Wow … it’s June! Halfway through the year. Time passes fast when you’re having fun. And 2022 is turning into a fun year. Certainly much better than the last three. And we’re seeing business pick up, too! That’s very good news. Dean met Kunalsinh, Hiren, Pankaj, and Rohit in New York last week to open a new engagement with NCD … a distribution company that supplies independent convenience stores, gas stations, and quick marts. A great new logo!
And the weather is improving, too. In Virginia we’re seeing daily temperatures of 80° F (27° C). And lots of rain. A lot better than the day Dean ran the 5K Trail Run last month. It was only in the 60s° F (°16 C) with a light rain. Oh … and the first mile (1.6 km) climbed 606 feet (185 meters). It was exhausting, but Dean finished second in his age group (there were only 2 runners over 70 years old) and actually finished ahead of three 20-year old runners! He did pretty good considering he last ran a trail run 45 years ago..
So … given everything that’s happened last month, I want to focus this month on exploiting opportunities. Seize the initiative! And.Ike a good lion, leap ahead!
Leaping Ahead
Opportunities are fleeting. You can’t delay a decision to accept or reject an opportunity … or it will vanish before your eyes. You have to be ready to strike when the opportunity presents itself. I learned that from my dad. Of course he was talking about hunting food, but the idea is the same. Hesitate and someone else will claim the prize. That’s why we educate and train ourselves to master our profession. So we’re ready when our skills and talents are needed. Hmmm … sounds like our pursuit of certifications pays dividends. It does! In spades. Ask Rohit. His preparation secured his selection for the NCD engagement … and opened the door for Kunalsinh to expand the engagement five-fold. Well done Rohit! And well done Kunalsinh!
People
Let’s shift gears and talk about people … ours and our clients. People, good people (like Rohit) impress us and our clients. They’re the reason and the vehicle, for seizing the initiative, taking advantage of opportunities. And, they build the bonds of professional friendship that ensure project success. A relationship where both parties strive for success. I’m seeing that develop in this new engagement with NCD. From the CEO and CIO down to the warehouse employees, we’re building personal relationships at every level. And don’t forget … even the lowest employee in the company is key to the success of our mission. Everyone plays a role. And, in many cases, the lowest employee knows more about the working of the company than the CEO. So, it’s vitally important to interact positively with everyone you meet on a project. Dean tells the story, as a young engineer with Shell Oil, talking to the much older roughnecks in the oil fields who were going operate the projects he designed. He solicited their input. They weren’t engineers, many just had a high school education, but they knew what worked and what didn’t work in the field. With their advice, Dean’s projects were very successful. His peers, who wouldn’t talk to anyone who didn’t match their education level, had success rates much lower than Dean. A life lesson learned. You can always learn from the guys and girls at the lowest operating level, no matter their education or social status. And you can make lasting friends, too.
Postscript: New Year’s Resolutions
Just a quick update on our (Dean’s and my) progress fulfilling our resolutions. We’re back on track! We’re exercising more, eating better, and working on our relationships with family and friends. Dean is in Arizona now visiting his college roommate. By the way … the temperature there has been 105° F (41° C), but with very little humidity. Dean will drive from Arizona to Massachusetts with his good friend. A grand road-trip across the United States. A perfect way to renew a 58-year friendship!
So … until next month, as Kunalsinh says, ““Be Safe, Work Hard, Eat Well, Sleep Tight”. I will!
Bye for now … Leo

