Never Eat Alone

Greetings from raining, icy Dallas, Texas.  I was hoping to get away from winter by heading down to the Lone Star State, however, doesn’t look like this is the case.  It was actually warmer in Calgary today.  Anyways, that is the joy of winter.

Must Read – Click and get this book right now – NEVER EAT ALONE

I have been reading Keith Ferrazzi’s “Never Eat Alone” for the past few weeks.  My reading habits are read a bit here and there, I rarely go long stints of reading except when I am traveling and on this trip to Dallas (with a layover in Denver) I didn’t fire up my laptop and didn’t even sneak my Blackberry on while flying to see if I can pick up a signal.  I elected to read and that is what I did.

Thanks to my buddy Joddey Hicks

This is Joddey Hicks

I had the luxury of meeting Keith in Calgary last Fall when he came through town with Jeffrey Gitomer and a few other speakers on a national tour, and if it wasn’t for my good buddy Joddey Hicks, I would have had no idea who Keith Ferrazzi was or is.  However, his book is simply amazing and I had a great opportunity to dive into it head first today.

Life is not a highway, life is a relationship

Keith discusses what I believe to be common sense to any business owner, VP Marketing, Sales guy or entrepreneur.  Business is all about relationships and how you grow those relationships.  One thing that I have learned in my 15 or so years in the IT business is that “customers come and go, business grow and sell however strong relationships last a lifetime”.  I am blessed to have some awesome business relationships that have turned into some very deep and meaningful friendships.  Thanks to Dave, Paul, Fraser, Paula and a few others – you guys are totally awesome and I love you all.

I can go on and highlight what Keith talks about in his book, you know something, the followers of my blog know this stuff.  They know that I live for relationships, that I struggled for most of the past 8 years with ups and downs in business and my personal life and that I simply made some bonehead moves.  However, the core still remains that same, I am me and if you don’t like it, too bad, some other people love me.

The one thing that Keith does mention in the chapter that I am currently reading is don’t chase stars, don’t read those grocery store tabloids – find good honest people that will invest in helping you, who you can serve, and who you can connect with.

We need to connect and serve

You see my secret is this and I did it twice today.  I introduce people to other so that they can benefit, I serve them and never ask for anything in return.  Seeing my peers grow and yes sometimes at my expense is worth it.  The whole world really needs to start thinking this way.

One last thing, I attended LBW the other night (Ladies, Beer and Wings).  OK my bride attended and I came by to pick her up.  We had a great conversation about capacity.  You know if the whole world lived like we do in North America, the earth couldn’t handle it.  We in North America need to bring down our standard of living.  This chat was about the food supply, however look what is happening in our financial markets.  People, it is time to sacrifice, time to serve and look out for those around us.

Only then, will we have full fulfillment in life!