It's been a very busy spring
season -- and as a result I must apologize again for the infrequent blog updates.
Frankly I have found myself looking more for advice than being in a position to
give it as the challenges of vying for still-limited ad dollars continue to
face our sales force and our industry. One of the places I looked for ideas was
the Association of Free Community Papers annual conference, held this year in
Atlanta. Good conference but as the days went on I didn't think I'd come back
with any "home run" experiences that might energize our efforts. That
was until I left for the airport.
At 4:22AM on Sunday April 22 -- exactly the time he said he'd be
there -- Mr. Ventura pulled up at my hotel driving the shuttle van to the
airport. He engaged me in conversation immediately and within about two minutes
time I felt like I'd known this guy all my life. At one point in his driving
career, Ventura decided that he was going to become the "Top Gun driver" in his
company. Every morning when he would arrive at work the owner's son would be
there working in the office. A call to action for my new friend.
"If you want to be the man, then you have to beat the
man," Ventura told me.
From that day forward, he has been the first one at the office
each day, and I mean each and every day because, to quote Ventura again
"consistency and persistency are the keys to success." I knew that.
At our next stop, two ladies joined us for the ride, one of them
remarking that Ventura was right on time. "You must get up awfully early,”
she told him.
"Yes, ma'am, I do. Every morning I get up and say 'Thank you
Lord for giving me another day to enjoy.'"
Game over. Home run found.
I went looking for new technology, innovative ideas and industry
best practices. What I found was that success still relies on the basics. It's
still up to you and no one else. Have passion for what you do, whatever that
may be. Love what you do, love your product or move on. Be genuine. Be nice to
people. Talk to them. Listen to what they have to say. Work on relationships.
Do what you say you're going to do. And do it all the time. Do it with a smile.
And be thankful for every blessing you have.
