Rodent Regatta

My spam filter didn’t trap the message that contained this link. Lots of Flash effects that beg for a return to Mississippi.

We’re told to make our work something we are passionate about. Many times – by the time you decide to do that – you may have lost the ability to identify just what kinds of tasks you can be passionate about. Po Bronson’s book can help. I noticed today that his book has spent eight weeks on the March 16, 2003 New York Times Book Review’s best seller list.

During the 1980’s I owned one of the computer distribution franchises. MicroAge was a force to be reckoned with in those years – both as a national distributor and on a local basis where the franchise owners often dominated their marketplaces. Today, that original company is gone and the name continues with a completely different business.

As a business owner, selling was a natural part of every work day. It was never formulaic. There was no manipulation. There was no ”one best method.” We prided ourselves on selling goods and services to commercial users of technology at a time when the ”retail approach” to selling computers was just being explored.

Those experiences taught me that selling could be a worthy profession. Meeting real needs and solving real problems for people was the key. Lately, I’ve gotten involved in several new ventures and activities that will require my attention in the sales area once again.

I’m looking at the various resources that are available and refreshing my knowledge of some key fundamentals. Here’s a list of things I’m spending some time with:

• Michelle Nichols writes for Business Week and provides some great advice and tools
• Paul DiModica wrote How to Sell Technology and it’s terrific; Paul also offers several free email newsletters which are helpful
• Ron Willingham wrote Integrity Selling
• Michael Pink is the author of Selling Among Wolves Without Joining the Pack, a Christian principles-based training course for sales people
• Anthony Parinello wrote Selling to Vito
• Zig Ziglar’s stuff is always useful
• Jeffrey Gitomer also provides advice with over-the-top enthusiasm
• For those wanting a bit more detailed system, take a look at Tom Bryan’s Proven Sales Letters
• Finally, I also like Ford Harding’s book called Rain Making
• Cass McNutt suggests Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith

Some people believe it’s easier to do without money if you’ve never had money. Others simply find a place of service and significance and their needs – monetary and otherwise – are more than filled.

Dan Miller’s outstanding weekly newsletter gives a glimpse of what kinds of consequences might result if you work only for money.

I JUST WORK FOR THE MONEY
from the February 17, 2003 issue of Career Link

”Law school sucked all the life and creativity out of me.” ”I’ve never been happy practicing law.” ”I have never had a sense of purpose.” ”I feel destined to do something great, but have no idea why or what.” ”I work only for the money.”

These are statements from a young attorney – who in his last position had been sick for 6 months, ”triggered initially by stress.” But a new ”career opportunity” presented itself and he is now working in a prestigious position with a Fortune 500 company. Unfortunately, the sickness is returning, starting with the symptoms of a choking feeling and shortness of breath.

Ultimately, money is never enough compensation for investing our time and energy. There must be a sense of meaning, purpose and accomplishment. Anything that does not blend our Values, Dreams and Passions will cause us on some level to choke. Events of the last two years have caused all of us to ”reassess what’s important.” A life well lived must go beyond just making a paycheck – even if it’s a very large one.

The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 5:10; ”Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” If money is the only reward of your job, you will begin to see deterioration in other areas of your life – physically, emotionally, spiritually, and in your relationships. Need a new plan? Take a look!

”That every man find pleasure in his work—this is a gift of God.” Ecc. 3:13

P. S. I have to add an interesting side note. Proper alignment in doing work we love does not mean the family will be eating rice and beans – in fact, the opposite is more often the case. Proper alignment releases not only a sense of peace and accomplishment, but money is likely to break in on you like an exploding dam.

Through a combination of fortuitous circumstances, networking and God’s guidance, I’ve never had to look for a job before. Recently, I began to feel around to see what might be ”out there.” I’ve got a job I’ve liked, but am tired of in so many ways.

Here’s where my eyes have been opened. Today’s job hunt is an absolute and total roll of the dice. On line services at each and every company you visit encourage you to ”submit your resume.” The best of these send an automated reply if you submit a resume in a format they can read and like.

The worst of these acknowledge nothing and provide no information to you about what the next steps might be, when you might hear something or how to follow up with the company. They get all your information and machine or man begins making judgments about you.

NOTE TO SELF: Never conduct a job search that is so impersonal and unkind to those seeking to join your company!