"You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there." Yogi Berra
I have heard this quote many times - one of Yogi's most infamous. I wonder what context it was said in....what he was referring to. I suppose I will have to read his biography again to see if he elaborates on the meaning and how it came to be, or if he even said these words. Still, the truth here exists. I was simply looking for a travel quote today, as I leave for Vancouver WA this afternoon, but came across this.
Do you know where you are going? Do you know how you will get there? Will you know if you are there when you do? Good questions for us to ponder and discuss.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Longevity, Consistency
Today, September 20, 1998 - Cal Ripken, Jr. took himself out of the starting lineup and did not play in the Baltimore Orioles' loss to the New York Yankees, ending his consecutive-game streak at 2,632 games.
To be great, you must be very good for a very long time. The combination of consistency and longevity is what often defines greatness. How great are you if you only do somethingonce, or for a short period of time? How great are you if you are merely avereage for a long period of time? Greatness if built upon itself, year after year, success after success. Riding out the loows, the slumps, and returning to extraordinary heights time and again. Greatness.
To be great, you must be very good for a very long time. The combination of consistency and longevity is what often defines greatness. How great are you if you only do somethingonce, or for a short period of time? How great are you if you are merely avereage for a long period of time? Greatness if built upon itself, year after year, success after success. Riding out the loows, the slumps, and returning to extraordinary heights time and again. Greatness.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Split Second Decision
"In the split second from the time the ball leaves the pitcher's hand until it reaches the plate you have to think about your stride, your hip action, your wrist action, determine how much, if any the ball is going to break and then decide whether to swing at it." - Duke Snider in The Sporting News (November 19, 1952)
How many times in your day are you faced with some similar situation? A client asks an unexpected question? A colleague throws you under the bus? A competitor undercuts you? You reaction, your thoughtful response, your calm and cool response can make the difference.
How many times in your day are you faced with some similar situation? A client asks an unexpected question? A colleague throws you under the bus? A competitor undercuts you? You reaction, your thoughtful response, your calm and cool response can make the difference.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Grudges
September 14, 1905 - Joe Tinker and Johnny Evers engage in a fistfight on the field during an exhibition game in Washington, Indiana, because Evers took a taxi to the park, leaving his teammates in the hotel lobby. The pair will not speak to each other again for thirty-three years.
Talk about holding a grudge. While still performing day in and day out in front of thousands of Chicago Cubs fans for years and years, they never spoke. They worked next to each other. Check your ego at the door and say you are sorry. Make it work. Forgive and move on. Don't hold a grudge, it gains you nothing. Then looking back later, you won't have to regret holding onto that hate for years. Nothing but wasted time and energy, not to mention the iternal stress it causes as well.
Get over yourself.
Talk about holding a grudge. While still performing day in and day out in front of thousands of Chicago Cubs fans for years and years, they never spoke. They worked next to each other. Check your ego at the door and say you are sorry. Make it work. Forgive and move on. Don't hold a grudge, it gains you nothing. Then looking back later, you won't have to regret holding onto that hate for years. Nothing but wasted time and energy, not to mention the iternal stress it causes as well.
Get over yourself.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Honesty
"Ladies and gentlemen, I suffer with you. I've never seen such stupid baseball playing in my life." Ray Kroc, San Diego Padres owner, during their home opener loss to Houston 9-1, 1974. The comments were made over the stadiums public address system.
Perhaps an extreme example. But sometimes just stating it like it is can garner you more respect and opportunity than any other choice. Side stepping an issue does not work. Address it, state the problem in simple terms and do not hide the truth, no matter how ugly it may be.
Perhaps an extreme example. But sometimes just stating it like it is can garner you more respect and opportunity than any other choice. Side stepping an issue does not work. Address it, state the problem in simple terms and do not hide the truth, no matter how ugly it may be.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Sales Essential #3
"Sparky Anderson has a slight impediment of speech. Every once in a while, he stops to take a breath." Sportswriter Milton Richman
Let this be a reminder. Listen. Stop and listen. Ask a question. Then listen. Ask another question about their answer, and listen. Learning the right questions is a completely other story, but you first must learn to listen. Aggressively. With intent. Fervor. Passion. Curiosity. Imagine this person speaking to you is someone you have longed to have in your company and you are dying to here every word they say. Do not interrupt. Take notes if you have to. But use your ears, not your mouth, listen. Do not talk over. Do not even open your mouth as if you want to. Smile. Listen. Nod your head. Make hmmm noises if you have to. But LISTEN. Be attentive. Concentrate. Pick up on the little clues and signals they may leave you. Their keywords or phrases. Listen with your eyes as well. The way they speak with their arms, or the way they don't. Pick up on their body language. If you listen, you will learn.
Let this be a reminder. Listen. Stop and listen. Ask a question. Then listen. Ask another question about their answer, and listen. Learning the right questions is a completely other story, but you first must learn to listen. Aggressively. With intent. Fervor. Passion. Curiosity. Imagine this person speaking to you is someone you have longed to have in your company and you are dying to here every word they say. Do not interrupt. Take notes if you have to. But use your ears, not your mouth, listen. Do not talk over. Do not even open your mouth as if you want to. Smile. Listen. Nod your head. Make hmmm noises if you have to. But LISTEN. Be attentive. Concentrate. Pick up on the little clues and signals they may leave you. Their keywords or phrases. Listen with your eyes as well. The way they speak with their arms, or the way they don't. Pick up on their body language. If you listen, you will learn.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Luck is good stuff
"You've got to be lucky, but if you have good stuff, it's easier to be lucky." Sandy Koufax
I used to have a manager who used the phrase "good stuff" quite often, although not at all in this context. We made fun of the expression as he often sounded unintelligent about the subject at hand when he said it, but this quote reminded me of him.
Good stuff in this case means movement on the ball, the ability to make hitters miss. In our case as business and sales professionals, it means you are good at your job. When people call you lucky, they often do not see the sheer talent and hard work behind the scenes that created that which they call luck.
Sure sometimes we get struck by the oddball lucky circumstance. But how often is it because you were the one working early or late that day that you took the call? Because no one else was there, out golfing, calling in sick, or at the water cooler. Doing your job to the best of your ability and putting in the hours, the time, the effort...that is what creates what many call luck.
I used to have a manager who used the phrase "good stuff" quite often, although not at all in this context. We made fun of the expression as he often sounded unintelligent about the subject at hand when he said it, but this quote reminded me of him.
Good stuff in this case means movement on the ball, the ability to make hitters miss. In our case as business and sales professionals, it means you are good at your job. When people call you lucky, they often do not see the sheer talent and hard work behind the scenes that created that which they call luck.
Sure sometimes we get struck by the oddball lucky circumstance. But how often is it because you were the one working early or late that day that you took the call? Because no one else was there, out golfing, calling in sick, or at the water cooler. Doing your job to the best of your ability and putting in the hours, the time, the effort...that is what creates what many call luck.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Promotions & Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck once said "Anything you do to enhance sales is a promotion."
Do you know who he is. The last owner to buy a major league baseball franchise without an independent fortune, he was a leader in innovation for the sport. Truly a huge contributor in many respects, he was an "outside the box" thinker before the phrase was used, much less was worn out by over use!
Rumor has it he attempted to purchase the Phildelphia Phillies in 1942, with the intention of signing players from the Negor Leagues. Then commissioner Jdge Landis would not allow it. This was 4-5 years before Jackie Robinson came along.
In 1946 he bought the Clevleland Indians. The following year shortly after Jackie Robinson was playing for the Dodgers, he brought Larry Doby from the Negro leagues to become the first black player in the American League. The story goes that he introduced him to his teammates one by one, and the three that would not shake Larry's hand were traded soon thereafter.
Many other "promotions" of Bill Veecks live on in the memories of baseball fans. He signed as a coach the Clown Prince of Baseball, Max Patkin. His entertainment vgalue was a strong appeal to the fans in attendance. In 1951 he played the smallest person in MLB history, little person Eddie Gaedel, standing 3' 7". He made a single plate appearance and was walked with four consecutive balls before being replaced by a pinch-runner at first base. His jersey, bearing the uniform number "⅛", is displayed in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
He conducted trades in a hotel lobby, in full view of the public. He had his players wear shorts during one game. He added the first "exploding scoreboard" in the major leagues – producing electrical and sound effects, and shooting fireworks for home runs. He added players' surnames on the back of their uniforms. He installed an electric blower to blow the dirt off home plate, and also a mechanical box with fresh baseballs that would rise from underground. Both were operated by the umpire with foot switches. He had announcer Harry Caray sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch, who went on to become famous for singing the tune. He offered fans free admission the day after an Opening Day defeat. He was the man behind Disco Demolition Night, which resulted in a riot at Comiskey Park and a forfeit to the visiting Detroit Tigers.
Amazing what a little creative thinking can do. What about you?
Do you know who he is. The last owner to buy a major league baseball franchise without an independent fortune, he was a leader in innovation for the sport. Truly a huge contributor in many respects, he was an "outside the box" thinker before the phrase was used, much less was worn out by over use!
Rumor has it he attempted to purchase the Phildelphia Phillies in 1942, with the intention of signing players from the Negor Leagues. Then commissioner Jdge Landis would not allow it. This was 4-5 years before Jackie Robinson came along.
In 1946 he bought the Clevleland Indians. The following year shortly after Jackie Robinson was playing for the Dodgers, he brought Larry Doby from the Negro leagues to become the first black player in the American League. The story goes that he introduced him to his teammates one by one, and the three that would not shake Larry's hand were traded soon thereafter.
Many other "promotions" of Bill Veecks live on in the memories of baseball fans. He signed as a coach the Clown Prince of Baseball, Max Patkin. His entertainment vgalue was a strong appeal to the fans in attendance. In 1951 he played the smallest person in MLB history, little person Eddie Gaedel, standing 3' 7". He made a single plate appearance and was walked with four consecutive balls before being replaced by a pinch-runner at first base. His jersey, bearing the uniform number "⅛", is displayed in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
He conducted trades in a hotel lobby, in full view of the public. He had his players wear shorts during one game. He added the first "exploding scoreboard" in the major leagues – producing electrical and sound effects, and shooting fireworks for home runs. He added players' surnames on the back of their uniforms. He installed an electric blower to blow the dirt off home plate, and also a mechanical box with fresh baseballs that would rise from underground. Both were operated by the umpire with foot switches. He had announcer Harry Caray sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch, who went on to become famous for singing the tune. He offered fans free admission the day after an Opening Day defeat. He was the man behind Disco Demolition Night, which resulted in a riot at Comiskey Park and a forfeit to the visiting Detroit Tigers.
Amazing what a little creative thinking can do. What about you?
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Attitude
"One thing that has always grounded me is being a good soldier. I'm not 25 anymore. I see the light at the end of the tunnel of my career and I have to relish every second. That starts with a good attitude." - Mike Piazza in USA Today Sports Weekly (March 3-9, 2004)
It starts with a good attitude. Whether in person or on the phone, people sense it. The lousy bad attitude will get you nowhere, and a smile and a good attitude will get you everywhere.
It starts with a good attitude. Whether in person or on the phone, people sense it. The lousy bad attitude will get you nowhere, and a smile and a good attitude will get you everywhere.
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