily-deal, there are other "skillets" that need attending on the "stove", but I do hope (God willing) to relate one or two thoughts a week (at least) in this blog.
Thank you for your attention, and stay tuned, you might just appreciate what you read!
A good portion of my day consists of driving from one place to another, to see my accounts. More often or not, this provides ample time to reflect on whatever I've listened to or experienced in the recent past. I have a tremendous desire to help people, encourage, motivate, and feel particularly called to the business-set who could (with help, mine preferably) improve in some way or another. I've had extensive experience with the DiSC personality profile system, Grip-Birkman Blueprint, and other assessments, and through those different tools have helped others to change for the better in how they do things.
I started a business a few years ago that dealt with the sales aspect of business, and it's been doing OK, bills are getting paid, life goes on. Phero Sales Group provides representation and distribution service to various clients in the automotive industry. With all the experiences I've had since that initial start-up, or you could say "with this realization of my 'life-passion' or 'purpose'" I've launched another branch of my business: Phero Consulting Group.
This is the slow expanse of that "consulting" into the web-o-sphere, a personal blog from me, Ethan, and occasionally guest-posts from my colleagues that I work with, and cherish as good friends. I pray you find something encouraging or motivating as you read the posts. I cannot promise this to be a daily-deal, there are other "skillets" that need attending on the "stove", but I do hope (God willing) to relate one or two thoughts a week (at least) in this blog.
Thank you for your attention, and stay tuned, you might just appreciate what you read!
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