Hey there,
Yesterday I did 2 presentations on Career Cafe Day at Mechanicsburg Area High School. I felt honored and humbled to stand there in front of 40 or 50 students preparing to enter the real (work) world. You just hope to say something that will affect them in a positive way and influence their success like what my dad and uncle did as I entered the work world.
All the best,
Les
Our parents and the media have told us to “Get a college education, find a good job, and invest in a 401K.”
So, how is that working for you?
This morning my stepdaughter asked me to review her financial situation. Scattered across her bed were invoices for over $100,000 of student loans. “I’ll never get these paid off,” she said. Fortunately for her, she has a job as a nurse in a large hospital making decent money. But, in her words, “I’m not even sure I want to do this the rest of my life.” My stepdaughter was having a reality check moment.
Property values have dropped, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is about half what it was 17 months ago. The general public is pessimistic, and pessimism is contagious. The more people worry about finances, the less they are likely to spend.
So, what is the answer? Entrepreneurism, back to the roots of how America was built and what made it great. Employees out of work are starting small businesses, and entrepreneurs are by nature optimists.
What would you love to do if you were sure you would succeed? What special skills do you have? What contribution would you like to make? Brainstorm, do some research on the internet. Spend some time and have fun doing this exercise.
Here are some tips: Find something you’re passionate about, and explore how you might turn it into a business. The internet has opened possibilities like we have never known before. Surround yourself with positive people and information. There are an abundance of books, seminars and audio products to inform and inspire. Find a mentor or coach. It is not easy to go it alone. Find someone who has been there, and who has no agenda other than to help you succeed.
The American dream is alive and well. Don’t let anyone tell you it is a bad time or that you can’t do it. When I was 25, I announced to friends and family that I intended to start an auto repair business, and I was suddenly inundated with advice from friends and family: “It’s a bad time, there is a recession, you have a young family, and on and on. Eight years later I sold that business, and since then have owned several other businesses and managed many others.
A down economy is a good time to grow a business, if you outperform your competition. When you invest in yourself, through books, audios and videos, and coaching, you become the person who can create your ideal life in any economic climate.
Author/Speaker/Coach Les Schmidt specializes in helping small businesses and individuals create higher profits while reducing stress, with more free time.
717-877-1381
Hello again,
Today I want to share a significant transformation that happened in my job life. This time last year I was extremenly frustrated with my job as an auto body shop manager in a Chevy dealership, and decided to quit. I even had a job lined up. Shortly after the first of the year, I decided this what not how Les Schmidt deals with life, and I made internal changes, using success principles I had been studying and teaching. I changed my attitude, and released resentment toward my supervisors. I released the need to make immediate changes, and turned my situation over to the Universe to make whatever changes were in order, based on my requests. My immediate supervisor suddenly quit, and another manager I liked took his place. I hired a production manager who took a good deal of pressure from me. Then in mid-summer, the company president declared us "Heroes" when he introduced GM consultants who were there to analyze the body shop operation. He recognized the body shop departments success as vital to the survival and prosperity of the dealership in these troubled times. The GM consultants applauded my personal achievements and recommended the body shop office be moved from a dinghy, narrow space attached to the body shop far removed from the main dealership, to the vacant former new car showroom - prime real estate at the very front of the dealership. We moved the body shop office into the spacious, well lit showroom. My job is still challenging, but has taken on a dramatic change for the better. It is amazing to look back over the past year and recognize the dramatic improvements in my job life. I hope this story can help you to deal with and use the Universal Principles to change any situation in your life.
My best to you,
Les
I've been creating this really cool mind movie for several weeks in my spare time. It's intended to inspire and motivate. Hope you enjoy it.
Have a great day,
Les
Friends,
Long ago I became fascinated by clues to Ancient Wisdom that held the secrets of life. The more I looked, the more I discovered. As time went on I realized my life passion is to learn everything possible about these "Mysteries" as well as modern self-help techniques and information. My mission is to research and test this wisdom and techniques and reveal them to my readers. I begin with "The Five Rituals" and include a link to their website. http://www.fiverituals.com/?afl=47743
To Your Success,
Les
Get ready for an opportunity for valuable free gifts! June 10 I'm making my book, "So, You're In The People Business" available through Amazon. Purchase a copy for $12.95 and get hundreds of dollars of valuable gifts. I want to change the way the world thinks about people and communication skills. I will post a link to the promotion page shortly, so be sure to forward to anyone who can benefit from this life skils book.
To your success and happiness,
Les
In February my employer invited me to attend the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in Las Vegas. I'm not a big fan of Vegas, but it was an opportunity to combine business and pleasure at company expense. I paid my wife's air fare and she joined me for three days at the fabulous Bellagio Hotel.
If you've never attended an NADA convention, it is a huge event, where every major car manufacturer displays their new models, and most aftermarket suppliers showcase their products.
Of major interest to me, was the numerous workshops. I perused the list and selected three, one for each day. The first workshop I attended was Value In The Service Lane, How to Create Lifelong Customer Relationships, by John Dillon, which is near to my heart and in line with my book, So, You're In The People Business. The second day I chose Hiring For Success - The Right Person, In the Right Position, Managed the Right Way, by Art Niemann Jr.. The title and sub-title say it all, and this aligns with my business key to success: Hire the right people, train them properly, and treat them right so they stay with you. The third day was a natural for me, as a body shop manager - Increasing Production in Your Body Shop, by Robert Rick. After listening to Robert Rick for an hour and a half, I wanted to bring him back to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to spend a few days in my shop, but at least I came away with some fresh ideas and new enthusiasm for managing my body shop in a Chevrolet dealership.
My wife only left the Bellagio once, to attend an Elton John show at Caesers Palace.
Les
At the end of August I celebrated my 65th BD in a very special way, at a walk-in private Pike lake in Quebec, Canada, creating memories I can relive the rest of my life. For as long as I can remember, I've dreamed of fishing in Canada. My wife and I stayed in a remote cabin at the North end of Lake Kipawa, reachable only by boat, five miles from the nearest camp and any other humans. The cabin was well appointed, with all the conveniences of home, a requirement for my wife. It was the best of both worlds, convenience with the peace and solitude of nature. My concern that Carolyn would not enjoy the solitude was unfounded, as was her apprehension that she would be expected to fish all day, every day. We ate fresh Walleyes every night, sat in front of a campfire instead of watching TV, and enjoyed peace and serenity rare in this fast-paced world. We enjoyed the week so much, Carolyn booked the remote cabin for the same week next year.
Les
Last Thursday I had the honor of hosting four time Nascar Champion Jeff Gordon at the Chevrolet dealership where I manage the body shop. I've been a fan since his rookie year, but had never met him in person. Jeff signed autographs and posed for photos with fans and employees for two hours. He is congenial, gracious, and amazingly humble for a man with so much success. By chance, his visit occurred on the very day our brand new showroom and service center was completed. It was a fantastic kick-off for our new facility, and the camaraderie among our employees reached a new high. The next day Jeff won the pole at Dover Speedway, and finished third in the race on Sunday. What a memorable event, thanks to DuPont Motorsports and Jeff Gordon.
Les
Every once in a while a customer rattles my cage. Last week I received a call from Anthony, who proceeded to ream me out about not receiving updates on the status of his vehicle repair. Here I was, the "People and Communication Skills guy" and my customer is complaining about our follow through. I took care to not be perceived as making excuses, but in this case the insurance company involved does most of the communication with the customer. But Anthony's perception of his experience was poor customer service on my part. He had a military obligation to be at Fort Hood on Saturday, and needed his vehicle to make the journey. In spite of complications, we were able to complete the repairs and Anthony took delivery of his vehicle Friday afternoon. We had an opportunity to talk, and Anthony left a happy customer. But the experience highlighted an important element of customer service - keeping the customer informed, and do everything possible to give them reason to come back the next time and tell others about the good service they received at your facility.
Les
