Promise ‘em the Moon – But Don’t Forget Who Delivers It

 At my former company, Something Different Interior Plantscaping there were three partners - Dan, Char, and me.  We used to say, “Barb sells the moon, Dan delivers it, and Char sends the bill!”  And it was true.  I’d go out there, as you do, full of whatever and come up with some really “cool” (read cool as in difficult if not impossible) idea and get the job.  Then I’d go back to the office and dump it on Dan’s (Partner and Operations Manager) desk.  And, somehow, someway, Dan would see it got done.  The moon got delivered.

Now, I’m sure that at your company you have a Dan or, even, a Danielle.  Someone who gets the impossible, your impossible, done.  They may be the Hort Supervisor, The Operations Manager, or an Owner or Partner but they are the people who make you look good or saves your butt.  Sadly, too often we get caught up in the day-to-day whirlwind and too often we forget to say, “Hey, Thanks”!

That is why I’m declaring this coming week – “Thank the guy who delivers the moon week”.  Lunch, a box of chocolates, a couple of movie tickets, whatever, a small remembrance is appropriate.  Even just a card and a smile.  Acknowledge them now for past favors and, here’s the ulterior motive, bet you’ll get even more moons delivered in the future and, hey, it sure helps

Addendum:  I wrote this blog some months ago and stored it away for future posting much like a squirrel with a cache of acorns.  Then, something happened two nights ago that reminded me of it.  One of my former employees who always "delivered the moon", passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack.  She was only 45.  Sarah Henry was in charge of our Holiday Division.  I sold the jobs and she created and supervised installation.  She had "magic" hands.  She could pick up the stuff that fell from the worktable onto the floor and make a $200 wreath!  I was in awe of her talent and, because of her, I was able to sell hundreds of thousands of dollars of Holiday Decor.  (Remember, I cannot tie a simple bow).  I often praised her in front of everyone, I bought her presents, gave her bonuses, and accepted awards with her by my side.  Now she’s gone and I wish I had said more, did more etc.  Reread the above blog and, then, go tell the Sarah in your company how much appreciated they are.

DID YOU KNOW?  The Greening of America (and the world) continues and nowhere is this trend more obvious than in the Hotel Industry.  Chain after Chain, Property after Property continue to escalate their "greenness". 

This trend first became evident with towels and sheets not being changed daily.  With those funny looking flourescent bulbs in the lamp by the bed.  And, with low water use toilets and shower heads.

In fact, there are Thirteen of these United States that have some sort of State Hospitality Property Green Association or Code.  If your state is one of these, by all means look it up and see where you might fit in and then…..go get ‘em Tigers.

Here they are: CA, DE, FL, ME, MI, NH, NC, PN, RI, VT, VA, and WI.  Thirteen states and there’s sure to be  more.  This is not a trend, it’s a change in Lifestyle!

I don’t know whats in the water in TX but I have had three requests to come out and do a full day seminar this Fall (early Oct) in the Lone Star state.  Trouble is the requests come from 3 different cities and in TX, they are 300-400 miles apart.  So here’s the deal.  It would probably cost each attendee 250-300 bucks, last at least 6 hours, cover Sales, Marketing, Pricing and running your interiorscape biz more profitably, be held in a one or two central locations, money upfront and nonrefundable, etc.  and I’ll need to know by Sept. 10 and if not enough sign up, no go.  Let me know by emailing me at barbhelfman@aol.com or call the TOPsider office (513)984-0332.

A long time Inner Circle member called me this week.  He wanted to tell me a story and hoped I would warn others so they could avoid his situation. 

Seems he was advised a few years ago to buy some Disability Insurance and considered doing so but decided not.

You know the rest of the story.  Now 5 years later he works trying to ignore the pain from his bad shoulder.  He shoulda retired, but he can’t.  Now, this is not to scare you but sometimes you just have to plan for the future and this biz has lts full compliment of physical demands.  Maybe it’s time to review your coverages, all of ‘em.