In the early 80’s, after being in the auction business for almost 10 years, I decided to enter the Florida Auctioneers Association bid calling contest. I felt that I had developed a good auction chant during my career and was confident I would emerge the state winner! There were quite a few entrants from all over the state and it was fun to listen to each unique chant. And as the winners were named, it was announced that I was THIRD best, which, I must say, disappointed me greatly. That’s NOT to say the first and second place winners weren’t good, for they really were! It’s just that with my record of conducting successful auctions over the years for many different clients, I was all gea
On another side of my class ring are the initials PATD for Pay Attention To Details. Throughout my life, I’ve seen the success that PATD can bring to a business. And I’ve seen the failure that can happen because of its neglect. I’m sure you’ve probably heard the business parable: ‘if a broken window goes unfixed and then another breaks and, if it too goes unrepaired, soon people passing by will begin to conclude that no one associated with this business cares.' Yes, that’s an indicator that no one cares about the building and could very likely not care very much, if any, about the business being conducted from that building. And, with this mode of operation, the building will deteriorat
When I turned 40, I looked at my life and felt immense gratitude. My businesses were doing well, and I was prospering despite the fact that I had not graduated from college. Yet, at this moment in my life, I felt I had learned so much that I had a graduate degree from the school of hard knocks. To celebrate my “graduation,” I had a jeweler make a class ring. This ring would not have the motto of an academic institution on it, but it would have the tenants of my own business success. Along the sides of this ring, I inscribed 24 letters, each representing important guiding words. On one side of my ring, I had inscribed AOPN for the phrase “Answering Other People’s Needs.” When I ask this
As 2017 begins, many are thinking about New Year’s resolutions. These resolutions, no doubt, will vary from one end of the spectrum to the other. Losing weight, making better grades in school, getting a better job, or having a closer relationship with those we love are some of the most common resolutions. Or it may be a deeper resolution such as moving past the hurts we have experienced by losing someone important in our life. I can easily relate. When I was in my mid-teens, my father died of a heart attack. It was a traumatic experience for me, watching my father die right before my eyes. His passing left a big void in my life and found that I needed to accept that he was no longer goi
