Bill ~ Trent ~ Trevor Kizer

Gary ~ Connie ~ Jennifer ~ Erick @ Sage Summit 2011

Robert Schayes, Himanshu Palsule, Bill Kizer, Pascal Houllion Sage Summit 2011

Mark Kauffmann & Her Girls

Sean Leanne Tuohy Wayne Schulz Bill Kizer

Summit 2011 Twitter Meetup

There has been much discussion about the value of attending the Sage Summit 2012 Conference. I am one of those who have found Conferences to provide me with great value and I’ve learned a great amount of useable information. The technology industry changes daily and there’s no way to know about those changes if we don’t talk to the source. You can find the source(s) and other partners who have utilized those changes very successfully by attending events such as the new and improved Sage Summit.

Look at the business partners who consistently make the Top 10 list. Go to their website and see what they’re doing that you’re not. It’s probably a safe wager that they’ve been involved in Summit, BPAC membership, etc. It’s time to be accountable to ourselves for our failures or successes. It’s time to stop blaming others when we fail.

First, there is the long term value of creating lasting relationships with other BP’s or third party solutions and there are many knowledgeable partners and company representative who will gladly share that knowledge with you.

There has been a shift at Sage to offer more transparency and seeing the Management attend different social events & the Trade Show is a testament to this new shift. Don’t be surprised to find yourself engaged in open and honest dialogues with top management.

How do you put a price tag on product information you receive at Summit? What about face time with Sage executives? Truth be told, you can’t put a price tag on these items. The sessions alone that Sage is offering this year are numerous in count, while covering all Sage products, upgrades, changes and of course Social Media.

Too often we get caught up on doing business as we’ve always done it, not knowing that there are better ways of streamlining and making our individual businesses more cost effective. But if we don’t go to Summit and attend sessions, talk to other BP’s, then we’re going to stay in that same spiraling vortex & will get the same results. One of my favorite quotes is:

“If you keep doing what you’re doing you’re going to keep getting what you get. If you want something new you’re going to have to try something new.”

~ Author Unknown

I have spoke to BP’s who have concerns that they have never “pulled” any new business from attending Summit and other conferences occasionally or even those who go each year. Then there’s the camp that has bought booth space, collected business cards & found that most of those cards belonged to other BP’s & not potential new deal opportunities. Where’s the ROI they ask?

First, if you’re heading off to Summit with the sole intent of closing deals then you’re going to be disappointed. It’s kind of like going to a Barnum & Bailey Circus expecting Shakespeare; or going on vacation to Northern Minnesota in January wearing shorts, flip flops & sun tan lotion looking for a sun tan. You’re going to be disappointed by unrealistic expectations.

Unfortunately most companies don’t look at non revenue generating items as having any value. Unless there’s a dollar amount involved most BP’s don’t “get it.” To the partners who don’t get it, there are three questions you need to ask yourself.

What value am I adding to the equation?
What Solution can I provide?
What am I adding to the success of my business?

Come to Nashville & see the changes that are happening at Sage. You’re going to be surprised & more importantly you’re going to go back to your business with a new attitude & isn’t life itself about how you approach it? I think so & I hope to see each of you in Nashville

Merry Xmas To Those Who Mean The Most

TOM KIZER

As I’m writing this blog this morning listening to different renditions of  “Oh Holy Night,” sung by Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, & the master of the aria Andrea Bocelli, images of three people keep popping into my head very vividly and a mixture of joy, happiness, and elation are combined with a tremendous amount of sadness.

As many people know I lost my life long best friend, my brother Tom Kizer this past April to Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Leukemia. It’s hard when you lose someone very close to you and in your heart you know that you’ll never get another chance to spend a Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Eve with them ever again. I’ll never get to laugh, cry or just hanging out with Tom and that fills me with great sorrow.  His passing has left a tremendous hole in my heart and a day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about him.

So to you Tom, wherever you may be, Merry Christmas and I hope to see you again someday.

TRENT & TREVOR KIZER

My sons, Trent and Trevor bring me incredible happiness and joy. I’m not sure what I did right in life to deserve to be their father but I thank my God each and every day for those two gifts.  It may sound a bit sappy but every time one of them wraps their little arms around me and says “I Love You” I feel complete by that one statement, that one show of affection.  They’re both very bright, loving children who love spending time with me and I couldn’t even begin to count the blessings that are called Trent and Trevor Kizer.

I won’t pretend that I knew what the phrase unconditional love meant prior to being a parent. I had some ideas of what I thought it meant but, boy was I ever wrong. I’ll never forget the first time that I held 1 day old Trevor for an extended period and I started singing “You Are My Sunshine” to him and the tears flowed. That was the exact moment that I learned what the definition of unconditional love means to me.

Incidentally Trevor will be 11 on the 7th of this month and I continue to be amazed by both my sons.

These are the three people whom I think about the most; the loss of one, and the growth of the other two.

The holidays are about family. Mine got smaller by one but the two that are left will make my Christmas a joyous one. I hope that yours will be filled with those who mean the most to you.

Zappos; The Best At Delivering The WOW Experience? Maybe………………

I’ve been hearing more and more this year that I have to go to Henderson, Nevada & take the Tour of Zappos. Its supposed to be incredible, blah, blah, blah. I’d heard that if you contacted them that they would send you a copy of the Zappos Culture Book, a collection of personal written statements by the employees. In a random sampling I started to get intrigued by what they were saying about the place that they spend the bulk of their day.

I wasn’t impressed by them when it took them 6 weeks to get my Culture Book in my hands. Order lost, second one sent to wrong address,wrong zip, wrong street, wrong city, wrong state.

After each incident they would say that they were taking care of it with no results. Finally I sent them the e-mail that no one ever wants to get from me. I call it “Come to Jesus Letter Via Social Media.” I even have a template of it, just in case I forget something.

One day after my last round of e-mails with them I received the Zappos Culture Book, a signed copy of “Delivering Happiness” written by Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos and one small item, still don’t know what it is, my sons will. Some people think that you need to overwhelm your clients with semi expensive gifts at Christmas.
We go out of our way to make sure that we send to them their favorite Champagne, Scotch, etc.

There was one additional item in the package that I’m going to save. It has a retail value of less than $2 but to me it was the most valuable item that I received. 

It was a HAND WRITTEN card from someone name Rocco apologizing for the mixups. It completely wiped out the mistakes & made me a Zappos fan. It was a WOW experience. By the way it was sent from Rocco DeBenedictis who has the title of Culture Magician and it read…..

“Dear Bill, I do apologize for the long delay….If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know…..Rocco

The card meant the most to me. I am now a Zappos fan just like Tammy Mathews,  Ed Kless, Himanshu Palsule & Judy Thornell. 

If you’ve had a WOW experience with Zappos please share it in the comments section. 

The Passing of Steve Jobs

 

Thank You Steve

 “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”
Steve Jobs

Do you remember your first Apple Computer? I do, it was very small, the screeen was in black and white and the only attraction that I had for it initially was playing Pong. I can still hear the ponging of the white “ball” as it careened (okay, careening is a bit of a stretch, how about as it slowly bounced) off the walls. I won’t say I was addicted to the game but there were plenty of down times at work that were filled with the game.

The only other attraction for me was that I could write to my heart’s delight on it and write I did. My only error was that I hadn’t learned how to save it within a folder to provide a small level of security. I remember reading a tutorial that used the phrase “Desktop” and how you were taught to think of your virtual Desktop as your real desktop and virtual folders represented the folders that I kept stuff in. It was on that little machine that I learned how to save my personal writing onto a big, cumbersome disk known as a Floppy. They certainly weren’t convenient and didn’t store much data but that’s what we had at the time and if you had an Apple girls thought you were pretty cool and smart, my other reasons for having one.

When I look at the laptop that I’m writing this on right now and think of all of the advances that have been made since then I can’t help but think about Steve Jobs and the impact he had on the world. How much do we owe him for that project that was started in his garage along with Steve Wozniak?

(Link to Steve Wozniak’s interview after learning that his friend had died http://bit.ly/qpQDOE )

How many people’s lives will each of us have affected when we leave this world? Maybe one hundred, more or less. Steve’s passing will have affected most of the world and I don’t think that’s much of a stretch

I don’t want this to be a long drawn out blog, the intent was just a few lines to say thank you to Steve Jobs for all the positive changes he made while he was here on this Earth.

Rest In Peace

What Does A VAR Look Like To You?

Robert_Himanshu_Bill_Pascal @ Sage Summit 2011

What Do You Think A VAR Looks like?

Do they have integrity, passion, & honesty? Or do you have to check and re-check every invoice they send you knowing that you’re going to have a less than pleasant conversation with them about the “Holy Cow” additional costs that you hadn’t anticipated?

 Do you hear from them regularly to tell you about new updates, versions or maybe just an offer to go to lunch? Or, do they call just to remind you that your annual maintenance and support fees are due?

Is This What Your Re-Seller Looks Like?

 Do you recommend them to friends or business associates who are looking for ERP software? 

Or are they like your drunk Uncle Charley who shows up for every holiday, drinks too much, starts swearing like, well a drunken uncle. He then proceeds to pass out on your new couch which is when he chooses flatulence as his primary language. Upon awakening to the smell of something burning in the kitchen and the shrieking of the fire alarm do you realize that Drunken Uncle Charley has plans to stay the entire Holiday weekend at your place, which is when you whip out the plastic and book him a room at the furthest hotel from you with promises that he’ll pay you back.

If your “VAR” isn’t providing you with quality service like the ones that have been mentioned above then maybe what you have is a Re-Seller, not a VAR.

I was just reading  a social media post from a new Sage partner who wrote the following (paraphrased)

They wanted input from other partners because they wanted to know why Sage is better than Quick Books & another solution but they weren’t really sure as they have no experience in the usage of Sage or any other accounting program. Okay, fair enough we all have to learn sometime about the software that we represent but here’s where I was just dumbfounded. I went to their website, wait for it, and wait for it
This was what I read (paraphrased again)

At ____________ we specialize in the use of, and training in, Sage accounts, Payroll and HR programs. We offer good value and great service during training and, if you require it, maintenance.

Okay, so is there something that I’m missing?  So which classification does this partner fall into? They don’t appear to me to offer much beyond the ability to sell software so I’m going with Re-Seller. A Re-Seller doesn’t offer additional services, usually doesn’t have the resources to provide those services and generally has to charge you more because they have to pay an outside resource to provide those services.

I know what the Re-Seller looks like because I worked for one for a short period of time. Not only did they not have the in house resources to help their clients but they hadn’t bothered to have their IT person certified, why by the way is a requirement by Sage. What that means that even if we had a sale we couldn’t process it because our online Sage access had been shut off.  That’s called a red flag and a reason to find a real VAR who could provide those services.

Our clients deserve the best service that’s available. They trust that they’re getting the best service. It’s incumbent upon us to provide an extraordinary customer experience each and every time that we have a dialogue with them.  It’s time that our clients are treated as something other than a quick buck. If you’re losing more than your fair share of clients for “undetermined” reasons then it’s time to re-examine your business practices.  Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate why you’re in business & if it’s just to make money then you’re probably doing in business for the wrong reasons. However if providing an extraordinary customer experience for your clients is your number one goal, congratulations. You “get it” and not surprisingly so do your clients. Welcome to the World of VARs

Social Media Enthusiast or Expert/Guru/Genius?

I’ve been reading GaryVaynerchuk’s book titled “The Thank You Economy.”  I’m also reading his other book “Why Now Is The Time To Crush It.” Both books are very well written by someone who has mastered social media. If you don’t know of his social media pedigree, go to You Tube and listen to some of his talks at conferences or take the plunge and purchase his books through Amazon.com

Essentially social media has been around for about 14-15 years with the advent of the first recognizable social network site launched in 1997. SixDegrees.com allowed users to create profiles, list their Friends and, beginning in 1998, surf the Friends lists.

Since that small inauspicious beginning there have been literally hundreds of (SNS) or Social Networking Sites with members, friends, connections counting in the millions.

So where am I going with this? Okay, since you asked I’ll tell you. There are thousands of people in the United States that refer to themselves as Social Media Experts, Social Media Gurus etc. Some of the more humble call themselves Strategists and bill out to other companies to tell said companies how to build a social media strategy that will guarantee an almost immediate ROI.

Granted most companies have a FaceBook, Twitter & LinkedIn profile but have no clue as to what to do with that profile to make it work for them. I know this to be true because I’ve been given the privilege to talk to Sage partners and I would estimate that 80% of those that have a profile don’t know how to utilize it. How did I come up with that percentage? I always ask at the beginning of each session and the number has remained pretty consistent.

So what do they do? They find someone who will work inexpensively and promises to increase their Social Media profile if they will just do the following…blah…blah…blah…etc…etc…etc…

But the partners trust them because their business cards says they’re a Social Media expert and they wouldn’t stretch the truth on their business card, would they?

I just corresponded with a business partner whom sat in on my session at Sage Summit 2011 and afterwards he wanted to talk about increasing his profile and tailoring it for his needs. Guess who is helping him? His girl friend because she’s his girlfriend. Good luck with that.

In a business arena that is as young as Social Media is there are very few experts. There are, however, people who have learned how to monetize Social Media and I guess that makes them experts in making money. There are also those who have studied it enough to be able share their knowledge with others.

I don’t have anything bad to say about someone who is lucky enough to work for a corporation that believes that Social Media is our future, because that’s what I would like to do. No, my problem is the Experts and Gurus out there who are giving the rest of us that really care about our customers a black eye by taking the money and running.

To borrow from Gary’s book “The Thank You Economy” Blockbuster didn’t think that the Internet was going to be around very long and basically they handed the business to NetFlix. Can anyone tell me who is no longer in business as the direct result of not recognizing the power of the internet? The same goes for Borders, they handed a goldmine to Amazon, as the Founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos says, “If I had a nickel for every investor that said that this (Amazon) wasn’t going to work”……. 

I recently changed my e-mail signature to read LinkedIn Enthusiast because I am very enthusiastic about all things LinkedIn & Social Media as a whole.

Be leery of those that call themselves experts, ask to see their certification, ask them for business referrals, ask them if they wouldn’t mind you calling some of their customers (that you get to pick)

Embrace the Internet and Social Media, they’re here to stay and if you’re not spending time there you’re missing out because I’ll bet your customers are spending time there.

Transition Versus Change

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about change lately and the reasons for each individual event have one basic conclusion, but we’ll get to that later.

What’s your initial response when the company you’ve worked for a period of time experiences significant change in the overall ownership structure? My first reaction is one of fear and that fear is usually based around one re-occuring. “What Am I Going To Lose?” With that one simple question my mind can run off in all sorts of directions that aren’t healthy for me or anyone around me because that’s when the negativity & fear of the unknown start to cultivate & grow in my mind. 95% of the time when I have speculated about what change is going to bring is so off the mark that I feel like a moron.

This is also the time that I start to speculate about those changes. The best definition of speculation is “a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence.” The key phrase is incomplete evidence. Apparently it was pretty evident to others that I wasn’t dealing well with the changes that were going on around me so they gave me a book to read titled Managing Transitions by William Bridges. In it he says the following;

 “Change,” which he describes as external and public, and “transition,” which is internal, private, and psychological.  He claims that change is relatively easy but transitions are more difficult and emotionally demanding.  He states “Transition is the psychological process people go through to come to terms with the new situation….and, it is these interior processes of learning and adaptation—not the external facts of change—that are underestimated and can be treacherous to one’s health and happiness.”

“ In our highly mobile society, where change and ambition are considered coin of the realm, people fail to recognize that any transition process—in life, in love, in work—not only requires adapting to a new situation, but it means letting go of old habits.”

Prior to reading this book I didn’t realize that there were two parts to change. I just thought that I thick headed and stubborn. Well, maybe there’s still some of that, but……

You might ask why I’m writing about this at this juncture. Since you asked I’ll tell you. Sage is going through some major changes in terms of re-branding its entire product line. There’s been a lot of discussion amongst the Sage partners about how it’s going to affect their bottom line.

What’s interesting to me is that I haven’t lost a minute of sleep because I understand the need for a change so I’ve passed through the Transition phase with flying colors and am anxious to see how this all works out.

I’m in the Change phase which allows me to move forward and I hope that all the partners who are still in the Transition phase get to enjoy the Change phase.

Final Sage Summit Wrap Up

I woke up in my own bed in San Diego and that’s always a great feeling; not that waking up at the Gaylord National Harbor is a bad thing, but there is nowhere like home. I get to spend the day with my sons and that always makes for a special day.

Sage Summit 2011 is now a memory but what sweet memories. This conference was by far the best Sage Event that I’ve attended for many reasons.

The highlights for me were being asked to be an endorsed Sage Summit blogger. I had a front seat to the growth and acceptance of  social media and how far it has come in the past 3 years since I first started the Sage Partners, Employees & Alumni LinkedIn Group. I got the opportunity to talk to alot of partners about their social media strategy and how it important it has come within their respective businesses in terms of marketing.

My other highlight was being invited to a Meet & Greet with Sean & Leanne Tuohy. What marvelous people they are. Their story is inspiring & I especially loved their message of how just One Person Can Make A Difference. Their journey that was the genesis for the blockbuster movie “The Blindside” is a testament to a core belief of giving rather than receiving. 

There are so many highlights from this event but what really stuck out for me was the accessibility & transparency of the executives. Our new CEO Pascal Houllion is dynamic, friendly and I think our Road Map under his leadership is going to take us places we’ve never been.

Himanshu Palsule, Laurie Schulz, Tom Miller, Dennis Frahmann, Pascal Van Dooren, Connie Certusi, Dominique Bopp, Alok Tyagi,  & many others make Sage what it is today and what it will become. Hold on tight for the ride of your life.

For those that don’t know & asked me for directions & a whole host of other Sage related questions,  I am not an employee of Sage however I am as strong a Sage supporter as you will find. I don’t walk around with blinders on, but if I have questions I will ask and I normally get a response the is satisfactory to me. Just so that we’re clear nothing would give me greater pleasure than to work for any of the people above that I’ve mentioned.

There I go again on a different tangent but to get back to Sage Summit; there are a group of people that are largely responsible for the success of this past event and that the Entire Events team. I hope that each of you get a chance to thank them for the long hours, creative ideas and attention to the smallest detail to make Sage Summit the success it was.

I hope that each of you who attended enjoyed yourself and that you will be in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland for version 2.0 of Sage Summit. I know that barring any unforseen bumps in the road I’ll be there if for no other reason than to see what the Events Team has in store for us.

Have a prosperous year and I wish each of you the very best as we move forward under the direction of our new CEO, Pascal Houllion.

Bienvenue vers l’Amérique, Pascal Houllion

Bienvenue vers l’Amérique, Pascal.

I hope that is the right verbiage for welcoming you to America.

For those that don’t know Sage had it Annual Conference this year at the Gaylord National Harbor. It was the first time that we had combined customers and partners together and the result has been, in this writer’s opinion, phenomenal.

What has stuck out for me is the transparency that the Sage executives have shown. They have been accessible, friendly and seemingly willing to listen to what is being said.

Our new CEO, Pascal Houllion comes from France and has been with Sage for the past 22 years. What has impressed me is his ability to “hang with the employees & partners” yet maintain that CEO image. On the bus ride back from the Museum last night, which was a fantastic evening and I hope that you all got the opportunity to try your hand at flying a jet in the simulators. I don’t think that we even came close to gunning down one enemy jet but the laughter that came from trying was worth it. 

But I digress, on the ride back we were talking about what I had been hearing from partners in terms of concerns, etc. and I also wanted to know what his priority list looked like. But he told the story of travelling with Himanshu Pasule and getting to a city where he was going to be for several days and his agenda had been filled with meetings. He kindly asked them to cancel all the meetings because what he wanted to do and has been doing since his arrival is going out and meeting partners and asking them what they needed, etc. When was the last time that we’ve had that from a CEO?

Laurie Schultz comes the closest with her Road Shows.

I want to single out another long time Sage executive, one that I got to spend some time with and that’s Himanshu Palsule. We were sitting outside the hotel and just started talking about things. I reminded him of the time that my sons came to the airport with their mother to pick me up from Insights in Orlando. He was so genuinely kind to them and was interested in what they had to say even though they were just 5 & 6 at the time. Small gestures like that go along way with me. They are the gestures of a genuinely kind person. We probably spent 45 minutes just talking about alot of different topics and I left to go to my room impressed one more time with Himanshu. So if you’re reading this at some point, Himanshu, thanks for your time that evening.

I want to point out one more Sage executive and then I’m going to head in another direction with this blog because I don’t want to feel like I’ve left anyone out. Laurie Schultz is as accessible an executive as anyone. This goes back to the Road Shows that she conducts and criss crosses the country to hear what we have to say, even when it can be a bit harsh she stands tall and doesn’t attempt to defend Sage’s position, she attempts to explain what Sage is doing, where Sage is going and the anticipated time it’s going to take to get there.

But what really showed me what type of a person she is was an email that I received from her back in April. My younger brother Tom had passed away and I wrote an open letter in the form of a blog to him and posted it. Her note was one of genuine concern and I was very touched by her small gesture of kindness.

Just an aside, please attend these Road Shows. Sage wants to know what you think and if you’re not attending these free events how can you expect any change? It’s incumbent upon us to let people know what we feel.

I could go on and on about the accesibility of the Executive Team, people like Tom Miller, (Does He Ever Stop Smiling?) Dennis Frahmann, Connie Certusi, the Events Team, you name them they have been very visible at this event and I’m sure that most partners would be happy about that.

Frankly, I don’t know how the Events Team is going to top this one but it will be fun to see and I hope that everyone comes back next year as we head to Nashville to see what we’ll do for Pascal’s 2nd Summit.

Relaxing @ The Gaylord National During Sage Summit 2011

I’ve found that after just a couple of days at past Insight & Summit events that I need a break. Whether it’s a long overdue nap, taking a walk, it’s important to give yourself some “Me” time. Here’s some great amenities that are available at the Gaylord without leaving the grounds.

Relâche Spa & Salon, a 20,000-square-foot facility that includes including saunas, steam rooms, co-ed tea/relaxation lounge, and a state-of-the-art fitness center

Unique indoor/outdoor pool located at Relâche Spa

Seven distinctive restaurants and eateries, including Gaylord Hotels’ signature restaurant, Old Hickory Steakhouse

Sunday Brunch at Pienza Italian Market

Fine seafood offerings at Moon Bay Coastal Cuisine.

Pose Ultra Lounge, our high-energy rooftop nightclub

National Pastime Sports Bar and Grill  (This is also known as the place that all Arizona Diamondback fans are banned from. It’s just on principle

Belvedere Lobby Bar fosters a relaxing atmosphere to unwind or socialize.

if you’re spending the day lounging in the sun, the poolside bar offers cool, colorful drinks, as well as fresh bites to eat.

Potomac Playzone family arcade

On-site shopping, from travel necessities to luxurious indulgences

Or……If you want to go downtown D.C. there is a shuttle every 90 minutes from the Gaylord Entrance

Sightseeing Tours and Roundabout Services

Water Taxis to Old Town, Georgetown and Mount Vernon

Wayne Schulz has a great LinkedIn post detailing how to get around D.C. Check it out for directions.

There’s alot to do while you’re in D.C. but my overall message is to make sure you carve out some time for mental relaxation.

Most of all, ENJOY YOURSELF!!!

How Do You Shuttle 3,000 People In One Hour?

We have spent a good deal of time considering this very question. We were presented with this challenge as we considered how we will transport 3,000 of our favorite customers and business partners from the Gaylord National Conference to the Air and Space Museum for our special evening event on Wednesday, July 13.  We are confident that we have come up with a great solution. 

Here’s how this will work.   

The Trade Show Exhibit Hall will serve as pre-departure “port”.

Starting at 6:55 p.m. customers will be asked to board buses in alphabetic order by the name of their company. This way, if there is more than one person with the company, employees can get on the same bus. For those of you who would like to join your customers, you will be able to board any bus at any time to accompany them.  
We will have two dedicated shuttles for Exhibitors. We will have an Exhibitor Express Shuttle shortly following the close of the trade show for those that can be packed up in a flash. We have an Exhibitor Last Call bus run at 9:00 p.m. for those who need a little more time.  
The bus schedule will be communicated in print, signs, live announcements, social media, text messaging, and by staff giving directions. It will also be printed on the back of museum tickets that will be distributed to Sage Summit attendees beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 13 at the trade show entry area.

There will be plenty of Sage staff available to assist you at the time with any questions.

This is going to be more fun than riding the roller coasts at Magic Mountain & Disney Land combined.

Remember, we’ll all get to our destination and your patience will be rewarded with a Fantastic Night!!!

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Summit 2011

My Top 17 Vendors To Visit While @ Sage Summit 2011

1. Azamba Consulting; SageCRM & Sage ACCPAC ERP Implementations See Peter in Booth 636

2. Juice Marketing: Cost Effective Marketing Programs; See Mark In Booth 124

3. Hall Web Services; Develop & Maintain Web Marketing Strategies, Attend  Amanada O’Brien & Jenika Scott’s sessions.

4. ISM Technology; ISM Shipping Link & ISM Ecommerce Gold Providers, See Carla & Angela in Booth 632

5. Scanco; Barcode Technology Integration to MAS 90/200, distribution, manufacturing automation, RF & RFID technology. See Lauren & Her Team in Booth 731

6. ACOM Solutions Automate your manual document & payment processes. ACOM integrates with ERP & CRM Solutions, Meet The Team in Booth 401

7. IN-SYNCH allows for full control and flexibility in designing, creating & customizing your corporate web site & store front. Meet the Team in Booth 319

8. SPS Commerce offers supply chain solutions for every trading partner in the retail ecosystem. Meet Dane & His Team in Booth 813

9. Alchemex Business Intelligence Developer, enabler and support-provider of affordable and flexible Excel-based Business Intelligence software. Meet The Team In Station #4 In Sage ERP/Accounting Section

10. IndustrioOS Manufacturing Software for your Sage ERP Accpac & Sage ERP PFW
Meet Dan, Linda & Their Team in  Booth 319

11. JobOps, Automating job management functions for manufacturing, installation, & field service organizations. Works with Sage MAS90 & MAS200 Meet The Job Ops Team in Booths 701, 703

12. Mapadoc by SWK; an integrated Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) software solution built specifically for Sage MAS 90, 200, and 500, Meet Jeffrey Roth in Booths 725, 727

I thought that I would get by with just a dozen top Vendors but it seems that I missed just a few so here they are: 

13. Fisher Technology showcasing TaskCentre,  provides integration,workflow & alerting to all Sage applications. Introducing our new web service connector tool enabling connection to virtually any cloud application. Come meet Paul Cannon & Nicole Laurier Booth 230

14. Altec enterprise document management. Altec’s doc-link® integrateswith Sage MAS 90/200, MAS 500, PFW & ACCPAC ERP addresses paper intensive processes such as AP, AR, & Sales Order Processing. Come & see what’s new, say hi to Kerry Gardner & Kevin Dudevoir Booth 407

15. Suntico, all the way from Ireland to join us for their 2nd year. Stop by & see whats new with Transact; a SaaS application built on the Suntico connected services platform;  delivers mobility, online access, & extended functionality to users of Sage Peachtree & Simply Accounting. See Derek Stewart in Booth 431

16. This list wouldn’t be complete without the addition of xkzero. Learn how z.Find puts Google-like search in your hands. Visit our booth and compare z.Find search to traditional system navigation. Also, don?t miss our innovative Route Sell Solutions for Sage MAS 90 / MAS 500. Visit Paul Ziliak & his team in Booth 824

17. Blytheco LLC. I include this company for 1 simple reason, respect for Stephen Blythe.  Blytheco offers quality enhancements, vertical applications & customizations that provide a meaningful ROI for you. Training is available in our award-winning training centers, at your facility or online. See what Blytheco has to offer in Booth 812

This is the entire list of recommended Vendors to stop by, say hi, & see what’s new in the industry. I hope you find this list helpful as you wander through the maze of booths at Sage Summit. If you can’t remember a vendor & see me stop me & I’ll be more than happy to direct you to the right booth.

These aren’t listed in any particular order.

Did You Forget To Pack Anything For Sage Summit 2011?

We’re only 3 weeks away from attending the Inaugural Sage Summit 2011. Prior to leaving San Diego I think that it’s time to get out the checklist. If you’re like me, you’ll discover that if I don’t prepare a checklist I’ll always end up 1 pair of socks short, Too few business cards, forgot toothpaste, brought 2 bottles of shampoo, no conditioner. You name it, I’ve forgot it on one trip or another. That’s why I pack like I’m leaving for a year around the world. I can pack just as much for 3 days in Las Vegas as I can for a 1 week trip.

Airline Ticket √
Sage Summit Registration √
Room Reservation √
Luggage √
4 Suits √
2 Pair Slacks √
1 Pair Jeans √
8 Shirts, Dress, Casual √
3-4 Pair of Shoes, Including Flip Flops √
6-8 Pair of Socks √
6-8 Pair of Underwear √
3 Belts √
4 Tee Shirts √
Assorted Toiletries √
Laptop √
Camera √
Cell Phone √
Chargers For Laptop, Camera, Cell Phone √
Extra Batteries for Wireless Mouse √
Verizon Broad Band Card √
Extra Batteries for Any Emergency √
Necessary Travel Documents √

Just writing this list wore me out to the point that I had to go upstairs and take a nap. I get teased a lot because I just don’t know how to pack lightly. I operate under the “You Just Never Know” Theory. I enjoy wearing suits so I mostly wear suits at conferences so I need those. I have to wear different shirts so I need those.  Of course extra socks & underwear are a must, Duh. Different shoes for each suit are very important. There’s nothing worse than wearing a black suit & let’s say you forgot the black shoes, all you have are your brown ones. It doesn’t look good & I trust me when I say, you will spend the entire evening looking at the brown shoes wondering how many people are figuratively wondering why you’re wearing brown and not black shoes.  I know this to be a fact because I’ve see me do it.

Should be all set, right? Wrong. Don’t forget your wallet! I’ve done that before also. If it can be forgotten I’ve forgotten it on some trip to somewhere.

I think that someone could make a decent living hiring themselves out as professional packers. Hand them your list, they go through it with you, and voila your only job is to start your car and head to the airport. She’s already packed your luggage in your car and included your entire itinerary and any other necessary documentation.  After giving her a credit card number she pats you on the head and wishes you a safe flight and reminds you of the Power User discount. I might be willing to pay for that because when I say it takes me hours to pack, I’m not exaggerating.

Alright, I went out and purchased a new piece of luggage. One of the local luggage stores was having a killer sale on London Fog luggage. Had to have it! Retail Therapy is so rewarding & satisfying (until you get the credit card bill)

 Now if we could just someone else stand in the TSA lines for a reasonable price.

Williamkizer52@gmail.com
760.518.2493

The Value of Attending Sage Summit 2011

There has been much discussion about the value of attending the Sage Summit 2011 Conference. I am one of those who have found Conferences to provide me with great value and I’ve learned a great amount of useable information. The technology industry changes daily and there’s no way to know about those changes if we don’t talk to the source. You can find the source(s) and other partners who have utilized those changes very successfully by attending events such as the new and improved Sage Summit.

Look at the business partners who consistently make the Top 10 list. Go to their website and see what they’re doing that you’re not. It’s probably a safe wager that they’ve been involved in Insights, BPAC members, etc.  It’s time to be accountable to ourselves for our failures or successes. It’s time to stop blaming others when we fail. It’s time to stop blaming the economy.

First, there is the long term value of creating lasting relationships with other BP’s or third party solutions and there are many knowledgeable partners and company representative who will gladly share that knowledge with you.

There has been a shift at Sage to offer more transparency and seeing the Management attend different social events & the Trade Show is testament to this new shift. We have a new CEO since our last Insights in Denver. Although Pascal Houillon is new to Sage North America he has been with Sage France, Belgium, Brazil, Switzerland, and Morocco since joining Sage in 1989. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him “out and about” during Sage Summit, so here’s another opportunity to meet more of the management team.

How do you put a price tag on product information you receive at Summit? What about face time with Sage executives? Truth be told, you can’t put a price tag on these items. The sessions alone that Sage is offering this year are numerous in count, while covering all Sage products, upgrades, changes etc.

Too often we get caught up on doing business as we’ve always done it, not knowing that there are better ways of streamlining and making our individual businesses more cost effective. But if we don’t go to Summit and attend sessions, talk to other BP’s, then we’re going to stay in that same spiraling vortex & will get the same results. One of my favorite quotes is:

“If you keep doing what you’re doing you’re going to keep getting what you get. If you want something new you’re going to have to try something new.”

~ Author Unknown

I have spoke to BP’s who have concerns that they have never “pulled” any new business from attending Insights and other conferences occasionally or even those who go each year. Then there’s the camp that has bought booth space, collected business cards & found that most of those cards belonged to other BP’s & not potential new deal opportunities. Is it worth the expenditure, they ask?

First, if you’re heading off to Insights with the sole intent of closing deals then you’re going to be disappointed. It’s kind of like going to a Barnum & Bailey Circus expecting Shakespeare; or going on vacation to Northern Minnesota in January wearing shorts, flip flops & sun tan lotion; you’re going to be disappointed by setting up unrealistic expectations.

Unfortunately most companies don’t look at non revenue generating items as having any value. Unless there’s a dollar amount involved most BP’s don’t “get it.” Here’s an example of one who does.

“It has always been MY rule that if I am serious about selling Sage products I need to attend Insights. I need to “breathe” the air, sense the mood of the Sage community, and get enough inspiration to see me through another year.” ~ Arlie Skory; Managing Partner at Skory Employer Solutions LLC ~

To the partners who don’t get it, there are three questions you need to ask yourself.

What value am I adding to the equation?
What Solution can I provide?
Am I participating in the success of my business?

Come to Washington D.C. & see the changes that are happening at Sage. You’re going to be surprised & more importantly you’re going to go back to your business with a new attitude & isn’t life itself about how you approach it? I think so & I hope to see each of you in D.C.

Note: Re-print of my 4/19/10 blog

williamkizer52@gmail.com
760.518.2493

Categories: Current Events Tags: BPAC, PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE, SAGE INSIGHTS, Sage Summit 2011, Pascal Houillon, Arlie Skory, TECHNOLOGY

When The Phone Doesn’t Ring It’s Me

I met my father once when I was twenty. He was an arrogant, seemingly wealthy contractor that was living in Palm Springs with some bleach blonde that was about half his age. My older brother had somehow tracked him down, called & he invited us down for the day. As we stood nervously at his front door I remember that my thoughts were all over the place. Should I be happy to finally meet the man who brought me into this world or should I be angry that he simply disappeared from our lives when we very small children?

As he opened the front door with the afore mentioned blonde at his side, the best he could come up was the following greeting and it still ring through my memory banks; “So, what do you guys want”? He made it very simple for me to determine my course of thoughts so I went to anger, and I remember thinking “What can I do to hurt this person with his look of haughty disdain”?

Even I didn’t expect what came out of my mouth next. I simply told him that I didn’t want anything from him as he hadn’t provided anything to our lives prior to the meeting. I didn’t want his money, his beautiful home, his girlfriend, nothing. All I wanted to do was face a man who could just walk out on his children & never make one attempt to see if we were okay as we grew up.

It was then & there that I made up my mind that I would never do that to any children that I might have.

Everyone is an example of what you want to be like or someone that you want nothing to do with and Larry certainly fell into category #2. I’d heard that he was a saxophonist in the Harry James orchestra (for those that have never heard of Harry James, he was part of the Big Band Era which ran in the middle 1930’s to the early 1940’s. This was never confirmed or denied, I just never found any proof either way. I’d heard that he spent most of his adult life on the road travelling with the band. In those days everyone took busses, there was very limited commercial airline service available, and most of the Big Bands had so many members that it would have been financially impossible to travel.

Out of the seemingly bad comes good. I am now the proud father of two young boys, Trent & Trevor whom I cherish and love very much. Because of the way that I was raised I know the pain of not having a Mom or Dad to raise me. It stunk plain and simple. I will never abandon my children for my own pleasures. Even though their Mom & I ended up divorced we still both consider the boys our number one priority.

For that kind of dedication I get to take them to dinner for their birthdays, I get to participate in their lives. For that I got the pleasure  just a few minutes ago of receiving a call from them wishing me Happy Father’s Day. For that we are going to spend the day watching the minor league team to the San Diego Padres the Lake Elsinore Storm which was their idea. For that I will get a hug, a card and a kiss from my sons.

I love being a father but more than that I love not being on the Dead Beat Dad’s List, I love the fact that I can call them, or they can call their Dad anytime they want.

So to all of you Fathers who tirelessly play catch, run yourself ragged playing soccer, constantly get beat playing video games, laugh at the jokes that aren’t funny, take them to the latest Kung Fu Panda movie and listen to their review of the movie, are there when they fall, and you’re there when they’re in the school play, no matter how small or big the part is………………………………….HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!!

One last note to my Dad, thanks for nothing

Living As An Adult With Baby Elephant Beliefs

I’m starting to write a book after stewing the thought about it for the past couple of years. The basis of the book is an approach to sales that I’ve never seen nor read anywhere. After talking with a fellow colleague recently about his situation I told him about my idea and he said that I needed to start writing the book immediately, so with that ammunition I’ve started writing it.

After many years of observing and managing “sales” people I kept asking myself why so many of them are unsuccessful? Why do so many of them keep repeating questionable tactics that resulted in a poor outcome? Why are “sales” people afraid to ask the tough questions?

I won’t get into the real depth of it because I don’t want to give the ideas of my book away but here’s something that a friend of mine has talked about for years. Howard calls it living as an adult with baby elephant ideas. Here’s where that comes from.

In the jungle elephants are used for the heavy work. They drag tree trunks from the jungles to help the workers clear the area. While they are babies the elephants are chained by a back leg to a very large tree. Initially they keep trying to free themselves, but finally give up because they realize they are locked into that situation. The elephants after repeated failures “know” the situation is unchangeable and there is nothing that they can do about it.

As fully grown adults tethering them to a large tree is replaced by a small stake in the ground. Logic tells us that because of the elephant’s strength and size they could easily rip the stake from the ground and simply walk away. However, the elephants have long since given up trying to free themselves and fully accept the chains of life’s “reality” as it appears to them, and so even when they are chained to a small stake in the ground, they accept and believe and “know” it is immovable, so they stop trying to pull it out and be free.

Most of us live with those same Baby Elephants Ideas. Fear is our chain and “stake” because all of us are trained to be afraid of punishment and rejection whenever we try to shake loose from our indoctrinated chains of mutually agreed upon definitions. We “know” the consequences are dire and painful. But, those Baby Elephants Ideas are so ingrained in us that we simply don’t try to make our lives better event though we’re tired of the life that we have.

As adults, then, let us all remember that the fear driven stake in the ground that seems immovable is very, very tiny, and easily pulled out of the ground. The message here is that we can change old ideas if we just believe

This isn’t a new idea but one that I’m refining for purposes of writing my book

P.S. I normally insert an image into my blogs but I was so disturbed by images of the treatment of the elephants during this “breaking in” period that I just couldn’t  bring myself to put an image of them out on the internet for others to see.

Sage Summit 2011; It’s All About Location

Location, Location, Location. It’s the most important axiom in real estate. An axiom is a universally accepted principle or rule that requires no proof.  Thus the setting for this year’s Inaugural Sage Summit 2011 where you will get to experience many firsts for Sage’s Premiere Conference.

Despite it teeming population of politicians Washington D.C. remains a can’t miss city. The history of the country is incomparable & it certainly has lots to offer in the way of museums, opera, major theatres all abound in great numbers offering the best in entertainment value as most if not all the museums don’t charge an admission fee.

One can literally walk through American history by visiting The Lincoln & Washington monuments, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. (The White House) The Mall, site of Martin Luther Kings’s “I have A Dream” speech, an event that attracted 250,000 people without the help of the Internet, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter & of course the black granite Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall where the names of 58,267 service men and women who died or remain missing are listed in chronological order. It is a powerful monument that is both reflective and contemplative in character. It doesn’t make any political statement about the war. You could spend several days visting all the quality sights that D.C. has to offer but please  take at least one day to visit them while you’re here. http://bit.ly/ansqvQ

The Gaylord National Hotel & Conference Center is actually located on the Potomac River in National Harbor in Maryland which is only a short ride from Reagan Airport making it very accessible to Washington D.C. I’ve included a link to a site that details getting around the D.C. area. http://bit.ly/l6Npzm

The Gaylord hotels are known for their splendor, size & overall attention to small and large conferences. There is plenty to do while staying at a Gaylord property from great accommodations, fine restaurants to fantastic shopping available without ever stepping outside the Resort. http://bit.ly/d19JJd

This year’s National Conference has changed its format to include both Sage Partners, Vendors and now Sage customers. This should prove to be a winning combination. I’ve had the privilege to interact via e-mail with Suzanne Spear who is Sage’s Director of Events and members of her team that include Danielle Cote, VP, Event Marketing @ Sage. They have been working on this year’s conference for at least the past year to make sure that we all walk away better educated by a plethora of breakout sessions, including many interactive ones. 

Please make sure that if you see them or any member of their team at the Conference to thank them for all of their hard work that they’ve put into Sage Summit 2011.

In addition to the breakout sessions the Keynote Speakers should be a big hit. I’m looking forward to Wednesday afternoon’s Keynote Speakers Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. They are the Memphis couple who took a homeless teenager into their home and treated him like their own. That youngster is Michael Oher who went from living on the streets, to living with the entire Tuohy family,  to being picked in the 1^st round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. If you haven’t a clue of what I speak watch the movie “Blindside.” It chronicles Michael’s story in a very compassionate way and reminds me that no matter what obstacles may be put in front of me I can always succeed if I want something bad enough even though the deck is stacked high against me.

On Wednesday evening the site for a Dinner Reception will be at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. It promises for great evening in a relaxed environment and fun.

You have to show up for the Fire and Ice Partner Party on Monday from 7:30 to 11:00 This year partner appreciation party will offer live music, games, great food and drink, plus other surprises. You won’t want to miss one-of-a-kind performances by talented musicians from all across the Sage partner community, who are going to rock out together at the party!

I could go on about what is shaping up for an incredible event, but simply put don’t miss out on attending.

On a personal note I love going to the National Conference and making new friends and catching up with old ones. I get to spend time with some of my favorite Sage people. One of my goals early on was to meet this partner who is highly visible with his online presence, Wayne Schulz. He and I now talk each week about all things Sage and I consider Wayne a good friend. If it weren’t for Insights I would have never had the opportunity to meet him. I also try my best to get to each of Ed Kless’s sessions as they’re always jam packed with great information. 

This is shaping up to be a benchmark conference, one that will stand out as a template for future conferences. Don’t miss out on this annual event. It’s far too important to not attend. For more nformation go to:  http://sagesummit.com

I hope to see each of you there.

 

The Value of Attending Sage Summit 2011

There has been much discussion about the value of attending Sage Summit 2011. I am one of those who have found Sage Summit 2011 to provide me with great value & I have learned a great amount of useable information that I’ve been able to use. The technology industry changes daily & there’s no way to know about those changes if we don’t talk to the source. You can find the source(s) & other partners who have utilized those changes very successfully by attending events such as Sage Summit 2011.

Look at the BP’s who consistently make the top ten lists. Go to their website & see what they’re doing that you’re not. They’re involved in Sage Summit 2011, BPAC members, etc. It’s time to be accountable to ourselves for our failures or successes. It’s time to stop blaming others when we fail. It’s time to stop blaming the economy.

First, there is long term value of creating lasting relationships with other BP’s or 3^rd party solutions & there are many knowledgeable partners & company representative who will gladly share that knowledge with you.

How do you put a price tag on product information you receive at Sage Summit 2011? What about face time with Sage executives? Truth be told, you can’t put a price tag on these items.

Too often we get caught up on doing business as we’ve always done it, not knowing that there are better ways of streamlining & making our individual businesses more cost effective. But if we don’t go to Sage Summit 2011 & attend sessions, talk to other BP’s, then we’re going to stay in that same spiraling vortex & will get the same results.

One of my favorite quotes is: “If you keep doing what you’re doing you’re going to keep getting what you get. If you want something new you’re going to have to try something new.”~ Author Unknown

 I have spoken to BP’s who have concerns that they have never “pulled” any new business from attending conferences  occasionally or even those who go each year. Then there’s the camp that has bought booth space, collected business cards & found that most of those cards belonged to other BP’s & not potential new deal opportunities. Is it worth the expenditure, they ask?

First, if you’re heading off to Sage Summit 2011 with the sole intent of closing deals then you’re going to be disappointed. It’s kind of like going to a Barnum & Bailey Circus expecting Shakespeare; or going on vacation to Northern Minnesota in January wearing shorts, flip flops & sun tan lotion; you’re going to be disappointed.

Unfortunately most companies don’t look at non-revenue generating items as having any value. Unless there’s a dollar amount involved most BP’s don’t “get it.” Here’s an example of one who does.

“It has always been MY rule that if I am serious about selling Sage products I need to attend Sage Summit 2011. I need to “breathe” the air, sense the mood of the Sage community, and get enough inspiration to see me through another year.” ~ Arlie Skory; Managing Partner at Skory Employer Solutions LLC

To the partners who don’t get it, there are three questions you need to ask yourself.

1. What value am I adding to the equation?
2. What Solution can I provide?
3. Am I participating in the success of my business?

Come to Washington D.C. & see what’s new at Sage. You’re going to be surprised & more importantly you’re going to go back to your business with a new attitude & isn’t life itself about how you approach it? I think so & I hope to see each of you in Washington D.C..

The Loss of A Brother

 

Bill_Randy_Tom Kizer

I have a younger brother, Tom who was my hero. I emulated him and really believed that he was the smartest and brightest of the three Kizer boys even though he insisted I was the smartest. Eight days ago he wasn’t feeling well and his long time Partner, Martina insisted that he go to the nearest Urgent Care. This morning at 8:55, April 6th, 2011 Tom passed away at Summerlin Hospital in North Las Vegas. He had leukemia and the doctors said that he died comfortably and quickly.

We were born in Ventura Calif. Our mother left 3 small boys alone in this world to live her life and we only met our father once. All we had were each other. We grew up on “The Avenue” part of Ventura that was the poor side of town. We lived in government housing and our rent was $33 per month. Why I remember those little facts; but couldn’t tell you what I did yesterday still baffles me. Our childhood neighbors were heroin dealers, drunks, parolees and we loved it. We had friends like Googie, Burtis, Marcella, Tomasina, Flaco, Sleepy, Payaso, Psycho and of course we had the neighborhood drunk who directed traffic yelling at drivers to slow down because they were in a residential area.

We were wards of the court and spent the better part of our formative years shuffled between foster homes and Juvenile Hall; which is where we called our home. I once ran away from a foster family after only being there for a few hours. I had no where to go but back to Juvenile Hall. The reason? They tried to split us up because it was almost impossible to find a foster home that would take three young, rambunctious boys. Apparently the powers that be didn’t take me seriously when I told them I was going to leave the foster home, I actually made it back to Juvenile Hall before my probation officer/case worker made it back. They had stopped for dinner, I just wanted to get back to see my brothers. They put me in “Lock-up” but I didn’t care because our family of three was still intact.

Eventually we did split up but always stayed in touch. Tom went on to become a star in basketball, long distance running and held records for the high jump. He was the first California high school athlete to adopt the Fosbury Flop.

I took a different route but Tommy never looked down at me, if anything it was just the opposite, he stuck up for me. After high school we got our first apartment together, the first of many. While Tom went to UCLA I was managing a men’s store and each school break I would hire Tom. I don’t think he came to work once but I made sure that he got a paycheck. Yeah, yeah, I know, it was wrong but brothers take care of brothers.

Eventually I became a sales representative in the “rag” industry, was making a ton of money and travelling all over the country and ocassionally to Europe for fashion shows. Tom went on to law school, became an attorney and once he passed the bar he opened up his own office. He was doing incredibly and we decided that we would become partners in 3 law offices. We had alot of fun, made alot of money and enjoyed life to it’s fullest.

Once we sold the offices our lives drifted apart but we always stayed in touch. You see my brother Tom was my best friend for many years. People were always amazed at how brothers could be such close friends.

He and his first wife introduced me to my first wife and we hung out together alot. He was the best man at my wedding as I was at his.

Fast forward to more recent times. Tom had bought some oil leases and found himself finding oil and then selling the leases. We didn’t see much of each other but stayed in touch. I re-married, got divorced and have two beautiful sons; Tom got together with Martina who was his partner for 20 years. He moved to Las Vegas a few years ago where Martina is a union organizer for dealers and Blackjack dealer in one of the casinos on the Strip.

Martina called me the day before my birthday, April 1st to tell me that Tom was in Centennial Hills Hospital and wasn’t doing well and asked to see me. I was there the next day where we spent a couple of days laughing, telling stories and just enjoying each others company one last time. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 non Hodgkins lymphoma. That was changed to leukemia. While I was there his liver had started to shut down. As much as I didn’t want to leave I had to get back to San Diego and was preparing to go back 2 days ago when Martina called me to say that Tom had passed that morning. The doctors had said that the chemo was either going to kill him or cure him. Unfortunately his body was too weak for the chemo.

I spent most of the morning yesterday crying between necessary phone calls. I’m glad that Tom didn’t suffer long and that I had chosen to go see him. He talked to my sons, his nephews on the phone while I was there and they were making plans for when he was released from the hospital. Now they won’t get to carry out those plans. But according to Martina, those phone calls were very important to him and he was glad that he got to talk to the boys.

His passing has left a hole in my heart, one that will never fill in. He was much too young to leave this earth, but unfortunately we don’t get to determine the day we pass.

I know that he’s in good hands now. I know that he isn’t in pain, but I am. I’ll always remember Tom as the brother that we should all be fortunate to have. I know that I’ll be okay, but as I go forward it will be without the love of a kind and loving brother.

Please treat your family members as though they were your best friend. Tell them you love them, take care of each other because once they’re gone there’s no going back to try and make up for lost time.

Rest In Peace my dear brother and if there is a place called heaven I hope that you’re at the gate waiting to welcome me home.

To borrow a line from the movie “The Bucket List” ~ He died with his eyes closed but his heart was open.

 

 

What???? No Profile Photo??

Does anyone actually look like the Ghost Profile pictured above? If you know a person who does then do one of the following:

1. Get them to Urgent Care Immediately
2. Send their picture to a family member for identification confirmation
3. Just smack them upside their head for missing out on fantastic online opportunities by not including a profile photo. (Not too hard, we don’t condone violence, just reprimands)

Let me ask another question. Why would you not want your photo to accompany your profile?

1. You’re afraid to let people see what you look like?
2. You’re afraid the authorities will find you and serve that extradition order on you?
3. You just don’t fully understand the term “Social Network.”

Would you attend a Networking Event and wear a bag over your head? Hopefully your answer is no. Then why do people not include their photo online?  I was once one of those  people who didn’t like to include my photo because I’m vain and I don’t think that I photograph very well. I don’t like the way that I really look to the camera. I have a perception of what I’d really like to look like but reality is reality and there’s nothing but alot of expensive surgery that is going to fix that.

Joseph Paris from Xonitek told me that he puts his photograph everywhere, not because he’s narcisstic but because a photograph makes people feel like they know you. It can be a differentiator to people. Joseph is a keynote speaker who speaks all over the world and has many global connections, he told me about the dozens of times that he’d be minding his own business at the airport, cigar lounge, etc. and someone would walk up to him as if they knew him and introduce themselves all from remembering his photo online.

Because I respect Joseph I tried it and at the first Insights that I attended after starting the group was in Nashville. I was walking with the Sage Rock Star of all Sage Rock Stars, Ed Kless and people were saying hi to me and introducing themselves and I remember Ed saying something to the effect that it was my turn to be a Rock Star. That’s not why I included my photo but I must admit it was kind of cool.

Last Insights in Denver I dragged John Shaver into the Churchills Cigar Lounge in the lobby of the fabulous Palace Hotel. I was enjoying a cigar, John was enjoying his double malt, aged 58 years in an oak barrel Scotch. (I’m exaggerating about the Scotch and have no clue what the difference is between a single malt or double malt Scotch is as I’m not a drinker, but ask me about the characteristics of a Cuban Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure Especial or a Cuban Vegas Robaina Famoso cigar and I will talk until either you get up and walk away mumbling to yourself or your eyes start to droop from sheer boredom.)

Anyway, back to the story a gentleman walks up to our table, introduces himself as David Faye, owner of Faye Consulting located in the San Fernando Valley. He recognized me from my LinkedIn profile and as a result David and I have become friends. We’ve shared meals together, smoked a few Cuban cigars, all as a direct result of including a photograph.

The point that I’m trying to make is that if you’re going to take the time and join a social network group include your profile photograph. Tell us a little about yourself and get involved in discussions. Ask & answer questions, add people to your network, connect with other groups. What’s the worse thing that will happen? You just might meet your next employer/employee, get your next project just because you set your profile up to garner interest from others.

Don’t be a lurker and sit by as the social media train rolls through. It will leave you waiting at the station.

To take a poll on LinkedIn regarding profile photographs please follow this link; http://tinyurl.com/bkizerpoll

BTW: This is the faceless Avatar from LinkedIn when you don’t include a photograph. Alot of you all look alike.