"That's not bad"

On a recent visit to Kentucky my three and a half year old granddaughter Maggie came up to up to me and said, “That’s not bad”. I said, “What’s not bad honey.” She brought over a page from one of her Mother’s catalogs with Halloween costumes on it. Maggie showed me the page and said it again, “That’s not bad”, shaking her head. I said to my wife Kathy what is she talking about. My wife figured out that Maggie was “parroting” her Mother who must have looked at the catalog when Maggie was around, read the price of the costumes and said, “That’s not a bad price.” Maggie heard, “That’s not bad”.

Maggie’s phrase got me thinking. What we hear and how we perceive it is often our belief. When I view the news of the day and see and hear only it’s troubles then that’s how I may “parrot” back these events to others. If I seek the good and actively listen for it, that’s what I will hear and “parrot” back. I realize all is not rosy in the world and bad things do occur. I am however suggesting if we hear or see that something is negative, we examine it with, how can we make it better. Or, can I help turn the situation around?

As I reflect on my own life, my family is healthy and happy and, “That’s not bad”. My work and career are going well, and “That’s not bad”. I volunteer in many organizations and clubs and, “That’s not bad”. With all the division in the world and this country, we can stew in the negative and listen to the naysayers or we can look around for the good and for opportunities to be the best. In my mind I rather “parrot,” “That’s not bad” all day long. A positive person attracts other positive people and vise versa. It’s a choice. Maggie may have latched onto something that I hope she never loses and “That’s not bad”.

Learning - A Lifelong Passion

“Bradley, I am sending you to the WF&FSA Management Institute” were the words my father said to me, twenty four years ago. I had just started working for our family business, the Larry Beck Company, as a field rep on the west coast selling Floral Supplies. Fresh out of college and a baby on the way, I resisted having to spend another few days on the road away from my family. I made every excuse why I didn’t need to go. In the end, my father prevailed and I attended my first Management Institute at Indiana University. I am glad my father insisted that I go. The Management Institute and their sub-goup Young Executives (now Emerging Leaders) are two of the best reasons why I become involved in Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association, a floral industry trade association . Management Institute is one of the best experiences I have ever had while learning and networking with my peers. Attending that first Management Institute gave me a unique perspective to better understanding my customers’ business and problems. I gained new insights, new friends and a few golden nuggets that helped me to become better at my job. A few years ago, I received the opportunity to join Design Master, an international color marketing company with a focus on aerosol sprays, as an in-house manager. I jumped at the challenge. One of the nicest advantages of being associated with Young Executives was I already knew who the customers were and the people who ran those companies. I knew the owners and the managers, as well as the fresh and supply people in the leading wholesale houses around the country. I had the honor of serving as a Young Executives Council Member, Vice President and President of the Young Executives. From this experiance I got to know who the players were and, more importantly, I became known to the customers who helped me in my new position. I recently attended my twentieth Management Institute. It is amazing to witness how this event and the Emerging Leaders have evolved into a dynamic component of the WF&FSA organization. The new name applied to the group, Emerging Leaders is a“re-branding” that adds sizzle and buzz to attract some people to join the group. Personally, the group can be called whatever the association would like. At 48 years old I still am a member of the organization and will continue as long as they will have me. Why? I like being a part of something that makes me feel and think young. I like to associate with people who have new ways of thinking and new ideas that help me see opportunities with fresh eyes. I like the friendship and camaraderie I have built with people in the fresh, supply and transportation segments of our industry. Continuing education is not just for those in college or a professional trade. Lifelong learning, networking and looking for new ways to think and act are all a part of continuing education. I hope I am fortunate enough to attend 20 more years of Management Institutes and hopefully the Emerging Leaders will let me keep my membership active until I decide to retire.