It’s rare that you hear that term ‘representative’ these days. In the past they were ’sales representatives’. Over time, many sales reps rebelled at the title. Soon we had all sorts of jargon to soothe soft egos.

‘Representative’ goes way deeper and way beyond insecure egos. It means to ‘represent’ a company. It is an ambassadorial role. It demonstrates, in the field, what your company is all about. It is your mobile image.

It’s a powerful thought that many, especially in today’s turbulent waters, see how they reflect, represent and portray your business as their ‘right’. In other words, lazy reps.

With a little extra time on your hands, not a bad idea to test, probe and see just how well your people represent your vision. Be prepared to be surprised, sometimes pleasantly, sometimes not.

There are those who seek fame for fames sake. There are those that become famous for what they do.

Fame on its own does not create credence or credentials, it simply means recognition.

Recognition without substance is just like candyfloss – looks good, looks important, grabs attention, but evaporates quickly….. and leaves nothing behind!

I attended a committee meeting some time back. Nothing to do with our work, just a favour for a friend. I was the observer and my friend wanted an objective view, he had concerns, deep concerns about ‘The Boss’. Followers were demoralised and there was a hint of rebellion in the air.

‘The Boss’ was a sugary sort of chap. polished, smiling and armed with seamless clichés. He was articulate and calm but ……. he talked a lot.

The meeting began. ‘The Boss’ opened with those immortal words “I’ll only keep you a moment I just want to say” 45 minutes later he paused for breath. There was a listless indifferent here-we-go-again silence. Then a brave voice piped up “You talk too much” - ‘The Boss’ was shaken, the rest watched. ‘The Boss’ began a very measured defence. His reply to the charge was that seamless, smiling, sugary style. This time his reply lasted (and being the observer, I timed it) exactly eighteen minutes. When he was finished Brave Voice stood up, smiled, spread his arms wide and said “Now ‘Boss’, do you understand what I mean?”

Our colleague Fred Cordonnier is a rare breed. As well as being 2 Michelin star trained with a CV to make your mouth water, he is a deep thinker and a Philosopher. Fred is the kind of guy that is always in search of excellence and a restless pursuit of knowledge and a constant crusade to make things even better. Recently, he sent me a quote for our Blog. It is a useful thinking tool and it also tells us a little about why Fred has achieved so much!

“You don’t drown by falling in water.
You only drown if you stay there.” – Zig Ziglar

When we were young it was called ’showing off’. It was a minute of glory, the spotlight and feeling cool. As we grew up we realised the complete stupidity of those opportunistic moments.

When we were older we even looked back awkwardly and said “Did I really?”.

It was after all a part of growing up, assuming you did get to grow up.

Politicians have one primary purpose – to make sure they are returned at every election. That is their focus, their mission and what drives them.

Out in the real world there is a bloody battle raging. Businesses are dying, people hurting and many are lost.

Our command and control centre is Dail Eireann. Our Captain’s Bridge is The Cabinet. Both institutions represent hope, or at least they should. They don’t.

How shocking then to watch our politicians and party leaders squabbling. How shocking to watch their dreadfully unprofessional behaviour. How shocking to watch their venom attempt to score cheap political points. How shocking they behave that way. How shocking they believe they can. How shocking they (apparently) represent you and me and how shocking they are so deeply out of touch and out of their depth.

Isn’t it time these dreadfully misguided people put their energy into growing up and faced their responsibility? Isn’t it time they had to justify their salaries (as well as their “walk around” allowance).

Isn’t it time they considered building rather than sniping?

Isn’t it time they grew up?

Did you know that the lead story on the BBC News on Saturday, February 21^st 2009 was all about our Union Protest?

Did you know (I’m told) that it hit all major bulletins in all European News that night?

I wonder what strategy is behind the thinking that believes this kind of news (and action) serves our country well?

Could it be “Now that the hole is deep, dark and black, let’s dig more?”

It would be even more fun to ask the same people to spell out their vision for our country and for our kids.

On second thoughts, perhaps not!

The Unions devoted a lot of time to rallying their troops in protest.

You can imagine the creativity, brainstorming, innovation and high energy. You can also imagine the urgency, the speed and the fast beating hearts as ‘their’ deadline approached.

No time to lose, efficiency and effort were essential for success.

It must have been exciting? A new direction, something different.

I wonder, when it was all over, when they dumped all the placards, posters and paper, I wonder did the penny ever drop?

What a pity these urgent people could not put their urgency, effort and creativity into problem solving for the greater good. Then again, when Union leaders promise terror from polished towers I realise my thinking is simply wishful thinking.

Good News does not sell Newspapers. Bad News does.

My first conversation about an impending recession was October 30th 2006.

A year later in 2007 the clouds were very dark

The Dam burst around June 2008.

Today its February, 2009, the snow has cleared and Spring is in the air, evenings longer and our little corner of the planet is cheerful.

According to The Grim Reapers, all of us should be dead, buried and forgotten.

We are not you know – us humans are resourceful creatures – despite Grim Reapers!

Never believe what you read in the papers and never underestimate your own ability to cope with adversity.

I’m lucky, very very lucky, to have great friends.

Ruth is one of them, a fine runner and someone who sends me a lot of wisdom.

This is a real favourite and we can all learn from it;

Ever wonder why geese in the autumn fly in a “V” formation and not just randomly? Remember that old United Airlines ad ‘Fly the friendly skies of United’? Geese know that to complete the long trip south, they have to fly united.  Scientists tell us that flying in formation increases their flight range by 71% Air waves created each time a bird flaps it wings provide uplift for the next one in formation, supporting it, decreasing its work load and conserving its energy.  A solo goose could never complete the trip but in formation they youngest, the oldest and even the weakest get there.

In other words they do collectively what they could never do alone.

You must answer the question below in one second.

The answer has to be instant, instinctive and true.

The results will follow.

In a tight and tough market, is your strategy to do;

(a) less for your customer?

(b) more for your customer?

(c) invest more in your customer?

(d) cut back on your offer?

The Results.

If you answered (a) and (d) – good luck!

If you answered (b) and (c) – good choice!