April 2014: Unique & Original

We are all unique, simply because our DNA makes it so. Even identical twins are unique or become so because of environmental factors, mainly human interaction. To a certain degree, we are all an original; at least, we are meant to be.

We cease to be original because we are similar to the initial manufacturing of a product. Picture the first printing of a book – thousands of copies are pressed. Same goes for a limited edition of an automobile. There is a certain, fixed number of the original run. Yet, for each of these “original” products, there is a prototype, a master, one who is first off of the assembly line.

Today I bring to you three gentlemen who exhibit the perfect blend of uniqueness and originality, in such fashion that they have influenced my life.

 BREAKING THE MOLD

Better Benefit Logistics LLC, AFLAC

CHARLTON DAVENPORT – Many, who are reading this entry, know this man as Dopolous. That is the first name I too knew him by, until his title of authority, influence and power for a brief but pivotal period of my life. Your “Dean” as many of you know mold you in many ways, not just for the organization to which you aspire, but the wisdom imparted and the steps to follow in life. One thing I most respect most about my “Dean of Pledges” is that he was his own man and required each person to be that, their own, original true self. Always ahead of the times, in his art, style and character, I would like for each of you to click this link  and learn how, as a Representative of Aflac, Charlton Davenport can help you secure a better life, a better future.

Oil on Canvas, 18-08-10

MALDRON WHEELER (Solitary Pursuits) – I play a little poker and I don’t know if this brother here does. What I do know of him is that he holds his cards close to his chest. I’ve known him for over twenty-five years, and each time we have an encounter, I learn something fascinating about him, that I wish I had known many years prior. Mervyn’s range of taste and talent is one from which many, I included, could greatly benefit. You don’t believe, just watch (in my Trinidad James’s voice). View his youtube channel (Solitary Pursuits).

SHAWN ASHBY – You often meet people, lose touch with them and don’t get a chance to reflect on their impact. I recall meeting Shawn or Du, as he is affectionately called during my early days of college. He set the tone of my interaction with upperclassmen. He carried himself in an open manner wherein he imparted knowledge in two ways – elder statesmen, and one of the guys. In getting reacquainted after many years, his path has shown that life is, in most part, destined in that some people are who they were at the onset. For Shawn-Du, he is a Minister, a Counselor and an Entrepreneur, dealing in antiques and collectibles. Reach him on ebay at “ashbysworld”, and build from there.

March 2014: Remember The First Time…?

The first time is technically the best, even if the results improve in future efforts. When someone asks or says, “Remember the first time…”, her aim is to invoke a warm feeling, like the first day of Spring even when the weather does not warm until the first week of April.

I once looked forward to first times so much that I overlooked what I actually had. Eventually that led to some bad times, and unlike first times, I tend not to repeat negative occurrences.

In actuality, no person should use the reference “first time” for when something bad happened because the goal should then be for that bad event not to happen again. In other words, let’s say, you have a shoulder that pops out of the socket. I am quite sure you can recall the first time it happened, but the hope is that you would have gotten surgery to properly repair it.

Otherwise, the shoulder matter is something you must reframe in your mind as a source of strength, so that you can say, “Remember the first time…” #dwaynewade 

Life is about falling down and first times; that is how I treat my career, parenting and my passions.

MARCH FORWARD

This month, I bring you three friends who are entrepreneurs following their dreams through ups and downs. Please visit their respective website to learn more and support.

Monica L. Cook – I met her in undergrad and she’s always been one to fight through adversity. A late bloomer in so many ways, and ahead of her time in others, she’s a true friend who leads by example, in that she gets up and forges ahead, and succeeds.

http://www.mlcjudgmentrecovery.com/

Michell C. Clark – An artist through outlook, he possesses a keen ear to the music of today as well as the best to draw from that lifestyle. Learn of this man and his brand, so that years from now, you can say, remember the first time.

https://www.facebook.com/Artistic.Manifesto

Edward L. Tarlton – The brashest of personalities usually have the purest of hearts. If your next move involves achievement, particularly in the academic arena for youth and adults alike, inquiring about his services should be your first move.

http://helpconsulting.weebly.com/ed-tarlton.html

SPRING TIME

We made it through a rough first quarter of the year, a winter that would test your resolve and love for New York. If you are not in New York, unless you were in AZ, FL, CA and the like, I am certain you battled the snowiest winter in decades. Normally this experience forces people to rethink their position. Are you looking to buy or sell? It really is hold or fold time. You need real estate. Call, email me or hit me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuichardCadet

January 2014: Cold Calling in Winter

Sixty calls per hour, or achieve the number of required completions in that time span. Though I screen hard against telemarketers when I’m home, I still respect the job they do because I used to be one of those people who’d call you at dinnertime, prime time, during the game or weekends to ask for just a few minutes of your time.

I am still amazed at the low rate of people who hung up without giving me a chance to get into my pitch, or at least ask my Screen-Out Questions. From my years of telemarketing/sales cold-calling I learned many things. One: I was not shy just lacked an affinity for small talk like, “The rain in Spain mainly falls on the plain…” On the other hand if someone wanted to discuss the Pythagorean Theorem or why acute angles often appear obtuse upon first sight, then I transformed into a chatterbox.

Most importantly I learned how to talk to a stranger and subtly ask “screen-out questions”. But, to talk to strangers, you have to call them- over, on the phone or however needed to start the conversation.

Not counting “last call”, when was the last time you approached a stranger, not for directions or a simple matter, but that Randy Moss, “straight cash homey” equivalent?

Cold Calling in Winter

During and right after the holidays is a good time to reflect and plan ahead. It is the best time to look over friendships that have gone into hibernation, as well as new friendships formed for which more seeds need planting. I will now list two people I need you to contact – your very own cold-call.

Reach out to one of these people and tell them I sent you and learn about them and their business. In turn, you assign me a person to cold-call.

Let’s build our networks.

 














  

Noel Reid-killings 

Dina Martin