The Pedestal Group

Fritz pointed out that it has been a long time since he got to blog. And, in reviewing his old posts, he realized he forgot one topic in his, “Fritz’s top 10 management tips” so he would like to make it 11. As you may recall, I walk Fritz every morning and get to watch Fritz manage his business and for the record, in his business I am strictly support staff. See if these apply to your business!

1. If you find something interesting, stick your whole face in to really investigate it. Sometimes you will be unhappy with what gets on your nose, but more often it is something fascinating!

2. Dream big – some day you really might catch the bunny if you just stick to it and believe you can.

3. Leave your mark in many places (I know, this is gross but go with me) –  the more people who know you were there the better!

4.  Move quickly and decisively. Don’t dilly dally around.

5. If you come to a decision point, consult those you need to and make a quick decision. Even if you don’t get to go the way you want, moving forward is better than standing still.

6. Following the same course on a regular basis is fine but periodically, change it up! Going out of your comfort zone may yield new things to experience (see #1).

7. If there is something new on your route, it is important to notice, investigate (again, see #1) and know what it is about. Knowing your market is key.

8. If someone new comes along, greet them as a friend first. Offer to play, be nice, show you are a good guy. You never know what they have to offer.

9. If someone else is walking as well, be sure you keep up. Getting left behind isn’t fun – and you may have to drag your cohorts with you to do it.

10. Always clean up your messes. It isn’t right to leave them and they may end up in someone else’s space which is not being a good neighbor.

11. Just because the big dogs walked there, doesn’t mean you have to as well. Sometimes it is good to know where they went and go somewhere else. Why try to compete with that?

For years working at companies I was struck by the need to write carols for my clients. I’ve written carols about marketing, staffing, recruiting and planning just to name a few. And true to form, I was struck again this year to write a “T’was the Night Before Christmas”. So here it is. Hope it makes you smile!

T’was the week before Christmas and worry I did.
How to get it all done? Websites, plans and a bid!
The phones were still ringing and email came in.
The tweets and the posts only add to the din.

Most people had chosen to take the day off.
But I own a small business, so to that I just scoff.
I continued to work, to create and to plan.
Who could get it all done? Well clearly I can!

When out in the street there arose such a clatter.
I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.
Up the stairs, down the hall I flew like a flash.
Out the door I did go, with the dog I did dash.

The sun glinting off the new-fallen snow
And my breath hung in the air when I called out a “yo!”
Because what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a sparkly person who made marketing a career.

With her tools at the ready, she clearly had the scoop,
I knew in a moment she was with The Pedestal Group.
She listened intently, her face quite serious.
And understood my stress without creating a fuss.

Before I could blink she had cleaned up the place!
The marketing was handled, the projects on pace!
She filled in the details, and with a smile so merry,
She did everything that was needed and necessary.

We sat down together and drew up our plan
To meet the needs in aught 12 – a full year span.
We detailed out each step and made sure it was right.
And made sure there was wiggle room – use it I might.

And with that she departed, a smile on her face.
Knowing I would now go on to my home base.
Secure in the knowledge that things were complete.
To get some hot chocolate and put up my feet.

As I got in the car and turned onto the street,
I turned on the radio and got down to the beat.
Then I saw I had a note with one last goal to set -
Plan now for next year, and make it the best one yet!

Today I was standing in line at the post office and recognized the gentleman in front of me. But if you had offered me a million dollars, I couldn’t tell you his name or how I knew him! Totally awful, right? Except after we said hello / how are you, he asked how things were at BNI. Given a context, I knew who he was, what he does and had good questions to ask while we waited for the person in front of us to send 37 (no kidding – 37) packages overseas.

So, what did I learn? At this time of year when you are going to all kinds of events and get togethers, after the initial “hi”, give the other person a context. Ask them a question about the place where you met. Even if they remember you, it will help the conversation and if they don’t, what a giant help you have been! I came back to the office and fired off a quick email to say how nice it was to see him. He’s now much more in my thoughts because he helped me in a situation that could be awkward and I’ll guarantee he didn’t realize he was helping. If you do this on purpose, you can really make a difference for a conversation that might otherwise go nowhere!

How else can you help people out?