March Madness and pretending

March Madness – a time for greatness on the college basketball court!  One of my favorite times of the year.  Where does greatness originate from anyway?  Can we leverage lessons learned from March Madness for our own success?  To take a closer look I always like to start at the beginning. 

How many people do you know who have achieved greatness and didn’t actually believe they were capable of being great?  I’m not talking about their outward-facing image (ranging from quiet modesty to over-the-top arrogance).  I’m talking about how they think of themselves inwardly.  Those that don’t have any self-doubt, reservations, or fear. 

Can we achieve greatness without believing - or at least pretending to believe – that we can and should be great?  Pretending to believe – there’s an idea.  Take this James S. Hewett basketball story: 

Former NBA center and coach Johnny Kerr said his biggest test as a coach came when he coached the then-expansion team the Chicago Bulls and his biggest player was 6'8" Erwin Mueller.

We had lost seven in a row and I decided to give a psychological pep talk before a game with the Celtics, Kerr said.  I told Bob Boozer to go out and pretend he was the best scorer in basketball.  I told Jerry Sloan to pretend he was the best defensive guard.  I told Guy Rodgers to pretend he could run an offense better than any other guard, and I told Erwin Mueller to pretend he was the best rebounding, shot-blocking, scoring center in the game.  We lost the game by 17. 

I was pacing around the locker room afterward trying to figure out what to say when Mueller walked up, put his arm around me, and said, “Don't worry about it Coach.  Just pretend we won."

James S. Hewett           

Jerry Sloan, one of the “Original Bulls”.  He may not have been “the best defensive guard” in the NBA.  But he ultimately achieved Hall of Fame greatness even if it took a career to do so. 

Jerry’s fame comes mostly from his coaching success with the Utah Jazz.  Consistency; team-play; fundamentals; toughness; his teams had these admirable qualities.  Oh, he had a few great players too, but they never had the best talent in the league.  Still he led his players to believe they could be great. 

Coaching in the sports world and leading in the business world have many parallels.  What makes great coaches and great business leaders?  Well, I may not be able to articulate a specific list of skills, characteristics, and attributes, but I know a great coach and a great-coached team when I see one.  And whether they are truly great, or just pretending to believe they are truly great, the leader makes a big difference on the ultimate outcome. 

Bum Phillips had coaching success with the then Houston Oilers of the NFL, even though his teams were never thought of as having the best talent in the league.  I have cited this ultimate tribute to Bum’s coaching greatness often: 

He can take his and beat yours; and then he can take yours and beat his.                            

Unknown Sage 

Today, the March Madness teams are hearing their coaches tell them to believe; that they have the magic; that theirs can beat yours in this year’s tournament.  I’m going to believe my 2024 will be a great year, too!  Even if I have to pretend to help me get started.  How about you? 

GAP 

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

My rock…

Next Tuesday is a big day on the Pokorn Ranch…

March 19th will mark our 51st wedding anniversary.  A significant number of days to be with one’s significant other, true?  In reality I’ve been with my high school sweetheart since 1970.  That makes it 54 years and continuing!  (Even more, we’ve actually known each other since the 7th grade.)  Do you believe in destiny?  It takes more than destiny:

We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny.  But what we put into it is ours.

Dag Hammarskjold

I know many of you are enjoying long-lasting relationships, too.  I think you’d agree that the number of years isn’t what’s important.   Mignon McLaughlin shares this secret:

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

I write about my wife frequently.  Her impact on my life is significant.  Like any couple, we have our good days and… well… those others.  Like many couples, we’ve had a few relationship-testing; foundation-rattling; we’re-not-going-to-make-it; kind of days. 

Over the years we can testify that “for better or worse” really does mean for better or for “worse”.  We’re reminded:

When you’re riding through hell… keep riding.

James P. Owen

Any meaningful journey is like that.  Even one of America’s most famous sweethearts offered her guidance on life’s journey:

Pain nourishes courage.  You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.

Mary Tyler Moore

After 51 years we have learned to enjoy life’s little moments.  “Date night” these days looks nothing like it once did.  Still, we enjoy our quiet time together and our life’s wonderful blessings; all driven by love.  In fact, 51 years ago this month the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 was “Love Train” by the O’Jays.  According to Wikipedia:  

The word 'train' comes from the Old French trahiner, from the Latin trahere meaning pull, or draw.

I have been a passenger on the love train that my wife has been pulling for 51 years!  I’ve tried to contribute a few little things each day to lighten her load a bit; you know; clear the tracks.  Rob Gilbert made a list:

How to have a Winning Day:

You have to listen 

more than you talk…

You have to smile 

more than you frown…

You have to be fascinated 

more than you're frustrated…

You have to believe in yourself 

more than you doubt yourself.

You have to work 

more than you whine.

You have to do 

more than you don't.

I have paid attention to my role and my boundaries, too:

Men ordering custom colors must first bring in a note from their wife. 

Guiry Paint Store

It’s OK; she writes the notes; I run the errands; we make a great team.  And on those occasional occasions where disagreement looms, I heed Harlan Miller’s advice:

Often the difference between a successful marriage and a mediocre one consists of leaving three or four things a day unsaid.

51 years and our love train is rolling strong.  No matter our future course; no matter the challenges we will face; the trials that will test us; our love train will continue.  We will be pulled along by my magnificent, significant other.  Regardless of whether the wind is at our back or blowing hard in our face, Etheridge Knight’s words guide us:

Love is a rock against the wind. 

Happy 51st Anniversary Dear!  You’re my rock and I love you.

GAP

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

Cost vs. value…

What do Christmas trees, the memory of my Dad, and selling value vs. cost have in common?  (Really Gary?  Slow day?) 

Well, let’s pretend you’re the salesperson and I’m your prospect.  If you were selling me the value of your product/service, what value statements would you make?  Go ahead - take a moment - jot a few down.  We’ll come back to them. 

One of my favorite, childhood memories was my Dad taking me to “shop” for a Christmas tree.  His definition of “shopping” was to stop at Christmas tree vendors until he found one willing to give him one for free.  It would be a tree with broken limbs; cast aside; unsellable.  He’d also ask for miscellaneous branches laying about.  The vendors never asked why he wanted one for free.  Perhaps they were just happy to get rid of the scraps.  No value.  (My Mom would have been embarrassed!) 

Back home, using a drill and green string, my Dad would “rebuild” those broken, unsellable tree-parts into a work of beauty.  Ornaments and tinsel would hide the strings holding the whole thing together.  (My Mom was always uneasy when visitors got too close to our tree.) 

My Dad was a “Depression-Era Baby”; very cost-conscious.  No matter how hard the salesman tried to sell him the value of another, beautiful tree, my Dad would hold out.  The fact-of-the-matter was my Dad could afford a full-price tree.  His value lied elsewhere.   He searched by price because (A) he enjoyed the “hunt”; (B) he wanted to introduce me to business transactions; and (C) he took pride in the challenge of assembling a beautiful tree from various, discarded components. 

Fast-forward.  Today, I enjoy working with salespeople who face the selling challenge of cost vs value.  There are many reasons for this challenge.  Generally, I believe value is vague; varies by person; and very hard to quantify.  Consequently, prospects gravitate towards cost.  Cost is specific; objective; and doesn’t vary by person (without negotiating a big discount, of course). 

Salespeople inadvertently reinforce this gravitational pull.  Tools like “TCO” (Total Cost of Ownership) or “ROI” (Return on Investment) calculators make the situation worse.  Guess what these vendor-developed calculators draw the prospect’s attention to?  Two minutes from Victor Antonio:

Victor’s “The Value Equation” almost looks too good to be true, true?  And that’s the problem… this isn’t the prospect’s first rodeo.  The prospect knows exactly how to make the ROI look even better – reduce the denominator! 

Nowadays, we live in an era of affluence.  Nonetheless, no one wants to pay high prices – perhaps that’s why prospects pit salespeople against one another to earn their business.  Do you compete on price?  Your prospects hopes so: 

The Law of the Marketplace: 

If only one price can be obtained for any quotation, the price will be unreasonable. 

Unknown Sage 

Still, who doesn’t enjoy getting a deal? 

            It's not the cheaper things

that we want to possess

But expensive things

that cost a little less.                       

Rolf B. White 

Every time I see a prospect wanting an expensive thing for “a little less”, I smile.  I remember my Dad and our Christmas trees.  (I also know why my Mom never joined us.  She would have valued the full-price tree.) 

OK then, those value statements I asked you to jot down above...  it was actually a trick question.  In the real world, only your prospects can define their value.  The key question is, are you asking them? 

GAP 

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

Looking forward

I finished Mark Manson’s book recently.  I normally credit author and book title in my little ditties but the profanity in Mark’s book title is too vulgar even for me.  Suffice it to say it’s a New York Times #1 Best Seller and I’m sure you’ll discover what I mean if you Google him. 

I disliked Mark’s writing style and I thought many of his stories were self-serving and greatly exaggerated.  Of course, I’m speaking as a self-professed storyteller who is known to exaggerate, too.  I also know not all of my readers appreciate my writing style.  Nonetheless, Mark reminded me how far people are taking extreme positions today to stand above the average.  For instance, excessive profanity has become all too commonplace - in Mark’s book; TV; social media; bumper stickers; T-shirts… 

I know Mark won’t give a (expletive) about my opinion.  I don’t think he’s trying to make me or his readers happy.  I understand.  When I write, I’m sharing my opinions primarily for my own, self-serving purposes.  Writing is my outlet.  Hopefully, there’s some benefit for my readers but that’s not what motivates me.  Maybe Mark and I are actually following a similar opinion offered by Nick Saban (then recently retired, legendary and provocative college football coach from the University of Alabama): 

Looking back - Mark’s book certainly wasn’t like eating ice cream. Nevertheless, I’ve always believed it worthy to finish what I start and I’m always glad when I do.  Reading a book is no different.  I won’t put a book down just because it offers differing opinions (even if distastefully expressed).  Opinions are just opinions and opposing opinions can be learning opportunities.  Being a natural “cynacist”, my inner cynicism was served towards the end of his book when he wrote, “Now that I’m in my thirties, I can finally recognize…”  

Opinions on how to live our life by a thirty-something???  It provoked me to think; “Hey Buddy, check back with me forty years from now and see how your “finally recognize” worked out!”  But that’s being cynical. 

I know opinions are just that.  Everyone has them.  I’m no different than those younger than me.  I was highly opinionated and quite brash forty years ago. (Still am HaHa!): 

“What's your opinion of my idea?” the brash young man asked his boss.  “It isn't worth anything”, said the boss.  “I know”, conceded the young egotist, “but give it to me anyway.” 

Unknown Sage 

But, there’s limited value in looking back.  I’m glad Mark finally got around to looking forward and sharing the things he “recognized” after a few chapters focused on bashing everyone’s flaws.  I know many folks today are trying to live and think the way he wrote about in his book.  I don’t intend to continue to look back at what was written and how it was written.  I’ve accepted those opinions he shared that align with my own; ignored the rest;  and now I’m looking forward.  

Speaking of looking forward, another 30 something comes to mind.  Jelly Roll is the 2023 Country Music Association award-winning Male Vocalist of the Year.  Turns out, he was also an addict and a distributor of illegal drugs in his thirties.  Even so, he offered an opinion we might all benefit from: 

The windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you. 

Thanks Jelly!  Here’s to forward. 

                                                            GAP 

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

Pundits, Pontificators, et al

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games are coming.  What a terrific sports festival for our modern era!  Interestingly, the 2022 Winter Olympic gold medal for women’s figure skating was only recently determined.  Finally, after two years of debate, discussion, and controversy.  I wonder if that’s how the Greeks did it 2,800 years ago? 

America has our own “modern game”.  Did you join in the aftermath?  It was Monday, February 12^th.  Ring a bell?  How about this: It was the day after the most watched television event in history with an estimated 123.7 million viewers.  Actually, the phenomenon I’m referring to started the night before; even before the fans left the stadium. 

Monday February 12^th brought out the rest of the seers; soothsayers; second-guessers, pundits; pontificators; doubters; experts; gurus; quarterbacks of the arm-chair and Monday-morning variety, and (of course) the critics. Some are still grinding on it.  I chuckle about the pontificators: 

“Pontificator” 

in British English 

NOUN a person who pontificates 

Yes, yes, I’m a pontificator, too.  Even so, are these other gurus worth listening to?  All the hoopla reminds me of Dale Carnegie’s pontification: 

Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do. 

I’m talking about Super Bowl LVIII.  (That’s 58 to us non-Latin-Speaking-Romans).  I get it.  Sports fans, bettors, media, and even the 123.7 viewers have their opinions about whether the Chiefs won the game or the 49ers lost it.  Is Kyle Shanahan an elite NFL head coach who has yet to win a Super Bowl?  Or is he a bumbling idiot who blew the game over a coin flip? 

Shanahan certainly unleashed the “What if’s”.  Especially the “if’s”.  And we all know: 

If the Hamm’s Bear drank Schlitz, there’d be no land of sky blue waters. 

Unknown Sage 

I could join in.  “What if” it turns out that the Kansas City Chiefs are one of the greatest NFL teams ever assembled.  In spite of the Bills Mafia (a favorite fan base of mine), Buffalo couldn’t beat the Chiefs at home.  Not even the Baltimore Ravens with the best regular season record, home field advantage, and the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2024 could beat KC. 

Personally, I admired Shanahan’s confidence.  Score first; hold KC; and the debate shifts to whether the Superbowl MVP should have been Brock Purdy or Christian McCaffrey.  Oh, Kyle could have doubted; played less aggressively; feared Patrick Mahomes; anticipated the punditry.  But try as they might, the post-game media experts couldn’t get him to say he made a mistake.  He remained confident in the face of criticism just as Michael Treacy wrote about in his book The Discipline of Market Leaders ©: 

            Courage in the face of doubt is essential. 

Oh well, criticism of defeats have been with mankind as long as there has been mankind.  I’m sure you and I face the doubters and second guessers every time a decision we made doesn’t turn out very well.  I’d rather heed the ancients: 

There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing; say nothing; and be nothing. 

Aristotle 

Nonetheless, the debate and the criticism continues; especially the criticism in spite of what the ancients might think.  As for the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee has published this historical perspective: 

The Original values of Olympism as expressed in the Olympic Charter were to encourage effort, preserve human dignity, and develop harmony.  

Hmmm… No mention of coin flips by a single seer, soothsayer, or pontificator. 

                                                            GAP 

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

Luv rules…

Today is Valentine’s Day – it’s still not too late.  There’s still time to do something special for that special person. 

OK – so I can’t take credit for creating this awesome display of love for my love.  That was someone else’s awesome display of their love for their love.  Can I take “observation credit” for stopping along the roadside while driving through this western Illinois farming community to take the picture?  I think my wife will give me credit for a little kind-hearted, photo-plagiarism because I know she knows: 

Love rules without rules. 

Italian Proverb 

Who says men are oblivious and have no powers of observation?  OK – so a billboard is hard to miss.  Observing that man’s demonstration of love reminds us all that today, no assumptions; no taking her for granted; no obliviousness; no subtleties are allowed.  On Valentine’s Day, we must shout our love for our love from the top of the mountains!  Of course, we hope our women do the same for the men in their lives: 

You know “That Look” women get when they want sex?  Me neither. 

Steve Martin 

Today may be a special day in my marriage, but our relationship over the years has taken constant care (and patience).  Thankfully, my wife has patience: 

Patience strengthens the spirit,

   sweetens the temper,

      stifles anger,

    extinguishes envy,

  subdues pride,

bridles the tongue,

   restrains the hand,

      and tramples upon temptation. 

George Horne 

It’s easier to be patient with the little things I suppose.   But when times get tough, the most convenient person to argue with, vent to, and take our frustrations out on is often our partner, true?  Life seems to move so fast; people seem to be so stressed; the media inundates us with so many sensationalized issues. 

I don’t know; are meaningful, loving partnerships easier or harder to find these days?  With everything racing at a break-neck pace, who’s responsible for maintaining a healthy, loving, long-lasting relationship?  Well, here’s a view from Wyatt Webb: 

You are 100 percent responsible for 50 percent of any relationship. 

Carrying more than ½ the load you say?  Yep – you and my wife, too. 

Thankfully, my wife and I are still in love after all of these years.  We will do something quiet this Valentine’s Day; we enjoy our quiet time together - always have.  We’re blessed with sharing many common interests, so spending time together and “decompressing” from our fast-paced life is a nice retreat. 

Like you, our conversations will span a variety of topics; children; friends; happy memories; love.  Of course, when we’re together we will also synchronize our calendars; debate upcoming projects; disagree on priorities; discuss business; and almost always review our finances.  Yuck!  Necessary I suppose, but not very romantic. 

Yet this Valentine’s Day I will be reminded: 

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. 

Mignon McLaughlin 

So here’s to February 14^th – Valentine’s Day.  May you enjoy it with someone special in your life.  If you’re lucky enough to be in love, may you cherish your quiet time together; sharing common interests; being patient with life’s challenges; relishing the restorative results of romance. 

And if you’re with someone but you’re not yet sure if he or she is “the one”, don’t worry – trust your gut feeling: 

Love is not finding someone you can live with; it’s finding someone you cannot live without. 

Rafael Ortiz 

Love rules without rules on Valentine’s Day – and every day. 

GAP 

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

Super Heroes…

When times get tough for salespeople, I like to seek out Subject Matter Experts for guidance on how to adjust to succeed.  I attended a SMM webinar recently featuring a SME I know, Kendra Lee.  Her premise was: 

Business Owners Are Spending Differently

·         Longer Decision Process

·         Tighter Budgets

·         Continued Challenges Reaching Decision Makers

·         More People Involved In The Decision Process

Her knowledge and experience are stellar.  I enjoyed her perspective and concepts but it left me with an “itch to scratch”.  Too much emphasis on defining the problem and not enough on what to do about it – specific, tactical, actionable, next steps. 

I hate to disagree with a SME (especially someone I know and respect) but… if we believe Business Owners are spending differently in 2024 I think we might consider… thinking again.  Business Owners and Executives have always been challenging to sell to.  The predominance of committee decision-making has always been an obstacle to overcome in B2B selling.  The old adage, “The more things change the more they stay the same.” may just be true, true? 

A copy of the webinar presentation was provided.  Conceptually sound and professionally designed, it just seemed to be missing something.  Then I remembered my favorite super hero… Batman! 

If you think about it, Batman is a super hero who does not possess super powers.  Unlike other super heroes, Batman is just ordinary Bruce Wayne by day.  OK – Bruce Wayne is rich.  But being rich doesn’t equal super-successful selling skills.  I got to thinking, “What would Batman do?” 

Bat Tools are the key to Batman’s super herodom.  If Bat Tools can transform ordinary Bruce Wayne into a super hero, maybe they can for us ordinary salespeople, as well.  Then I remembered… I have Bat Tools!  I’ve been using them throughout my sales career.  I’ve even shared one of those before; my Executive Attention Grid. 

The grid demonstrates how Business Owners prioritize their time and attention.  Align your products/services top-right and you’ll get the Business Owners’ attention; fall into the low-left and you’ll get delegated.  Delegated to committees with the ability to say, “No” but without the authority to say, “Yes”.  Sound familiar? 

I downloaded the sales and marketing planning template offered after the webinar.  Again, excellent concepts but it didn’t strike me as a Bat Tool.  Too conceptual; too incomplete; not specifically actionable,  Then I remembered… I have a Bat Tool for that! 

My “Ideal Target Prospect Profile” has 75 data elements to focus on.  (You can easily modify this Excel template with the data elements applicable to your products/services.)  At every prospect interaction fill in some of the blanks.  Gather enough data and you’ll quickly be able to tell if that prospect is worth prospecting. 

In sales, Bat Tools must be applicable to our real-world selling situations; able to accommodate our particular uniqueness; and they must be actionable.  Bat Tools are tactical.  When Batman is in the midst of some battle, there is no time for conceptual thinking. 

So if you’re concerned about whether you’re prepared to sell the way buyers are buying in 2024, I suggest the first place to look is at your inventory of Bat Tools.  If you don’t have any, email me.  I’ll send you two of mine;  the “Ideal Target Prospect Profile” and the “Executive Attention Grid”.  (I have others.) 

Now look up in the sky… it’s the Bat Signal… that’s your prospects calling.  Gather your Bat Tools and go get ‘em! 

                                                            GAP 

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