PALM SPRINGS FROM MY VIEW

Last night over dinner, we were discussing my recent visit to Palm Springs. I’ve been there three times in the last year and one-half. Two times taking care of my friend, Gary Galland, who has subsequently passed on from a brain tumor at the age of 53.

This trip was different; I was visiting his widow, Kim Galland. Since she was working when I arrived, I walked into the house that I had spent so many hours caring for Gary. Furniture had been rearranged and the quiet was practically more than I could bear.

I called the next-door neighbor who was part of my life while I was there on my other trips. She came over and soon the pain/hurt started to go away. It was apparent to me life in Palm Springs had moved on.

Kim came home and we talked, shared some tears, got that over with, and then planned for the party we had both agreed to the following afternoon. We had come up with guest list of the people that had come in and out during the times I was there – much to my great pleasure, every one of them accepted our invitation.

Sunday afternoon people started arriving. The smiles and the hugs were great fun. Conversations started out on the patio around the pool, around the breakfast bar in the living room. There was constant movement of people--it seemed as if we wanted to make sure we had time to talk to everyone there. Relaxed and easy can best describe the party. Perfect in every way.

Party was over and then Kim and I decided who we wanted to spend our time with during the next two short days I would be there. Each occasion was marked by easy conversation, genuine interest in each other and memorable moments. Like amazing fish tacos at ShanghaiReds,http://www.fishermans.com/shangaireds.php and relaxing setting for an afternoon at Café Koffi http://www.kofficoffee.com


Meet one of my new, friends--- A Bull Dog who is rated the fifth most outstanding Bull Dog in the nation. His ranking had not gone to head—he was one of the friendliest dogs I have ever met.

I drove out of town and headed to the site of the Leadership Trainer I was providing in Bakersfield, California. The day was beautiful and I smiled as I thought about the last four days.

During dinner last night, I told my friends how much I liked Palm Springs. All three of them were in disagreement with me—they found the city too pretentious and really couldn’t imagine living there .They were not even excited about visiting Palm Springs.

When I drove home last night, I thought to myself “I am blessed with some authentic friends in Palms Springs, who believe in living in the present.” They are risk takers and they do not take anything for grant it. “ Just my kind of people. Looking forward to going back as soon as I can arrange it.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Keep a folder handy to put coupons in so you can find them. Office supply stores often have excellent coupons for reducing costs of making copies.

HANDWRITTEN NOTES VS SENDOUTCARDS

Because I am considered an expert on networking, I am often asked, “What do you think of SendOutCards?” No, let me rephrase that – People raise their hands and say, “I use SendOutCards and send them out all the time even birthday cards to my clients children”.

My only recourse is to smile and say good for you keeping in touch with your clients. The conclusion I have come to is that if you are not good at using handwritten notes appropriately, you might have some real challenges making a good impression with these cards.

My belief is one of the reasons people are so excited about this system is that they see as it a way to make some extra money. They are becoming associates and each person they get hooked on this system becomes part of their multi-market down line network. I have been offered so many free trials I would have enough to use the system for the next year free.

With that being said, here’s my take:

SendOutCards

I have to say I probably got a bit jaded on them because of the first one I received. It was printed upside down….clearly not the way to make a good first impression.

The next card I received had his contact card (formerly called business card) printed on the top half. No way, I could file that card or pass it on.

After years of appreciating the handwritten notes (saving every one of them), my mailbox is inundated with glossy cards and nice comments, and verses fit for a Hallmark card. Personally, I want those kinds of verses coming from my family and close friends.

The other day I wanted to email one of the people who sent me the card an article that I thought she would enjoy. I looked for her email….no email address.

Funny, the “handwritten address” is always the same…hmmmm.

For years, I have strongly suggesting people send handwritten notes…they will help build relationships. It is just sad to me people think these cards are accomplishing the same thing. I am convinced others will get tired of them and think, “Oh, here’s another one of those cards”. Then it will promptly be thrown away.

I was considering developing a class to teach people how to use these cards effectively. However, frankly, my belief is that is a short-lived fad. I am going to devote my time to other pursuits.

Right now I need close and send a handwritten note to a new friend that I had dinner with last night—she’s a real joy in my life for she stretches me in my career. She needs to hear that from me in the form of a handwritten note—not something constructed by my computer.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

You have heard it before, yet, since I just learned how well it works, I thought I would remind you. Before you close down your home office at night, put everything on it in its’ home. The next morning your desk is clear.

UGLY DUCKLING STORY REVEALED

Some of you know I live in a condo very near the Columbia River. My view off my deck is the river and the lights of the Portland Vancouver International Airport. However, it is the view out my kitchen and dining room window that brings me the most joy.

Pictured on the right is a view of the pond that is ever changing out my window. Spring in the Northwest is truly a delight in every way. The plants and trees you see here change with the season.

The center picture is one of the Blue Heron that has taken up residence here. This is a picture of one of his favorite fishing spots. He sits and sits and sits. One day as I was watching, he did get his prey…too big for him to eat all at once so he carried it off. Not sure where he actually spends his evenings, but all I know he brings a smile to my face each time I see him.

The third picture on the right is the real “Ugly Duckling”. We have four resident black swans. They are not very friendly creatures, so watching them from afar has become a wonderful treat. Each spring there is at least two babies born, as was the case this spring. However, all of sudden there was only one.

Living here helped me understand the true story of the “Ugly Duckling”. Each spring there are many baby ducks – sometimes as many as ten of them to a family. Before I know it, they have feathers and disappear somewhere.

The picture I have here is the “ugly duckling” (a baby swan, of course) It is now at least six weeks old. His body keeps growing as you can see by the size of him next to his mother. Yet, he is still entirely covered with down. Thus, the as the story goes…..I’m sure he’s wondering when he is going to be all grown up. It took me 50 years before I truly understood the story of the “Ugly Duckling” and all I had to do was look out my window.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

http://www.hotwire.com continues to be an outstanding resource for me to rent cars. I have never been tripped up by them. (No, I don’t have stock in the company)