Hermanisms - Herman School of Business

What's Really Crushing You?

John L. Herman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:23:07 GMT

It’s been awhile since I hit the keys and spit out a blog posting. I have felt crushed under a pile of bricks lately. The bricks were of my own making. But crushed I was.

I am a consultant to two emerging franchise companies, working on projects for THINKBUSINESS MAGAZINE, working with SIXON CAPITAL GROUP to teach them how to do troubled deals, arranging several upcoming speaking engagements, and trying to live a nice life. I was building with too many bricks at one time and I got crushed under the weight for a bit. Not too many irons in the fire…too many start-ups at once.

When something is just getting off the ground there are hundreds of details that must be handled properly or the train falls off the tracks quickly. But…as each company gets further down the line the flood of activity narrows. You have to work just as hard…but not scattered in so many directions.

Look at your situation realistically. Can you really accomplish all that you are trying to do?

I skipped something I love doing…writing this blog…to spend that energy working on my projects and those of my clients. Think about the past month…how many balls were you trying to juggle? Is that why nothing seems to be getting done?

If I want to be the best speaker…that requires focus, if I want to write another posting…that takes thought, and if I want my clients to succeed…they need my attention. If you want to win, complete a task, or accomplish a goal…maybe you shouldn’t be juggling so many balls at once…put at least one down for a moment, like I did…and make sure you keep the important balls up in the air, letting go of even stuff you love…in favor of what must be done.

In An Instant...

John L. Herman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:53:40 GMT

When Susan Boyle opened her mouth on Britain’s Got Talent in an instant her life changed. The world discovered her beautiful voice…hidden away for years in a frumpy body, going virtually without any notice. Bam…with just a few notes, sung in a venue that let many people hear her voice…in an instant she realized what she always craved…having people want to hear her gift.

A pilot flies thousands of hours going completely unknown. He safely delivers hundreds of thousands of passengers to their destination and not one person in the back of his plane ever knew his name. One day birds are struck and the engines fail and in that instant “Sully” becomes a hero recognized the world over. In just an instant of time he did his job just as he always did…but on that particular day it counted more than all those other flights…this time if he had failed in any way…everyone would have died…but in an instant of his perfection all were saved.

You met your mate in an instant. You could have turned left that day instead of right…it could have rained and you would have skipped the beach…your parents could have moved somewhere else and in that instant your life would be totally different.

Your business has a deadline…or a certain customer comes in randomly…and it turns out to be someone who takes your place to another level of recognition…maybe Oprah touts your book…and in that instant everything changes.

At noon today there were no “hot” leads to buy one of my clients’ franchises. I was frustrated that up to that moment we had zero prospects wanting to buy what is obviously a great business…one that could make someone considerable money. And then…in an instant…the telephone rang…and the voice asked what they had to do to acquire a franchise? In an instant we went from no prospects to a very hot prospect.

Life comes down to a few short moments they say. Your first love, graduation, that first job, a wedding, your kids birth, several milestone birthdays, a few steps up the ladder and in those “instants” your life moves through incredible options. Success or failure, are the outcomes of those few “instants” and you better recognize them when they arrive.

Had I not answered the phone would we have missed the prospect? In reality those instants are the result of many hours, days, and weeks of hard work and preparation. Endless hours of exhausting effort. In other words…while some huge events in life actually do occur in an instant…business success, like life success, usually results from a long term of effort. If you are doing nothing, sitting around waiting for your business or your life to have one of those “instants” that turn things around…you will be sitting there a long time…and while you sit there waiting, someone will be having their instant and passing you by.

Let the 4th Quarter Begin...

John L. Herman — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:01:42 GMT

OK…we just passed sixty heading for eighty…and maybe some “overtime” and let me tell you about the kick-off party the kids had for me. No doubt the best birthday party I have ever had! What I wanted was a backyard picnic of just our children, their mates and their kids. Only one portion missed the event because they are on the West Coast and Pregnant.

What I got was exactly what I had in mind. I saw my daughters with their mates…two married and two more in very wonderful relationships.

Only two grandchildren made the event and they were treated like kings. Those two little guys ran around endlessly, challenged everyone to soccer matches, baseball games and horseshoes. You know what those two little guys will grow up to be? I have no idea but they have that competitive spirit already thriving inside.

Julie’s husband Bob remains the King of Leisure Sports as he reigned over the Horseshoe Pits and the Dart Board. Matt was wonderful discussing his movie interests, Rob shared his endless positive spirit throughout the day, James ruled over the Weber Grill and I pretty much soaked up the love that they all brought for me.

Colleen made shirts that had “I (Heart) and my picture” on them.

Shannon brought our latest family addition, Drake the dog. Him and I are Buds and will spend time this summer walking around the track. Julie brought some appropriate old age gifts and Kelly, as always made me smile.

No one had to spend a buck on a gift…I already have way too much stuff. The gift they gave me was to see how wonderful they are doing as people and how much they love the people in their lives. Makes me want to make it past the fourth quarter of my life and go for a little “overtime.”

Climbing out on a new ledge...

John L. Herman — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:42:51 GMT

Gulp…I turn sixty years old today. My father’s sixtieth birthday is burned into my brain because it was the day I was interviewed for my first major sales job at a corporation almost thirty years ago. We were hosting the party for my Dad and at the last minute my interview was scheduled for the exact hour dinner was to begin.

When I spoke to my Dad about the dilemma over my schedule conflict he didn’t flinch…go to your interview, it’s a great opportunity. Missing his birthday dinner was hard for me because my father is the most important man in my life…even now 26 years after his death.

OK…so I skipped the dinner, got the job, set sales records, became sales manager, gained enormous confidence and went on to great success. My Dad had a wonderful birthday celebration and I missed it. He was proud of the fact that going to the interview worked out so well over time for me. He always put his children ahead of his own wants and needs. Maybe that birthday more than any other day of his life showed me the value and purpose of a parent. Put your children’s needs ahead of yours.

My Dad was a workaholic, a kind man who never used bad language, gave away his time to help others, and put his kids first.

Tonight I am having dinner with my wife…the kids are coming from all over the country this Saturday…and as I eat my fried shrimp and reflect on my sixty years…I will look skyward and thank my father for what he taught me with his life…thanks Dad, and welcome to my sixtieth birthday dinner.

Shifting Gears...

John L. Herman — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:50:20 GMT

OK…even my daughter called to tell me I haven’t written anything in weeks. Writer’s block? Not at all…just a change in activities that has now given me a new opportunity.

I have been given the opportunity to be a spokesperson for THINKBUSINESS MAGAZINE. Formerly known as SMART BUSINESS IDEAS the magazine has gone from a paper published magazine to a digital format earlier this year. They had thousands of subscribers but as paper magazines die because of the cost of production and mailing they decided to go on-line and with that a name change was also introduced. THINKBUSINESS MAGAZINE is in part a compilation of articles from other major publications. The reader also receives information for the seven major aspects of running a business.

In this months’ issue at www.sbimag.com there is a cover story on my work. Geez, I need to lose weight if I am going to be a cover boy.

As a new spokesperson for the magazine my responsibility is to bring business authors to the magazine to be featured monthly…and to offer a free download of one of their business books monthly..meaning you can get a free subscription and twelve new business books free over the next year. This plan is one I brought to the magazine. I am authorized to GIVE AWAY free subscriptions of the magazine…so please let me know your email address and name so I can put you in the system. If you have a group that wants the magazine simply send me the name and email addresses or have them send me each individually.