We have a generation of young Veterans returning from combat in foreign lands on foreign battlefields.  Many, if not most have been scarred for life, either physically or psychologically.  Many are returning to broken, foreclosed homes and staggering unemployment.  They are returning to a public and to a country they have spent the better part of the last 10 years making safe from terrorism.

The world that on this day is so very thankful for their service, but can’t seem to understand the value or relevance of the skill sets developed during that service.  How on earth is that possible?  How is it that a 21 year old that lead a squad or platoon of men into COMBAT can’t lead a group of employees at your company?

Will we just fire up the grills, eat way too much, settle in to watch the basketball game tonight and forget about who and what made it possible for us to enjoy those pleasures?  Or, will we redouble our efforts to find a real and tangible way to show our immense gratitude and appreciation for those who serve.  Hire a Veteran; it’s your civic and patriotic duty.

See you on the high ground!

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May.  By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  As a marker it typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

That is all I will contribute to the history lesson on Memorial Day.  I will however, ask a simple question, “What does Memorial Day mean to you?”  Is it time to break out the grill and celebrate the beginning of summer?  Is it the official signal that the NBA finals are almost over and FOOTBALL is just around the corner?  Is it a reminder that you still need to loose that last 15 pounds or so before you can show that beach body you spent all winter working on?

I am old enough to remember when members of different communities would gather to clear off and clean up cemeteries where their family members were laid to rest.  Actually, those times are probably my first memories of Memorial Day.  Time has a way of washing away traditions like that.

As we prepare for the coming long weekend, I ask that we pause to remember those great Americans that paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we have the freedoms to celebrate this and other holidays as we choose.

See you on the high ground!

The National Veterans Conference is just around the corner and upwards of 6,000 attendees are projected to be in the Motor City the last week in June.  Most of the usual suspects will be there, of course the federal, state and perhaps even some local buyers will be on hand too.  When you get the opportunity to walk the floor, how will you show up to the people you meet?

As you swiftly move from breakout session to breakout session and traverse the corridors of the Cobo Convention Center, how will you show up to the people you meet?  What three words do you want people to think when they see you?  What do you want people to think about you after they spend time with you?  What three things are you willing to commit to doing to ensure your pre and post National Veterans Conference experiences are powerful?

See you on the high ground!

Thinking back to that story inspired this question for you.  What’s in your back pocket?  What special bit of information, skill, speech, quote, elevator pitch or any number of things do you keep in your back pocket ready to serve your will in a moments notice?

Years ago in a foreign land another soldier told me a story his father shared with him.  This soldier’s father was a politician.  The politician told his son that he always keeps a speech in his back pocket because as a politician he never knew when he might be asked to give a speech.  I thought that was really good advice and committed to always keeping something of value in my back pocket as well.  “What’s in your back pocket?” 

See you on the high ground!    

The National Veterans Conference continues to grow each year.  That means that more and more Veterans are accepting the Vetrepreneur calling and starting and growing businesses.  Many important topics will be discussed at this year’s conference.  I doubt any discussions will be more passionate than those around the SD/VOSB verification process and the Veterans First Contracting Program.

The Veteran Owned Business movement is gaining momentum and more and more people are supporting the Buy Veteran campaign.  The country and big business are warming to the idea that Small Business in general and Veteran-Owned Small Business specifically is the economic engine that will drive our recovery.

The Obama administration has placed special emphasis on training programs aimed at teaching Veterans how to start, grow and run successful businesses.  There are a number of Veteran Entrepreneurship Training programs around the country that provide quality training.  One of the better programs is right here in Dallas – Momentum Texas, Inc.

There will be more information and discussion about the National Veterans Conference, as we get closer to the actual event.  In the meantime, “keep your powder dry.”

See you on the high ground! 

These people wear many different disguises.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  Most look like normal people.  They might even come in the form of your good friend or business partner.  You know, the person that always sees the glass as half empty and never half full.  Often, their mere presence can suck the life out of a room filled with people.  

Nothing in their lives is ever right and they try to convince you that nothing is all that great in your life either.  The people always content with accepting the status quo.  If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.  The people never wanting to strive to achieve the next level of success.  The people never wanting to take a chance at something better and worse still, discouraging you from taking a chance at something better.  

Take inventory of your life, if you are not achieving your goals and dreams, there just might be an “Oxygen Thief” somewhere in the picture.  As long as you allow these people to hang around you will always continue to struggle and doubt yourself.  Dare to be bold enough to make positive changes in your life; distance yourself from your “Oxygen Thief” get refocused and back on track.  Surround yourself with positive, productive people. 

See you on the high ground!

Growth has doubled every year for the past 5 years.  You have been able to expand into 3 new territories.  You have hired 47 new full-time employees and on occasion have used the services of temporary staffing agencies to provide helpers during peak volume seasons.  You have really done well.  You even have some of your old Army buddies on your staff.

You learned all about the Chain of Command long ago and decided to use that model in your own business.  Meaning, everyone had less rank that you, clearly establishing you as the commander.  Everyone up and down the chain is laser focused and dedicated to the mission.  Most of your employees are as committed to the company’s success as you are – what could be better?

As the owner and defacto commander, the buck stops with you.  You never have any problems getting complete buy-in from your other officers and staff.  Your ideas are ALWAYS right – right?  Not so fast.  No one is ALWAYS right.  Let me suggest you need some Truth Tellers on your team.  People that are willing to stand up to you and call foul when something doesn’t make sense.  We all need these people in our businesses and in our lives.

See you on the high ground!    

First thing first, get organized.  You must get and stay organized.  File or action all the stacks of paper on your desk.  Write out your “To Do” list the night before so your efforts will be focused and organized for the next day.  This way you don’t waste time the next morning trying to remember what you’re suppose to be doing.

Use the O.H.I.O. rule everywhere and every time you can.  Only Handle It Once.  It is important to say here that an action passed is not an action completed.

There can be great temptation to put out fires all day, but does that advance your efforts to build a world-class business?  Learn to prioritize all the things that must be done during the course of the day.  Identify all the things that MUST be done by you – when possible delegate everything else.

Brian Tracy says “eat that frog” everyday.  Do the most difficult tasks first thing everyday and stick with it until the task is complete.  I know you will soon see your production go way up.

See you on the high ground!         

Your life feels like it’s spinning out of control.  Time to get off this high-speed merry-go-round on steroids.  But how do you do it?  Where do you start?  The first place to start is by learning to use one of the smallest and most powerful words in the English language – NO!

You are a kind-hearted person, always willing to help others and never wanting to deny a request for help.  Sometimes your good natured, kind-hearted and thoughtfulness cause you to over extend yourself.  Does this sound like you?  Have you noticed the qualify of your work and production start to falloff, just a bit?

Could just be that you’re spread too thin.  Research has shown that multi-tasking was just an urban myth anyway.   As it turns out, multi-tasking was overrated and none of us can really do it.  Seems we were only kidding ourselves all this time.

When “your plate is full and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed” might be a really good time to say NO!  At first, it might feel like you’re being a bit selfish by saying NO.  Trust me, you are not.  Learn to say NO to things that don’t advance your business.  Learn to say NO to interruptions and distractions throughout the day.  Learn to embrace the awesome power of NO!

See you on the high ground! 

Today, you can reach out and touch your clients/client base without ever leaving the comfort of your office.  Technology has advanced and continues to advance at blinding speeds.  You can hold meetings, track deliveries, review documents and collaborate all online.  Technology is giving and continues to give us some wonderful advances.  It has also caused some relationships to wane.

There are still many people in the world that prefer the good old fashioned, up close and personal, eyeball to eyeball, face to face meetings and interactions.  Oh by the way, many of those people are the decision makers you’re trying to reach.

This is NOT an anti-technology post.  It is however, a post to remind you that establishing, nurturing and growing relationships is key to the survival and success of your business.  A great way to establish, nurture and grow those relationships is through personal interaction – when and where possible.

See you on the high ground!