Black In Business

I received an ipod as a gift recently. One of the first songs I had downloaded was, “A House Is Not a Home,” by Luther. Let use the first verse as a metaphor to help my argument, Barack will be sworn in as US President, January 09.
“A Chair is still a chair, even if there is no one sitting there!” Think of a chair representing the US Presidency. There has been no one sitting there for the past 7 plus years of the son of a Bush Presidency; no one for Black Americans, poor and middle class Americans, the countries of France, Venezuela, North Korea, Iran and much of the world. There is no one there for homeless Americans, families with out health insurance, Immigrants from Mexico, and now no one there for the 70% of Americans that feel the President is doing a poor job.
“But a house is not a home if there is no one home to love you.” Black Americans and other disenfranchised citizens under stand; the United States is a house but not a home. The Presidency of Barack will change all that. The “ROW” aka, rest of the world, will see the United States in a different light with a Obama Presidency, and it will be a positive light. Black American’s will finally have a homeland we can take pride and hopefully share in the rewards of the so called “American Dream!”
Let the healing begin, I for one enjoyed the Clinton Presidency, Think, “Peace and Prosperity!” Did you receive your January portfolio statement yet? Sit down before you open it. All this republican bs about the war on terror being won have missed the true war. The World Trade Centers reflected the economic might of the U.S. Are you better off today than you were 7 years ago? Our new President will need an economic plan to help the masses, trickle down does not work.
Let’s give Hillary a shout out. She is an excellent Senator and would have improved the Presidency. Her campaign has been run well under intense pressure. Hillary should return to my birth state of New York and evolve into a senior matriarch of the Democrats and a key advisor to president Obama.
There has been a tendency to bury the Clintons, the war is won, and let us embrace them the way Barack has already started.
John McCain, yesterday’s war hero, never surrender, fight 100 years if necessary, 72 years old. If Barack made baby boomers seem like yesterday’s news, what will he do to McCain?
I am proud of Barack, but will be even more proud of America if our brother wins. Al Sharpton was interviewed last night and seemed stunned over Barack easy win in the Potomac Primary. Al could have, should have, if he would have been on the train. The train of the Obama Presidency has left the station and Al is not on it. Rev. Sharpton, Rep. Rangel, Ambassador Young, Rep Walters, we love you and your work on behalf of black people, but the fact is, Barack won’t need your endorsement. You need to figure something out to save face or you may become obsolete.
In closing, a Black President will be good for America. Think this, he has lived on foreign soil , is biracial, raised in Hawaii and Kansas, blossomed in Chicago’s south side, educated at Harvard, married to a Ivy League graduate and has 2 young children. The United States is no longer black and white, red and blue or the haves and have not’s. It is one America and only one man can bring it all together, the right man. Think of the options, we all know who that man is; next President of the United States, Barack Obama. Keeping Hope Alive. This is history, let me hear your voice!

In business it is said, “Nothing happenings until a salesman sells something!” Today in Chicago we woke up to -2 degrees F and the wind chill is – 20 degrees F. Baby it is cold outside. It is a day when you want to stay in. For a salesman it could be a day of opportunity if the calls are made.
I started my business career at Xerox. My job was to do something called a cold call. This is when you walk into a business environment without an appointment with charm, confidence and panache, and instruct the receptionist to ask the boss if he and you could meet. We had to make 165 cold calls a week minimum. These were very difficult to do and many sales people hated them.
You would experience a ton of rejection, contempt, and oftentimes very rude people. The best salespeople found a way to make this effort fun. The best sales people did things others ran away from. When I heard the weather report I wondered about sales people and making cold calls. The term cold call had nothing to do with the weather. It was you making a call with out a appointment and often times your reception would be cold.
Sales managers all over the world tell their salesmen, after your last call, and when it is time to go home, make one more cold call. The point is going the extra mile.
I have never considered myself a great salesman but I can access greatness and have been successful in sales myself. So on a cold Chicago day I offer, a tip of my hat to salesmen trying to make something happen. I want to share with you the names of the best salesmen I have witness.
JOHN JOHNSON
Mr. Johnson was the founder of Ebony Magazine and went on to a life of wealth and fame. When Mr. Johnson visited a loan officer at a bank and inquired about a loan. The white loan officer replied, “ we do not give loans to niggers!” Today, a brother would have jumped crossed the desk and kicked butt. Mr. Johnson said, “do you know someone that will. He received a name, got a loan and the rest is history.

DON KING
The boxing promoter has made his fortune by promoting fights for the past 35 years plus. Mr. King was released from prison for murder and in the same year he had a guarantee of 10 million dollars. This money enabled him to sign champ George Forman and the “People’s Champ,” Muhammed Ali to the rumble in the jungle. Don is silky smooth and down to earth.

BARACK OBAMA
Do I need to say more? He has excited a nation and has earned to respect of both parties. His message of change may bring the biggest sale of all times.

I have met all 3 of these great salesman and 2 things stick out to me regarding what they have in common. All three are very gracious and down to earth, and all 3 have incredible confidence. As you make cold calls, these 2 traits will make your day go better. Keep Hope Alive. If you know of any great salesmen, please share their stories. What do you think of my 3?

I have owned my search business for 1 year. I started as a head hunter and work by myself. There is one employee, me, the President and Managing Director. I have the realization for my business there are two occurrences, one is expense the other is revenue. Saying all that to say this; currently I am very busy with several interviews involving my candidates interfacing with 4 top companies. It would be very easy to become elated over this tremendous activity except for my realization. Expense or revenue, right now it is all expense.
This reminds me of a story about 2 salesmen. They met at the national sales meeting; salesman 1 said to salesman 2, how was your week, sales man 2 replied, “Great, I had 25 new business calls, presented 3 proposals, did a demo and had a VIP visit!” Salesman 1, whom is the top ranked salesman replied, “I didn’t sell anything either.
Do not get me wrong, activity can be a predictor of future success but it does not pay the bills.
One of the firms I am dealing with is a household name and one of the world’s greatest companies. They have an opening for a clinical application manager. This is a technical position working closely with a sales team. My canidate has the prerequisite technical degree and experience. She has since become a sensational sales talent and has a stellar track record. This great company exhibited concern because my canidate had not worked in a lab for over 10 years. I pointed out; the true objective for any position is to contribute toward business growth by excelling in their position. Who could be a better canidate than a technical person that knows how to sell? Long story short, the corporate recruiter would have passed on this great canidate if not I and the hiring manager had not reminder her of the objective of business growth.
In closing, what ever you do for your firm, from answering the phone to being a service engineer, you are paid to contribute to the companies growth or you are an unnecessary expense. What category do you fall into.

A poll has let us know Americans are almost as excited about today’s “Super Tuesday’s” Primaries’ elections; as we were about the recent Super Bowl contest. Over 90 million viewed the Super Bowl, and we expect record breaking turnouts all over the States to total 58% of eligible voters.
I voted early today and am proudly wearing my I voted badge! It is a civic duty and one previous generation of black people and women fought for. Now, us Democrats have the opportunity to vote for a black or woman canidate! History in the making!
Keep Hope Alive and vote! I have come across another summary of important issues, I hope it helps you decide.

Vote Chooser

Answer 10 questions and find out which presidential candidate you should vote for in 2008!
This site is not affiliated with or funded by any political party or candidate.

1. Was invading Iraq a mistake?
Yes
No

2. American troops in Iraq should
Be withdrawn now
Be withdrawn within 1-2 years
Stay in Iraq as long as necessary

3. The people that need tax cuts most are
Lower and middle-class Americans
Middle-class Americans
Lower, middle, and upper-class Americans

4. Government spending should
Increase
Decrease

5. The government should offer affordable health care to all Americans
Yes
No

6. Illegal immigrants living in America should be
Deported or held accountable to the law
Allowed to work for a few years then sent home
Given a path to citizenship

7. Abortion should be legal
Yes
No

8. The No Child Left Behind Act [explanation]
Is good for schools
Has flaws and needs reform
Should be abolished

9. The best way to improve the American economy is
More favorable trade policies
More high tech jobs
BOTH more favorable trade policies and more high tech jobs
Downsizing government, cutting taxes, and reducing regulation

10. The best way to save the environment and achieve energy independence is
Giving companies more incentives to be energy efficient
Developing alternative energy sources
BOTH of the above
Allowing citizens to protect their land by suing polluters

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Copyright 2008 Crowd Technology Company, Owner Bryant Lee, Send comments here

We haven’t had much football stuff this year. Da Bears missed the playoffs, wait until next year. Devin Hestor is the most exciting player in the NFL based upon his ability to return kicks. If the Patriots had Devin, they would be champs again. All of us Chicago fans know he would have returned one yesterday.
Last year was historic with 2 black coaches in the super bowl. We learned that soft player coaches can win in big time sports.Lovie Smith may be too much of a player’s coach and we saw the results.
This year we have the ultimate in “old school coaches” Coaches Belichick and Coughlin are cut from the same cloth. If you screwed upped for last years coaches, Dungy and Smith, you might get a hug or a pat on the back, along with a compassionate plea to do better next time. Belichick and Coughlin would kick your ass verbally and would not care who was around to hear it. To point is old school can still work.
Both of these old school coaches had a theme or a goal for the year, The Pat’s, was play 60 minutes. Giants had a goal to win it all. Coughlin stayed the course of having strict rules,( be on time for meetings, no cell phones, no excuses) these were rules the players hated, but Coughlin stuck to his guns. He did make an adjustment; he kept his door open to speak with his players as needed. He improved his communication. This adjustment allowed for a super win, during a 6 loss season. He won over his team by communicating more.
Belichick has won 3 super bowls and is considered the game’s best coach. He was a horrible coach in Cleveland but made the most of his second chance. If he was black there would not have been a second chance for redemption Belichick has successfully molded a team with some super stars but no one is above the team. This part of his coaching is remarkable. His players are disappointed but what a season. They will be back.
In closing, I like the old school coaches better than the new school approach. White coaches have an advantage, they can be gruff and be screamers with little backlash. Black coaches have to be more careful. It is the same in management. My leadership style is a combination of the old and the new. What is yours?