We Can Get Further...Together! - There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the running mates Senators Obama and McCain have chosen for their potential presidential position.  It appears that each attempted to work with someone who address their "Achilles Heel;" Obama chose someone older and with more experience.  McCain chose someone younger and female.

You have to wonder - are their running mates the best choices for the long haul?  Do their partners align, completely, with their own mission, vision and values?  What about your partners?  Do they act on your behalf the same way you would?

When choosing a partner, or Wingman, consider what you are getting into, and what you may have to give up.

Separating the Wheat... - Do you know why so many networking groups are a waste of time, energy and gas?  Do you know why out of the 20 or 30 people you meet, you don't do business with any of them?  Do you know why some people seem to be wildly successful at networking, while others aren't?

The answer probably has something to do with purpose and intent: successful networkers know exactly why they are there, what they intend to accomplish and how they intend to go about it.  The best networkers know that it isn't about them; as Dr. Henry Cloud suggests in "Integrity," it's about the wake (the impression) they leave behind.

Mastermind - Thinking of joining or starting a Mastermind group?  For many, it's a great idea.  As with anything, however, you need to do your homework.  While a mastermind group can be extremely beneficial, if done under the right conditions, it can be a total waste of time if thrown together haphazardly.  Members of the mastermind group must have be fully aligned with the organization's purpose, and each member of the group must participate.  Mastermind groups are usually set up to accomplish a specific mission, and all members of the group need to be at a similar "stage" in their career or business.  Take a look at "The Lore of the MasterMind" for additional thoughts on mastermind groups.  Additionally, take a look at "Meet and Grow Rich: How to Easily Create and Operate Your Own "Mastermind" Group for Health, Wealth, and More," by Joe Vitale and Bill

Professional Development - A professor of mine once said to me, "Once you think you've got the situation under control, the situation changes."  This goes for education and professional development, as well. 

Having goals and a budget to reinvest in yourself, on a regular basis, no matter what your role in an organization, not only helps to enhance your ability to contribute, but also keeps you ready and able to adapt as the job market and economy changes.  Our world is knowledge driven; whomever has the knowledge, and knows how to apply it, has the keys to the kingdom!

Flying High or Crashing and Burning - We are rolling into the last quarter of the year; we've made it through the summer of '08.  For some, times were extremely tough.  For others, new opportunities were revealed.  While your pockets may have been lighter, how you make it through the next phase will have everything to do with perspective - or, as John Williams describes in "The Winning Attitude," you will go wherever you point your nose.

Mr. Maxwell likens your attitude to the altitude in a plane: if you point your nose up (the nose of the plane or the nose on your face!) your altitude (attitude) will go up.  Conversely, if you point it down, your altitude (attitude) will decrease.  Pointed downward long enough, you could end up crashing a burning.  While you may not be in full control of the things going on around you, how you handle it is completely up to you.

That said, it's time to take what you've got and run in for the touchdown.  Dropping the ball at this point will be no better than having never started.  If you must give in, don't give up.  Basketball Star Michael Jordan says, "I've failed over and over and over again in my life.  And that is what I succeed."

Coffee & a Consult! - We are always interested in helping businesses increase their productivity, create sustainable futures and develop strategies to get there. We enjoy working with smaller firms, who are great at what they do but want to move up to the next level. Great clients for us include restaurants, caterers and event planners, education centers, IT & Software firms, and professional services firms. If your company, or a company you work with could use our help, please let us know!

Have Skype, will Travel!!  

With the economy as it is, we try to think about ways to cut costs.  While we would love to meet with you face-to-face, we would be just as happy to meet with you over Skype.  If you don't have it already, you can download their free software at www.skype.com.  We have webcams and would be happy  meet with you for a virtual Coffee and a Consult!!