Lennox McIntosh definitely gets it! Lennox is a wonderful example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but he has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!
Lennox is the Guest Service Manager at the Marriott Courtyard in Aventura, FL. Largely because of Lennox, I make this hotel my choice when traveling to South Florida to work with one of my very favorite clients.
Even in the good times, Lennox worked diligently to make sure I understood that my business was appreciated. In these tough times, he has picked up his game and even does more to make sure that guests know their business is truly appreciated.
In my case, I am always greeted with a heart warming smile and Lennox's genuine, cheery welcome...one always using my name. Throughout my stay, Lennox is always looking out for me...always there to resolve anything that might be the least bit wrong.
Lennox understands that I, and every other guest, have a choice of hotels, especially in these tough times. He is being a smart businessman by making sure that I choose to keep on coming back to "his" hotel. And, he does so in a way that lifts the spirits of anyone coming in contact with him.
His consistently excellent performance is in sharp contrast to the two front desk employees I recently wrote about in connection with my recent stay at the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas.
(As much as I would miss him, Marriott should put Lennox in charge of training front desk managers nationally...he really is that good! )
Are you letting the times get you down? Or, like Lennox McIntosh, have you picked up your game and taken your personal performance to a higher level? A higher level that will not only help you to prosper, but also serve as an inspiration for others as to how to prosper in tough times.
The prosperity choice is yours...it really is!
Coming Next: I will be saluting life coach Brad Swift in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Jim Brickman Gets It!
Jim Brickman definitely gets it! Jim is a wonderful example of an individual who understands that there is a very real economic downturn occurring, but he has chosen to prosper nevertheless. And, prosper in the full dimensions of the word!
Thursday night, my wife and I went to see Jim in concert in Pittsfield, MA. Jim Brickman is a great song writer, a fabulous entertainer, and "America's Romantic Piano Sensation." He is rightfully proud of the fact that he writes songs of promise, hope and love.
We had seen Jim in concert, at the same venue, almost exactly two years earlier....at a time when the economy was humming. I estimate that the crowd Thursday night was off like 30% from his prior visit. Nevertheless...and this is the learning point...Jim gave every bit as much as he did on his prior visit.
Jim entertained us with a medley of his many hit songs, as well as material from his newest release, Ultimate Love Songs, The Very Best of Jim Brickman
Jim was accompanied by his long time friend, the very talented vocalist, Anne Cochran.
Besides being a talented musician, Jim is a very savvy businessman. Instead of folding up his tent in tough times, Jim is working harder than ever to grow his following of fans. He is touring from town to town putting on a terrific show and encouraging fans to join his community. And, he keeps writing songs of promise, hope and love...songs that are even more beneficial in these times.
Are you letting the times get you down? Or, like Jim Brickman, have you picked up your game and taken your personal performance to a higher level? A higher level that will not only help you to prosper, but also serve as an inspiration for others as to how to prosper in tough times.
The prosperity choice is yours...it really is!
Coming Next: I will be saluting hotelier Lennox McIntosh in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it." The series starts here.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Great Recesssion 2009
Well, it is official. At least in my world (for what that is worth). We have, regrettably moved beyond a "mere" recession and are now entering the territory of "the Great Recession of 2009."
Now, I am not an economist. So my label may not sync with the labels economists want to use. But, I see lots of pain, and I foresee much more pain coming our way. We have yet to hit bottom and the recovery, as I predicted many months ago, will be long. Long as in "years!"
I am not yet ready to conclude that what we are seeing will equal the Great Depression. But, I do believe that before it is over, this downturn will be commonly viewed as the mother of all recessions. Hence, my label of "The Great Recession."
Problems abound. Notwithstanding the best of efforts by our new President, Washington is acting like business as usual. Bloating a stimulus bill with pork, as both the House and Senate did, is simply outrageous and demonstrates that many Washington politicians will put their own interests above the interests of the country. Where are our true patriots at a time we so badly need them?
And, what about my friends from the business world who are so clueless what with their slowness in stopping the personal pig-outs, even as they are laying off thousands of people. Where are our true business leaders at a time we so badly need them?
This country is faced with the toughest turnaround I have ever seen in my thirty plus years of working with major corporate turnarounds. And that is before the crash in commercial real estate values which is likely to be every bit as impactful as the decline in residential real estate values. Add in the ripple effect which is touching more and more industries and we have a real mess.
One could get depressed by all the malaise and by the lack of leadership. I choose not to do so. Like many Americans, I have chosen to run faster...to work harder...to create even more value for my consulting clients...to try to be of personal assistance to even more friends and family members.
I am not ignoring the circumstances. For my clients, and for myself, I am devising and implementing strategies to prosper in tough times.
I am hardly the only one doing so. Every day, I am seeing individuals...from all walks of life...who are smartly noting the changed circumstances and making the changes needed to prosper in tough times. And by prosper, I don't mean just prospering economically. These individuals are prospering in all dimensions of their lives by the choices they are making.
Washington will hopefully eventually realize that business as usual is a path to disaster. Business leaders will hopefully also realize that the time for business as usual is long gone. But, my hope today rests with the individuals who are doing their part to make our country strong again. By taking good care of themselves and spreading prosperity through their efforts with others.
In tribute to the spirit of such individuals, for the next week I will be paying tribute to some individuals, from all walks of life, whom I see as leading the way in recognizing the need for change and then getting on with leading the way. Individuals whom I admire for the choices they are making. Individuals who perhaps can inspire you to take your own performance to a higher level. Individuals who "get it."
Coming Next: I will be saluting musician Jim Brickman in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it."
Now, I am not an economist. So my label may not sync with the labels economists want to use. But, I see lots of pain, and I foresee much more pain coming our way. We have yet to hit bottom and the recovery, as I predicted many months ago, will be long. Long as in "years!"
I am not yet ready to conclude that what we are seeing will equal the Great Depression. But, I do believe that before it is over, this downturn will be commonly viewed as the mother of all recessions. Hence, my label of "The Great Recession."
Problems abound. Notwithstanding the best of efforts by our new President, Washington is acting like business as usual. Bloating a stimulus bill with pork, as both the House and Senate did, is simply outrageous and demonstrates that many Washington politicians will put their own interests above the interests of the country. Where are our true patriots at a time we so badly need them?
And, what about my friends from the business world who are so clueless what with their slowness in stopping the personal pig-outs, even as they are laying off thousands of people. Where are our true business leaders at a time we so badly need them?
This country is faced with the toughest turnaround I have ever seen in my thirty plus years of working with major corporate turnarounds. And that is before the crash in commercial real estate values which is likely to be every bit as impactful as the decline in residential real estate values. Add in the ripple effect which is touching more and more industries and we have a real mess.
One could get depressed by all the malaise and by the lack of leadership. I choose not to do so. Like many Americans, I have chosen to run faster...to work harder...to create even more value for my consulting clients...to try to be of personal assistance to even more friends and family members.
I refuse to surrender to the circumstances!
I am not ignoring the circumstances. For my clients, and for myself, I am devising and implementing strategies to prosper in tough times.
I am hardly the only one doing so. Every day, I am seeing individuals...from all walks of life...who are smartly noting the changed circumstances and making the changes needed to prosper in tough times. And by prosper, I don't mean just prospering economically. These individuals are prospering in all dimensions of their lives by the choices they are making.
Washington will hopefully eventually realize that business as usual is a path to disaster. Business leaders will hopefully also realize that the time for business as usual is long gone. But, my hope today rests with the individuals who are doing their part to make our country strong again. By taking good care of themselves and spreading prosperity through their efforts with others.
In tribute to the spirit of such individuals, for the next week I will be paying tribute to some individuals, from all walks of life, whom I see as leading the way in recognizing the need for change and then getting on with leading the way. Individuals whom I admire for the choices they are making. Individuals who perhaps can inspire you to take your own performance to a higher level. Individuals who "get it."
Coming Next: I will be saluting musician Jim Brickman in the next installment of my series on examples of individuals, from all walks of life, who "get it."
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Mass Media Induced Fear???
In the past, I have written about my disdain for those who choose to paint the current downturn as primarily a phenomena of mass media. Today I received another email sales pitch with this headline "Are you buying into the fear being sold to the masses by the media about the economy...
There is no doubt that the media is frequently biased toward negative news. But, to suggest that the media is "selling fear of the economy" ignores the reality what all of us are seeing firsthand, almost every day...layoffs of our friends, relatives, and neighbors. That is not a media created fantasy. These job loses are real! Just ask anyone who has lost their job.
This economy is in terrible shape and getting worse. That is reality.
But the fact that the general economy is doing poorly does not mean that you have to do poorly. The basis of this blog is that:
Divorcing yourself from information on what is happening is not the way to prosper. Understand what is happening and exploit the changes that are occurring.
The next time someone tries to sell you something by suggesting that this mess is just a product of the media...hold on to your wallet! The storyline may have a certain appeal, but I suggest...respectfully...that you do business with those whose opinions you can trust. And, describing the economic mess as merely a product of the media is not something you should trust.
There is no doubt that the media is frequently biased toward negative news. But, to suggest that the media is "selling fear of the economy" ignores the reality what all of us are seeing firsthand, almost every day...layoffs of our friends, relatives, and neighbors. That is not a media created fantasy. These job loses are real! Just ask anyone who has lost their job.
This economy is in terrible shape and getting worse. That is reality.
But the fact that the general economy is doing poorly does not mean that you have to do poorly. The basis of this blog is that:
Opportunities abound for those who understand the dynamics of the downturn and take advantage of the opportunities created by the downturn.
Divorcing yourself from information on what is happening is not the way to prosper. Understand what is happening and exploit the changes that are occurring.
The next time someone tries to sell you something by suggesting that this mess is just a product of the media...hold on to your wallet! The storyline may have a certain appeal, but I suggest...respectfully...that you do business with those whose opinions you can trust. And, describing the economic mess as merely a product of the media is not something you should trust.
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