Our Union upheld…

Tomorrow is Independence Day.  It was 163 years ago today however, when a monumental event may have prevented the United States from being split into two, separate countries.  It came with a horrific toll: 

The battlefield was not a testament to heroism.  It was an ugly health hazard - a field of corpses that deeply concerned Pennsylvania's governor.

Nor was that corpse-strewn field a monument to greatness.  The North's general, Meade, had so bungled the battle, leaving Lee to regroup, that he submitted his resignation to President Lincoln.  But Meade's opponent, Lee, had done no better, marching blindly into slaughter - a blunder so great that he submitted his resignation, too.

The battlefield was Gettysburg...

     Harry Beckwith 

Of all the Americans who have died in all the wars our country has ever fought, almost half - 620,000 - died in the Civil War.  Of all the Civil War battles, the one battle with the highest number of casualties was Gettysburg – 51,000 Americans.

Today, we should remember war is not some distant video game of drones.  James McPherson helps us remember the words of Lincoln’s greatest general that still resonates: 

Like Lincoln, he believed in a hard war and a soft peace. 

War is cruelty and you cannot refine it. 

Ulysses S. Grant 

I believe every American should visit the Gettysburg National Military Park and pay tribute to those courageous Americans that preserved our union in the face of immeasurable cruelty.  

In one of history’s most succinct and famous speeches Abraham Lincoln spoke to unite all Americans: 

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. 

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. 

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. 

July 4^th  and July 3^rd, are days for us to remember; to honor; and to rededicate ourselves to a united, United States of America.  

May God bless you; and may God bless America! 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Deals…

I had coffee with a friend of mine recently.  He’s moving away from the corporate world and into the entrepreneurial world.  Going out on his own in today’s marketplace?  Well, I admire his intestinal fortitude! 

Even in the best of circumstances it’s hard to launch a successful venture.  I remember talking with a winery owner years ago.  He had made a killing in the technology/corporate world and decided to move his family to the western slope of Colorado and open a winery.  The value of his stock options was more than enough to make a total career, “right turn”.  He told me after being “out on his own” for a few years he learned: 

How do you make $1 Million in the wine business?  Start with $10 Million. 

Those nagging little things called expenses can dampen an entrepreneur’s enthusiasm (and ruin the wine).  I understand the attraction of working for yourself; being the boss; captain of your ship.  But… careful what we ask for: 

If your business depends on you, you don't own a business - you have a job.  And it's the worst job in the world because you're working for a lunatic! 

Michael E. Gerber 

To be clear, my friend is certainly not a lunatic.  He has great experience, is an expert in his field, and has the full support of his wife and family.  He’s ready for the test: 

Business is a place where everything we know how to do is tested by what we don't know how to do, and the conflict between the two is what creates growth. 

Michael E. Gerber 

In my personal, entrepreneurial days I slipped out-of-balance between the delivery/fulfillment side of the equation while simultaneously prospecting for new business.  As a sales professional,  I knew the research had been consistent over the years (still is).  The key to being successful when in business on your own?  It’s the revenue!  Or, as I liked to quip when asked how I was doing, “Nothing a deal or two wouldn’t solve”. 

Ah yes.  The deals!  I think Mark Cuban agrees with his Rule #4:

Today, one can have the slickest, AI-driven marketing presence.  The easiest and most user-friendly commerce site.  Great reviews; excellent back-office operations; a well thought out business plan; even nice shoes.  But without deals, all that goes for naught.  Unless you have a boat load of money from your (previous) corporate job and stock options. 

My friend tried out his sales “pitch” on me.  I liked it.  I liked his web site, too.  All in all, everything looked good.  When I asked how many deals he’s closed he replied, “Well, I have an appointment with a prospect next Monday.  They sound very interested.  And, I’m doing networking events.” 

Uh-Oh.  An appointment; prospects; sounds interested; networking.  I didn’t have to say it.  He knows, I know, and you know, those aren’t the same thing as deals.  Our conversation reminded me that throughout my sales career (and brief stint as a consultant), when faced with problems, pressures, and expenses my daily mantra became, “Nothing a deal or two wouldn’t solve.” 

I suggested he try it out. 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.

Amazing…

World Cup visitors from other nations are amazed with their experiences visiting our country.  The source of their amazement?  Our luxury cars?  Our mansions?  Our National Parks and man-made Monuments?  No. 

It’s been reported that they are amazed by all of the little things we perhaps take for granted every day.  The abundance found in our grocery stores.  How easy it is to get around.  Our convenience stores, conveniently open 24 hours.  And most impressively, how kind and friendly Americans are.  Yes, kind and friendly.  Amazing! 

Visitors are sharing some of their amazing things with us, too.  Like the Norwegians and their Viking Row:

World Cup fans also demonstrate their great passion.  It’s amazing isn’t it?  Soccer has the highest participation of all youth sports in America.  Yet, when it comes to competing in the World Cup, we struggle.  Could it be another one of those “little things” – like their passion? 

One with passion is better than forty who are merely interested. 

Tom Connellan 

There’s no doubting other countries and their passion for soccer.  Yes, yes, they call it football.  Do you believe we are as passionate about our college and pro football?  Or does our passion lie with NIL, fantasy sports, or gambling? 

Well, it’s been amazing to see the enthusiasm our visitors have shown toward visiting our amazing country.  And it’s their enthusiasm we should carry with us long after the Cup is won: 

Enthusiasm is not a random mood; it’s a daily choice. 

Joe Takash 

So, thank you World Cup visitors!  You’re really showing us where to look - and how to feel - to appreciate our amazing country! 

GAP 

When life gets tough we could get a helmet… or… we could leverage the peace and share the power of a positive perspective.