Winning Cures Everything...Right?

There is a well-used sports metaphor that is thrown around on sports media all the time.  Winning cures everything.

You usually hear it when a team (often one people thought was going to be decent) is struggling.  And as the team is struggling, you can start to see cracks from the outside.  Some of the team members (usually the diva wide receivers :)) are talking to the media about the frustrations.  Some are starting to get angry with the questions and concerns.  You are hearing reports about fighting "inside the locker room." 

That's when you hear someone say "Winning cures everything." 

The idea, of course, is that when you are winning the frustrations that are really driving everyone crazy become less important.  The game ends in joy.  The hard work has paid off.  There is not a huge media contingent pointing out every single mistake.  The team is being celebrated.  Winning cures everything.

In business, you might here the similar comment "Sales cures everything."

If the company has been frustrated with tight budgets, shrinking opportunities, stern lectures and no fun, a big sales month can really perk things up!  A year of good sales can show the company as a total success! 

And while it is true that sales will help to loosen the stress in some ways, success can increase stress in others.  While things are slower, it's a great time to work on your fundamentals of your company.  Make sure the financials are solid.  Work had to make sure culture is right.  Prepare for good and bad days to come. 

That way, when the sales (winning) comes, you team is ready to deal with the wave that comes their way!

The Way To Earn My Business

So let me preface this by saying I was asking for a favor...sort of.  I had asked a supplier if they had any specials on a specific pen they sell.  I had a client interested in re-ordering, but was balking a bit at the price. 

Yes or no was a perfectly acceptable answer.  The response I got was this:

"Sales the last few years have been in the $3,200 to $5,200 range.  Is there a specific price point you and your team like to sell?  Just trying to figure out what has been holding back our development?"

Now you might think that this person was asking sales questions.  They are just trying to learn how to grow our business.  And honestly, I am sure that is what they were trying to accomplish.  But that's not what I heard.  What I heard (or read) was,

"You don't sell enough with us.  What is wrong with you?"

So here are a couple of thoughts for my supplier friends (and anyone in business).

1)  It is NOT my responsibility to buy from you.  It is your responsibility to earn my business.  It is amazing how many suppliers are almost accusatory when they ask why we are not doing more business with them.  I would never send an email to one of my clients telling them they are only doing $5,000 with my company.  Call me crazy, but I might just say "thanks."

2)  It's NOT what you say, but how you say it.  Just like we have taught our children, the message is the same here.  If he had asked, "You are a great customer, what can we do to serve you better and grow the business?" then I would not be venting now.

3)  Say Thank You.  I actually did a video about this from PPAI Vegas because one vendor stood out at their booth.  How did they stand out?  They spent a little time thinking us for our business.  That's it.  Sounds simple.  But they were the one that actually said it.

The thing is, if this was the only email, it would be no big deal.  And let's face it, as Bill Petrie pointed out in this Salt and Pepper column, sometimes Distributors in our industry ask for too much!  I get it. 

But this has happened to me several times.  So here's my two cents...if you want me to do more business with you, telling me I am not doing enough business with you now is NOT the way to make it happen.

What Can You Do

As a parent or spouse or entrepreneur (or person of earth), you sometimes will be less than pleased with the way a situation turns out.  You might not be angry.  But maybe your response is more like "Well I saw that going another way."  Or maybe, "I thought they would be more appreciative, happy, excited to see me, or whatever."

It happens.

When those feelings come around it is really easy to project and wish "they" would be different.  It's natural.  It's also not productive. 

Better to control what you can control.  I try to ask myself, "what can I do differently?"

The Thing About Trolls

One of the challenges (or fears if we are honest) about putting yourself out there (or creating), is the reaction of the trolls.  The trolls of the internet (and life) seemingly just look for a reason to tear everything down.  Nothing is ever good enough.  They are always looking for a reason to rip into to something or someone.

They are the people that are mad if they can't find something to be pissed about.

The reality though, is that sometimes these are the voices that are the loudest.  They are often mean.  They are the hardest to forget.  They can be difficult to ignore...so we fixate.  I get it.

But here's the thing about Trolls.

Trolls have (almost) never actually done anything.  They are in the business of "destruction."  That's really important to remember. 

You will never find a real author who writes a mean review about another author's book.  A real dancer will never rip into another dancer's online video.  (Can you imagine Seth Godin or Jeff Haden writing a mean review?  Me either).  They might offer helpful criticism, but never be mean and spiteful.  It's not how they roll.  Why?  Several reasons...here are two.

First, they know how hard it is.  A creator knows how hard it is to put in the work...and to put themselves out there.

Second, they have other--more constructive--things to do.

Creators are not interested in tearing down (or Trolling).  They are creating.

Do that.  The rest will take care of itself.

Want To Influence? Choose Yourself

Recently, Dale Denham put out his annual list of the top 18online influencers in the Promotional Products industry.  He clearly spent a great deal of time on the list and did a terrific job of explaining his choices.  I was sincerely honored to be on the list.

Something struck me as I thought about this list.  Many experts, including Seth Godin, have been telling us for years that, in today’s economy, we don’t have to be chosen.  We can choose ourselves.  We have the tools.  There is no one we need permission from to make a difference. 

We just need to make the choice…and take consistent action.  Dale’s list is a great example of this.

Danny Rosin not only chose himself (by starting a company), he decided to make a difference by helping to create Band Together (check thatout here).  He puts himself out there by speaking on social and by mastering multiple social formats.  Danny doesn’t wait for someone to give him permission (right Danny?).  He acts.

Mark and Catherine Graham couldn’t find an order management software they loved, so they created their own.  In doing so, they created the OWN social network!  How cool is that?

And what about the curator of this list?  No one gave Dale Denham the go-ahead to create this list.  He just created it.  He put himself out there for scrutiny, disdain, discussion and praise.  He chose to influence us, by showing us who the influencers are (as he sees them) in the promotional industry.   

I could go on and on.

Now the irony is, any of us that were “chosen” to be on this list feel pretty good about it today.  I suppose that’s okay.  It’s human nature.  But if you are not on the list, don’t feel bad.  You have some options.

1.     Work harder to increase your content, engagement and hustle.  I am sure Klout and Dale will notice.

2.     Create your own list. 

Delivering Marketing Joy with Ted Rubin

Each week over the past 22 weeks, I have had the great opportunity to talk to really interesting business leaders and entrepreneurs.  I started the Delivering Marketing Joy show because I wanted to create great content.  But I have fallen into a "master's class" of business learning.  It's been fantastic.

This most recent show is no different.  This time I talk with Ted Rubin.  He is a high energy social media expert that will explain (in real terms) how you and your business can create a long term return through Social.

Please enjoy this episode.

In addition, please let me know who I should talk to next?  I want to continue this series and make it even bigger and better. 

So who's next?  And can you help me reach them?

Bringing the Funk

I try to start each day by feeding my brain with some sort of positive "message."  That message might be a book, a blog by Seth Godin, or an article on Inc.com.  But either way, I think it's important to start the day by input-ing some "good" into the brain.

These things provide me inspiration, education and get my creative juices flowing.

You get out what you put in right?

But sometimes it's just about making you smile.  That's today.  So for all you people that need a positive start to the day...here is this.  I hope it brings you the funk.  Smile.