July 10, 2009

I Woke Up Today!

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Sometimes it’s not the economy, it’s not whether I have a job, it’s not politics, it’s not religion, it’s not war that I need to be concerned about. Simply, it’s whether I woke up this morning. Now that I have, what am I going to do about it? I choose to be positive and fight for all that I believe in.

July 09, 2009

Decision=Lead=Success

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Wow! It’s nice for a change, especially in these tough times to make a decision and have it begin to bear fruit. 2 weeks ago, we made a decision to become a dealer for SunSetter Awnings. Last week, we received the display and installed it in our showroom. In the last week, we have received 5 Leads that lead to 5 appointments, which lead to 5 quotes, all from the SunSetter website. Step 1 was to create another method for us to obtain Leads. Now, onto Step 2, make the Sale. Hopefully, that will occur within the next few days.

A Good Decision

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Wow! It’s nice for a change, especially in these tough times to make a decision and have it begin to bear fruit. 2 weeks ago, we made a decision to become a dealer for SunSetter Awnings. Last week, we received the display and installed it in our showroom. In the last week, we have received 5 Leads that lead to 5 appointments, which lead to 5 quotes, all from the SunSetter website. Step 1 was to create another method for us to obtain Leads. Now, onto Step 2, make the Sale. Hopefully, that will occur within the next few days.

July 08, 2009

What Are You Worried About?

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

OK, I admit I listened to the news recently and was reminded of the violence in our world. As I spend my day, I am not worried about being shot by a drive-by shooter, or by my wife. I am not concerned about driving over an IED, or being arrested and tortured because of my political beliefs. So far, I am not thinking about my next meal, or a roof over my head. My thoughts are “How can I make a sale? Or, How can I serve my customers better?”. I am glad those are my thoughts and concerns, not what others may be worried and concerned about.

July 06, 2009

Winning the Game

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Going to a Cubs game yesterday was fun. Watching them win was positive. Doing it with my wife and in-laws was special. However, I realized that business, unlike sports has no end to it. No time to run out, no last pitch or last out. The only way I know when the game of business is over is either I say it is, or the customer says it is. I will keep serving the customer and let them help me win the game.

July 03, 2009

Working With All Types of Clients

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Something fun, this week we installed closet systems in a new home for one of the Chicago Cubs relief pitchers. Can’t say who, unless we pay him for an endorsement. Looking back over the years there have been a few “media” clients, like the morning weather lady on ABC 7, a Chicago Bear defensive player, a few Oprah Producers, and a number a CEO’s of large companies. Looking back, no matter who or what our clients are, we have helped them solve problems around their home. This is a business I am glad I am involved in.

July 01, 2009

Are You a Survivor?

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Yesterday I was planning on sending the email, but was called into the city because my Mom got into an automobile accident. She is fine, just a few bumps and bruises, but the car is going to be totaled, I’m sure. So, what’s Positive about that? She did not get hurt, for starters. There are so many accidents that occur where people get injured or die, I am thankful. It is in these moments of our lives that we need to be reminded how fragile and precious life is, family is, and friends are. It is not the loss of a car, but the joy of surviving, my Mother said. One thing for sure, I am a survivor. Are you?

June 29, 2009

Did You Wake Up This Morning?

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Thinking about last week, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson. Now, Bill Mays the Pitchman, and Madoff gets 150 years, the US leaving the cities of Iraq, and I come to think how life is so fragile. At times it seems that my life is insignificant when one views the impact others have had on all of mankind. Then, I realize that my life does have impact to those that I talk with each day, those that are my friends and those that are my family. I am glad I woke up this morning, some people did not.

June 26, 2009

You Just Have to Find It!

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

This is a two part Positive: 1) We picked up a new builder yesterday. He was a referral from an existing builder. The new builder’s closet company went out of business. 2) When meeting with him, he said that he is going to have his best year ever this year. The reason, the area that he works in, is an older community and they are remodeling their homes. He is not doing new construction right now, only remodeling. See, there is business out there, I just have to find it.

June 25, 2009

Any Way You Can Get It

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

OK, this is not a normal thought for the day, but I guess the world is not normal. Our trade association sent out the following email to highlight Paris Hilton’s Closet. I guess the positive is that it is free press about an over thHow to Stay Positive in a Negative World

http://www.closetsmagazine.com/Talktous/ClosetsBlog/tabid/68/Default.aspx?cid=367650&archive=6::2009&emc=el&m=426078&l=9&v=56d49f7739

June 24, 2009

Others Have it Both Better and Worse

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

In the last few days I have been reminded that there are always people who have it better than me, but more importantly, have it worse than me. I have heard of businesses closing, businesses that have had to lay off a large percentage of their people, friends who have been laid off, people who have or are diseased, people who are getting divorced, and people who have to sell their home. This is all in the last 7 days. Seeing all of this, I am thankful I just woke up this morning. Today, I will “suck the bone marrow out life”.

June 23, 2009

Other Forms of Revenue

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

As simple as this sounds, I found good in it. We have not had our air conditioning in our new showroom for over two weeks. In the beginning it was not as bad as it now, but our entire Sales Team endured, without much complaining and continued to design & sell. Now, the best part is that the company to fix our air conditioner is a past client. He wants to organize his home further, and wants to barter it out. Business is still happening in America, even if it is not on the books and being reported in the media.

June 22, 2009

It's Really Simple

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Spending Father’s Day with different families, and sharing many different stories, I am struck with how simple life really is, and sometimes how complex I can make it. Love family, and those that are not, allow them to be a part of my family. Love people for who they are, for I cannot change them. Love God, not out of guilt, but because it feels good to love.

June 20, 2009

Others Thinking Positive

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

The spirit of our American people and entrepreneurs is great. I believe we must be coming out of our recession. Yesterday, I drove by an empty store with a sign in the window “Opening in July--Hot Water Heater Store”. My thoughts ranged from “In July?” to “They have to sell other things?”. Whoever is opening this store must be positive thinking, and that’s all I needed yesterday.

March 10, 2009

Colds Can Be Good

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

Having my son-in-law give me a cold this past weekend, can be considered negative by some. In my case, I am lucky that we like each other, and see each other often enough that he could give me a cold. Family and friends is really what life is about.

March 06, 2009

The Feeling of Spring

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

I have faith that the weather yesterday and today will spark in people the feeling of spring. Which brings beauty, new life, and a cleansing of winter. Then, I hope that will translate into leads and then sales!

March 05, 2009

Two Steps Forward

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

One of our builders signed two contracts this past week, and another is breaking ground on a 5 unit multi family building. Slowly, but surely business is occurring. As long as we can take two steps forward and one step back, I’ll be OK.

March 04, 2009

Who Will Influence Me?

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

I have observed that people are inherently good and positive, without outside influences. I must be careful what I let influence me, and those I love.

March 03, 2009

Getting Closer

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

We, as Americans are finally getting it. Our personal savings rate went up in this country. I have found that when people have more savings they feel more confident. When we feel confident, we are more likely to make purchases. We are getting closer, we’re not there yet, but we are getting closer.

It’s just like when I go Cold Calling, I know that I need to talk with over 20 builders to get one to say yes. When someone says no, I know I am getting closer to the yes. I get the feeling that we are getting closer to the bottom, which could take more time than I want, but we are getting closer. One thing for sure is that there will be an end to this recession at some point in time!

March 02, 2009

We're Here...

How to Stay Positive in a Negative World

February typically is our slow month, it wasn’t the greatest….but we are here on March 1st!!