I knew a man who was negative all the time.  Things were never good enough.  People were always out to get him.  He expected the very worst to happen.  In actuality, he had a sound business idea, good staff and access to the people who needed his product.  But he certainly got what he expected.

Another friend is in a wheelchair.  She believes that life is worth living and lives every moment filled with joy.  She expects to receive only the best that life has to offer.  She can’t walk, often is down in bed with bedsores from sitting in her chair so long and is allergic to a lot of medicine.  She gets what she expects as well.

One man is in a rut and travels the Poor Me Road.  One woman doesn’t need to walk – she teaches us all how to fly.

The difference between the two?  Attitude.

The 1:1 initiative is a successful 1 to 1 learning program (that) matches how our 21st century students interact and learn. The world is becoming a more diverse, dynamic place with technology blurring the borders and bringing it closer than ever before. The new skill set includes collaborative and creative skills that are unique to this generation, we need to prepare them. .. Trent Grundmeyer, 2009 High School Principal

1:1 Goals are:
1.  Increase engagement in the classroom as routinely measured by the Instructional Practices Inventory.
2.  Foster 21st Century Skills in our students.
3.  Give all students access to a rich technological environment.
4.  Promote college and career readiness.

Laptops, when used correctly can stimulate a different type of learning.  No more would we be sitting in class with paper and an overhead.  Paper notebooks will be old school and online and internal collaboration between students and teachers will be at an all time high. ..Tyler S. Miller

Todd Lettow, Hampton Dumont Superintendent said “These computers level the playing field.  No longer is the expense of a laptop a problem for students.  Everyone deserves the best education we can give them.”

Steve Madson, Hampton Dumont Principal, invited local businesses who offer computer related products and services to set up in the Commons.   One of the sessions was devoted to visiting the businesses present and receiving information and education.  Too often small town businesses are neglected for the big box stores.  Dollars are spent outside of the county and the downward spiral begins.  We extend a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Madson for remembering we all live here and need to support each other.

Apple says “Students become pilots of their learning, not just passengers along for the ride.“

You’ve talked to your friends and family.  They support you – some of them.  Some you’ll drip on and keep sending them information.

Who have you NOT called?

That’s your chicken list.

Your old boss, your pastor, that crotchety neighbor, fellow business owners in town, the banker.  Those are just a few of mine.

Here’s what I know.  If you are afraid to call people, then there’s a problem.

Maybe the products aren’t all the great.

So why are you representing them at all?  You’ll never have ‘luck’ with bad products.  You’ll create a bad name for yourself with products that don’t work.  Re-evaluate the company you’ve partnered with.  Are you in it to help people or to just make money?  Because just making money is not a good enough reason.

Maybe you’re scared of what they’ll say.

The worse they can say is “No”.  And don’t take that personally.  It just means no, right now.  Ask them if you can follow up with them in a couple of months.  Maybe they need to see how your business is growing before they decide.  Perhaps they are having a bad day – and you are the one they take it out on!  Maybe they need more information.  Always follow up with an email or a note thanking them for their time and give them a little info.

Maybe you think you’re not good enough to have this conversation.

That simply means you may need to do a little more work.  Get involved with Personal Development on some level.  Participate in the trainings your company offers.  Set a date for yourself when you will call your chicken list.  Don’t say “when I’m better at this”.  Because you’ll always be learning and growing.

Pick up the phone.  Call one person on your chicken list.

Let me know how that goes!

(image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwworks/2606203797/  thanks!)

Do that for 30 days, and let’s see how your business shifts.

This is a challenge to grow your business simply.   I’m not looking to “get one”.  This is not big game hunting.  I’m looking to have conversations and see if we might have a fit.  I want to know you a little before I ask you to do business with me.

That’s the challenge for my business — can you see how it might also make a difference in your business?

(picture is from faxcoversheets.org)

It is said, and has been proven true, success leaves clues.

As you decide to join a work from home company, take some time to look for the success clues.  Talk to some of their business builders.

Here’s some success factors:

1. Company Track Record – how long have then been in business?  What are their sales stats? How are they viewed in the industry?
2. Financially Sound — are they in debt?  Who do they owe money too?  Do they pay their reps?  Are checks every late?
3. Strong Management — who’s running the show?  Are they college educated?  Are they experienced in the business world?  Is their first priority you?
4. Unique Consumable Products by All – are they selling $36 bottles of juice?  Are their products that are unique – yet consumed by all?  Things like laundry soap, vitamins, cosmetics — unique to the company, yet something you already consume.
5. Competitively Priced- Are they super expensive?  Or affordable?
6. High Reorder Rate – why would you represent a company that doesn’t have a high reorder rate?  It’s easier to have repeat customers than to try to find new customers over and over and over.
7. Low Entry Fee and Low Production Requirement – If the charges are exorbitant (over $100) the company is making money off of you, and not their products.  You should not be required to purchase more than what you need.  Period.
8. Low Attrition — Are representatives jumping ship like rats on a burning boat?
9. Timing – What are their goals?  Where do they plan to be in 10, 20 even 50 years time?  Where are they now?
10. No Breakaways – you develop a business builder and next thing you know, the company has taken them away from you.  You no longer earn income from that builder.  That’s a breakaway.  There is no good outcome from breakways.
11. No Risk — It ought to be money back guarantee and no one gets hurt.  If you invest your money, is it refundable?  If not – think again.

Take a good look at this list.  Is there any one item on this list you can take away from it and still feel comfortable doing business?

The picture is Eddie Bestoso and me.  Eddie is corporate director in my company and taught this seminar at our most recent convention – and he’s left lots of clues! (yes, I know it’s a cardboard cutout)

And there’s where you want to be.

The space in between is called the GAP.

Do you look at where you wish you were and keep wishing?  “Oh boy, wouldn’t it be nice to be over there?”

Or do you look at where you want to be ………. and start RUNNING THE GAP?

The Band Shell is being restored at a cost of $90,000.  As of Friday the 6^th, $75,000 has been raised.  Brian Stevens and Leon Kuehner will be the main players in the Play-A-Thon for the Band Shell.  Brian led the Hampton Municipal Band for over 30 years.  Leon has taught music at Hampton-Dumont Community Schools for about the same length of time.  Leon said “Students, remember all those lessons that involved us saying Practice! Practice! Practice?  Now is your turn to get us back.  You donate, we play.”

Pat Palmer, The Computer Guy will be using his video equipment, two laptops, a microphone and wireless router to capture the day for posterity.  You’ll be able to watch the Play-A-Thon online at www.hamptoniowa.org    

Anyone can make a donation.  $30 gets you a minute of time.  Previous student’s donations will be matched, up to $5000. Be sure to put in the memo field your year and instrument.  Leon and Brian will play, and play, and play.

How to donate:  Stop in at Center 1 and write a check, use your credit card or give cash.  Go to www.hamptoniowa.org and use the link to pay via PayPal.  Mail your check to Band Shell Renovation Fund, 5 1^st St SW, Hampton Iowa 50441.  Come out to Band Shell Park on Monday August 16^th and give.  

Sixty years worth of musical instrument playing students equates to a lot of students spread out over the United States and beyond.  This is a big deal.  But then, that’s how we do things in Franklin County.

Seriously, you have a business.  You want people to do business with you.   But do you really?

What is your message?  Does your logo, store sign, letterhead, signature reflect what you are trying to do? Is it consistent?

If your company is new, you’ll want to develop a consistent message and a logo that tells who you are.  Simple, easy to read, shows what you are trying to do — those are the easy rules.

Now, excuse me – I’m headed back to the drawing board.

But it’s all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can’t please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

I went to an event last night – and I was representing a local business at a reunion event.  I’m from a small town.  We pretty much know each other – or know someone who knows us.  I thought we’d have a great time welcoming guests and enjoying the live music.

Au contraire mon frere — I was invisible.  I was simply a vendor and did not exist.  The majority of the people who were in attendance wanted nothing to do with me.  Truly, I was invisible.  These were people I see in my community all the time.  I knew how Ricky Nelson felt at his garden party.   It was surreal and strange for me.

What did I learn from this lesson?  Pay attention to everyone.  Give a simple hello.  Smile.  I’m no better than you are.

We came to America to get away from royalty.

Saturday my mother’s family is meeting at the Geneva Church — all 84 of them.  Some are here from Alaska and Tennessee.  Mom is the oldest living relative left at age 81.  The old ones tend to live to 100 in her family.  I only pray that is true.

I learned some lessons on networking from Mom, Joanne and Carol – the three first cousins left alive.

1. Build relationships

Send a Christmas letter to your family members – not just a card.  The day will come when you want to pick up a phone and connect.  That short letter keeps the thread of relationship alive.

2. Remember important dates.

Get yourself a little date book, and write things down.  One day you may want to know when your great Aunt was born.  Or your children may want to know when you are gone.  We all desire to leave a memory.

3. Connect often.

For the past 10 years the three cousins have met at least 10 times a year to work on genealogy.  Mostly they looked at pictures and told stories and laughed a lot.  It strengthened their bonds, brought a sense of excitement to their schedules and through it all, they did remember.  The stories will live on – because they got together often.

4. Bring in the big guns when you need them.

Two years ago I got invited to come along.  Mostly it is my job to drive if mom is tired.  I brought my laptop and started to write down the stories.  I typed up letters they wanted sent.  I searched the internet for information.  I helped bring the information all together.  All of those things are easy for me – and allowed the cousins to continue enjoying their get togethers.  How smart are they?  They hired out the jobs they didn’t want to do!  They also got really great rates for the work – free.

5. Take pictures of everything.

Create a memory of the past by taking a picture.  Don’t forget to write the date, who’s in the picture and what you were doing.  You can scrapbook the pictures in a pretty book or put them in a box – either way, one day someone will want to look at them.

(the picture is my grandfather Eldon, his brother Bob and his sister Esther on their favorite pony – and yes, there is a story about that horse)