A TALL MOUSE, a paperweight and an outhouse.

On my desk at work sits a variety of “chachkies,” a Yiddish word meaning trinkets. These were collected with others from my many years of business travel.  These dust-collectors remind me of the past, yet often inspire me to think about events and opportunities in the future.  Three pieces that stand out for me are a ceramic tall mouse, a stone paperweight with the words “Soring into the Future” embossed on it and a rubber outhouse I was handed at a trade show. 

The TALL MOUSE figure I bought from one of my customers in Southern California. Tall Mouse  Arts and Crafts was a four-store chain owned by Jim and Ricki Bremmer.  I was on a courtesy call with his buyer, Kim Donahue who told me the story of how the store got its name. In the mid-1960’s the founders of the company, Richard and Mariam Oehllam were at a New Year’s Eve party with lots of champagne. Party guests were milling around enjoying each other’s company, and they were talking about a name for the store when somebody suggested, “You need to invent a better mousetrap.”  Thinking a mouse trap a bit inhume, someone suggested that it would be better to just “build a better mouse.”  There happened to be a cartoonist at the party who quickly sketched several drawings of different mice, the long-legged mouse stood out and was purchased from the artist.  So basically, as Kim stated, “it is how all good ideas happen—a party, champagne, and a cartoonist!”

The tall mouse reminds me to be creative, to think differently and to not listen to the conventional wisdom.  To follow one’s passion, with vision and enthusiasm.

The paperweight with a stone base was a gift given after graduating from the 1993 Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier’s of America’s Management Institute held at Cornell University.  Since 1982, there have been 37 Management Institute Institutes and I have attended 29 to date.  I love learning, networking with my industry peers, and experiencing new ways to apply these best practices to our business.  This educational event also helps me share the knowledge I learn with customers who appreciate the ideas I bring them as a valued and trusted advisor. 

This paperweight reminds me to continue to be a life-long learner and to “Soar into the Future” by continuing to grow, challenge and adapt to the changing winds of the marketplace.  It’s often be stated that the only one who likes change is a baby, with a dirty diaper. One should embrace change otherwise you’ll start to stink from within.

Which brings me to the third object in this grouping, a rubber outhouse.  This was a promotional giveaway at a special event show from a waste management company.  In the party, wedding event business if you don’t have a necessary room close by, your event might turn out crappy.  This “stress reliever” is intended to be squeezed when one was feeling overwhelmed and needed to redirect their angst.   I walked up to the folks who were standing in front of a gleaming, outhouse on wheels.  And said, “How’s shit going?” One replied, “Pretty regular” and we all had a good laugh.  A salesman threw me this rubber outhouse and said, “squeeze this the next time you go.  It will help with the experience.”  More laughter. 

The rubber outhouse reminds me to have fun and laugh in your business.  As I have often stated, “I’m going to FUN If it’s work find someone else.”  It also reminds me to, GSD = GET SHIT DONE.  Crude perhaps.  Yet in business, if you don’t GSD you go HUNGRY. 

Three simple souvenirs which sit on my desk.  They remind me to continue to be creative, think differently, to continue life-long learning, to get shit done and have fun doing it. 

Growing Up With Flowers

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n 1991 a group of Young Executives from the Wholesale Florist and Floral Supplier Association, WF&FSA, created a flower education program called, "Growing Up With Flowers" Flower Industry friends, Laura Kantakis, John Dillon, Lee Sorensen, Lisa Allensworth, Gregg Wilke, Katy Miller, Dave Garcia, Eric Levy and Kenny Hopkins and I worked together with little funding and lots of enthusiasm to create a flower education program for youth, with the result of hopefully increasing demand for flowers with a positive educational experience. In 1993 a Wholesale, Retail, Educators Guide and a Coloring Book were unveiled. This video was created in 1995 and "The Flower Song" which I wrote, was included to help interested parties to begin their presentation and to get the attention of pre-school and kindergarten students. PDF's of the original guides, coloring book and this video are all available. DM me for your copy. The materials may be dated yet sharing the beauty of flowers with kids never gets old. #flowers #GrowingUpWithFlowers #WFFSA

Promoting Your Toastmasters Club Via Radio.

You work hard building your club and creating a dynamic meeting environment.  Things are going great and your club meetings are exciting, fun and your members are improving their skills.  Yet, even the best of clubs lose close to one-third of their members yearly. It’s all part of the life cycle of a Toastmasters club.  Members come and go for many reasons and that is why good clubs are constantly recruiting new members. 

Kim Monson is a member of Liberty Toastmasters in Denver and she is also a drive time radio show host, and half of the “Americhicks,” on KLZ 560 AM from 6:00 to 7:00 AM.  Her radio program focuses on public policy issues and includes a diverse range of topics which features local and national personalities. 

Kim observed the membership falling and approached the club to see if we would consider being a co-sponsor of her radio show.  During a club business meeting, the members agreed to promote the club with the help our sister club, Liberty Toastmasters-North in Longmont, to share in the investment and promote both clubs. 

Several times a week a recorded Toastmaster Ad is played, and at least monthly members are interviewed and even have the opportunity to participate on the radio show by practicing their Table Topic skills, “live” on the air.  After the program airs, each participant is sent their portion of the recorded program to share on their personal social media or in e-mails. This amplifies the investment and helps promote the clubs.  As Liberty Toastmasters President, I have been interviewed on the program about our uniquely themed club, and have been invited as a guest co-host several times.  Yet, more importantly, we have invited listeners to attend our meetings and to practice becoming better speakers and leaders via Toastmasters.

Wonder if this investment has panned out?  So far, the results have been promising.  After the first radio program aired, a couple from Parker attended a meeting at the Denver club.  When introducing themselves, these guests shared they heard about us on the radio. Wow! It worked.  The following week the Longmont Club had a similar experience when a gentleman attended from Fort Collins after hearing the interview on the radio. Wow again!

We continue to invest some club dues in public relations and recruitment and now have proof that radio does reach potential new members. Plus, we have a wider reach of potential new members across the entire front range.  If you are looking to grow your membership and who isn’t, you may try this unique approach. 

10.29.18:Brad Beck with Liberty Toastmasters on the Americhicks 

https://soundcloud.com/the-heart-of-the-matter/102918brad-beck-with-liberty-toastmasters

Back in the early 1980’s when I was in college, I was fortunate to be a production assistant at KNBC Los Angeles in Burbank, CA. After my local public affairs show was wrapped up from taping, I would hang around the studio networking and meeting people. My usual routine was to check out who was to be a guest on the Tonight Show starring Jonny Carson and attend the show. One-night, Burt Reynolds was scheduled to appear and I thought it would be awesome to see if I could meet him. I usually hung around with the sound engineers and I was often invited to observe and sit at the soundboard. Prior to the show, I needed to tap a kidney. Standing at the porcelain fixture, I was doing my business. Staring straight ahead, I heard a few guys enter the necessary room. Their voices sounded familiar. As they continued their conversation I recognized who they were. Standing on one side of me was Burt Reynolds and on the other side was Doc Severson. As I was finishing my business, I started to laugh, and Reynolds caught a glimpse of me and said, “What’s so funny, buddy? I replied, “No one is going to believe I am taking a leak between you two.” His retort I’ll never forget was, “And no one will if you take a peek.” Laughter filled the room. I was washing my hands and Mr. Reynolds proceeded to tell a story to Mr. Severson and myself about a similar situation he had heard about with John Wayne. (Not verified) Mr. Wayne was standing at a urinal and someone standing next to him noticed him and said, “Hey, you’re John Wayne” and turned, as this person continued doing his business on Mr. Wayne’s leg. The next day, dividers were installed in all the studio urinals. I never officially meet Mr. Reynolds, yet I encountered his quick wit and good nature. RIP Mr. Reynolds. Thanks for the laughs.

Look for the Sore Thumbs

Idioms are expressions whose meaning is not predictable from their usual definition.  If someone spurts, “Boy you stick out like a sore thumb.“ as I did at a recent trade show, it’s not meant to be taken literal, yet it does signify someone notices they are very different from the people or things around them.

 I arrived to set up an industry trade show for the Arizona State Florist Association EXPO in Phoenix.  This is a gathering of flower industry retailers, wholesalers, growers, and manufacturers who meet yearly to trade, learn and network at a one-day event.

Maybe it was the juxtaposition of 105-degree heat outside and then shockingly cold air-conditioning in the event center that jarred my senses and made me aware of them.   In the trade fair area, several tables down from where I was exhibiting, I noticed something that stuck out.  Unlike all the other flower related companies and manufactures was this “sore thumb,” aching to be noticed.  A company that occupies the space of whipping up tasty meals with simple recipes and pre-measured ingredients delivered to your door every week.  I had to check them out.

Not knowing who they were or why they would be exhibiting at this sort of event I was curious.  I am reminded that “curiosity also killed the cat.” So, I approached, cautiously at first, I did not want to get “tangled in their web.”  I introduced myself and asked what their business was and curious about why they would be here. The lead salesperson shared with me that they were invited by the event organizer because she used their service and since she was always too busy to shop at her local market, she knew her fellow florist friends were always short on time, and they too would benefit from this ready to cook meal service. Ah ha!!! I instantly saw the connection and was intrigued. 

It was explained to me using a well-created app, how it all works. Choose what looks delicious. Let the company shop and deliver the meals.  Enjoy all there is to love about cooking and eating without the hassle of shopping and having too many leftovers. Their introductory deal looked too delicious to pass up and I was sold, “hook, line, and sinker” 

The point of this story is simple. Here was an opportunity that this salesperson was offered and who saw the potential to stick out like a “sore thumb.”  What opportunities are you preparing for and are ready to jump on, like a “dog on a bone” especially when “opportunity knocks.”

Gratitude is a Virtue

What do Fortitude, Justice, Gratitude, Prudence and Temperance have in common?  They are the capstone virtues which are taught at a Public Charter School called Liberty Common School in Fort Collins, Colorado.  A consistent, top ten rated school in Colorado run by former Congressmen, the Honorable, Bob Schaffer who help establish this classical focused school.  Mr. Schaffer is now the Headmaster and he e-mailed me one day to ask if I would be interested in speaking on the virtue of Gratitude with the students.at their Lyceum* which would include his 600 Middle and High School Students. 

I was honored to be asked to do.  As a Toastmaster, I was both fearful and grateful for the opportunity.  Fearful because I knew these kids were good listeners and learners and they would be listening with a critical ear.  Grateful for the opportunity and the experience of sharing the virtue of Gratitude with these students.

It took several weeks to prepare, practice and polish my speech.  I knew I had a good formula when I gathered stories and experiences that I thought would connect with the students and be relevant to their lives.  I included a challenge and a call to action at the end of my presentation that I thought would give the students something to think about and perhaps even do.

I arrived on the appointed day a few hours early so I could take a tour of the school and ask my student escorts lots of questions while visiting the many classrooms we entered while the students were in session.  There were lectures on History and English.  In the practical Sciences I was impressed with the 3D printers the students were working with to build a prosthesis out of recycled plastics.   I saw the creative process in ceramics class and how it related the use of pottery in antiquity.  I was impressed with the level of attention by the students even with my interrupting their class and the amount of learning that was taking place. At the end of the tour I wanted to go back to school because it looked and sounded enlightening and engaging. 

After this visit it was my time to speak and so I did in the school gym.  My 12 minutes of comments and a short Question and Answer session was fun to do.  The elation from the experience was really capped when Mr. Schaffer awarded me a school coin with the capstone virtues and the school logo emblazoned on it as a token of the school’s appreciation for my time.

The moral of this story is this. If given a chance to speak to students, do it.  It’s a humbling and happy experience. And be grateful for the opportunity.

Here is my presentation  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_phkhoil_Q

*A Lyceum, it is a hall for public lectures or discussions usually held in a gymnasium the original near Athens where Aristotle established his school

This was a fun interview to do on behalf of the Optimist Club of Erie and our upcoming Easter Egg Hunt on Moving to Erie podcast https://movingtoerie.com/2018/03/19/bradley-beck-erie-optimist-club/ #optimist #erie