I Could Have Been The Godfather!
That's right.
In the mid 70's, a very dear friend of mine who had parlayed his six-year NFL career and two Green Bay Packer Super Bowl rings into a small nest egg, asked my brother and me to be on the original Board of Directors of a start-up company he helped found. All that was required was a $1,000 investment and my/our assent. I thought about it, considered it, and refused "the offer I couldn't refuse."
I simply did not think that a fast-food pizza joint could make it and passed up the opportunity to be one of the original founders and investors of Pizza Hut. Sigh...Oh my...Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.
I sometimes think that I could have made Herman Cain an afterthought. (Actually, I think he already is.)
I admit that sometimes I do look back, but only to help me stay focused on looking ahead. I've learned to take risks, to take chances, to be innovative, to recognize opportunity...and to applaud it when I see it elsewhere. It all reminds me of a story that President Kennedy once told about a gardener who was once asked to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not bloom for a hundred years. Replied the owner of the estate, "In that case, there is no time to lose. Plant it this afternoon."
If You Build It, They Will Come
I learned my lesson before I saw the movie. It's ok to take a risk...if you think it through...if you do your own due diligence. I opened up an unconventional, "it-won't-work" coin laundromat. I initiated a "Ladies Day" at my less-than-desirably-located men's clothing store on a Monday before Christmas (my store was closed on all Mondays). Why would just women come to an ill-located area with limited parking to shop?
Because they trusted us, because we had a Tuxedo-dressed doorman to walk them to their car, because we had wine and champagne, a handwriting analyst, a chair massage, a caricaturist, a latte coffee bar, a gift for every woman who came, and even a "Ladies Day" discount. That's why.
Save...By Spending More And Buying More
That's the new Costco slogan. And that's what we do, my wife and I. We spend more money there than at our usual trip to the grocery store by buying more than we need. Now there's a strategy. I've looked at those three unopened bottles of Heinz Ketchup in our pantry for six months now just waiting for their turn. I can almost hear them singing that famous Carly Simon song/commercial...ANTICIPATION.
Did we really think that people would pay in advance (way in advance, those same people pray) for "final expenses" or pay four dollars for a small amount of espresso mixed with a large amount of milk? (Give it a fancy name like "latte" and I sure do).
Yes.
It's all about creating memorable experiences, taking some risks and believing in yourself....and that's the agenda that many of my coaching clients bring to our sessions. We get actively engaged in these topics. Is there a fund raiser, anyone in sales, or someone who is interviewing or transitioning that shouldn't be armed with self-confidence, that shouldn't be willing to take a chance, or leave a lasting and positive impression with their target?
No.
If only I would have had a Coach.
OK. I wouldn't be smelling the roses I smell every day now...but the aroma of the cheese and sauce and pepperoni. Hmmmmmm.
Which makes me think of the Professor:
A professor stood before his class of 20 senior organic biology students, about to hand out the final exam. "I know that you've worked hard in this course and that many of you are soon off to medical school. So that no one gets there QPA messed up because of excessive celebration this week, anyone who would like to opt out of this final today will receive a "B" for the course". With much rejoicing many students thanked the prof as they signed out on his offer and left. As the last taker left, the professor offered "one last chance" to those who remained. One more student rose up and took the offer. The professor then closed the door and took attendance of those students remaining.
"I'm glad to see you believe in yourself," he said. "You all have A's."
That's right.
In the mid 70's, a very dear friend of mine who had parlayed his six-year NFL career and two Green Bay Packer Super Bowl rings into a small nest egg, asked my brother and me to be on the original Board of Directors of a start-up company he helped found. All that was required was a $1,000 investment and my/our assent. I thought about it, considered it, and refused "the offer I couldn't refuse."
I simply did not think that a fast-food pizza joint could make it and passed up the opportunity to be one of the original founders and investors of Pizza Hut. Sigh...Oh my...Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda.
I sometimes think that I could have made Herman Cain an afterthought. (Actually, I think he already is.)
I admit that sometimes I do look back, but only to help me stay focused on looking ahead. I've learned to take risks, to take chances, to be innovative, to recognize opportunity...and to applaud it when I see it elsewhere. It all reminds me of a story that President Kennedy once told about a gardener who was once asked to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not bloom for a hundred years. Replied the owner of the estate, "In that case, there is no time to lose. Plant it this afternoon."
If You Build It, They Will Come
I learned my lesson before I saw the movie. It's ok to take a risk...if you think it through...if you do your own due diligence. I opened up an unconventional, "it-won't-work" coin laundromat. I initiated a "Ladies Day" at my less-than-desirably-located men's clothing store on a Monday before Christmas (my store was closed on all Mondays). Why would just women come to an ill-located area with limited parking to shop?
Because they trusted us, because we had a Tuxedo-dressed doorman to walk them to their car, because we had wine and champagne, a handwriting analyst, a chair massage, a caricaturist, a latte coffee bar, a gift for every woman who came, and even a "Ladies Day" discount. That's why.
Save...By Spending More And Buying More
That's the new Costco slogan. And that's what we do, my wife and I. We spend more money there than at our usual trip to the grocery store by buying more than we need. Now there's a strategy. I've looked at those three unopened bottles of Heinz Ketchup in our pantry for six months now just waiting for their turn. I can almost hear them singing that famous Carly Simon song/commercial...ANTICIPATION.
Did we really think that people would pay in advance (way in advance, those same people pray) for "final expenses" or pay four dollars for a small amount of espresso mixed with a large amount of milk? (Give it a fancy name like "latte" and I sure do).
Yes.
It's all about creating memorable experiences, taking some risks and believing in yourself....and that's the agenda that many of my coaching clients bring to our sessions. We get actively engaged in these topics. Is there a fund raiser, anyone in sales, or someone who is interviewing or transitioning that shouldn't be armed with self-confidence, that shouldn't be willing to take a chance, or leave a lasting and positive impression with their target?
No.
If only I would have had a Coach.
OK. I wouldn't be smelling the roses I smell every day now...but the aroma of the cheese and sauce and pepperoni. Hmmmmmm.
Which makes me think of the Professor:
A professor stood before his class of 20 senior organic biology students, about to hand out the final exam. "I know that you've worked hard in this course and that many of you are soon off to medical school. So that no one gets there QPA messed up because of excessive celebration this week, anyone who would like to opt out of this final today will receive a "B" for the course". With much rejoicing many students thanked the prof as they signed out on his offer and left. As the last taker left, the professor offered "one last chance" to those who remained. One more student rose up and took the offer. The professor then closed the door and took attendance of those students remaining.
"I'm glad to see you believe in yourself," he said. "You all have A's."
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