BLOGSTEIN GOES TO BEANTOWN

My apologies, it has been quite a while since I last posted. Hey, that sort of sounds like a confession? Well, I guess that would be appropriate as I have had a rather spiritual few weeks.

Yep, the Ole Blogstein batteries are fully recharged... A glorious week at the Lake with the family, followed by a dream trip to Fenway Park in Boston.

Why Boston you ask? Some background:
Grampa Blogstein was a Red Sox fan, my Pop is a Red Sox Fan, So by default I became a Red Sox fan. After decades of cheering for the Sox, no Blogstein had ever set foot in Fenway Park. We decided it was about time. My Pop and I, met my Uncle and cousin in Boston for a 3 game home stand against the dreaded Yankees.

We stayed at a hotel that was a mere 15 minute walk to the ballpark. We had tickets for the Saturday afternoon game, and thought we would just go hang around the park and watch the game in a restaurant or bar on Friday night. As we approached Fenway and became one with the Red Sox Nation, we got caught up in the moment. It was clear that we needed to get inside the building. We were able to purchase tickets from Ace tickets . I highly recommend ACE if you are going to Boston and don't have the stomach for dealing with scalpers and/or don't have the patience to wait in line for 4 hours for the tix that the club releases on game day.


The seats for the Friday nighter, were right behind the Sox dugout. I was so close to Kevin Youkilis, that there was some concern that the glare from the sun would continue to bounce off of my bald head to his, thereby blinding whoever was at bat. As it turned out, the game was a blowout in favour of the opposition, but still an amazing night. The next day we sat in the bleachers right above the bullpen. We didn't get to see Papelbon pitch in the game, but we did see him warming up. In fact, I heard the popping of the ball hitting the catchers mitt first. Then looked down to see him firing the ball like a cannon. The Sox bounced back, and won that game 15-1. Both seats very different, both wonderful.

We finished the night with a fantastic dinner in the North End followed by another Blogstein Milestone. On the way back to the hotel I spotted the Bull & Finch(the inspiration for the bar in Cheers). I couldn't resist. I went in for a beer, convinced everybody sitting there to let me go out and then shout Danny! when I walked back in. I Waited for a dozen or so people to walk in before me, than I made my triumphant entrance. Everybody including the bartenders participated. Now I can check that one off the list as well.

Oh well.. back to work.....

Bestest,

Blogstein

Always Selling, Never Selling TM

Sales Lessons From my Four Year Old

Early one morning while partaking in my daily ritual of coffee and newspapers, I heard the familiar sound of my toddler sprinting into the kitchen in her pajamas as fast as she can move.

BLOGSTEIN "Good Morning Sweetie, how was your sleep?"

BLOGSTEIN'S TODDLER "Good Dada, Can I have a lolly pop?"

BLOGSTEIN "Honey, how come you run everywhere you go?"

BLOGSTEIN'S TODDLER Pauses to think for a moment... "So I can get there fastest"

Hmmmmm? Out of the mouth of babes.... I certainly aint no Anthromopologist or nuthin, but my guess is that our species developed the ability to run for that very reason. So we could "get there fastest". The first one that got to the food, ate the food. The last one to get to the food became extinct.

In sales, it is sometimes very difficult to make those early morning cold calls, or the call back to the disatisfied customer. You know what, I don't want my competitors eating my food..

MY 4 YEAR OLD'S 1ST SALES LAW

FASTEST IS BESTEST

My lesson continued....

TODDLER " Can I have a lolly pop?"

MY 4 YEAR OLD'S 2nd SALES LAW

ASK FOR THE ORDER

BLOGSTEIN " No sweetie, it is breakfast time."

TODDLER "But I want one."

BLOGSTEIN" I know you want one honey, but we don't have lollypops for breakfast."

TODDLER "Why, I like them? I want one? Please?"

MY 4 YEAR OLD'S 3rd SALES LAW

BE PERSISTANT BUT NOT ANNOYING (THE MEEK WILL NOT INHERIT THE EARTH)

BLOGSTEIN "No honey I am sorry, you can have some cereal."

TODDLER "Ok Dada. I will eat my cereal if I can have a lolly pop".

MY 4 YEAR OLD'S 4th SALES LAW

EVERYTHING IS A NEGOTIATION

BLOGSTEIN "No lolly pops today sweetie. You had a lot of candy yesterday."

TODDLER "When can I have a lolly pop?"

MY 4 YEAR OLD'S 5th SALES LAW

DEFINE NEXT STEPS

BLOGSTEIN "You can have one tomorrow baby."

TODDLER "Fine!"

Early the next morning as I sat in my regular spot at the kitchen table, enjoying the Free Press and a steaming mug of Peet's Major Dickason's Blend® , I heard the familar skittering of little feet...

BLOGSTEIN"Good morning Sweetie, did you have a good sleep?"

TODDLER "Yes Dada, Can I have my Lolly Pop now?"

MY 4 YEAR OLD'S 6th SALES LAW

FOLLOW UP WHEN YOU SAY YOU WILL


And guess what.... SHE GOT THE LOLLY POP.

Newly inspired by my 4 year old, I am going to get back out there and see if I can't get a few lolly pops of my own.

Bestest,

Blogstein

Always Selling, Never SellingTM

You Can't Teach an Old Blog New Tricks

Okay, so the truth of the matter is that the title has very little to do with the content of this blog. I just really like to over do puns, and my current target is the word Blog, as you can tell. Perhaps I can have a career as a headline writer should the whole sales gig go sideways on me.

It has been an emotional roller coaster of a week for young Blogstein. The week began on a very exciting note, as I have taken on the role of Senior Account Manager (North America) for Vivid Reports. VR is a revolutionary Financial Management, Budgeting, and Forecasting application that is helping companies save time, money and frustration every day. If you haven't heard of this product yet, you will very soon..

From the top of the Mountain to the depths of the valley. After 8 months with our family, we came to the difficult conclusion that our dog Elmo couldn't live with us anymore. Elmo, is a 3 year old Border Collie cross that was rescued by the Humane Society. Elmo is smart, loving, obedient and overall a wonderful dog. He was my running companion and loved playing fetch with the girls and doing agility with my wife. Unfortunately from the time he came home with us, he was uneasy with the kids. Growling and showing teeth and snapping on a few occasions without provocation. I don't think he would have ever bitten one of the children, but we decided that if only a 1 in 1,000 chance it was still to much to risk. I will miss Mr. Moe very much, but know that he will find a home with older (or no) children, and go on to lead a very happy life.

From the bottom, I slowly began to ascend to the top of the formidable Sales Mountain. Pulling off my best week of Promotional Product Sales in a year. Very few moments in life compare to the high of a can't lose sales cycle. Getting to the top of a mountain in Nepal, Child Birth, Marriage, killin' em in the stand up club... You get the picture. It feels really good.



And then this morning, as I sat perched on top of Mt. Ego, I received devastating news that a colleague and friend had suddenly passed away at the age of 41.

I don't know why it takes tragedy to put things into perspective sometimes. From the moment I received that call, I decided that some of the deadlines could wait till next week. I need to get in the car and go be with my family.

Like my week, Sales, and Life itself for that matter are a series of highs and lows, peaks and valleys(insert your favourite metaphor here). I have found that the key is to try to take it all in stride and focus on what is truly important to you.

Now I am off to see the Blogstein's...

Don't Leave me Hanging(Or the Benevolent Mechanic)

Inspiration seems to rear its beautiful head when you least expect it sometimes. It was a typical Tuesday afternoon, racing from one appointment to the next. Over the thumping bass of track 3 on sales psych up volume 3(yes I create play lists to get pumped up pre-presentation) I heard a strange scraping noise coming from the bottom of my Camry.

My inner Dukes of Hazard voice told me to close my eyes and pin it, and deal with it after the presentation. Thankfully, my inner responsible Dad voice quickly responded "Hey moron, there is a garage right over there, pull it over Luke Duke".

So pull it over I did. After an initial inspection under the back of the vehicle, I could see no visible evidence of a muffler or tail pipe dragging. Moving around to the front, I could see that there was definitely something dangling underneath. Since my automotive skills do not extend much past fill with gas and and washer fluid(I opted for Home Ec in high school to meet girls) I decided to leave it to the professionals.

I called my client and explained the situation and they were quite understanding. I then entered Tony and Joe's auto service, dreaming of an Indy Style Pit Stop, but expecting a "you crazy pal, we are backed up till next week". An elderly gentleman walked in before me.

JOE "Hello Jim, how is Agnes?" Said the man behind the counter to the elderly gent.

OLD GUY "We're good Joe, to busy, but good"

JOE "To busy? Isn't retirement supposed to be for relaxing?" Then he looks over to me and flashes the international sign for I will be with you in one minute.

OLD GUY "So Joe, I want you to change the Oil and filters, and it is making a bit of a squeeking noise when it starts".

JOE "You bet Jim, We are going to check all of the fluids and I think that squeek is probably just a loose belt. We should have you on your way in 20 minutes or so, do you still take your coffee with one cream?"

WOW! I assumed that Joe and Old Guy were old friends, or family or something. Than the benevolent mechanic turned his attention to me..

JOE "Hi I'm Joe, how can we help you today?"

BLOGSTEIN " Ummmm, Hi Joe.... I'm Danny....There is some crap hanging down from the bottom of my car, and I am a complete moron. Any chance you could get it up on that car lifty thing so I can get to my appointment?"

JOE "Jim here has an appointment, but if you don't mind waiting 20 minutes or so we could have a peek. Can I get you a coffee?"

DOUBLE WOW!! Is there a hidden camera somewhere or something? Didn't he know he was supposed to say, "Sorry buddy, we are real busy...You can't just walk in without an appointment".

As I sat and enjoyed a coffee with my new friend Jim, the stresses of my micro world melted away as I witnessed one of the greatest natural salesman I have ever seen practice his art.

JOE "Hi Steve, Is Linda back to work yet? What are we doing to the Nissan today? I will see if Maria can give you a lift back to work."

JOE "Hello Adam, We checked everything on that Chevy, didn't need a thing done to it. It drives great, I think you got yourself a wonderful vehicle here".

JOE "Gina, The minivan is ready to go. Not to worry, you will be able to take the twins to soccer tonight".

Astoundingly, a mere 15 minutes after we met, Joe drove my car into the garage. Another mechanic(Perhaps Tony I'm guessing?) raised it up and looked underneath while I stood beside him. "It's just a cover for the lines, no big deal" he said. He grabbed a couple of tie things, raised his hands above his head and suddenly the dangling cover had dissapeared. He drove the car back out and I proceeded inside to settle up with Joe.

BLOGSTEIN "Thanks so much Joe. It was just a cover for the lines or something. What do I owe you?"

JOE "Oh, don't worry about it Danny. Not a problem, you better get back to work now".

THE TRIPLE CROWN OF WOW!!!

Seriously? He could have easily told me that they couldn't get it in till later tat day. Done the exact same thing while I wasn't there, and told me that I had a displaced Gazinktazoid in my Flufenfloggen and I would have paid the $300 bill. But he didn't, he treated me like a person and was honest and fair and positive.

So Blogstein, you are wondering... What is the moral of the story? Well, I have been taking my car to the same garage for 5 years that is 10 minutes away from my house. They always keep me waiting even when I have an appointment, They never greet me by name, offer me a coffee, ask about my family, or even smile most of the time....because they are sooooo busy(they always tell me that),

Tony and Joe's is no where near where I live. But as long as they are in business, I will take all of my cars to them, and tell everybody that will listen to me about them. All they did was put a few ties underneath my car.

Now you tell me what the moral of this story is?