I met with a competitor recently. We spoke for about an hour and a half, him enjoying a coffee and me some orange juice. He’s involved with another indoor golf experience in the area.
I use the term “competitor” loosely, because we each did a great deal of sharing and ultimately agreed to find ways to work together, for mutual benefit.
I have found that there are really two groups of people in business. There are those that approach life and business with a firm belief in abundance, and that there is more than enough stuff for everyone. And then there are those that operate in a belief of scarcity, and thus feel that they must horde and protect what they feel is currently or rightfully theirs.
I subscribe to the abundance theory, as does the gentleman with whom I met.
I’ve entered this business and purchased the Southern Ontario franchise rights for Parmasters because I believe there is massive demand for the services that we provide. I also believe there is massive demand for the services that other indoor golf experiences provide. We’re very different businesses offering dramatically different services.
So, it seems to me that there must be a way to partner with other indoor golf experiences such that we both benefit.
Now I’ll admit, the makeup of such a partnership is not immediately obvious. This will take some serious thinking. But I’ll also posit that it’s not as complicated, or as impossible, or insurmountable, as it may first seem.
If you begin with the unwavering belief that there is more than enough stuff in this world to satisfy the needs – and even desires – of all, then you start to see possibilities and opportunities where others see only challenges and problems.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
The Moving Finger Writes
Very busy these days. Lots to do as far as site selection and attracting future investors.
On top of it all, I was called to jury duty today. I reported at 9:30am to the local courthouse. I was not selected as a juror, but was part of a large pool of candidate jurors – they used the term “jury panel” – from which the eventual 12 jurors and two alternates were selected.
For reasons that I shall not get into, I was excused from the jury panel. While I definitely believe in civic duty, I must admit that I was happy to get back to work.
As I sat there, in the court room, I also thought about the case about to be tried. At that point, I had no idea what the case was, who the defendant was, or any other related knowledge. But, clearly someone had felt they were wronged, or the Crown thought someone was wronged, or a crime was committed, and someone sat accused. A lot of pain. A lot of hardship. A very unfortunate situation that no doubt began many months or years prior.
I was reminded of one of my favourite pieces of poetry:
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
-The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam - Edward Fitzgerald - 11th century
On top of it all, I was called to jury duty today. I reported at 9:30am to the local courthouse. I was not selected as a juror, but was part of a large pool of candidate jurors – they used the term “jury panel” – from which the eventual 12 jurors and two alternates were selected.
For reasons that I shall not get into, I was excused from the jury panel. While I definitely believe in civic duty, I must admit that I was happy to get back to work.
As I sat there, in the court room, I also thought about the case about to be tried. At that point, I had no idea what the case was, who the defendant was, or any other related knowledge. But, clearly someone had felt they were wronged, or the Crown thought someone was wronged, or a crime was committed, and someone sat accused. A lot of pain. A lot of hardship. A very unfortunate situation that no doubt began many months or years prior.
I was reminded of one of my favourite pieces of poetry:
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
-The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam - Edward Fitzgerald - 11th century
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
5 Promises to Keep
Vickie L. Milazzo, founder and president of the Vickie Milazzo Institute, uses the following promises to guide her every decision. The magic of the promises is that they are simple and can work for any entrepreneur.
1. I will live and work a passionate life. Listen to your heart; then build your enterprise based on that passionate desire. When you wake up every day to a business you love, you’ll do what it takes to succeed.
2. I will go for it or reject it outright. Don’t spend your life in a holding pattern. Do it or forget it. Make a plan, and be realistic. Do you have time? Can you afford it? If not, reject it and come up with an attainable goal.
3. I will take one action step each day toward my ultimate vision. Unfulfilled dreams make people miserable. Acting on those dreams makes people happy. By taking action every day, you develop the habit and discipline to make your dream a reality. Success is in the motion.
4. I commit to being a success student for life. Anyone can launch a new business. Growing a successful business, however, requires learning every day from every available resource, including books, classes and especially successful mentors.
5. I believe I can do anything. Believing is 90 percent of the win. Imagine your success with sensory detail. If you believe you’ll achieve your goal--no matter what the challenges, no matter what anyone else tells you--you will succeed.
------
This last point sounds very much like The Secret.
1. I will live and work a passionate life. Listen to your heart; then build your enterprise based on that passionate desire. When you wake up every day to a business you love, you’ll do what it takes to succeed.
2. I will go for it or reject it outright. Don’t spend your life in a holding pattern. Do it or forget it. Make a plan, and be realistic. Do you have time? Can you afford it? If not, reject it and come up with an attainable goal.
3. I will take one action step each day toward my ultimate vision. Unfulfilled dreams make people miserable. Acting on those dreams makes people happy. By taking action every day, you develop the habit and discipline to make your dream a reality. Success is in the motion.
4. I commit to being a success student for life. Anyone can launch a new business. Growing a successful business, however, requires learning every day from every available resource, including books, classes and especially successful mentors.
5. I believe I can do anything. Believing is 90 percent of the win. Imagine your success with sensory detail. If you believe you’ll achieve your goal--no matter what the challenges, no matter what anyone else tells you--you will succeed.
------
This last point sounds very much like The Secret.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Have Your Prostate Checked Regularly!
Life works in mysterious ways. I had just sat down, approximately 30 minutes ago, to rough out this blog entry, and then carry on with some other work. I tend to do that. I’ll rough out an entry, an idea, and then let it percolate in the recesses of my mind as I work on other things. Then, when I return to complete the writing, I find the words flow much easier.
The trouble was, this evening, I wasn’t sure what I would write about. The day’s events did not bring a blog topic to mind.
And then the phone rang. My father was calling. My former hockey coach, a man by the name of Bruce Butterworth, had died today. He had fought a long battle with prostate cancer.
Bruce coached our team a few different times as we grew from four year olds that could barely skate, up into our teens. Our most memorable year was the 1982-83 campaign. That was the year we won our only provincial championship. We were in our mid-teens. Two years earlier we had made it to the finals, and were up three games to none, and then lost the next four. So the victory in 1983 was very sweet.
Bruce used to liken me to the Big ‘M’, Frank Mahovlich. Clearly he was trying to inspire me to greater feats, as my typical play certainly didn’t warrant such a prestigious moniker. But, like the Big M, I was a fairly reliable winger, playing my position, trudging up and down that right side of the rink doing the best that I could. Bruce understood that. He didn’t ask for perfection, just effort.
I knew Bruce was fading. He spent the final years of his life telling anyone and everyone that would listen to get regular prostate exams. He made it his final mission in life, to hopefully save the life of another.
SO, GET A PROSTATE EXAM ANNUALLY!
I called him, out of the blue, one Saturday in January. We hadn’t spoken much since 1983. I just knew I had to call and thank him for all he did for us. We had a good chat. He’s an … Isn’t that funny. I typed “He’s an” instead of “He was an.”
Bruce was an avid golfer. Fanatical really. He competed and I believe was successful at the provincial amateur level. So when I told him I was now in the golf business, we had a lot to talk about. He wanted to know all about the business. He wrote down some website addresses, and planned to have a look. I never did get back to him, to hear what he thought of what we were doing.
That final game of the 1983 championship series, we had three skaters on the bench. All year we’d played with five or six on the bench. Basically we had two full lines. But, through injuries and a suspension, we played that final game with just three of us on the bench. The other team had a full bench. And yet, we won.
We won that game, and the series, because our coach convinced us that we could win, and we deserved to win. For that, we’re all eternally grateful.
The trouble was, this evening, I wasn’t sure what I would write about. The day’s events did not bring a blog topic to mind.
And then the phone rang. My father was calling. My former hockey coach, a man by the name of Bruce Butterworth, had died today. He had fought a long battle with prostate cancer.
Bruce coached our team a few different times as we grew from four year olds that could barely skate, up into our teens. Our most memorable year was the 1982-83 campaign. That was the year we won our only provincial championship. We were in our mid-teens. Two years earlier we had made it to the finals, and were up three games to none, and then lost the next four. So the victory in 1983 was very sweet.
Bruce used to liken me to the Big ‘M’, Frank Mahovlich. Clearly he was trying to inspire me to greater feats, as my typical play certainly didn’t warrant such a prestigious moniker. But, like the Big M, I was a fairly reliable winger, playing my position, trudging up and down that right side of the rink doing the best that I could. Bruce understood that. He didn’t ask for perfection, just effort.
I knew Bruce was fading. He spent the final years of his life telling anyone and everyone that would listen to get regular prostate exams. He made it his final mission in life, to hopefully save the life of another.
SO, GET A PROSTATE EXAM ANNUALLY!
I called him, out of the blue, one Saturday in January. We hadn’t spoken much since 1983. I just knew I had to call and thank him for all he did for us. We had a good chat. He’s an … Isn’t that funny. I typed “He’s an” instead of “He was an.”
Bruce was an avid golfer. Fanatical really. He competed and I believe was successful at the provincial amateur level. So when I told him I was now in the golf business, we had a lot to talk about. He wanted to know all about the business. He wrote down some website addresses, and planned to have a look. I never did get back to him, to hear what he thought of what we were doing.
That final game of the 1983 championship series, we had three skaters on the bench. All year we’d played with five or six on the bench. Basically we had two full lines. But, through injuries and a suspension, we played that final game with just three of us on the bench. The other team had a full bench. And yet, we won.
We won that game, and the series, because our coach convinced us that we could win, and we deserved to win. For that, we’re all eternally grateful.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Book Launch
A friend, Tony Badea, is having a book launch and signing at Chapters (the Gateway Drive location). I wish him well.
The event takes place this coming Saturday, February 17, between 2:00 and 4:00pm. I invited Tony to blog here. His first book is titled “Driving Fore Sales Success.”
I was very productive today. I’ve been falling behind, but feel much better about things as I type this evening. I’ll likely work most of the weekend, and will then be back on top of things.
Next week I speak at a local high school. This has been organized by the Speaker’s Bureau operated by The Business & Education Partnership of Waterloo Region (BEP).
Basically, volunteers sign up to be part of the Bureau, and thus periodically venture out to a local school to speak to a group of students about career choices and related topics. The BEP operates an online, searchable, anonymous database of speakers. Teachers can search this database and select speakers that will benefit their students.
Typically a speaker will be called upon once or twice per year.
I’m looking forward to meeting the students, but must also prepare. Something else to do this weekend. I went into one engagement, several years ago, at a Kitchener high school, and attempted to “wing it.” The results were disappointing. I felt I let the students down. That won’t happen again.
The event takes place this coming Saturday, February 17, between 2:00 and 4:00pm. I invited Tony to blog here. His first book is titled “Driving Fore Sales Success.”
I was very productive today. I’ve been falling behind, but feel much better about things as I type this evening. I’ll likely work most of the weekend, and will then be back on top of things.
Next week I speak at a local high school. This has been organized by the Speaker’s Bureau operated by The Business & Education Partnership of Waterloo Region (BEP).
Basically, volunteers sign up to be part of the Bureau, and thus periodically venture out to a local school to speak to a group of students about career choices and related topics. The BEP operates an online, searchable, anonymous database of speakers. Teachers can search this database and select speakers that will benefit their students.
Typically a speaker will be called upon once or twice per year.
I’m looking forward to meeting the students, but must also prepare. Something else to do this weekend. I went into one engagement, several years ago, at a Kitchener high school, and attempted to “wing it.” The results were disappointing. I felt I let the students down. That won’t happen again.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Community
I skipped my usual workout this morning … and shoveled snow instead. I certainly wasn’t alone.
It’s interesting. We live on a quiet street. We tend to see our neighbours frequently through the summer, and yet very infrequently through the winter. I guess we all hibernate.
But a snow storm tends to bring the community back together. We’re all out there, struggling against the elements to empty our driveways and thus freeze our gas-guzzling vehicles. Brief exchanges occur. Mostly jokes about the weather, the amount of snow, etc. But also inquiries about the family, the children, the job, etc.
A neighbour three doors down was stuck. She’s on her own with several young children. I had left a message telling her to not even attempt to leave her garage. The drift in front of it was some five feet tall. I looked up and there she was, high and dry, her van suspended on a large mound of snow.
The two neighbours (in the two homes) between her house and mine have not been getting along, but we all chipped in, setting aside differences, and eventually freed the moribund minivan.
Just in case you haven’t guessed, there’s really not much business within this post. Today was about community. Of course – ok, just a little business – if we do our jobs well, our Parmasters Golf Training Center will be about community also.
It’s interesting. We live on a quiet street. We tend to see our neighbours frequently through the summer, and yet very infrequently through the winter. I guess we all hibernate.
But a snow storm tends to bring the community back together. We’re all out there, struggling against the elements to empty our driveways and thus freeze our gas-guzzling vehicles. Brief exchanges occur. Mostly jokes about the weather, the amount of snow, etc. But also inquiries about the family, the children, the job, etc.
A neighbour three doors down was stuck. She’s on her own with several young children. I had left a message telling her to not even attempt to leave her garage. The drift in front of it was some five feet tall. I looked up and there she was, high and dry, her van suspended on a large mound of snow.
The two neighbours (in the two homes) between her house and mine have not been getting along, but we all chipped in, setting aside differences, and eventually freed the moribund minivan.
Just in case you haven’t guessed, there’s really not much business within this post. Today was about community. Of course – ok, just a little business – if we do our jobs well, our Parmasters Golf Training Center will be about community also.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Systems, Importance and Urgency
There are times when days simply don’t feel long enough. I’m currently going through such a time. Find myself falling slightly behind.
I made some adjustments to my productivity systems at the start of the year. I blogged about it here. I’m not really very happy with the change. Will review the book – Getting Things Done – again over the weekend. Perhaps I have not been true to David Allen’s recommended approach. Perhaps I’m actually using a hybrid of his suggested approach and my old tried and true approach. Perhaps that’s the problem. We shall see.
During our Franchise Owner Training last week, the franchisor presented the stats that will follow shortly. I did not get a source for the information, but I’m sure I can trust the franchisor’s figures. And even if they’re off a little, the point will remain unchanged.
I’m sure most of you are familiar with Stephen Covey’s four quadrant-model that defines tasks along two axis – Importance and Urgency. (I've blogged on this before here.) You end up with four quadrants. (I’ll simply list them here rather than trying to draw them.)
1) IMPORTANT and URGENT
2) IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
3) NOT IMPORTANT and URGENT
4) NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
Clearly one would want to dedicate most resources (e.g. dollars, time, staff, etc.) to quadrants 1 and 2.
Here are the stats. Most companies apply their resources across the quadrants like this:
1) 25-30% – IMPORTANT and URGENT
2) 15% – IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
3) 50-60% – NOT IMPORTANT and URGENT
4) 2-3% – NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
However, “high performing” companies apply their resources like this:
1) 25-30% – IMPORTANT and URGENT
2) 65-80% – IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
3) 15% – NOT IMPORTANT and URGENT
4) Less than 1% – NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
So, where do you spend your resources?
I made some adjustments to my productivity systems at the start of the year. I blogged about it here. I’m not really very happy with the change. Will review the book – Getting Things Done – again over the weekend. Perhaps I have not been true to David Allen’s recommended approach. Perhaps I’m actually using a hybrid of his suggested approach and my old tried and true approach. Perhaps that’s the problem. We shall see.
During our Franchise Owner Training last week, the franchisor presented the stats that will follow shortly. I did not get a source for the information, but I’m sure I can trust the franchisor’s figures. And even if they’re off a little, the point will remain unchanged.
I’m sure most of you are familiar with Stephen Covey’s four quadrant-model that defines tasks along two axis – Importance and Urgency. (I've blogged on this before here.) You end up with four quadrants. (I’ll simply list them here rather than trying to draw them.)
1) IMPORTANT and URGENT
2) IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
3) NOT IMPORTANT and URGENT
4) NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
Clearly one would want to dedicate most resources (e.g. dollars, time, staff, etc.) to quadrants 1 and 2.
Here are the stats. Most companies apply their resources across the quadrants like this:
1) 25-30% – IMPORTANT and URGENT
2) 15% – IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
3) 50-60% – NOT IMPORTANT and URGENT
4) 2-3% – NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
However, “high performing” companies apply their resources like this:
1) 25-30% – IMPORTANT and URGENT
2) 65-80% – IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
3) 15% – NOT IMPORTANT and URGENT
4) Less than 1% – NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT
So, where do you spend your resources?
Monday, February 12, 2007
Poor Blogging
I’ve been a poor blogger lately. (I had originally typed “bad blogger”, but I’ve always believed there are no bad people, and by extrapolation, no bad bloggers, merely misguided or misdirected people, and bloggers.) The last couple of days of our Franchise Owner Training were pretty intense. And once I was back home, well enough of the excuses.
Last Wednesday, I drove straight from the airport to a Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce event. It was a “new member” event, so we all got a chance to provide a 30 second advertisement at the microphone. I had just barely walked in the door when the mic was placed in my hands. I must have said something right, as a few minutes later I had several promising new contacts approaching me.
It took a while to adjust to the time zone change. Not sure why. I saw some late nights late last week. This threw off my workout schedule. I had done quite well while in Vancouver with two runs along the water and two great sessions in the fitness centre. I was back on track this morning, back in my basement and a familiar routine.
We’re currently in lease negotiations. That’s occupying most of my focus. We’re also at our first quarter-end with external investors on board. We’re developing new systems to ensure all of the reporting and other activities are completed effectively and efficiently. So far, so good.
We’ve built a really solid team of investors so far. By that I mean that they’re all team players, positive in their focus and outlook, and they’ll all contribute in ways that no other group can. I look forward to working with them, and all others that join our team, over the coming years.
For now, it’s time for some reading and preparation for tomorrow.
Last Wednesday, I drove straight from the airport to a Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce event. It was a “new member” event, so we all got a chance to provide a 30 second advertisement at the microphone. I had just barely walked in the door when the mic was placed in my hands. I must have said something right, as a few minutes later I had several promising new contacts approaching me.
It took a while to adjust to the time zone change. Not sure why. I saw some late nights late last week. This threw off my workout schedule. I had done quite well while in Vancouver with two runs along the water and two great sessions in the fitness centre. I was back on track this morning, back in my basement and a familiar routine.
We’re currently in lease negotiations. That’s occupying most of my focus. We’re also at our first quarter-end with external investors on board. We’re developing new systems to ensure all of the reporting and other activities are completed effectively and efficiently. So far, so good.
We’ve built a really solid team of investors so far. By that I mean that they’re all team players, positive in their focus and outlook, and they’ll all contribute in ways that no other group can. I look forward to working with them, and all others that join our team, over the coming years.
For now, it’s time for some reading and preparation for tomorrow.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Make Sure The Job Is Worth A Damn
As we went through Franchise Owner Training this past week in Vancouver, it became increasingly clear that Parmasters subscribes to the sentiment in the quote below.
“If you want someone worth a damn in the job, you'd better make sure the job is worth a damn.” -television show, Commander and Chief
Unfortunately, the show didn’t last long. I say “unfortunately” because I enjoyed it.
“If you want someone worth a damn in the job, you'd better make sure the job is worth a damn.” -television show, Commander and Chief
Unfortunately, the show didn’t last long. I say “unfortunately” because I enjoyed it.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Zip Trek
We focused on team building todayn soaring through the trees with Zip Trek Ecotours (www.ziptrek.com).
While they have a strong environmental message and commitment, most of the day with Zip Trek was spent suspended from long cables.
It's an interesting experience. You wear a harness all day. For each cable/run you and your harness are hooked up to the cable. You then step off of a platform and gravity takes over. Off you "zip", suspended bellow the cable, flying over or through the forest canopy. Great views and sensations.
We also learned about some lichen (not sure of the spelling) that grows about 1 cm every ten years! Amazing! We saw these seemingly delicate wisps of lichen that were 40 or 50 cm long. They were 400 to 500 years old!
Business feels great pressure to move very quickly. To deliver immediate results. That's partially due to limited resources, and competition for the investment dollar. Mother Nature, on the other hand, seems abundantly content to progress very slowly.
Is there a lesson here?
While they have a strong environmental message and commitment, most of the day with Zip Trek was spent suspended from long cables.
It's an interesting experience. You wear a harness all day. For each cable/run you and your harness are hooked up to the cable. You then step off of a platform and gravity takes over. Off you "zip", suspended bellow the cable, flying over or through the forest canopy. Great views and sensations.
We also learned about some lichen (not sure of the spelling) that grows about 1 cm every ten years! Amazing! We saw these seemingly delicate wisps of lichen that were 40 or 50 cm long. They were 400 to 500 years old!
Business feels great pressure to move very quickly. To deliver immediate results. That's partially due to limited resources, and competition for the investment dollar. Mother Nature, on the other hand, seems abundantly content to progress very slowly.
Is there a lesson here?
Saturday, February 03, 2007
400 Members
Imagine a business that can generate enough revenue from day one to cover all fixed costs!
Imagine a business that opens cash flow positive!
Imagine a business that opens profitable!
All of these are possible, albeit progressively more challenging, within the Parmasters model. We're learning the systems, strategies and tactics that can make these images reality.
Today we did an exercise. In teams of two we had 30 minutes to develop a plan to sell 400 memberships within a single week, start to finish! Just in case you're not aware, 400 memberships in a week is astronomical! The plans were developed and presented. While they were a little rough around the edges, all participants agreed that the plans had a very high probability of success!
While energizing, today was once again exhausting. I was up at 5:45am for some breakfast and a run. The training started at 8:00am. There were few very short breaks. But lots of great learning!
Sunday is a fun day. Apparently we're off to Whistler, BC to trust our very lives to some thin steel cables. Hope they're not too rusty!
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Imagine a business that opens cash flow positive!
Imagine a business that opens profitable!
All of these are possible, albeit progressively more challenging, within the Parmasters model. We're learning the systems, strategies and tactics that can make these images reality.
Today we did an exercise. In teams of two we had 30 minutes to develop a plan to sell 400 memberships within a single week, start to finish! Just in case you're not aware, 400 memberships in a week is astronomical! The plans were developed and presented. While they were a little rough around the edges, all participants agreed that the plans had a very high probability of success!
While energizing, today was once again exhausting. I was up at 5:45am for some breakfast and a run. The training started at 8:00am. There were few very short breaks. But lots of great learning!
Sunday is a fun day. Apparently we're off to Whistler, BC to trust our very lives to some thin steel cables. Hope they're not too rusty!
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
PM Memphis Very Satisfying
We've completed our first full day of Franchise Owner Training here in beautiful Vancouver. It was a long, draining day. Very intense at times. A lot of knowledge/information was passed from teacher (franchisor) to student (franchisee). I'm completely exhausted.
I can't blog much about the Training content obviously. It's all proprietary, copyrighted and highly confidential. However, one story came through that really resonated.
Parmasters Memphis is a beautiful 25,000 sq ft facility. When people see it the first few times their reaction is consistently one of wonderment, a large grin on their faces and "wow!" eminating from their mouths. I already knew this. I had the same reaction when I first entered the center.
I learned today that as people leave Parmasters Memphis, having spent an hour or two practicing or playing, most are VERY satisfied. Great news! Staff catch most people on the way out the door and ask quickly if they enjoyed their visit. Almost to a person, the response is always a resounding, fully-satisfied "YES", accompanied by a broad grin!
We at Parmasters Southern Ontario are extremely eager to find our location, open the doors and start generating similar - or even more passionate - reactions.
Time to re-charge my batteries before another long day of Training on Saturday. Plan to hit the fitness centre at 6:00am.
I can't blog much about the Training content obviously. It's all proprietary, copyrighted and highly confidential. However, one story came through that really resonated.
Parmasters Memphis is a beautiful 25,000 sq ft facility. When people see it the first few times their reaction is consistently one of wonderment, a large grin on their faces and "wow!" eminating from their mouths. I already knew this. I had the same reaction when I first entered the center.
I learned today that as people leave Parmasters Memphis, having spent an hour or two practicing or playing, most are VERY satisfied. Great news! Staff catch most people on the way out the door and ask quickly if they enjoyed their visit. Almost to a person, the response is always a resounding, fully-satisfied "YES", accompanied by a broad grin!
We at Parmasters Southern Ontario are extremely eager to find our location, open the doors and start generating similar - or even more passionate - reactions.
Time to re-charge my batteries before another long day of Training on Saturday. Plan to hit the fitness centre at 6:00am.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Systems Thinking ... And Buying
I'm sitting in the Hamilton Airport about to board. This is a great little airport. You drive up quite close to the terminal and park. Then it's just a very short walk into the terminal. Check in is just inside the doors. You're usually greeted as you enter, although that didn't happen this morning. Perhaps I didn't look very cheery.
I noted also, that there's no traffic light where the airport road meets highway 6 south (the main thoroughfare). Not enough volume I guess.
Unfortunately, check-in was not very smooth. There were three agents. Two of them were located beneath a large sign that read "Self-service check-in bag drop". Since no one was using the self-check-in option, most travellers lined up with the third agent.
It's a great sign. I'm sure all agreed as they viewed the final design in the meeting room. But, as Paco Underhill notes in Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping (previous blog entry, November I believe, not sure how to link when blogging remotely), the retail environment must be observed - the actual environment - before it can be analyzed and understood.
It's a lesson I take very much to heart, and that I will discuss this week at Parmasters HQ, as we clearly want our retail environment to function very well.
"Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behaviour. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behaviour." -Dee Hock
I noted also, that there's no traffic light where the airport road meets highway 6 south (the main thoroughfare). Not enough volume I guess.
Unfortunately, check-in was not very smooth. There were three agents. Two of them were located beneath a large sign that read "Self-service check-in bag drop". Since no one was using the self-check-in option, most travellers lined up with the third agent.
It's a great sign. I'm sure all agreed as they viewed the final design in the meeting room. But, as Paco Underhill notes in Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping (previous blog entry, November I believe, not sure how to link when blogging remotely), the retail environment must be observed - the actual environment - before it can be analyzed and understood.
It's a lesson I take very much to heart, and that I will discuss this week at Parmasters HQ, as we clearly want our retail environment to function very well.
"Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behaviour. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behaviour." -Dee Hock
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Travel Day
Tomorrow is a travel day. I’ll arrive in Vancouver around noon PST. That will leave the afternoon to get caught up on some reading, some meetings and other work.
Friday through Tuesday I’ll be immersed in Franchise Owner Training at Parmasters HQ. I’m looking forward to it. The days will be long and intense, but I’ll build stronger relationships with other franchise owners and HQ staff also. Plus, of course, this training covers a lot of what we purchased when we bought the franchise, a system for running the business.
I don’t travel much in my current role as franchise owner. Thus, my travel systems – how I organize myself, stay productive, etc. – are all a little rusty. I’m used to carrying a laptop, but do not currently own one. There’s very little need at this point. So I’ll be counting on my BlackBerry to help me stay connected. My reading materials folder is empty. But I have many books that I’m eager to dive into.
Early start tomorrow. Earlier to bed tonight.
Friday through Tuesday I’ll be immersed in Franchise Owner Training at Parmasters HQ. I’m looking forward to it. The days will be long and intense, but I’ll build stronger relationships with other franchise owners and HQ staff also. Plus, of course, this training covers a lot of what we purchased when we bought the franchise, a system for running the business.
I don’t travel much in my current role as franchise owner. Thus, my travel systems – how I organize myself, stay productive, etc. – are all a little rusty. I’m used to carrying a laptop, but do not currently own one. There’s very little need at this point. So I’ll be counting on my BlackBerry to help me stay connected. My reading materials folder is empty. But I have many books that I’m eager to dive into.
Early start tomorrow. Earlier to bed tonight.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Mobile Blogging
I'm testing Blogger's email posting abilities. You simply eatablish an email address - within the blog settings - and then send email to that secret address. Any email sent to that address is posted as a blog entry. The subject line on the email is the blog entry title. Cool!
Hope this works.
I head to Vancouver Thursday for 5 days of intense Franchise Owner Training. Since I won't have much access to a PC, but will have my BlackBerry, I'll rely on this this email posting capability.
This capability is a little thing, but it helps.
"Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things ... I am tempted to think ... there are no little things. -Bruce Barton
Monday, January 29, 2007
How Will We Be Remembered?
Today was fairly quiet for Parmasters Waterloo Region. It was still very productive, but just seemed like a rather quiet day. We welcomed another investor on board, and had initial conversations with a few others. I also did some banking, bookkeeping and other administrivia. And they day started out with another fantastic workout.
Lately, each week, I’ve been tackling a new program/routine from my Men’s Health subscription. Most of these have concentrated on chest work lately. So each week, early on a Monday morning, it’s a bit of an adventure to open up the magazine and see what’s in store. This week’s routine involves some cluster sets at maximum weight, and then some strip sets (where weight is quickly stripped from the bar and more reps are performed). The cluster sets start with four reps – maximum weight – and then a fifteen second rest, with the bar still in hand, and another rep, before finally racking the bar. Then another fifteen second rest, another single rep, repeated till exhaustion. It sounded like fun … when I read it.
I had lunch with an old friend. We worked together some 17 years ago. Lots of reminiscing about former co-workers, times when we laughed until it hurt, times when we were ready to quit, and everything in between. We both agreed we learned a lot in those years.
The reminiscing left me wondering, how will the early years of Parmasters Waterloo Region be remembered? By me and my family? By our investors? By the franchisor? By our future staff?
One method of “goal” setting – sorry Jay (he dislikes that word and all it stands for) – involves establishing a vision of what you want to achieve, along with the date when you want to achieve it by, and then working backwards, setting incremental milestones. You then start by working towards the next/nearest milestone.
Another concept involves writing your own eulogy. When you bring a sense of mortality to the exercise, seemingly one tends to focus more clearly and precisely on the things in life that truly matter. But this process also leads to the concept of how one will be remembered?
This is something I plan to ponder more deeply? How do I want to be remembered? And how do I want our stakeholders to remember the early days of Parmasters Waterloo Region?
“Stephen Southern. Born 1966. Died 20?? in his ??th year. He was a witty and handsome fellow …”
Well, it’s a start.
Lately, each week, I’ve been tackling a new program/routine from my Men’s Health subscription. Most of these have concentrated on chest work lately. So each week, early on a Monday morning, it’s a bit of an adventure to open up the magazine and see what’s in store. This week’s routine involves some cluster sets at maximum weight, and then some strip sets (where weight is quickly stripped from the bar and more reps are performed). The cluster sets start with four reps – maximum weight – and then a fifteen second rest, with the bar still in hand, and another rep, before finally racking the bar. Then another fifteen second rest, another single rep, repeated till exhaustion. It sounded like fun … when I read it.
I had lunch with an old friend. We worked together some 17 years ago. Lots of reminiscing about former co-workers, times when we laughed until it hurt, times when we were ready to quit, and everything in between. We both agreed we learned a lot in those years.
The reminiscing left me wondering, how will the early years of Parmasters Waterloo Region be remembered? By me and my family? By our investors? By the franchisor? By our future staff?
One method of “goal” setting – sorry Jay (he dislikes that word and all it stands for) – involves establishing a vision of what you want to achieve, along with the date when you want to achieve it by, and then working backwards, setting incremental milestones. You then start by working towards the next/nearest milestone.
Another concept involves writing your own eulogy. When you bring a sense of mortality to the exercise, seemingly one tends to focus more clearly and precisely on the things in life that truly matter. But this process also leads to the concept of how one will be remembered?
This is something I plan to ponder more deeply? How do I want to be remembered? And how do I want our stakeholders to remember the early days of Parmasters Waterloo Region?
“Stephen Southern. Born 1966. Died 20?? in his ??th year. He was a witty and handsome fellow …”
Well, it’s a start.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Catching Up and Fundraiser
Today has been a day of catching up. I had fallen behind a little on email and other tasks. We’re also heading into our first quarter-end with investors on board, so I’m working with our bookkeeping and accounting.
Tonight we’ll be attending the annual fundraiser – dinner and silent auction – for Leadership Waterloo Region. It should be a nice night. One can have a lot of fun with a silent auction, although I must admit to enjoying a more vocal auction also. Several of our stakeholders (investors, future investors, etc.) will be in attendance also. So while it’s a social evening, for a great cause, it’s also business related.
Finding a location/site for our first center remains at the top of mind. This is absolutely our number one task right now. We are getting close with two properties, and there are other properties to consider.
While we’re eager to get started, we must also remain cautious and vigilant. Deciding on our location, and negotiating a favourable agreement, are two critical steps. We cannot and will not settle upon an unsuitable location simply because it is the best available option. While we must move as quickly as possible, we must also find a location and agreement that work well for the business.
Tonight we’ll be attending the annual fundraiser – dinner and silent auction – for Leadership Waterloo Region. It should be a nice night. One can have a lot of fun with a silent auction, although I must admit to enjoying a more vocal auction also. Several of our stakeholders (investors, future investors, etc.) will be in attendance also. So while it’s a social evening, for a great cause, it’s also business related.
Finding a location/site for our first center remains at the top of mind. This is absolutely our number one task right now. We are getting close with two properties, and there are other properties to consider.
While we’re eager to get started, we must also remain cautious and vigilant. Deciding on our location, and negotiating a favourable agreement, are two critical steps. We cannot and will not settle upon an unsuitable location simply because it is the best available option. While we must move as quickly as possible, we must also find a location and agreement that work well for the business.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Location, Location, Location
I spent Wednesday and Thursday in London, Ontario. The time was very well spent.
Wednesday was mostly meetings with city staff and a real estate agent. Thank you to all, including the wonderful people at Economic Development and Planning. They were all very helpful.
The city is very spread out. It takes close to half an hour to travel from the very north end, to the south end. And it can take even more time if you’re trying to go corner to corner, such as northeast to southwest! In Kitchener-Waterloo, we have a highway that runs through the cities. It’s a tremendous help moving traffic throughout the city very efficiently.
While Parmasters is most definitely a destination, there will always be a limit as to how far people will travel. I believe that most Parmasters members will be happy with travel time of 15 to 20 minutes, but not a lot more than that.
Most members will want to visit the facility at least weekly. One of their considerations, as they contemplate membership, will be the length of the commute.
So, in London, I believe we will locate in a fairly central location. Something close to Wellington Street, and south of the downtown core, may fit. This will give us proximity to most households in the city.
All of that said, we will still likely open our first site here in Waterloo Region. London will likely be site number two. That’s not carved in stone, but most likely. We are actively pursuing properties in Waterloo Region.
Wednesday was mostly meetings with city staff and a real estate agent. Thank you to all, including the wonderful people at Economic Development and Planning. They were all very helpful.
The city is very spread out. It takes close to half an hour to travel from the very north end, to the south end. And it can take even more time if you’re trying to go corner to corner, such as northeast to southwest! In Kitchener-Waterloo, we have a highway that runs through the cities. It’s a tremendous help moving traffic throughout the city very efficiently.
While Parmasters is most definitely a destination, there will always be a limit as to how far people will travel. I believe that most Parmasters members will be happy with travel time of 15 to 20 minutes, but not a lot more than that.
Most members will want to visit the facility at least weekly. One of their considerations, as they contemplate membership, will be the length of the commute.
So, in London, I believe we will locate in a fairly central location. Something close to Wellington Street, and south of the downtown core, may fit. This will give us proximity to most households in the city.
All of that said, we will still likely open our first site here in Waterloo Region. London will likely be site number two. That’s not carved in stone, but most likely. We are actively pursuing properties in Waterloo Region.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
London Calling
Today was very productive. I obtained verbal commitments from two new/future investors. One transaction will be consummated – my wife laughed when I used that particular term – next week. The other at a later date, for various reasons. We also viewed some real estate, I played my weekly hockey game, got a brisk one-hour walk in, shoveled the drive, and have spent the past hour+ preparing for the next two days.
I’m spending Wednesday and Thursday in beautiful London, Ontario. Since it’s part of our franchise territory – Guelph, southwest, to Windsor – and since it will likely be the location of our second Parmasters Center, it makes sense to dedicate some time to learning more about the city. I’ll be meeting with real estate agents as well as city staff (economic development, planning, etc.). I’ll also do a fair bit of driving, visiting every industrial and business park in the city.
We’re considering London as the location of our first Center. Chances are we’ll open in Waterloo Region first, but London is a possibility. I’ll have a few things to work out with investors if we go this route. Again, highly unlikely, but possible.
Our eldest son has pneumonia. We suspect it started as a cold, but when the cough dragged on, he visited his doctor. Somehow we have to fit some chest x-rays into Wednesday.
It’s been interesting watching his younger brother through this ordeal. He’s become very compassionate and helpful. He’s always very kind, and they get along very, very well. But our younger son is also generally quite self-absorbed, as are most boys his age. But with his big brother sick, he’s been very helpful and very caring. He’ll tell him to put his socks back on, get to bed early, do his chores for him, etc. We’re very proud of both of them.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes
I’m spending Wednesday and Thursday in beautiful London, Ontario. Since it’s part of our franchise territory – Guelph, southwest, to Windsor – and since it will likely be the location of our second Parmasters Center, it makes sense to dedicate some time to learning more about the city. I’ll be meeting with real estate agents as well as city staff (economic development, planning, etc.). I’ll also do a fair bit of driving, visiting every industrial and business park in the city.
We’re considering London as the location of our first Center. Chances are we’ll open in Waterloo Region first, but London is a possibility. I’ll have a few things to work out with investors if we go this route. Again, highly unlikely, but possible.
Our eldest son has pneumonia. We suspect it started as a cold, but when the cough dragged on, he visited his doctor. Somehow we have to fit some chest x-rays into Wednesday.
It’s been interesting watching his younger brother through this ordeal. He’s become very compassionate and helpful. He’s always very kind, and they get along very, very well. But our younger son is also generally quite self-absorbed, as are most boys his age. But with his big brother sick, he’s been very helpful and very caring. He’ll tell him to put his socks back on, get to bed early, do his chores for him, etc. We’re very proud of both of them.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes
Monday, January 22, 2007
I Resolve To Stop And Ask
I’ve added some links to the right. So far I’ve concentrated on the major professional tours and local golf courses. I’ll likely add more links in the future. If you have suggestions, please let me know.
There’s no need for me to reinvent the wheel within the confines of this blog site. There are lots of wonderful golf hubs on the Internet. They provide links to news sources and much more. I will likely include links to these major hubs shortly.
As we sat through the funeral on Saturday it occurred to me that I tend to learn a lot about people at their funerals, as they are eulogized. I sat there rather displeased with myself. Why should that be the case? Why not ask people about their lives while their still with us, instead of hearing these fascinating stories from a relative after they’re gone?
I’m quite ashamed to say that this was the case with my very own maternal grandfather! I lost my paternal grandparents when I was quite young, but my maternal grandfather died fairly recently, in 1996. I remember his son, my uncle, noting grandpa’s love for newspapers and current events. He used to quiz my mother and uncle nightly, around the supper table, about news items from around the globe. They would have discussions. I had no idea. I have a similar interest in keeping abreast of the affairs of the world, and would likely have shared many more animated discussions with my grandfather, had I only asked.
Thus, suffice it to say, I have resolved to ask more people about their lives. To make more time to sit down and listen, truly listen. Everyone has many fascinating stories.
Here’s one more. Most people seem to enjoy this.
My paternal grandfather ran a bake shop. He’d have “traveling salesmen” stop by periodically, in the 1950’s and 1960’s, to sell him the latest gadget, or flour, or other items. One day he suspected a particular gentleman was stringing him quite a line. My grandfather had more sense, and tact, than to simply suggest that the man was not being truthful. So, the conversation apparently went something like this.
My grandfather: “You know, I was just wondering. You wouldn’t be lying to me by any chance, would you?”
Salesman: “Why, Mr. Southern, whatever do you mean? Why would you think that?”
My grandfather: “Well, it’s just that, well, you kind of remind me of me, when I’m lying to someone.”
There’s a lesson in there somewhere …
There’s no need for me to reinvent the wheel within the confines of this blog site. There are lots of wonderful golf hubs on the Internet. They provide links to news sources and much more. I will likely include links to these major hubs shortly.
As we sat through the funeral on Saturday it occurred to me that I tend to learn a lot about people at their funerals, as they are eulogized. I sat there rather displeased with myself. Why should that be the case? Why not ask people about their lives while their still with us, instead of hearing these fascinating stories from a relative after they’re gone?
I’m quite ashamed to say that this was the case with my very own maternal grandfather! I lost my paternal grandparents when I was quite young, but my maternal grandfather died fairly recently, in 1996. I remember his son, my uncle, noting grandpa’s love for newspapers and current events. He used to quiz my mother and uncle nightly, around the supper table, about news items from around the globe. They would have discussions. I had no idea. I have a similar interest in keeping abreast of the affairs of the world, and would likely have shared many more animated discussions with my grandfather, had I only asked.
Thus, suffice it to say, I have resolved to ask more people about their lives. To make more time to sit down and listen, truly listen. Everyone has many fascinating stories.
Here’s one more. Most people seem to enjoy this.
My paternal grandfather ran a bake shop. He’d have “traveling salesmen” stop by periodically, in the 1950’s and 1960’s, to sell him the latest gadget, or flour, or other items. One day he suspected a particular gentleman was stringing him quite a line. My grandfather had more sense, and tact, than to simply suggest that the man was not being truthful. So, the conversation apparently went something like this.
My grandfather: “You know, I was just wondering. You wouldn’t be lying to me by any chance, would you?”
Salesman: “Why, Mr. Southern, whatever do you mean? Why would you think that?”
My grandfather: “Well, it’s just that, well, you kind of remind me of me, when I’m lying to someone.”
There’s a lesson in there somewhere …
Friday, January 19, 2007
We Must Step Up The Stairs
It’s been another busy day in the life of Parmasters Waterloo Region. Great progress though! That’s the key. Seeing progress. Hence the truism, things that get measured get done. This is a major principle of all progress and self-improvement.
“Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps; we must step up the stairs.” -Vaclav Havel
The meetings started at 8:00am this morning and continued uninterrupted until after 4:00pm. I don’t have a lot of days like that. I also had to squeeze in many phone calls, mostly while driving (the calls were ‘hands free’) throughout the day. I worked to late last night, until after midnight, and thus today was a challenge.
Saturday morning we’re off to Whitby, Ontario to attend a funeral. My wife lost a dear aunt. This lady was a war bride, having met my wife’s uncle in Britain during WWII. They had more than 60 years together!
We’ll depart around 8:00am. I want to squeeze a workout in before we leave, and also have some errands to do before we leave. Early start, again.
We’ll likely spend the remainder of Saturday in the Toronto area. Perhaps we’ll visit the Art Gallery of Ontario, or go up the CN Tower. We have not yet decided, but do plan to do a family activity of some sort.
Sunday I’ll be back in the office, working away. Lots of catch-up to do.
“Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps; we must step up the stairs.” -Vaclav Havel
The meetings started at 8:00am this morning and continued uninterrupted until after 4:00pm. I don’t have a lot of days like that. I also had to squeeze in many phone calls, mostly while driving (the calls were ‘hands free’) throughout the day. I worked to late last night, until after midnight, and thus today was a challenge.
Saturday morning we’re off to Whitby, Ontario to attend a funeral. My wife lost a dear aunt. This lady was a war bride, having met my wife’s uncle in Britain during WWII. They had more than 60 years together!
We’ll depart around 8:00am. I want to squeeze a workout in before we leave, and also have some errands to do before we leave. Early start, again.
We’ll likely spend the remainder of Saturday in the Toronto area. Perhaps we’ll visit the Art Gallery of Ontario, or go up the CN Tower. We have not yet decided, but do plan to do a family activity of some sort.
Sunday I’ll be back in the office, working away. Lots of catch-up to do.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Make Your Own Good Luck!
I’m taking the easy (blogging) way out this evening by passing on a link to a great article. “Get Lucky”, by Susanne Ruder was published in the December 2006 issue of PROFIT magazine. I do not know Susanne, but absolutely agree with what she has written!
The article basically focuses on the FACT that most people make their own luck. They repeatedly put themselves in the right place so the right thing can happen. They change the way they look at things, and the things that they look at change. They continually look for the positive, the opportunity, rather than the problem or road block.
This all dovetails very nicely with the teachings in The Secret, which is also a previous blog topic.
"Some succeed because they are destined to. Most succeed because they are determined to." -unknown
Enjoy the article! I’m off to prepare for wall-to-wall meetings Friday.
The article basically focuses on the FACT that most people make their own luck. They repeatedly put themselves in the right place so the right thing can happen. They change the way they look at things, and the things that they look at change. They continually look for the positive, the opportunity, rather than the problem or road block.
This all dovetails very nicely with the teachings in The Secret, which is also a previous blog topic.
"Some succeed because they are destined to. Most succeed because they are determined to." -unknown
Enjoy the article! I’m off to prepare for wall-to-wall meetings Friday.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
The Worst Shots In Golf
I was in meetings most of today. Lawyer. Investors. Site selection (finding a building/location). All very productive, including my workout first thing this morning.
Tired this evening. I’ve been staying up too late, reading. Lights out a little earlier this evening.
I thought the golfers reading may enjoy this. We’re all fallible, including the pros. This is an excerpt from an article titled The Worst Shots in Golf. The full article is available here.
From The Worst Shots in Golf:
Sandy Lyle, 1985 Open, Royal St Georges, 18th hole. Unusually in this selection, the man concerned still went on to win but it was a close run thing. Having started the final day of the 85 Open three shots adrift, Britain’s favourite golfing son gradually hauled himself back into contention and it looked as if a par up the 18th would be good enough for victory. But then Lyle’s approach found Duncan’s Hollow, a dangerous dip in the ground to the left of the green and the flagstick was perched just over a small rise. To get it close would need a delicate touch and at his first attempt Sandy had the touch of a donkey wearing boxing gloves. The ball came right back to his feet. But unknown to him at the time, immediately behind on the 17th, Bernhard Langer and David Graham were also making bogey, so Sandy’s second chip and a putt were good enough. Just. Stone me, said Sandy. Screw you, said Langer and Graham.
Tired this evening. I’ve been staying up too late, reading. Lights out a little earlier this evening.
I thought the golfers reading may enjoy this. We’re all fallible, including the pros. This is an excerpt from an article titled The Worst Shots in Golf. The full article is available here.
From The Worst Shots in Golf:
Sandy Lyle, 1985 Open, Royal St Georges, 18th hole. Unusually in this selection, the man concerned still went on to win but it was a close run thing. Having started the final day of the 85 Open three shots adrift, Britain’s favourite golfing son gradually hauled himself back into contention and it looked as if a par up the 18th would be good enough for victory. But then Lyle’s approach found Duncan’s Hollow, a dangerous dip in the ground to the left of the green and the flagstick was perched just over a small rise. To get it close would need a delicate touch and at his first attempt Sandy had the touch of a donkey wearing boxing gloves. The ball came right back to his feet. But unknown to him at the time, immediately behind on the 17th, Bernhard Langer and David Graham were also making bogey, so Sandy’s second chip and a putt were good enough. Just. Stone me, said Sandy. Screw you, said Langer and Graham.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Moe Norman
Moe Norman was the father of the entire Single Axis (SA) golf movement. It’s a simplified golf swing whereby the shaft of the club and the left arm (for a right handed player) function as a single axis.
We teach Straight-Line Golf ™, which is an offshoot from SA golf. Straight-Line Golf was developed by Parmasters Co-Founder and Chief Golf Professional, Scott Hazledine. Scott is known as the Single Axis Golf Expert or SAGE for short.
Have a look at this site. I never knew Moe, but we have many mutual friends.
We teach Straight-Line Golf ™, which is an offshoot from SA golf. Straight-Line Golf was developed by Parmasters Co-Founder and Chief Golf Professional, Scott Hazledine. Scott is known as the Single Axis Golf Expert or SAGE for short.
Have a look at this site. I never knew Moe, but we have many mutual friends.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Disneyland Of Golf
We’re building the Disneyland of golf.
I started working on this analogy over the weekend. I’m sure there are some aspects that don’t fit. I’m really simply focusing on where both businesses – Disneyland and a Parmasters site – spend resources (time, focus, cash, etc.).
Building Disneyland is the easy part. Sure, it must be built to last, to withstand the traffic, to suit its purpose very efficiently and effectively, but none of that is terribly complicated.
However, to almost quote a famous Hollywood movie, “if you build it they will [not necessarily] come.”
Disneyland, much like a Parmasters site, is all about getting people through the gates/doors (i.e. marketing) and ensuring that all patrons have a great time while spending some of their money on location (i.e. service).
From the very first few times that someone hears about Parmasters Waterloo Region (Awareness), through to ongoing, targeted, revenue stream-specific marketing efforts (Interest and Desire), and finally on to their experience within the center (Action), every step must work effectively and efficiently. And each step, each customer interaction must be a very rich, enjoyable, rewarding and positive experience for the patron.
Disneyland (and Disneyworld) does this very, very well.
Parmasters Golf Training Centers, the franchisor, also does this very, very well. They realize this business is about marketing and service. They prescribe some 40+ highly effective marketing strategies, each proven to provide a massive return on the marketing dollars spent. As for service, the operations manual is very thorough. (I can’t get into very much detail here do to confidentiality issues.)
Lastly, since there will be a few customer interactions that are not “very rich, enjoyable, rewarding and positive,” we take all possible steps to ensure we learn from these interactions and do all that we can to make things right. Period.
On another note …
Today has been very productive. I often find that a fantastic workout leads to a fantastic day. But also wonder if a fantastic night’s sleep and attitude leads to both a fantastic workout and fantastic day. Causal relationships are never easy to discern.
I started working on this analogy over the weekend. I’m sure there are some aspects that don’t fit. I’m really simply focusing on where both businesses – Disneyland and a Parmasters site – spend resources (time, focus, cash, etc.).
Building Disneyland is the easy part. Sure, it must be built to last, to withstand the traffic, to suit its purpose very efficiently and effectively, but none of that is terribly complicated.
However, to almost quote a famous Hollywood movie, “if you build it they will [not necessarily] come.”
Disneyland, much like a Parmasters site, is all about getting people through the gates/doors (i.e. marketing) and ensuring that all patrons have a great time while spending some of their money on location (i.e. service).
From the very first few times that someone hears about Parmasters Waterloo Region (Awareness), through to ongoing, targeted, revenue stream-specific marketing efforts (Interest and Desire), and finally on to their experience within the center (Action), every step must work effectively and efficiently. And each step, each customer interaction must be a very rich, enjoyable, rewarding and positive experience for the patron.
Disneyland (and Disneyworld) does this very, very well.
Parmasters Golf Training Centers, the franchisor, also does this very, very well. They realize this business is about marketing and service. They prescribe some 40+ highly effective marketing strategies, each proven to provide a massive return on the marketing dollars spent. As for service, the operations manual is very thorough. (I can’t get into very much detail here do to confidentiality issues.)
Lastly, since there will be a few customer interactions that are not “very rich, enjoyable, rewarding and positive,” we take all possible steps to ensure we learn from these interactions and do all that we can to make things right. Period.
On another note …
Today has been very productive. I often find that a fantastic workout leads to a fantastic day. But also wonder if a fantastic night’s sleep and attitude leads to both a fantastic workout and fantastic day. Causal relationships are never easy to discern.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
The Dog Ate My Homework
It’s been a fairly quiet day in the life of Parmasters Waterloo Region. I started with a good workout, and added a to-do item; a web search for tips on the proper form when bench pressing with a Smith Machine. Proper form on the bench press involves keep ones elbows in – much like a good golf swing, coincidentally. Since I don’t have a spotter at home, I use a Smith Machine, rather than a bench press with free weights. I’m finding it very difficult to keep my elbows in.
The remainder of the day has been spent on office work, reading, yet another hockey game and touring a few potential locations for the business.
Over lunch, after the game, I asked my son what his coach covered in his post-game talk. Apparently, the coach told these young men that it was all the refs’ fault that they lost! I was absolutely astounded!
“All progress begins by telling the truth.” -Dan Sullivan
Blaming a loss on the refs is one of the major problems with minor hockey specifically, and minor sport more generally. Coaches are teaching children that they don’t have to take responsibility. They’re also teaching them that they cannot and do not control their own destiny. How debilitating!
“I was late because of traffic …”
“The dog ate my homework …”
“The other team cheated …”
Who cares? Suck it up. Deliver results.
“If it is to be, it is up to me.” –unknown
After a bit of a rant similar to above, I asked my son if the coach also noted the many calls that should have been made against their team but were not. For example, what about the two off side calls that were missed. And consider the blatant tripping infraction that wasn’t called, and the hook that drew no attention. Apparently these non-calls were not mentioned.
Lastly, aside from this post-game talk that I strongly disagree with, these coaches are doing a great job. Kudos to them for volunteering their time and efforts to coach these young men. I honestly and truly appreciate their efforts. (And yes, each year I volunteer to coach, and each year there are more than enough incumbents to fill all positions. It’s tough to break into the club.)
The remainder of the day has been spent on office work, reading, yet another hockey game and touring a few potential locations for the business.
Over lunch, after the game, I asked my son what his coach covered in his post-game talk. Apparently, the coach told these young men that it was all the refs’ fault that they lost! I was absolutely astounded!
“All progress begins by telling the truth.” -Dan Sullivan
Blaming a loss on the refs is one of the major problems with minor hockey specifically, and minor sport more generally. Coaches are teaching children that they don’t have to take responsibility. They’re also teaching them that they cannot and do not control their own destiny. How debilitating!
“I was late because of traffic …”
“The dog ate my homework …”
“The other team cheated …”
Who cares? Suck it up. Deliver results.
“If it is to be, it is up to me.” –unknown
After a bit of a rant similar to above, I asked my son if the coach also noted the many calls that should have been made against their team but were not. For example, what about the two off side calls that were missed. And consider the blatant tripping infraction that wasn’t called, and the hook that drew no attention. Apparently these non-calls were not mentioned.
Lastly, aside from this post-game talk that I strongly disagree with, these coaches are doing a great job. Kudos to them for volunteering their time and efforts to coach these young men. I honestly and truly appreciate their efforts. (And yes, each year I volunteer to coach, and each year there are more than enough incumbents to fill all positions. It’s tough to break into the club.)
Friday, January 12, 2007
Good Progress Today
Early start today, preceded by a late night. I remained fairly effective today, but I suspect caffeine played a role.
I worked well into the evening last night, and then enjoyed some pure pleasure reading in bed. I’ve just started a Welcome Home by Stuart McLean. I enjoy his Vinyl Café radio programs. The book was a Christmas gift, from 2005! I feel guilty that it’s taken so long to get to it, and hope my in-laws aren’t reading this blog! I’ve simply been engrossed by business and productivity books of late.
This morning was a 5:30am rise to deliver my eldest son to his 7:00am school hockey game. We’ll be heading back to the same arena later this evening for a hockey practice. A second home.
Lots of good progress today – largely due to the caffeine intake – on both finding a location for our business, and building a team of investors.
I’ve also resolved – not really aligned with New Year’s – to dedicate 15-30 minutes weekly to speaking to another franchise owner within the Parmasters system. This afternoon I covered an array of topics with Matt Jeffrey of Halifax. Time well spent.
For now, I’ll leave you with this momentous thought:
“If profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is.” -Horace G. Hutchinson
I worked well into the evening last night, and then enjoyed some pure pleasure reading in bed. I’ve just started a Welcome Home by Stuart McLean. I enjoy his Vinyl Café radio programs. The book was a Christmas gift, from 2005! I feel guilty that it’s taken so long to get to it, and hope my in-laws aren’t reading this blog! I’ve simply been engrossed by business and productivity books of late.
This morning was a 5:30am rise to deliver my eldest son to his 7:00am school hockey game. We’ll be heading back to the same arena later this evening for a hockey practice. A second home.
Lots of good progress today – largely due to the caffeine intake – on both finding a location for our business, and building a team of investors.
I’ve also resolved – not really aligned with New Year’s – to dedicate 15-30 minutes weekly to speaking to another franchise owner within the Parmasters system. This afternoon I covered an array of topics with Matt Jeffrey of Halifax. Time well spent.
For now, I’ll leave you with this momentous thought:
“If profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is.” -Horace G. Hutchinson
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Golf Can Be Simple And Fun Again
I wanted to follow up on Tony Badea’s post from yesterday. I didn’t comment yesterday because the post was long enough – and very informative – on its own.
Tony noted that “many golfers are frustrated at their level of play.” We at Parmasters definitely agree. And we’re here to help. If you participate in our training, you will achieve a 25% reduction in your handicap (or your average scores relative to par if you do not track a handicap). We guarantee it!
Tony also notes that both golf and sales “are thought of as simple pursuits but are in fact very difficult to accomplish successfully.” I will not argue about sales. Tony is the sales expert. Not me.
When it comes to golf, I agree the traditional golf swing is “very difficult.” But, for those that adopt our Straight-Line Golf ™ techniques, golf becomes simple and far more enjoyable!
Now that that’s been clarified …
It’s been a busy week so far. We’re finalizing lease offers, cleaning up a bunch of tasks, and also continuing to meet new future investors.
And then my Blackberry stopped working! Yikes! It was old, and had served me well. It’s been replaced. Gone, but not forgotten …
Tony noted that “many golfers are frustrated at their level of play.” We at Parmasters definitely agree. And we’re here to help. If you participate in our training, you will achieve a 25% reduction in your handicap (or your average scores relative to par if you do not track a handicap). We guarantee it!
Tony also notes that both golf and sales “are thought of as simple pursuits but are in fact very difficult to accomplish successfully.” I will not argue about sales. Tony is the sales expert. Not me.
When it comes to golf, I agree the traditional golf swing is “very difficult.” But, for those that adopt our Straight-Line Golf ™ techniques, golf becomes simple and far more enjoyable!
Now that that’s been clarified …
It’s been a busy week so far. We’re finalizing lease offers, cleaning up a bunch of tasks, and also continuing to meet new future investors.
And then my Blackberry stopped working! Yikes! It was old, and had served me well. It’s been replaced. Gone, but not forgotten …
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Putt for Dough
I posted previously about Tony Badea and his use of golf as a metaphor for sales. I invited Tony to prepare a post. So, without any further adieu, I'll let Tony take it away ...
There’s an old saying that you “Drive for show; Putt for dough!” While this is certainly true of the game of golf it can also be said for the world of selling. How many times have you given a killer presentation only to fumble when it came to asking for the order? The presentation itself does not guarantee a successful sale. Like golf, you must master all aspects of the selling process to increase the odds of closing the sale.
Many golfers are frustrated at their level of play because just when the driver is starting to feel good in their hands their putter fails them, or their short game. It’s the same for salespeople. The sales call may be going great but then you fumble handling an objection or freeze when asking for the order. Talk about frustrating!
Selling and Golf have one main thing in common; they both rely on flawless, systematic execution to produce satisfactory results. Both are thought of as simple pursuits but are in fact very difficult to accomplish successfully.
They also have other things in common:
Without understanding the basic fact that there actually is a system for sales success most salespeople skip or ignore key components to the sales process. Let me give you an example. In golf, if you were standing on the tee box of a 560-yard, Par 5 hole at your local country club, you wouldn’t take out your putter to use off the tee. Or course not! That would be stupid and foolish. Instead, you would use the club that offered the best chance for getting the ball as far as possible down the fairway; your driver. Next, assuming that your ball landed in the fairway, you would use a fairway wood or long iron while still keeping your putter in your bag. Next would be a short iron for an approach shot. Your putter would only make an appearance when you were somewhere near the green and you wanted to roll the ball in the hole. Good golfers know that there is a systematic approach to golf!
As a professional salesperson you have to understand that there are steps to the selling process as well. If you miss or short-cut these steps you are setting yourself up for failure. What if went into a sales call and before even saying hello, asked for the order? You’re right; you would probably be thrown out of the office. What if you went through the entire presentation and then forgot to ask for the order? Your customer would probably thank you for your time and then buy from someone else.
Let’s face it, if you want to be a good salesperson then you must take the time to learn and execute the proper steps of the sales cycle. These are:
The quicker you strengthen your skills in these key competencies then the faster your sales numbers will grow. Now you can do this by working year after year, struggling to learn by trial and error or you can do what most professionals do; learn from those who came before them. Most people have used or adapted a successful system others have developed rather than struggle themselves.
Golfers have done it for generations. Many professional golfers today use a grip called the “Vardon Grip” that was popularized by the great Harry Vardon at the tail end of the 1800’s over 100 years ago! (Trivia time: What people don’t know is that Harry’s grip was actually invented by a Scottish amateur named John Laidley years before.) The game of golf has become popular because anyone can be taught how to play by those who already know how.
You can be taught how to sell properly! Sales training courses, like Driving Fore Sales Success, teach sales skills that have been used successfully by others for years! Learning from those who have been on the “Fairways of Sales” will ensure that your selling career will flourish and help you break “Par” faster then you ever thought possible.
So I encourage you to take the time right now to learn a sales system so that you can become the “Sales Professional” that I know you were meant to be!
Tony Badea is President of Stonebridge & Pippin, a sales training organization based in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. He is the author and creator of “Driving Fore Sales Success”, a sales training system that uses the systematic approach of golf to teach salespeople that selling utilizes a repeatable process for success. His 22 years of real-world selling and his love of golf make him passionate about what he does. He can be reached at tbadea1636@rogers.com.
© Stonebridge & Pippin 2006
By Tony BadeaSpeaker, Trainer and Author of Driving Fore Sales Success
There’s an old saying that you “Drive for show; Putt for dough!” While this is certainly true of the game of golf it can also be said for the world of selling. How many times have you given a killer presentation only to fumble when it came to asking for the order? The presentation itself does not guarantee a successful sale. Like golf, you must master all aspects of the selling process to increase the odds of closing the sale.
Many golfers are frustrated at their level of play because just when the driver is starting to feel good in their hands their putter fails them, or their short game. It’s the same for salespeople. The sales call may be going great but then you fumble handling an objection or freeze when asking for the order. Talk about frustrating!
Selling and Golf have one main thing in common; they both rely on flawless, systematic execution to produce satisfactory results. Both are thought of as simple pursuits but are in fact very difficult to accomplish successfully.
They also have other things in common:
- Both are stressful. One wrong move can undo everything you’ve worked hard to achieve.
- Both require mental energy. Steady nerves are the key to the game between the golfer and the course, or the salesperson and the client.
- At the professional level, you have to win to eat. Your pay is dependent on your performance. If you win (close the sale) you get paid and keep your job. If not, you’ll be living on peanut butter sandwiches and sleeping in your car.
- It’s Fun! Golfers and salespeople wouldn’t keep doing it if it weren’t fun.
- They both use a repeatable system for consistent results.
- The top participants were taught a system for success.
Without understanding the basic fact that there actually is a system for sales success most salespeople skip or ignore key components to the sales process. Let me give you an example. In golf, if you were standing on the tee box of a 560-yard, Par 5 hole at your local country club, you wouldn’t take out your putter to use off the tee. Or course not! That would be stupid and foolish. Instead, you would use the club that offered the best chance for getting the ball as far as possible down the fairway; your driver. Next, assuming that your ball landed in the fairway, you would use a fairway wood or long iron while still keeping your putter in your bag. Next would be a short iron for an approach shot. Your putter would only make an appearance when you were somewhere near the green and you wanted to roll the ball in the hole. Good golfers know that there is a systematic approach to golf!
As a professional salesperson you have to understand that there are steps to the selling process as well. If you miss or short-cut these steps you are setting yourself up for failure. What if went into a sales call and before even saying hello, asked for the order? You’re right; you would probably be thrown out of the office. What if you went through the entire presentation and then forgot to ask for the order? Your customer would probably thank you for your time and then buy from someone else.
Let’s face it, if you want to be a good salesperson then you must take the time to learn and execute the proper steps of the sales cycle. These are:
- Planning and/or preparation
- Introduction or opening
- Questioning
- Presentation
- Overcoming objections/negotiating
- The close or closing
- After-sales follow-up
The quicker you strengthen your skills in these key competencies then the faster your sales numbers will grow. Now you can do this by working year after year, struggling to learn by trial and error or you can do what most professionals do; learn from those who came before them. Most people have used or adapted a successful system others have developed rather than struggle themselves.
Golfers have done it for generations. Many professional golfers today use a grip called the “Vardon Grip” that was popularized by the great Harry Vardon at the tail end of the 1800’s over 100 years ago! (Trivia time: What people don’t know is that Harry’s grip was actually invented by a Scottish amateur named John Laidley years before.) The game of golf has become popular because anyone can be taught how to play by those who already know how.
You can be taught how to sell properly! Sales training courses, like Driving Fore Sales Success, teach sales skills that have been used successfully by others for years! Learning from those who have been on the “Fairways of Sales” will ensure that your selling career will flourish and help you break “Par” faster then you ever thought possible.
So I encourage you to take the time right now to learn a sales system so that you can become the “Sales Professional” that I know you were meant to be!
Tony Badea is President of Stonebridge & Pippin, a sales training organization based in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. He is the author and creator of “Driving Fore Sales Success”, a sales training system that uses the systematic approach of golf to teach salespeople that selling utilizes a repeatable process for success. His 22 years of real-world selling and his love of golf make him passionate about what he does. He can be reached at tbadea1636@rogers.com.
© Stonebridge & Pippin 2006
By Tony BadeaSpeaker, Trainer and Author of Driving Fore Sales Success
Monday, January 08, 2007
New Systems Put To The Test
Today was the first real, full-impact day after the holidays. While I did work last week, most of the week was spent cleaning up old tasks, brainstorming, catching up on my reading and adjusting my personal productivity systems.
Today was also the first full day using said new systems. It went well, but I’ve under-estimated the complexity of the change. It will take several days to really hit my stride, and perhaps weeks to feel truly comfortable with this new approach.
Apparently, as I was blogging on Friday evening, Stephen Ames was busily giving a few strokes back to the field. Congratulations to Vijay Singh on his Mercedes-Benz Championship victory and the accompanying 4,500 FedExCup points. Ames finished T11.
This week the PGA Tour moves to Honolulu, Hawaii for the Sony Open in Hawaii, where David Toms is the defending champ.
The Champions Tour season begins this week in Maui, Hawaii with the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game, where the defending champs are Dana Quigley and Raymond Floyd.
The Nationwide Tour starts in a couple of weeks.
The LPGA Tour kicks off next week.
And finally, the Futures Tour waits until March for its first tourney, and the Legends Tour starts in April.
The Ladies European Tour starts next week while the European men get started this week with the Joburg Open in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is the first staging of the Joburg Open.
And that list merely scratches the surface of tournament golf around the globe! Stay tuned for our first inter-site Parmasters tournaments. I’m quite certain Waterloo Region will have to challenge Halifax shortly after we open!
Today was also the first full day using said new systems. It went well, but I’ve under-estimated the complexity of the change. It will take several days to really hit my stride, and perhaps weeks to feel truly comfortable with this new approach.
Apparently, as I was blogging on Friday evening, Stephen Ames was busily giving a few strokes back to the field. Congratulations to Vijay Singh on his Mercedes-Benz Championship victory and the accompanying 4,500 FedExCup points. Ames finished T11.
This week the PGA Tour moves to Honolulu, Hawaii for the Sony Open in Hawaii, where David Toms is the defending champ.
The Champions Tour season begins this week in Maui, Hawaii with the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game, where the defending champs are Dana Quigley and Raymond Floyd.
The Nationwide Tour starts in a couple of weeks.
The LPGA Tour kicks off next week.
And finally, the Futures Tour waits until March for its first tourney, and the Legends Tour starts in April.
The Ladies European Tour starts next week while the European men get started this week with the Joburg Open in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is the first staging of the Joburg Open.
And that list merely scratches the surface of tournament golf around the globe! Stay tuned for our first inter-site Parmasters tournaments. I’m quite certain Waterloo Region will have to challenge Halifax shortly after we open!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Getting Things Done by David Allen
I’ve dedicated the weekend to adjusting my personal productivity systems and processes. This effort has been at least partially driven by one of my Christmas presents, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen.
I have adopted several of David’s concepts and many were already part of my arsenal. Others simply didn’t seem to work for me.
David lays out an entire system for, well, getting things done, and doing so in a stress-free way. The book is well-titled! While you’ll have to read the book to pick up on the many nuances, I can summarize a few of his guiding principles.
1) Be In The Moment – Focus all of your mental abilities on the task at hand, whatever that task may be. To do this, you cannot have other tasks, or lists, or appointments that you’re trying to remember cluttering your mind. Implement systems to capture all of your tasks, your lists, project details, appointments, contact information, etc., and ensure that these things are captured outside of your mind. Thus, freeing your mind to focus.
2) You Must Capture All Of Your “Stuff” – Your system will not work, you will not trust it, and it will not leave your mind unfettered to focus on the task at hand if you do not capture absolutely ALL tasks, lists, appointments, etc. You must be exhaustive.
3) Maintain An Ongoing Project List – David defines a project as any to-do item that will require more than one step to complete. Review this list at least weekly.
4) Next Actions Must Always Be “Actions” – David suggests that you do the hard thinking about a task/next-action as you’re depositing it into your system. As an example, “Brakes fixed” is not a next-action. You can’t simply do “brakes fixed.” Rather, you may note a next-action like “Call garage to book appointment to get brakes fixed.” The former example requires thinking before execution, and thus may lead to procrastination. The latter example requires no thinking whatsoever, only doing.
5) Have Buckets To Collect All Of Your “Stuff” – Examples include a waiting-for file for items that you’ve assigned to someone else; a someday-maybe file for items that are not actionable, but may be someday; a tickler file to allow you to mail things to yourself in the future, etc.
There are many other reviews available on the web. I believe this one is quite accurate.
I highly recommend Getting Things Done. Reading it is easy. Implementing the systems will take a little longer.
I have adopted several of David’s concepts and many were already part of my arsenal. Others simply didn’t seem to work for me.
David lays out an entire system for, well, getting things done, and doing so in a stress-free way. The book is well-titled! While you’ll have to read the book to pick up on the many nuances, I can summarize a few of his guiding principles.
1) Be In The Moment – Focus all of your mental abilities on the task at hand, whatever that task may be. To do this, you cannot have other tasks, or lists, or appointments that you’re trying to remember cluttering your mind. Implement systems to capture all of your tasks, your lists, project details, appointments, contact information, etc., and ensure that these things are captured outside of your mind. Thus, freeing your mind to focus.
2) You Must Capture All Of Your “Stuff” – Your system will not work, you will not trust it, and it will not leave your mind unfettered to focus on the task at hand if you do not capture absolutely ALL tasks, lists, appointments, etc. You must be exhaustive.
3) Maintain An Ongoing Project List – David defines a project as any to-do item that will require more than one step to complete. Review this list at least weekly.
4) Next Actions Must Always Be “Actions” – David suggests that you do the hard thinking about a task/next-action as you’re depositing it into your system. As an example, “Brakes fixed” is not a next-action. You can’t simply do “brakes fixed.” Rather, you may note a next-action like “Call garage to book appointment to get brakes fixed.” The former example requires thinking before execution, and thus may lead to procrastination. The latter example requires no thinking whatsoever, only doing.
5) Have Buckets To Collect All Of Your “Stuff” – Examples include a waiting-for file for items that you’ve assigned to someone else; a someday-maybe file for items that are not actionable, but may be someday; a tickler file to allow you to mail things to yourself in the future, etc.
There are many other reviews available on the web. I believe this one is quite accurate.
I highly recommend Getting Things Done. Reading it is easy. Implementing the systems will take a little longer.
Friday, January 05, 2007
PGA Tour Season Begins
For those of us that enjoy following the pros, it’s nice to see the PGA Tour season kicking off. And it’s also nice to see – at the time I’m writing this – a Canadian, Stephen Ames, at the top of the leader board.
There are lots of changes on the PGA Tour this year. The FedExCup will certainly cause many players to alter their schedules. It should also be lots of fun to watch. As they say, “these guys are good,” and I’m quite certain that the $10M first prize will have them doing their very best to be good at the right times.
And those of us that subscribe to the Golf Channel can now see Thursday and Friday round coverage of PGA Tour events! Great news!
I saw a little of the Mercedes-Benz Championship on the Golf Channel last night. The wind seemed very strong.
Rocco Mediate – while I’ve never met him, he just seems like a great guy – did a little course introduction piece for the Golf Channel focusing on the first five holes at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort. He noted that the wind was a critical factor on the first five holes, making it a very tough start. If a golfer gets through those holes well, he’ll be heading into a series of birdie holes with a great mind set. If he struggles on the first few holes, he’ll head into those birdie holes either (a) down on himself or (b) too aggressively trying to make up ground. Either way, disaster.
I think there’s a strong lesson in those few words for all amateur golfers, myself included. Stay in the moment. Put the past in the past. Focus on the present. Execute the next shot perfectly. And then the next.
“There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who can do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can ... give all our attention to the opportunity before us.” -Mark Van Doren
There are lots of changes on the PGA Tour this year. The FedExCup will certainly cause many players to alter their schedules. It should also be lots of fun to watch. As they say, “these guys are good,” and I’m quite certain that the $10M first prize will have them doing their very best to be good at the right times.
And those of us that subscribe to the Golf Channel can now see Thursday and Friday round coverage of PGA Tour events! Great news!
I saw a little of the Mercedes-Benz Championship on the Golf Channel last night. The wind seemed very strong.
Rocco Mediate – while I’ve never met him, he just seems like a great guy – did a little course introduction piece for the Golf Channel focusing on the first five holes at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort. He noted that the wind was a critical factor on the first five holes, making it a very tough start. If a golfer gets through those holes well, he’ll be heading into a series of birdie holes with a great mind set. If he struggles on the first few holes, he’ll head into those birdie holes either (a) down on himself or (b) too aggressively trying to make up ground. Either way, disaster.
I think there’s a strong lesson in those few words for all amateur golfers, myself included. Stay in the moment. Put the past in the past. Focus on the present. Execute the next shot perfectly. And then the next.
“There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who can do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can ... give all our attention to the opportunity before us.” -Mark Van Doren
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Sales Training And An Amazing Golf Resume
I recently met Tony Badea over breakfast. Through his company, Stonebridge & Pippin, Tony provides robust, all-encompassing sales training AND he uses golf as a metaphor for the sales process. We didn’t get into a lot of details over a quick breakfast, but initial prospecting, cold calling, etc., is akin to teeing up the ball. Closing the deal equals putting out.
I have a copy of his book, Driving Fore Sales Success: A Sales Training System, but have not yet read it. (My stack of books-to-read tends to balloon with Christmas gifts!) When I do read it, I’ll post a review.
I’m also going to invite Tony to write a post for this blog. He’ll clearly do the topic much more justice than me.
Tony would obviously prefer to host his seminars in a golfing venue. We think this would be a perfect fit for Parmasters Waterloo Region, and a strong compliment to our Business Golf Seminar series (keys to hosting successful business meetings within a golfing environment). More discussions will follow.
I’ve also just sent out our latest bi-weekly update. I assemble an email update bi-weekly to keep our many supporters and stakeholders informed.
In creating the update, I researched Scott Hazledine’s golfing resume. Scott is Chief Golf Professional and Co-Founder at Parmasters Golf Training Centers. He was a touring pro for many years. He also developed the golf training system that Parmasters offers, Straight-Line Golf ™.
Via Straight-Line Golf, we guarantee that we’ll reduce your handicap by 25%. If you do not achieve a 25% reduction in your handicap, you can either have your money back, or we’ll work with you until you achieve the 25% reduction. Your choice.
Upon reviewing Scott’s resume, it’s clear that Straight-Line Golf helps him hit the ball VERY straight. He holds 22 course records. He’s recorded 19 holes-in-one and 8 double-eagles … so far!
I have a copy of his book, Driving Fore Sales Success: A Sales Training System, but have not yet read it. (My stack of books-to-read tends to balloon with Christmas gifts!) When I do read it, I’ll post a review.
I’m also going to invite Tony to write a post for this blog. He’ll clearly do the topic much more justice than me.
Tony would obviously prefer to host his seminars in a golfing venue. We think this would be a perfect fit for Parmasters Waterloo Region, and a strong compliment to our Business Golf Seminar series (keys to hosting successful business meetings within a golfing environment). More discussions will follow.
I’ve also just sent out our latest bi-weekly update. I assemble an email update bi-weekly to keep our many supporters and stakeholders informed.
In creating the update, I researched Scott Hazledine’s golfing resume. Scott is Chief Golf Professional and Co-Founder at Parmasters Golf Training Centers. He was a touring pro for many years. He also developed the golf training system that Parmasters offers, Straight-Line Golf ™.
Via Straight-Line Golf, we guarantee that we’ll reduce your handicap by 25%. If you do not achieve a 25% reduction in your handicap, you can either have your money back, or we’ll work with you until you achieve the 25% reduction. Your choice.
Upon reviewing Scott’s resume, it’s clear that Straight-Line Golf helps him hit the ball VERY straight. He holds 22 course records. He’s recorded 19 holes-in-one and 8 double-eagles … so far!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Time Well Spent
‘Tis the time that many of us pause and consider some of the larger questions in life. What is my purpose? What’s important to me? Am I doing what I love? If not, why not? Etc.
I’ve been doing the same. My thinking often gravitates back to productivity, how I approach the work that I do, how I balance work and family, etc.
Interestingly, I read an article today in the December 2006 Harvard Business Review (HBR) titled “Extreme Jobs: The Dangerous Allure of the 70-Hour Workweek.” Despite the authors’ best efforts, and with all due respect, I didn’t find much within the article that was surprising.
They touched upon the pressures that people feel, but also the fact that many people work long hours and love their jobs. They noted some of the standard dangers – poor relationships, poor health, burn-out.
What I really found interesting were some of the anecdotes in the article, describing real people (identities hidden) and their experiences. Such as the fellow that works upwards of 120 hours per week! Or the gent that works six days per week, and gets home, to Connecticut, to see his wife and children, only on Sundays.
And I thought I logged a few hours!
As I’ve posted on previously, I work longer hours now, than I really want to, because I’m building a business. Eventually, according to plan, the business will operate very successfully with less time from me. But during this building phase, my time is very much in demand.
I’m actually currently challenging – or rethinking – my entire schedule, the way I organize tasks, track success, etc. I’m not sure I’ll make any grand, sweeping changes. The changes may be minor tweaks. But I’m not sure. I’m early in the process. I expect it to take a lot of this week. I believe it’s time well spent.
I’ve been doing the same. My thinking often gravitates back to productivity, how I approach the work that I do, how I balance work and family, etc.
Interestingly, I read an article today in the December 2006 Harvard Business Review (HBR) titled “Extreme Jobs: The Dangerous Allure of the 70-Hour Workweek.” Despite the authors’ best efforts, and with all due respect, I didn’t find much within the article that was surprising.
They touched upon the pressures that people feel, but also the fact that many people work long hours and love their jobs. They noted some of the standard dangers – poor relationships, poor health, burn-out.
What I really found interesting were some of the anecdotes in the article, describing real people (identities hidden) and their experiences. Such as the fellow that works upwards of 120 hours per week! Or the gent that works six days per week, and gets home, to Connecticut, to see his wife and children, only on Sundays.
And I thought I logged a few hours!
As I’ve posted on previously, I work longer hours now, than I really want to, because I’m building a business. Eventually, according to plan, the business will operate very successfully with less time from me. But during this building phase, my time is very much in demand.
I’m actually currently challenging – or rethinking – my entire schedule, the way I organize tasks, track success, etc. I’m not sure I’ll make any grand, sweeping changes. The changes may be minor tweaks. But I’m not sure. I’m early in the process. I expect it to take a lot of this week. I believe it’s time well spent.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Profitable in 2007
It’s been an amazing year for Parmasters Waterloo Region. We formed the company and purchased the franchise. We tied the next ten years of our lives to the good ship Parmasters. And happily so. I believe 2006 will be remembered as a very important year.
And with the end of 2006, springs the beginning of 2007. We will sign a lease and begin construction. Membership marketing and sales will follow. As will lots of training, interviewing and hiring. And then we’ll be into the whirlwind of opening and our early days in operation.
And hopefully, before we end 2007, profitability. Yes, a lofty goal. You heard it here first. It’s entirely possible. Certainly difficult, but also quite possible. We’ll have our answer in just over 365 days.
Two more days of RnR, and then it’s back to work. I’ve been catching up on my journals, and doing a quite a bit of strategic thinking. I’ve also been playing with my boys, watching some movies with my wife, and generally putting my feet up. I’m just now starting to unwind, and actually feel relaxed. It’s taken six days!
I’ll close with words that inspire me, and hopefully you.
Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe; dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible. -unknown
All the very best in 2007 and beyond!
And with the end of 2006, springs the beginning of 2007. We will sign a lease and begin construction. Membership marketing and sales will follow. As will lots of training, interviewing and hiring. And then we’ll be into the whirlwind of opening and our early days in operation.
And hopefully, before we end 2007, profitability. Yes, a lofty goal. You heard it here first. It’s entirely possible. Certainly difficult, but also quite possible. We’ll have our answer in just over 365 days.
Two more days of RnR, and then it’s back to work. I’ve been catching up on my journals, and doing a quite a bit of strategic thinking. I’ve also been playing with my boys, watching some movies with my wife, and generally putting my feet up. I’m just now starting to unwind, and actually feel relaxed. It’s taken six days!
I’ll close with words that inspire me, and hopefully you.
Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise; risking more than others think is safe; dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible. -unknown
All the very best in 2007 and beyond!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
My blogging will undoubtedly slow down as we lead up to Christmas and New Years Day. It’s a time of celebration, family and friendship.
In fact, I am currently planning to take next week off. No work. I haven’t decided if that includes blogging or not.
Saturday was busy. Just one meeting, but I’m also trying to get several things done, in preparation for January and beyond. We’re preparing offers to lease on two buildings, and considering a third. Once lease offers are in place, I will have much more activity on a weekly basis.
Sunday will be a final push to put everything in place before January. After that, I’ll take a week off. Time to sharpen the saw, as Stephen Covey says.
For all Christians, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Fruitful New Year. For all of you of other faiths, may you enjoy any holidays you take, and also of course have a very Happy and Fruitful New Year.
In fact, I am currently planning to take next week off. No work. I haven’t decided if that includes blogging or not.
Saturday was busy. Just one meeting, but I’m also trying to get several things done, in preparation for January and beyond. We’re preparing offers to lease on two buildings, and considering a third. Once lease offers are in place, I will have much more activity on a weekly basis.
Sunday will be a final push to put everything in place before January. After that, I’ll take a week off. Time to sharpen the saw, as Stephen Covey says.
For all Christians, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Fruitful New Year. For all of you of other faiths, may you enjoy any holidays you take, and also of course have a very Happy and Fruitful New Year.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Hank Haney Visits Parmasters Memphis
Hank Haney was selected by the number one golfer in the world as his coach. Tiger Woods, as he shatters professional golf records and benchmarks, takes instruction from Hank Haney.
So, it was with great excitement, that the owners of Parmasters Memphis welcomed coach Haney into their state-of-the-art golf training center.
And how did coach Haney react?
He loved the facility. I can’t quote him because I wasn’t there. Also, we likely need his permission to publish his comments, or rather, his endorsement. And it was just that, an endorsement.
However, I was told that his comment regarding our fluency bays was something like “these bays are one of the most innovative and effective golf training tools I’ve ever seen.” (I will continue to seek the actual quote, and if I receive it, I’ll post it. But that, as I understand it, is pretty close.)
Our fluency bays include an automated tee. The golfer hits into a net. The bays are private, sheltered by frosted glass. A ball is teed up, automatically, every 1.5 seconds. This allows the golfer to simply swing, repeatedly, developing a rhythm, a movement, and a timing that works best.
We can't guarantee that we'll turn you into the next world's number one. But we can guarantee a 25% reduction in your handicap, or your money back. And our fluency bays help us achieve that 25%.
So, it was with great excitement, that the owners of Parmasters Memphis welcomed coach Haney into their state-of-the-art golf training center.
And how did coach Haney react?
He loved the facility. I can’t quote him because I wasn’t there. Also, we likely need his permission to publish his comments, or rather, his endorsement. And it was just that, an endorsement.
However, I was told that his comment regarding our fluency bays was something like “these bays are one of the most innovative and effective golf training tools I’ve ever seen.” (I will continue to seek the actual quote, and if I receive it, I’ll post it. But that, as I understand it, is pretty close.)
Our fluency bays include an automated tee. The golfer hits into a net. The bays are private, sheltered by frosted glass. A ball is teed up, automatically, every 1.5 seconds. This allows the golfer to simply swing, repeatedly, developing a rhythm, a movement, and a timing that works best.
We can't guarantee that we'll turn you into the next world's number one. But we can guarantee a 25% reduction in your handicap, or your money back. And our fluency bays help us achieve that 25%.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Our Cause - Right To Play
As some of you may know, Parmasters Golf Training Centers, and all franchise owners, support Right To Play (WARNING: Don't visit the Right To Play website if you don't enjoy the sound of children playing and laughing.). One dollar from each paid golf lesson goes to Right To Play. In addition, our centers will run other fundraisers. Parmasters Memphis did so earlier this year.
Here’s a year-end update from Right To Play. They do exceptional work. I’m sure they won’t mind my plagiarism.
As the year draws to a close, I am pleased to take this opportunity to update you on the successes of Right To Play in 2006, and give you a glimpse into what we have planned for 2007.
The year got off to a great start at the Torino Olympic Games. The generosity of speed skaters Joey Cheek, Clara Hughes and Yang Yang A., after their gold medal wins, spurred an incredible boost in awareness and fundraising for Right To Play. That momentum stayed with us throughout the entire year.
We were excited to begin several new projects this year: working with Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan; returned refugees and internally displaced persons in Liberia; and working in Tsunami affected communities in Thailand and Indonesia. We also laid the ground work to begin in Sri Lanka. This brought our total to 46 projects implemented in 22 countries in 2006. In 2007, we look forward to starting a project in The People’s Republic of China and seven new projects in current project countries.
I'd like to take this chance to highlight the incredible work at our new project in Lebanon. This project was begun in March 2006, and by the time war broke out in July, the local Project Coordinators had been hired and trained, the offices were set up and 140 coaches from 50 local NGOs were trained to run Right To Play activities in summer camps. Although the war meant the cancellation of summer camps, Right To Play staff refused to stand idly by. Right To Play Lebanon coordinated relief work, carried out sport and play activities for approximately 5500 Palestinian and Lebanese children displaced by the war and even conducted training workshops for 32 new coaches. As a result of this work, Right To Play, a relatively new organization in Lebanon, has been recognized as a non-political, non-partisan organization that helps children on all sides of a conflict and has gained the respect not only of the local community but also of other NGOs.
There are a few other stories this year that also stand out in my mind: I was particularly struck by the story of eighteen year old Right To Play coach Justin Cuna in Mozambique. Justin grew up on the outskirts of Maputo, Mozambique, in a community that makes its living off the city’s main garbage dump. Like the other children, Justin used to spend his days playing in the garbage dump, looking for toys or food. Now, Justin is a Right To Play coach running sport and play activities twice a week for children in his own community. Justin says “Now the kids don’t wake up in the morning to go play in the dump, they wake up to play football with Right To Play”.
Another story that remains in my mind is the story of the 10-year-old Afghan girl named Samiva whose face was disfigured when the Taliban set fire to her family's home forcing them to flee to Pakistan. In Pakistan her family would not permit her to attend school as they were afraid the other children would make fun of her. Local Right To Play Assistant Coach Tamina knew that a key principle of Right To Play is the inclusion of girls and children with disabilities and so determined to do everything in her power to help the girl. Through her persistent encouragement, the parents agreed to allow their daughter to attend school and participate in Right To Play programs. At first she was very shy and frightened but, through the power of sport and play, she has gradually become more and more active and gained great confidence. Thousands more girls are benefiting from the renewed hope that Right To Play programs bring, in partnership with Pakistan’s Insan Foundation.
These children and youth are the reason that we continually work to improve our organization. One of our key initiatives in 2006 has been the continuation of a strategic decentralization process. In 2005, we made the decision to decentralize, shifting field operations responsibilities from Headquarters to Regional and Country Offices. We made this decision in order to best support program excellence, enhance sustainability and more effectively manage program growth by moving decision making closer to the projects. We now have four Regional offices with Regional Managers in place and eight strong local Country Managers. In 2007, we will continue this process by hiring more local leads including nine more Country Managers and nine Program Managers.
In 2006 we also embarked on a process to review and improve all of our Program material, including all curriculum, modules and training. This process was infused with a great deal of momentum after hiring our new Director of Program this fall. Other important areas of focus this year have been the continued improvement of our logistical systems and our first step towards moving from short term project funding proposals towards multi year program proposals using Results Based Management.
I’d like to thank all of our supporters, partners, staff, volunteers and friends for helping to make 2006 a great year for Right To Play. All of this could not be done without you and your support! We are now looking forward to 2007 with great anticipation as we expect to see the positive results of our hard work this year through the increased quality of our programs and our ability to reach even more children.
If you have not already contributed to Right To Play in 2006, and would like to do so, it is not too late. Just log onto our special holiday campaign on the Right To Play website.
Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season,
Johann O. Koss
President and CEO
Right To Play
Here’s a year-end update from Right To Play. They do exceptional work. I’m sure they won’t mind my plagiarism.
As the year draws to a close, I am pleased to take this opportunity to update you on the successes of Right To Play in 2006, and give you a glimpse into what we have planned for 2007.
The year got off to a great start at the Torino Olympic Games. The generosity of speed skaters Joey Cheek, Clara Hughes and Yang Yang A., after their gold medal wins, spurred an incredible boost in awareness and fundraising for Right To Play. That momentum stayed with us throughout the entire year.
We were excited to begin several new projects this year: working with Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan; returned refugees and internally displaced persons in Liberia; and working in Tsunami affected communities in Thailand and Indonesia. We also laid the ground work to begin in Sri Lanka. This brought our total to 46 projects implemented in 22 countries in 2006. In 2007, we look forward to starting a project in The People’s Republic of China and seven new projects in current project countries.
I'd like to take this chance to highlight the incredible work at our new project in Lebanon. This project was begun in March 2006, and by the time war broke out in July, the local Project Coordinators had been hired and trained, the offices were set up and 140 coaches from 50 local NGOs were trained to run Right To Play activities in summer camps. Although the war meant the cancellation of summer camps, Right To Play staff refused to stand idly by. Right To Play Lebanon coordinated relief work, carried out sport and play activities for approximately 5500 Palestinian and Lebanese children displaced by the war and even conducted training workshops for 32 new coaches. As a result of this work, Right To Play, a relatively new organization in Lebanon, has been recognized as a non-political, non-partisan organization that helps children on all sides of a conflict and has gained the respect not only of the local community but also of other NGOs.
There are a few other stories this year that also stand out in my mind: I was particularly struck by the story of eighteen year old Right To Play coach Justin Cuna in Mozambique. Justin grew up on the outskirts of Maputo, Mozambique, in a community that makes its living off the city’s main garbage dump. Like the other children, Justin used to spend his days playing in the garbage dump, looking for toys or food. Now, Justin is a Right To Play coach running sport and play activities twice a week for children in his own community. Justin says “Now the kids don’t wake up in the morning to go play in the dump, they wake up to play football with Right To Play”.
Another story that remains in my mind is the story of the 10-year-old Afghan girl named Samiva whose face was disfigured when the Taliban set fire to her family's home forcing them to flee to Pakistan. In Pakistan her family would not permit her to attend school as they were afraid the other children would make fun of her. Local Right To Play Assistant Coach Tamina knew that a key principle of Right To Play is the inclusion of girls and children with disabilities and so determined to do everything in her power to help the girl. Through her persistent encouragement, the parents agreed to allow their daughter to attend school and participate in Right To Play programs. At first she was very shy and frightened but, through the power of sport and play, she has gradually become more and more active and gained great confidence. Thousands more girls are benefiting from the renewed hope that Right To Play programs bring, in partnership with Pakistan’s Insan Foundation.
These children and youth are the reason that we continually work to improve our organization. One of our key initiatives in 2006 has been the continuation of a strategic decentralization process. In 2005, we made the decision to decentralize, shifting field operations responsibilities from Headquarters to Regional and Country Offices. We made this decision in order to best support program excellence, enhance sustainability and more effectively manage program growth by moving decision making closer to the projects. We now have four Regional offices with Regional Managers in place and eight strong local Country Managers. In 2007, we will continue this process by hiring more local leads including nine more Country Managers and nine Program Managers.
In 2006 we also embarked on a process to review and improve all of our Program material, including all curriculum, modules and training. This process was infused with a great deal of momentum after hiring our new Director of Program this fall. Other important areas of focus this year have been the continued improvement of our logistical systems and our first step towards moving from short term project funding proposals towards multi year program proposals using Results Based Management.
I’d like to thank all of our supporters, partners, staff, volunteers and friends for helping to make 2006 a great year for Right To Play. All of this could not be done without you and your support! We are now looking forward to 2007 with great anticipation as we expect to see the positive results of our hard work this year through the increased quality of our programs and our ability to reach even more children.
If you have not already contributed to Right To Play in 2006, and would like to do so, it is not too late. Just log onto our special holiday campaign on the Right To Play website.
Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season,
Johann O. Koss
President and CEO
Right To Play
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
The Things You Look At Change
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” -Max Planck, Nobel Prize-winning physicist
Ponder that.
No really, I urge you to stop reading and simply ponder the quote above. There are few words that I would consider more powerful.
Now, assuming you’ve pondered, and you GET IT, and you’re now reading on … I’ll continue …
I heard this relayed by Dr. Wayne Dyer during a lecture I viewed via PBS. As Dr. Dyer relayed the story, Max Planck was referring to some of the smallest known (perhaps THE smallest known, I’m no quantum physicist, at least not yet) elements (perhaps the wrong word) of matter. If you drill down from cells to molecules, to atoms, to protons, neutrons and electrons, and then eventually to quarks, and as you study matter at the sub-atomic level … yes, apparently, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
The implications for every man, woman and child are astronomical. The implications for every business, for every community group, for every government, are astronomical.
I spoke, the other night, to my boys about asking powerful questions. I believe I may have blogged recently about this. If you ask a group to improve a process by 10%, they will come back with ideas to improve by 10%. If you ask the same group to improve by 90%, they will come back with ideas to improve by 90%. Powerful questions. Change the way you look at things.
On the Parmasters Waterloo Region front …
While we’re slowing down for the Christmas season, there are a lot of great things happening. We are preparing offers to lease for two separate buildings. We’re also strongly considering a third. And we may yet end up simply buying a building.
We’ve also had many recent successes related to financing.
I’ve started thinking about future sites also. London. Windsor. Elsewhere. The plan has always been to build a new site every 1.5 to 2 years. We’re starting to analyze a faster, more aggressive schedule.
Ponder that.
No really, I urge you to stop reading and simply ponder the quote above. There are few words that I would consider more powerful.
Now, assuming you’ve pondered, and you GET IT, and you’re now reading on … I’ll continue …
I heard this relayed by Dr. Wayne Dyer during a lecture I viewed via PBS. As Dr. Dyer relayed the story, Max Planck was referring to some of the smallest known (perhaps THE smallest known, I’m no quantum physicist, at least not yet) elements (perhaps the wrong word) of matter. If you drill down from cells to molecules, to atoms, to protons, neutrons and electrons, and then eventually to quarks, and as you study matter at the sub-atomic level … yes, apparently, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
The implications for every man, woman and child are astronomical. The implications for every business, for every community group, for every government, are astronomical.
I spoke, the other night, to my boys about asking powerful questions. I believe I may have blogged recently about this. If you ask a group to improve a process by 10%, they will come back with ideas to improve by 10%. If you ask the same group to improve by 90%, they will come back with ideas to improve by 90%. Powerful questions. Change the way you look at things.
On the Parmasters Waterloo Region front …
While we’re slowing down for the Christmas season, there are a lot of great things happening. We are preparing offers to lease for two separate buildings. We’re also strongly considering a third. And we may yet end up simply buying a building.
We’ve also had many recent successes related to financing.
I’ve started thinking about future sites also. London. Windsor. Elsewhere. The plan has always been to build a new site every 1.5 to 2 years. We’re starting to analyze a faster, more aggressive schedule.
Monday, December 18, 2006
What Did You Do This Past Weekend?
Our local newspaper, the KW Record, has been running a series of ads lately that focus on “what did you do this past weekend?” The idea is, the paper keeps you informed and helps you do more. More life. (Actually, “more life” is a phrase oft used within Parmasters. That’s meant to be one of the many benefits to franchise owners. More life. But that’s another story …)
Anyway, “what did you do this past weekend?” I:
- purchased Christmas gifts for children that may not otherwise receive any and delivered them to a local charity
- cleaned up large stack of office paper work
- met with my regional franchisor (he handles Canada for Parmasters) regarding our search for a suitable location for Parmasters Waterloo Region
- watched my older son block lots of shots and help his team win their hockey game
- did some Christmas shopping for both of our sons
- had a nice meal with my loving wife at Marbles, a downtown Waterloo eatery
- watched the Toronto Maple Leafs dismantle the Rangers
- attended our church service
- talked to my parents
- read a few of my periodicals
- balanced the books for the Special Gifts Fund within our church (planned giving, life insurance, bequests, etc.)
- updated my profile at the Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region (BEP)
- received a speaking request as part of the speaker’s bureau at the BEP
- watched my son’s Sunday afternoon hockey practice
- reviewed my contact list for potential investors to an Ottawa-based software company and future success story
- booked a few meetings with potential/future investors
- and last but never least, played with my young boys
And today, we received some FANTASTIC news out of Parmasters Halifax. Matt Jeffrey and his team (of one other individual) are doing a great job, and along the way, proving the Parmasters concept truly resonates with current and future golfers. Matt (or Parmasters Halifax) now has over 500 members! He reached that lofty plateau this afternoon. He’s not even open yet. That’s not scheduled to happen until March 2007!
Anyway, “what did you do this past weekend?” I:
- purchased Christmas gifts for children that may not otherwise receive any and delivered them to a local charity
- cleaned up large stack of office paper work
- met with my regional franchisor (he handles Canada for Parmasters) regarding our search for a suitable location for Parmasters Waterloo Region
- watched my older son block lots of shots and help his team win their hockey game
- did some Christmas shopping for both of our sons
- had a nice meal with my loving wife at Marbles, a downtown Waterloo eatery
- watched the Toronto Maple Leafs dismantle the Rangers
- attended our church service
- talked to my parents
- read a few of my periodicals
- balanced the books for the Special Gifts Fund within our church (planned giving, life insurance, bequests, etc.)
- updated my profile at the Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region (BEP)
- received a speaking request as part of the speaker’s bureau at the BEP
- watched my son’s Sunday afternoon hockey practice
- reviewed my contact list for potential investors to an Ottawa-based software company and future success story
- booked a few meetings with potential/future investors
- and last but never least, played with my young boys
And today, we received some FANTASTIC news out of Parmasters Halifax. Matt Jeffrey and his team (of one other individual) are doing a great job, and along the way, proving the Parmasters concept truly resonates with current and future golfers. Matt (or Parmasters Halifax) now has over 500 members! He reached that lofty plateau this afternoon. He’s not even open yet. That’s not scheduled to happen until March 2007!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Much To Learn
We’ve hosted two investor conference calls over the past two days (yesterday and today). The President, CEO and Co-founder of Parmasters Golf Training Centers, Tom Matzen, presented during both calls. The attendees are all considering an investment in our franchise, so I asked Tom to spend some time with them.
On Thursday we went through a presentation. Today it was simply Q&A.
While listening to Tom speak, I was continuously reminded of just how much I have yet to learn about this business. It’s a bit like an iceberg. I understand on all that is on/above the surface. But that is only, obviously, a small part of the story.
I will go through extensive training once we have a site secured. (And we’re working night and day to find a site.) I will become familiar with the operations manual, all 6,000+ pages, and growing. I will be certified to teach Straight-Line Golf™. The ops manual offers a detailed procedure for virtually every aspect of the business. I have much learning to do.
So, would I like to have all of this knowledge today? Yes, of course. Is that or was that possible? No, absolutely not.
It’s like all things in life. Acknowledge the current situation. Don’t fool yourself. Don’t deny where you are today, or deny the current situation. Acknowledge it. Then decide where you want to be and when you want to be there. And finally, build a plan to move from the current state to the desired future state.
And so, I must ask more questions. I must do more reading. I must spend more time with other franchisees, my regional franchisor, and others. I must do a little more to build my knowledge base a little faster than I am currently.
At the same time, I’m reminded of this quote:
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. -John Quincy Adams
On Thursday we went through a presentation. Today it was simply Q&A.
While listening to Tom speak, I was continuously reminded of just how much I have yet to learn about this business. It’s a bit like an iceberg. I understand on all that is on/above the surface. But that is only, obviously, a small part of the story.
I will go through extensive training once we have a site secured. (And we’re working night and day to find a site.) I will become familiar with the operations manual, all 6,000+ pages, and growing. I will be certified to teach Straight-Line Golf™. The ops manual offers a detailed procedure for virtually every aspect of the business. I have much learning to do.
So, would I like to have all of this knowledge today? Yes, of course. Is that or was that possible? No, absolutely not.
It’s like all things in life. Acknowledge the current situation. Don’t fool yourself. Don’t deny where you are today, or deny the current situation. Acknowledge it. Then decide where you want to be and when you want to be there. And finally, build a plan to move from the current state to the desired future state.
And so, I must ask more questions. I must do more reading. I must spend more time with other franchisees, my regional franchisor, and others. I must do a little more to build my knowledge base a little faster than I am currently.
At the same time, I’m reminded of this quote:
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. -John Quincy Adams
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Honing My Systems
As many of you know, I am a great believer in systems. They help with both efficiency and effectiveness. I’ve developed my existing systems over many years and they’ve served me well. But they also require a periodic tune-up. Now is such a time.
I’m simply struggling to handle the volume. And the volume is definitely going to increase, until it eventually decreases (when I’m able to hire more staff).
I’m not currently keeping up with my reading, both work related and for pleasure. While I’ve been quite diligent with my morning workouts and runs, I have not kept up with my stretching. There are several stretches that help one’s golf game. I would also like to speak with at least one other Parmasters franchise owner at least weekly, but have not kept pace. Lastly, there are many more things I should be doing with this blog, such as writing actual articles, doing more promotion, etc.
And of course, a little more free time, to re-charge my batteries, would be welcomed also.
All of this suggests I need to become more efficient. I look to improved systems to accomplish this.
I had a similar conversation today with the incoming chair of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation’s Marketing Committee. I serve on the committee. I feel our meetings are very effective and efficient, but also feel there are ways to make better use of committee members’ time. Continuous improvement.
I make heavy use of my MS Outlook Calendar, and my Blackberry, to maintain my schedule. I have a recurring monthly appointment to review and revise how and where I spend my time. I also block off time weekly to ensure I’m working on the right things.
My friend and mentor Jim Estill – and this post really reads like something Jim would post about – has noted the difference between management (doing things efficiently and effectively) and leadership (doing the right things). This is also something I must continually review.
Lastly, I’m quite cognizant of the wisdom of Jay Paterson’s writings on Focus, Free and Buffer Days. While at this point – as I launch our first site in Waterloo Region – my schedule is very heavy, would I be more efficient and effective if I took more Free Days, or dedicated more Focus Days?
Much to ponder …
I’m simply struggling to handle the volume. And the volume is definitely going to increase, until it eventually decreases (when I’m able to hire more staff).
I’m not currently keeping up with my reading, both work related and for pleasure. While I’ve been quite diligent with my morning workouts and runs, I have not kept up with my stretching. There are several stretches that help one’s golf game. I would also like to speak with at least one other Parmasters franchise owner at least weekly, but have not kept pace. Lastly, there are many more things I should be doing with this blog, such as writing actual articles, doing more promotion, etc.
And of course, a little more free time, to re-charge my batteries, would be welcomed also.
All of this suggests I need to become more efficient. I look to improved systems to accomplish this.
I had a similar conversation today with the incoming chair of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation’s Marketing Committee. I serve on the committee. I feel our meetings are very effective and efficient, but also feel there are ways to make better use of committee members’ time. Continuous improvement.
I make heavy use of my MS Outlook Calendar, and my Blackberry, to maintain my schedule. I have a recurring monthly appointment to review and revise how and where I spend my time. I also block off time weekly to ensure I’m working on the right things.
My friend and mentor Jim Estill – and this post really reads like something Jim would post about – has noted the difference between management (doing things efficiently and effectively) and leadership (doing the right things). This is also something I must continually review.
Lastly, I’m quite cognizant of the wisdom of Jay Paterson’s writings on Focus, Free and Buffer Days. While at this point – as I launch our first site in Waterloo Region – my schedule is very heavy, would I be more efficient and effective if I took more Free Days, or dedicated more Focus Days?
Much to ponder …
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Fixed Costs Covered on Day 1
Our goal at Parmasters Waterloo Region is to have enough revenue on our first day of operation to cover our fixed costs. How do we do so? We sell memberships before we open.
As soon as we have our site selected, we start “pre-selling” memberships. Members that sign on prior to our opening day receive various benefits that will not be offered once we’re open. On the day we open, we start billing monthly membership fees.
There are many benefits to the new members. First, they get a bargain when they sign up early. This bargain has not been fully defined. Parmasters makes recommendations, but we have final say at the local level. Also, members that purchase ahead of time receive updates, and are fully prepared for and aware of the day we open.
Parmasters Halifax is using this model. They are now up to 460 members! And are they open yet? NO! They’ll open in March 2007! And they’ll open with their fixed costs covered!
We’ll be doing the same.
This is just another in a long list of reasons why the Parmasters franchising and franchise models are head and shoulders above all others.
As soon as we have our site selected, we start “pre-selling” memberships. Members that sign on prior to our opening day receive various benefits that will not be offered once we’re open. On the day we open, we start billing monthly membership fees.
There are many benefits to the new members. First, they get a bargain when they sign up early. This bargain has not been fully defined. Parmasters makes recommendations, but we have final say at the local level. Also, members that purchase ahead of time receive updates, and are fully prepared for and aware of the day we open.
Parmasters Halifax is using this model. They are now up to 460 members! And are they open yet? NO! They’ll open in March 2007! And they’ll open with their fixed costs covered!
We’ll be doing the same.
This is just another in a long list of reasons why the Parmasters franchising and franchise models are head and shoulders above all others.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Focus and Free Days Clarified by Jay Paterson
The good Mr. Jay Paterson of Empowered Wealth Canada tried to post the following comment, but fell prey to the vagaries of technology. My apologies Jay, and thank you for taking the time to fill us in.
Jay has taken the time to explain more clearly the concept of Focus Days and Free Days. I posted on this topic last week.
Jay’s comments:
Here's the Rest of the Story behind Free and Focus Days. The original concept goes to Dan Sullivan, The Strategic Coach. All of these days are defined for the benefit of entrepreneurs. The Most important days are Free Days. These are absolutely critical days that an entrepreneur needs to Re-charge the Batteries. No business is contemplated nor done. It’s a Free Day to do whatever gives the entrepreneur Great Joy!
A Focus Day is defined as the day in which an entrepreneur uses his or her Unique Ability to the best of his/her advantage and creates business opportunities. A Focus Day gives an entrepreneur Great Results.
A Buffer Day is the day in which the entrepreneur prepares for his/her Focus Days. Preparation gives Energy, which makes for better Focus Days and far better results.
For Example, a professional golfer practices his or her craft on Buffer Days. They stay completely away from the game on Free Days. And on Focus Days, they're supposed to bring their best up front. They had better not be thinking about all the other stuff that clutters up the mind. They better be clear headed about what they are doing and just do it.
Kevin had a question: How do you identify the Top 20% of your activities? I'll make it easier by asking one question. What is the ONE SINGLE THING you do, that you enjoy doing more than anything else, that you do better than anybody else because you do it naturally and you enjoy it, and that people would pay you great money for because you do it better than anyone else? Forget the top 20%, that's too much. No one can do a whole whack of things really well. FOCUS your energy on that ONE THING, do it really, really well, and the world will beat a path to your door.
I have only 120 FOCUS Days in one year. That is all the energy I have for Focus Days. I do All of my Unique Ability in those 120 days.
I have 40 Buffer Days, that's it!
The Rest are FREE DAYS. That's 205 days each year doing exactly what I LOVE to do.
Steve posed a question: How do you do the digging? Ask 40 of your closest friends, advisors and especially all of your children and grandchildren one very simple question, "What is the ONE THING I do best, that you value me for the most?" You'll get 30 to 40 honest answers and you will find the ONE THING to Focus on.
Oh, by the way, that's my partner in The Secret, Lee Brower.
Now I've got to get back to straightening out my putting stroke.
Jay Paterson
Jay has taken the time to explain more clearly the concept of Focus Days and Free Days. I posted on this topic last week.
Jay’s comments:
Here's the Rest of the Story behind Free and Focus Days. The original concept goes to Dan Sullivan, The Strategic Coach. All of these days are defined for the benefit of entrepreneurs. The Most important days are Free Days. These are absolutely critical days that an entrepreneur needs to Re-charge the Batteries. No business is contemplated nor done. It’s a Free Day to do whatever gives the entrepreneur Great Joy!
A Focus Day is defined as the day in which an entrepreneur uses his or her Unique Ability to the best of his/her advantage and creates business opportunities. A Focus Day gives an entrepreneur Great Results.
A Buffer Day is the day in which the entrepreneur prepares for his/her Focus Days. Preparation gives Energy, which makes for better Focus Days and far better results.
For Example, a professional golfer practices his or her craft on Buffer Days. They stay completely away from the game on Free Days. And on Focus Days, they're supposed to bring their best up front. They had better not be thinking about all the other stuff that clutters up the mind. They better be clear headed about what they are doing and just do it.
Kevin had a question: How do you identify the Top 20% of your activities? I'll make it easier by asking one question. What is the ONE SINGLE THING you do, that you enjoy doing more than anything else, that you do better than anybody else because you do it naturally and you enjoy it, and that people would pay you great money for because you do it better than anyone else? Forget the top 20%, that's too much. No one can do a whole whack of things really well. FOCUS your energy on that ONE THING, do it really, really well, and the world will beat a path to your door.
I have only 120 FOCUS Days in one year. That is all the energy I have for Focus Days. I do All of my Unique Ability in those 120 days.
I have 40 Buffer Days, that's it!
The Rest are FREE DAYS. That's 205 days each year doing exactly what I LOVE to do.
Steve posed a question: How do you do the digging? Ask 40 of your closest friends, advisors and especially all of your children and grandchildren one very simple question, "What is the ONE THING I do best, that you value me for the most?" You'll get 30 to 40 honest answers and you will find the ONE THING to Focus on.
Oh, by the way, that's my partner in The Secret, Lee Brower.
Now I've got to get back to straightening out my putting stroke.
Jay Paterson
Monday, December 11, 2006
Carpe Diem!
Long time, no blog. I feel a sting of guilt when I miss a couple of blog entries. I generally just blog once on a given weekend, but also usually on a Friday at some point. I feel I missed two entries.
Quite a bit has happened.
On Thursday of last week we toured six building/properties. Most were existing structures. Two were empty lots. Two were in the north end of Cambridge, and the rest were in central and east Kitchener.
Two of these sites seem to be exactly what we’re seeking. Another is very interesting, but a little above our budget, and it can be very challenging entering and exiting the parking lot.
A fourth site is in a mall location, and completely different than what we thought we were seeking. However, the opportunity remains quite intriguing. There would be a significant impact on the business if we went with this site. There are many pros, and several cons. The question is, will the overall impact be positive or negative.
I have debated naming the sites that we’re considering, but have thus far refrained. Instead, I refer to them in vague terms, as above. It won’t help our negotiating position with the landlords to have too much information in the public domain. Also, I have no doubt that some of our competitors are listening in to this blog. (Hi guys.)
In the days since Thursday, we’ve also had some good investor meetings and completed a lot of smaller tasks that were piling up. We have a major investor presentation this week which requires a fair bit of preparation.
Lastly, but certainly not least, we lost a pet over the weekend. In 1991, a year after we married, we went to the Humane Society and adopted two kittens. They weren’t brothers. Bo and Diddley spent many years with us. Bo developed cancer in the summer of 2000 and went very quickly. Diddley had been going downhill this past year. We were constantly searching for a food that his digestive system could handle. This past week he simply stopped eating. He passed away quietly Sunday around 5:00pm.
It’s interesting. I grew up in a rural setting and worked on many farms. I’ve seen cattle slaughtered, toured a turkey “processing” plant, and been involved in many other harsh realities of rural life. But nevertheless, the passing of Diddley has definitely left a void. He was with us for more than 15 years. It was also very difficult to watch our boys go through the experience. Diddley was the first close loved one that they’ve lost. In a way, I’m glad their first loss was their pet, rather than a human family member. We did what we could to guide them through the grieving process, while also letting them do their thing, and cope however was best for them.
So, even though it was feline that we lost, and not a human family member, we are reminded that our time on this Earth is very limited, and that we should make the most of every day. Carpe diem! Seize the day!
Quite a bit has happened.
On Thursday of last week we toured six building/properties. Most were existing structures. Two were empty lots. Two were in the north end of Cambridge, and the rest were in central and east Kitchener.
Two of these sites seem to be exactly what we’re seeking. Another is very interesting, but a little above our budget, and it can be very challenging entering and exiting the parking lot.
A fourth site is in a mall location, and completely different than what we thought we were seeking. However, the opportunity remains quite intriguing. There would be a significant impact on the business if we went with this site. There are many pros, and several cons. The question is, will the overall impact be positive or negative.
I have debated naming the sites that we’re considering, but have thus far refrained. Instead, I refer to them in vague terms, as above. It won’t help our negotiating position with the landlords to have too much information in the public domain. Also, I have no doubt that some of our competitors are listening in to this blog. (Hi guys.)
In the days since Thursday, we’ve also had some good investor meetings and completed a lot of smaller tasks that were piling up. We have a major investor presentation this week which requires a fair bit of preparation.
Lastly, but certainly not least, we lost a pet over the weekend. In 1991, a year after we married, we went to the Humane Society and adopted two kittens. They weren’t brothers. Bo and Diddley spent many years with us. Bo developed cancer in the summer of 2000 and went very quickly. Diddley had been going downhill this past year. We were constantly searching for a food that his digestive system could handle. This past week he simply stopped eating. He passed away quietly Sunday around 5:00pm.
It’s interesting. I grew up in a rural setting and worked on many farms. I’ve seen cattle slaughtered, toured a turkey “processing” plant, and been involved in many other harsh realities of rural life. But nevertheless, the passing of Diddley has definitely left a void. He was with us for more than 15 years. It was also very difficult to watch our boys go through the experience. Diddley was the first close loved one that they’ve lost. In a way, I’m glad their first loss was their pet, rather than a human family member. We did what we could to guide them through the grieving process, while also letting them do their thing, and cope however was best for them.
So, even though it was feline that we lost, and not a human family member, we are reminded that our time on this Earth is very limited, and that we should make the most of every day. Carpe diem! Seize the day!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Think Big
“Think big!”
This is what I took away from a 1-hour animated children’s Christmas television show that we all watched earlier this evening. I can’t really recall what it was called. Something about a happy elf who helped bring the small town of Bluesville joy and happiness. So much so that they renamed the town Joyville.
I must admit that I spent most of the hour contemplating the elf’s mantra to “think big.” I believe it went something like, “think big and you can accomplish great things!”
Are we thinking BIG enough with Parmasters Waterloo Region? Are we letting perceived limitations hold us back? Are we keeping the plan smaller than it should really be?
As you might imagine, this is not the first time such thoughts have crossed my mind. They’re simply part of ongoing strategic planning.
I’ve never believed in reckless abandon. I’m not risk averse, but believe that all risks must be thoroughly calculated, and the reward must justify the risk.
By extrapolation, I do not believe that businesses should take any significant (read “material”) risks in areas where they have absolutely no experience or knowledge. I believe businesses should grow by pushing and stretching the envelope that represents their current experience and knowledge. Take some of what you know, and some of what you don’t know, and launch into a new market or product line or both. The key is to take some of what you KNOW.
In that sense, all businesses should, to an extent, think small. And necessarily so! Their plans should target growth that relies, at least partly, on knowledge and experience already found within the company.
However, truly effective companies also think BIG, because they leverage their existing knowledge and experience in BIG and innovative ways.
This is related to the science – I believe it’s a science – of asking appropriate questions. If you ask a team of brilliant analysts to figure out how to make a given process 10% more efficient, they will come back with a solid plan for a 10% gain. However, if you ask the same team to find a 75% improvement, they will likely return with a solid plan for a 75% improvement. The only difference is the question.
So, I guess the key is to think small, meaning leverage what you already KNOW, but think BIG, by asking BIG questions, and truly LEVERAGING existing experience and knowledge.
I believe, with Parmasters Waterloo Region, we’re building on existing knowledge and experience, while also asking the BIG questions, and LEVERAGING appropriately.
Yes, it seems we’re thinking BIG, and we will most definitely "accomplish great things!"
This is what I took away from a 1-hour animated children’s Christmas television show that we all watched earlier this evening. I can’t really recall what it was called. Something about a happy elf who helped bring the small town of Bluesville joy and happiness. So much so that they renamed the town Joyville.
I must admit that I spent most of the hour contemplating the elf’s mantra to “think big.” I believe it went something like, “think big and you can accomplish great things!”
Are we thinking BIG enough with Parmasters Waterloo Region? Are we letting perceived limitations hold us back? Are we keeping the plan smaller than it should really be?
As you might imagine, this is not the first time such thoughts have crossed my mind. They’re simply part of ongoing strategic planning.
I’ve never believed in reckless abandon. I’m not risk averse, but believe that all risks must be thoroughly calculated, and the reward must justify the risk.
By extrapolation, I do not believe that businesses should take any significant (read “material”) risks in areas where they have absolutely no experience or knowledge. I believe businesses should grow by pushing and stretching the envelope that represents their current experience and knowledge. Take some of what you know, and some of what you don’t know, and launch into a new market or product line or both. The key is to take some of what you KNOW.
In that sense, all businesses should, to an extent, think small. And necessarily so! Their plans should target growth that relies, at least partly, on knowledge and experience already found within the company.
However, truly effective companies also think BIG, because they leverage their existing knowledge and experience in BIG and innovative ways.
This is related to the science – I believe it’s a science – of asking appropriate questions. If you ask a team of brilliant analysts to figure out how to make a given process 10% more efficient, they will come back with a solid plan for a 10% gain. However, if you ask the same team to find a 75% improvement, they will likely return with a solid plan for a 75% improvement. The only difference is the question.
So, I guess the key is to think small, meaning leverage what you already KNOW, but think BIG, by asking BIG questions, and truly LEVERAGING existing experience and knowledge.
I believe, with Parmasters Waterloo Region, we’re building on existing knowledge and experience, while also asking the BIG questions, and LEVERAGING appropriately.
Yes, it seems we’re thinking BIG, and we will most definitely "accomplish great things!"
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Ruthless
Busy day today. Lots of meetings. And we’re now officially into the Christmas party season. This evening I attended the Orbex Christmas open house. Of course, they probably refer to it in the non-Christian, more inclusive “holiday season” manner. Dwayne, the owner, is an old friend. We met during my third work term while doing my undergrad at UW, in 1987.
We’re doing more site tours tomorrow. I think we’re viewing approximately six sites. Mostly existing buildings. Two are currently empty lots. I also have investor and networking meetings tomorrow. Looking forward to another productive day.
I came across this Warren Buffet quote recently, and have been trying to slide it in to a post at some point. Since an opportunity has not really presented itself, I’ll simply foist it upon you.
“If you lose dollars for the firm by bad decisions, I will be very understanding. If you lose reputation for the firm, I will be ruthless.” -Warren Buffet
We’re building a service business, which is also necessarily a “reputation” business. I don’t tend to ever be “ruthless” with team members, but the team we build will have to understand the deep lessons captured in this quote.
We’re doing more site tours tomorrow. I think we’re viewing approximately six sites. Mostly existing buildings. Two are currently empty lots. I also have investor and networking meetings tomorrow. Looking forward to another productive day.
I came across this Warren Buffet quote recently, and have been trying to slide it in to a post at some point. Since an opportunity has not really presented itself, I’ll simply foist it upon you.
“If you lose dollars for the firm by bad decisions, I will be very understanding. If you lose reputation for the firm, I will be ruthless.” -Warren Buffet
We’re building a service business, which is also necessarily a “reputation” business. I don’t tend to ever be “ruthless” with team members, but the team we build will have to understand the deep lessons captured in this quote.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Giving and a Servant Attitude
We attended a Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) event this evening. It was the annual Presidents Reception. Wine, cheese, good conversation, good friends.
My wife and I then went out for dinner afterwards and discussed our charitable donations. We’ve been rather haphazard so far. We’ve lacked an overall strategy and philosophy. Our discussion this evening was the beginnings of said strategy and philosophy. The process has only begun.
Earlier this week we finalized arrangements with Thomson Associates Inc. Bill Thomson offers an angel funding facility to entrepreneurial ventures such as ours. Basically, he houses information regarding the business and investment offering on his website. He then sends a “nudge” to his close contacts and associates, urging them to have a look at the information and to consider their involvement.
Bill seems to approach this area of the business with somewhat of a servant mentality. His typical “deal” is certainly many times larger than my offering. There’s not much upside for him in working with me. Except that, he wants to help and enjoys seeing businesses and entrepreneurs succeed.
Bill has a vast and very influential network. I’ve already noticed a substantial increase in traffic on this blog.
So, to all of Bill’s colleagues, welcome. I look forward to future discussions.
I met Bill through my continued efforts to build out my own network of colleagues. JP introduced me to TW. TW introduced me to Bill. I’ve also introduced Bill to Parmasters HQ, specifically our CEO, as there are certainly several ways in which Bill can benefit Parmasters, and vice versa.
As I close this entry, it’s clear to me, as an entrepreneur, that our current charitable donations are not “sizeable”, nor will they be sizeable for quite some time. However, I’m reminded of the following quote.
“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things ... I am tempted to think ... there are no little things.” -Bruce Barton
My wife and I then went out for dinner afterwards and discussed our charitable donations. We’ve been rather haphazard so far. We’ve lacked an overall strategy and philosophy. Our discussion this evening was the beginnings of said strategy and philosophy. The process has only begun.
Earlier this week we finalized arrangements with Thomson Associates Inc. Bill Thomson offers an angel funding facility to entrepreneurial ventures such as ours. Basically, he houses information regarding the business and investment offering on his website. He then sends a “nudge” to his close contacts and associates, urging them to have a look at the information and to consider their involvement.
Bill seems to approach this area of the business with somewhat of a servant mentality. His typical “deal” is certainly many times larger than my offering. There’s not much upside for him in working with me. Except that, he wants to help and enjoys seeing businesses and entrepreneurs succeed.
Bill has a vast and very influential network. I’ve already noticed a substantial increase in traffic on this blog.
So, to all of Bill’s colleagues, welcome. I look forward to future discussions.
I met Bill through my continued efforts to build out my own network of colleagues. JP introduced me to TW. TW introduced me to Bill. I’ve also introduced Bill to Parmasters HQ, specifically our CEO, as there are certainly several ways in which Bill can benefit Parmasters, and vice versa.
As I close this entry, it’s clear to me, as an entrepreneur, that our current charitable donations are not “sizeable”, nor will they be sizeable for quite some time. However, I’m reminded of the following quote.
“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things ... I am tempted to think ... there are no little things.” -Bruce Barton
Monday, December 04, 2006
Focus and Free Days
I saw Bob Proctor and others from The Secret interviewed on Larry King in November. Bob spoke about Focus Days and Free Days.
Focus Days leverage the 80-20 rule. Typically 80% of our production (or you can think of effectiveness, or leverage, or achievements) come from 20% of our activities. The first step is to understand which activities deliver all of this benefit. Then, set aside Focus Days that are dedicated entirely to these activities.
Free Days are just that. You’re free to do whatever you want. Some studies apparently show that people with more free days become more successful. I have not seen any data on this, so don’t quote me!
I plan to start with one Focus Day and one Free Day per month.
Something to contemplate …
Focus Days leverage the 80-20 rule. Typically 80% of our production (or you can think of effectiveness, or leverage, or achievements) come from 20% of our activities. The first step is to understand which activities deliver all of this benefit. Then, set aside Focus Days that are dedicated entirely to these activities.
Free Days are just that. You’re free to do whatever you want. Some studies apparently show that people with more free days become more successful. I have not seen any data on this, so don’t quote me!
I plan to start with one Focus Day and one Free Day per month.
Something to contemplate …
Friday, December 01, 2006
Building Up Rather Than Out?
As you know, we continue to search for a site to house Parmasters Waterloo Region. It’s taking a little longer than anticipated to find the right site. However, at the same time, it’s time very well spent. Location and building (configuration, esthetics, price, etc.) are crucial to success. We will not rush into the wrong location.
To broaden our choices, we’ve been considering the possibility of a two story Parmasters. Well, really a story and a half I guess. We’re considering including a mezzanine or loft area.
Going up into a mezzanine would allow us to reduce our overall footprint by roughly the size of the mezzanine. Thus, instead of a 15,000 sq. ft. footprint, we could consider leasing say 12,000 sq. ft. and building a 3,000 sq. ft. mezzanine.
Several considerations come to mind:
- Will the space still create that “wow!” reaction that we’re looking for?
- Which components go up on the mezzanine?
- Will we have to install an elevator or lift?
- How much vertical – floor to ceiling – clearance do the components require?
We believe that a two story section, along with a balcony up on the mezzanine, overlooking the rest of the center, will create a very interesting and appealing space. The “wow!” reaction is still very attainable.
If we were to offer a ground floor alternative to all components that are up on the mezzanine, we believe an elevator would be unnecessary. So, if we put six simulators up on the mezzanine and had two identical simulators on the main floor, no need for an elevator.
But when you start considering the components that go up, and the components which sit underneath the mezzanine, it becomes complicated.
Certain components must remain on the main floor. These include the café, the pro shop (we call it Kaizen Korner), the green and short game area, and ideally the meeting room. Club storage and repair should also stay on the main floor, along with the locker rooms.
My office can certainly go upstairs.
However, the remainder of the components are driving bays (simulators, fairway bunker bay, fluency machines) and the fitness area. These components all require at least a 12 foot ceiling.
So, it seems, if we were to include a mezzanine we would require at least 12 foot ceilings both above and below the mezzanine. That suggests at least a 25 foot overall ceiling height.
We have not yet seen a building with a 25 foot clear ceiling.
Of course, there is also the cost side of the equation. We would only consider a mezzanine if the cost per sq. ft. for the floor area was above our budget. Thus, the cost of the mezzanine (capital cost) would be offset by reduced lease costs (operational).
But, in the end, it’s quite unlikely that we will find a space with 25 foot ceilings that requires us to build a mezzanine.
To broaden our choices, we’ve been considering the possibility of a two story Parmasters. Well, really a story and a half I guess. We’re considering including a mezzanine or loft area.
Going up into a mezzanine would allow us to reduce our overall footprint by roughly the size of the mezzanine. Thus, instead of a 15,000 sq. ft. footprint, we could consider leasing say 12,000 sq. ft. and building a 3,000 sq. ft. mezzanine.
Several considerations come to mind:
- Will the space still create that “wow!” reaction that we’re looking for?
- Which components go up on the mezzanine?
- Will we have to install an elevator or lift?
- How much vertical – floor to ceiling – clearance do the components require?
We believe that a two story section, along with a balcony up on the mezzanine, overlooking the rest of the center, will create a very interesting and appealing space. The “wow!” reaction is still very attainable.
If we were to offer a ground floor alternative to all components that are up on the mezzanine, we believe an elevator would be unnecessary. So, if we put six simulators up on the mezzanine and had two identical simulators on the main floor, no need for an elevator.
But when you start considering the components that go up, and the components which sit underneath the mezzanine, it becomes complicated.
Certain components must remain on the main floor. These include the café, the pro shop (we call it Kaizen Korner), the green and short game area, and ideally the meeting room. Club storage and repair should also stay on the main floor, along with the locker rooms.
My office can certainly go upstairs.
However, the remainder of the components are driving bays (simulators, fairway bunker bay, fluency machines) and the fitness area. These components all require at least a 12 foot ceiling.
So, it seems, if we were to include a mezzanine we would require at least 12 foot ceilings both above and below the mezzanine. That suggests at least a 25 foot overall ceiling height.
We have not yet seen a building with a 25 foot clear ceiling.
Of course, there is also the cost side of the equation. We would only consider a mezzanine if the cost per sq. ft. for the floor area was above our budget. Thus, the cost of the mezzanine (capital cost) would be offset by reduced lease costs (operational).
But, in the end, it’s quite unlikely that we will find a space with 25 foot ceilings that requires us to build a mezzanine.
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