Success Is On the Horizon!

Why is it that some businesses grow like crazy, while others are merely hanging on for dear life? Watch this new video blog from Shef after he delivered an Always Better Your Best message to a great bank in Indiana!


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The Battle of "They" and "Jack"

Since the beginning of time, people have had dreams and ambitions of being successful (no matter how one may define success). I’d imagine that a a number of years ago, Thomas Edison was telling people about the neat little device he was working on that would provide light without using fire. “They” (meaning the masses) undoubtedly scoffed at his idea, ridiculed him, and perhaps they even provided sound evidence based upon the common knowledge at the time to back up their case of why a light bulb was impossible to create.

Irritated yet undeterred, Edison went back to his lab to work on this invention of the light bulb. Late one evening after a series of thousands of trials and failures, the light bulb was created. In a jubilant voice, he shouted “Ha! They don’t know Jack S@#$!”

Jack appears to be quite a supporting and knowledgeable guy. He would totally be someone who I would want in my corner whenever I was pursuing a dream or goal. I think Jack S@#$ is mentioned after a salesperson walks out of a client’s office with an order that “They” said could never be closed. Jack also is talked about when someone becomes the first in generations to go to college, start a business, or travel the world; much to the dismay of “They”.

My challenge to you is to be conscious of how often your actions are dictated by the limiting factors of “They” instead of inviting “Jack” to come along for the ride. Keep in my that no one ever erected a statue dedicated to a critic.
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591

A Blizzard of Opportunity!

I happen to live in the Midwest, and we just enjoyed a massive blizzard that dumped nearly 20 inches of snow on us. The blizzard hit the forecast a couple of days ago, and many people were preparing to be shut in for a few days. When I visited the grocery store, I thought the place was having some kind of “Going out of business” sale. It was beyond packed. Redbox movie kiosks were packed as well. When the storm began yesterday, every kind of media was plugged into the up to date tracking and forecast of this awesome storm.

While it is vitally important to track and warn people about life threatening weather, what lessons can you learn from this and apply to your business?

1. Look beyond the immediate conditions. Things may be going great for your business. Things may be not so good. Conditions change, sometimes overnight (take a look at the sub-prime mortgage businesses that lost everything overnight). Whether your forecast is economic, demographic, or observational; you are always better off having an idea of what the market may do.

2. Run some “What if” scenarios. Even if a storm misses us (because weather forecasts are always 100% accurate!), there needs to be plans in place to handle various aspects of travel, lodging, and EMS. What will you do if you have a competitor move in next door? What if tax rates go up and your customers have less disposable income? What if I lose my main client?

3. Realize that things will pass. While I literally cannot leave my driveway because the street is occupied with a 4 foot snow drift, I know that I will be able to get out sooner or later. People have seasons. Attitudes have seasons. This too shall pass.

Whatever the weather forecast looks like for your business, proper preparation, motivation, and execution will make all the difference in the world when it comes to your success.
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591