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Vol. 23, No. 2 • February, 2005
Now you can find this newsletter on the web, at Freeman-Spicer.com
Is It Full Yet?
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A Professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured in into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes.” The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things like your family and your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions - - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else – the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.” One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”
(L. Bishop)
You’ve Heard It Before
With the start of the New Year . . . . it’s the time to start thinking about actually doing something about making out a durable and health care power of attorney, along with a living will and a will for your family’s sake. The durable power of attorney designates someone of your choosing to make financial decisions for you should you become incapacitated. A health care power of attorney allows a specified person to carry out your health care wishes. The living will makes sure such orders are followed to the letter. These documents, along with a will, essentially eliminate the need for living trusts. Call your attorney today, not tomorrow.
Everyday Briefs
The Cost of Incivility............................... At work, do you feel a little like the late Rodney Dangerfield? Well, you’re not alone. Almost 80% of employees believe they get no respect at work, according to a report recently published in one of the Academy of Management’s journals - - and 60% think the situation is getting worse. The data, collected in three studies over eight years at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, also reveals that 20% of employees say they are victims of incivility on a weekly basis. Should managers be kinder and gentler? You bet, says author Christine Proath, assistant professor of management, because “incivility has detrimental consequences. Does performance decrease? Yes. Does creativity suffer? Yes. People just don’t concentrate.” Turnover results too: 1 in 8 employees who experience rudeness ends up leaving. The biggest surprise: the study estimates that the average FORTUNE 1000 executive spends 13% of his or her time mediating worker disputes. That translates to seven weeks a year. Maybe Mom was right: it pays to be courteous. (Time - Inside Business)
One Day ....................... a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mommy?” Her mother replied, “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Mommy, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?” (Austin)
Is Big Brother Watching You? ................ if you have a color laser printer, it may well be keeping track of what you print. Xerox recently confirmed that its’ printers have secretly encoded color prints for 20 years. Other makers reportedly do the same. Xerox said governments were concerned that laser printers could be used to counterfeit money. The encoding, a series of microscopic yellow dots, can lead the police right back to the printer. This is done by printing millimeter-sized yellow dots about every inch. The dots are invisible to the naked eye but can be seen with a blue LED flashlight. The government says it tracks printers only in criminal cases. (Komando)
Internet Anagram Server ................................ Did you know that parliament is an anagram of partial men? Or, Clint Eastwood is an anagram of Old West Action? Someone once said, “All of life’s wisdom can be found in anagrams. Anagrams never lie. “Here is your chance to discover the wisdom of anagrams. Go to http://www.wordsmith.org/anagram/index.html and enter in your word or phrase in the form supplied.
You Know ................ you’re getting old when: You sit in a rocking chair and can’t get it going. When you wake up looking like your driver’s license picture. The twinkle in your eye is merely a reflection from the sun on your bifocals. You have more patience, but in reality you just don’t care anymore. It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired. The pharmacist is your new best friend. (Lopatin)
Good Selling Tip ........................ Brother, that sale was a tough one! But you got the deal. Why? Good question. Top-earning pros don’t take business for granted. They wonder if the buyer feels he made the right decision and will welcome you next time around. So, why wonder? Instead of just saying, “Thanks for the order,” put your question directly to your customer: “Mr. Jones, can I ask you a question?” “Sure, why not?” “I realize this was a hard decision to make. I’d like to know what, specifically, made you decide to give me the business.” You just might learn if there’s a problem in the offing. It also reinforces in the buyer’s mind his “smart” decision. And, it’s a morale booster! (Selling Power)
Diversity With Inclusion At Whirlpool Corp.
Behaviors of Inclusion:
1. Greet others to make them feel welcome and part of the team.
2. Communicate directly with integrity and clarity.
3. Speak up when others are excluded or “left behind.”
4. Use active listening skills to ensure that you have accurately heard what each person is saying.
5. Listen to all voices; allow for all options.
6. Ask each person to share their thoughts and experiences, try to understand their point of view.
7. Respect the dignity and potential of each individual.
8. Invest the time to genuinely interact with different people, places and points of view.
9. When in doubt, treat others the way you would want them to treat you.
10. Become an active participant in your inclusion.
How John Adams Thought
Daughters! Get you an honest man for a husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provide he be independent. Regard the honor and moral character of the man more than all other circumstances. Think of no other greatness but that of the soul, no other riches but those of the heart. An honest, sensible, humane man, above all the littleness of vanity and extravagance of imagination, laboring to do good rather than be rich, to be useful rather than make a show, living in modest simplicity clearly within his means and free from debts and obligations, is really the most respectable man in society, makes himself and all about him more happy. (David McCullough - John Adams)
Marketing ....................... there are five indisputable reasons to advertise all the time:
1. People shop all the time. You’re not advertising to a standing army. You’re advertising to a passing parade.
2. People move. As much as 25% of your market is mobile each year.
3. People forget. How many advertising impressions do you remember from yesterday? You’ve got to stay in front of people to stick in their memory.
4. People often take their time before buying. Your job is to stay in front of them throughout the buying cycle.
5. To establish an equity position with possible buyers. Remember, an equity position is: “When someone needs your product or service, they think of your company.” (The 33 Ruthless Rules of Local Advertising.
Speaking of “Equity Positions”, Freeman-Spicer is here to Sincerely,
help you with many of your financial needs. If you are thinking
about purchasing office equipment such as copiers, printers,
computers, telephone systems, furniture, etc. please allow us a
chance to quote on the financing and/or leasing. We may also be Edward C. Levy
able to save you money on the actual purchase. So please give us President
a call and let us quote or help you with your next purchase. We also can
help you with your auto purchases or leases. Call us for help: 574-234-0069 or surekey@aol.com!