"Easy, Miss. I've Got You."

One of my favorite scenes from a movie is the image of the "Man of Steel" comic book Superman hero / alias Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) with red cape and tights soaring over Metropolis, especially when he saves Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) as she falls from a helicopter and their conversation,
Superman (politely) :
"Easy, miss. I've got you."
Lois Lane (screaming):
"You've got me? But who's got you?"

In these great United States of America, the entrepreneur spirit is alive and well. Entrepreneurs are the foundation of the American business culture, as they live by a vision in search of their dream.

Along their journey to that dream, most entrepreneurs, feel like they too have been dropped from a helicopter. From increasing unemployment, to the devaluing of the dollar, to escalating business taxes and overall business costs, entrepreneurs need “Superman” to save them.

Unfortunately, that only happens in the movies.

The next best thing for entrepreneurs is to build a team. A team that will be there, a team they can rely on and trust to support them. The keystone for that team starts with a Business Coach.

For more information on building your team and a strong business foundation, drop me a note and I will catch it (pun intended).
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You Can Get More Organized!

If you currently are disorganized, don't despair; some of the most organized people once were among the most disorganized, including myself. This quiz is intended to help you see your strengths and weaknesses in this area.*
Answer Yes or No to the following:

1. When meeting with your team or a one to one, do you always come prepared?
2. Do you sort your work by priority.
3. At the end of the day do you make a list of your next day priorities?
4. Do you list recommended actions?
5. Do you start each day tackling your most immediate goals?
6. Do you spot check yourself, to be sure you are keeping on schedule?
7. Do you congratulate yourself when you complete a task?
8. Do you allow time for the unexpected, such as phone calls and interruptions?
9. Do you check items off your list as you accomplish them?
10. Do you help keep team meetings and one to one meetings organized and on schedule?

Total up the Yes answers. A score of 8 or more is a sign that you are well organized. A score of 6 to 7, means you get lazy like me sometimes. A score of 5 or less?.... I am thinking you may need some help.

* Teamwork notes

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Betty the Barometer

***TOP RATED POST***

Let’s call her Betty the Barometer.

Now this story dates way back to when my hair was still black and I looked more like Mark Spitz than Jay Leno. (not to say I can compare to either of them, but you get my drift).

I was assigned as the Grocery Department manager in a new store.
Towards the end of the second week, I was walking through the store in a terrible mood because the night stocking crew did not complete their assignments and my department was not meeting customer requirements... I probably looked like a chicken with my head cut off because I circled the inside parameter of the store several times barking out orders to my employees and completely ignoring the customers.

Betty, a very petite and soft-spoken meat wrapper with 23 years in the business, had been observing me in my state of frenzy while she was stocking the meat case with fresh cut meat... As I passed by her for the third time, she called out to me.

“Gambone! …come here for second.”

I quickly stopped in my tracks and started walking towards her with a huff and a puff.

“What Betty, can’t you see I’m busy.”

“You know Gambone, that’s your problem, you are too busy. You look like you are ready to explode. What happened to that smiling face I am used to seeing?...and hey, you didn’t even say hi to me this morning!

Well, I don’t know what’s going on in your head but you can’t let your employees and customers see that you are pissed off…we need you to lift us up, not let us down.”

I looked at Betty and said, “Wow Betty, thank you …I never would have thought I'd hear that from you….but you are right…thank you again.”

From that day forward, when I got in a bad mood, I would always check with Betty to see if my “mood” was actually coming to the surface.

We all need a Betty in our lives.

Ask yourself…Who is my “business barometer?”

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***This is just a sample!... if you would like a full slice of "Pecans of Wisdom", be sure to indulge yourself in my book, "Pecan Pie" buy it NOW!    on Amazon.com
“Copyright (9-28-2011) by Robert V. Gambone Sr.”

10 Identifiers of True Leadership

1. Leaders have passionate enthusiasm! Attitudes are contagious and team “leaders” understand that they are role models.

2. Leaders model the company’s values and “walk the talk.”

3. Leaders pull their teams up the hill, face them and don’t turn their backs.
"old-school managers" push employees up the hill.

4. Leaders are not necessarily the best talent, they are skilled at recognizing and utilizing talent.

5. Leaders develop others, place a high value on the “we,” and discourage the “I.”

6. Leaders know when to let other and better “leaders” lead... when the situation demands it.

7. Leaders listen and provide positive reinforcement and constructive criticism.

8. Leaders turn problems into opportunities.

9. Leaders understand that everyone falls, but not everyone fails.

10. At the end of the day... managers may think about the tasks that were completed, leaders reflect on the people that completed the tasks.

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Make ‘em Laugh…But Don’t Tell Jokes!

*** Re-posted Favorite***

Yes, laughter is the best medicine.
And yes, laughter is a great icebreaker when you are speaking to an audience.
HOWEVER… in today’s politically correct climate and social sensitivity, telling jokes is not the way to go.

Why? Odds are you might offend someone.

I suggest telling funny stories about you, we all have them.

“Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.”…or amusing.
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Remember the Rolodex?

I know, it’s a little outdated with all the new technology, but the concept I want to share with you is the same.

Living in the corporate world for 36 years I was spoiled, yes spoiled.

When I needed a professional’s help,  all I had to do was search the company’s directory or my own Rolodex and wha-laa!; at my fingertips were the: Legal Department., Real-Estate, Accounting, IT, Marketing, Advertising, Business Consulting, Training, HR, etc...

Fast forward to today… Hey, I am an entrepreneur!, I own my own business, guess what?... no more corporate Rolodex.

NO PROBLEM! I have something so much better…I have found BNI (Business Network International), and The Referral Institute… tremendous organizations that have introduced me to the process of building my own team with people I can trust.

ATTENTION Business Owners / Entrepreneurs! Being your own boss is a lifetime dream, right? Yes!, but it can get lonely out there,  I know... I have been there, done that!

Don’t procrastinate, do yourself a huge favor and build your team with people you know and like, and most importantly you trust.

So how do you accomplish this?  Please click on the link below for more information about getting YOUR TEAM started.

T.E.A.M : Together Everyone Achieves More! CLICK HERE!

What is Success?

A few weeks back, I had a meeting with two business associates.  We started talking about success and how we define it.
Of course the assumption was, as it is with many people, that success and lots of money go hand in hand.
As the discussion continued, we shared some stories about people we had known over the years that were far from wealthy and yet very happy, healthy, and proud.
We left each other that morning intrigued and wanting to know more about;  what is success?

When I got back to my office I decided to see what the experts had to say about success, so I Goggled "Famous quotes on success".
I read over 100 quotes from at least 6 different sites. From Lincoln to Jordan, to Edison, to Lombardi...and not one quote said anything about the mighty dollar.

We all know that money can not buy happiness...perhaps it is "happiness" not "money"  that go hand in hand with success.

What is success?  Your thoughts?