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Mind Body Spirit Finances and Guess the Rest
Have you ever had that one thing you've seen happen that really
hits home like a ton of bricks?
When I was working in San Diego, one of my best friends worked at a
nearby Ford Dealership. Every day we would observe as the "roach
coach" dropped by the dealerships on "Car Country". One day my
friend at the Ford dealership came by and informed me that the new
car director of his dealership had fallen over at the dealership,
dead from a heart attack, keeling over in front of the "roach
coach". In some senses, there was no suffering and it was over
quick, so I guess that may be a great way to go to the big car lot
in the sky.
However, for me, it was something like a bad ending to a Franz
Kafka short story. How many times could I plead guilty to the fact
that I ate at my desk, that the food I ate was not healthy, and
that I ate it way too fast? How many times did I eat a greasy
burrito off the dear old coach of love when I was already full?
Probably plenty of times is the answer.
We really need to promote a lot better health in the car business.
We can live to work just a little too much and we can work to die
way before our time if we are not careful. God Bless the car man
who has died at his desk or at the roach coach. We need to work on
the "Richest Man in the Graveyard" syndrome that permeates our
industry.
When I was much younger I remember watching an interview with Mick
Jagger on one of his initial visits to America. The question was
basically "How's it going"? The answer was funny at the time but
now it sounds really pretty complete. It went something like
"mentally very good, sexually well, spiritually working at it, and
physically trying harder."
Forgetting the sexual part, can we keep some resemblance of a
spiritual life at the dealership or in the business? And here is
the forgotten part for a lot of us: the physical part. I have
always admired people who have made time to take care of the
physical part of the equation, no matter the cost, and I know too
well you have to find and make the time, especially in the car
business. Take time to work out, it just might save your life. If
you have a gut, get a gut check.
We can make big bucks in the business, but if you're not around to
spend'em, so what?
If we make the mistake, and I do mean the big mistake of watching
too much of the evening news, we can hear a story of doom and
gloom. And they will no doubt make many references regarding our
business, especially the Detroit Big 3 Manufacturers.
We, you and I, started in this business with a dream. The dream is
not dead unless we let it die. Now more than ever, you need to be
innovative and we need to put a steel cage around our customers and
make it so they would never want to do business anywhere else.
It can be done.
Let me show you a really far fetched dream that came to fruition.
I had to stop playing golf because of back surgery. So to make up
for the wasted time I decided to play bass guitar. I played from
scratch and was a total beginner. My dream was to play with a band
for fun, no visions of grandeur, just an occasional gig with some
friends, watched by some friends, maybe making friends along the
way. This gig came to pass after many years of practice. I was with
a group that played often, maybe too often. I even got decent
enough to sing some backup while playing, (not easy with bass as it
goes against the melody). And I made a lot of new friends and sold
them all vehicles.
Ladies and Gentlemen, when you came into the business you had a
dream. If a klutz like me can play the bass, you can keep your
dream alive in your dealership. John Lennon said "Lose your dreams
and you might lose your mind."
Keep your dream alive. Have fun with it.
I am going to pick up my bass again soon. And it's going to be fun.
Make no mistake about it, this is going to be a tough year, more
so in some areas than others. Keep in mind if you watch the
depressing show they run every night at 6, it's meant to make you
angry, irritable, and to ultimately sell you some pills.
And, what's worse, the pills will have a longer disclosure than any
ad you have ever run, and they are much more harmful to your
health. So unless you are checking to see if commercial spots are
running, you may do well to give it a break.
Recently in Houston we had a day where big-time retired NBA stars
came to a gym and played some younger middle school kids. As a
former basketball player, I have been privileged to know Mike
Newlin, a former Rocket great, as well as the irrepressible John
Lucas, Coach, Player, tennis All American and general great human
being.
When I saw Newlin coach my oldest son the first time many years
ago, he had not picked up a ball for nearly 2 years. He may have
missed 2 shots in 90 plus minutes. Granted, no one was guarding
him, but you try doing this playing every day, much less picking up
the ball cold after a two year sabbatical. Now that's a pro!
I also realized why the pros retire. Because some of the pros who
keep in shape can keep up with the younger players for a few games
and in most cases many of them do just that...in fact they can still
dominate...they just cannot do it for 82 games plus anymore. That is
why they retired. But this really showed me what a pro is.
Are your people pros?
I have seen college players that everyone thinks are "all that" get
eaten alive by journeymen pros...ones who started at some point or
came off the bench. I mean really good college players eaten alive.
Are your people pros?
Remember, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic were all very gifted
and even after they were famous, they worked out 8 hours a day on
their game while their peers were on vacation.
So ask yourself again, are your people pros?
Or do they only work out hard on their "contract years". Do you
give them the tools to be pros and do you demand they be pros? Are
you a hall of fame owner or coach? Can you light up your victory
cigar like Red Auerbach? Would you like to?
I sincerely hope you do, and here's wishing you many sales till next
time.
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