Boy Scout Business Savvy
I recently met with NHMR YPN Chairperson and Calcagni realtor, Doug Blackwood.
We talked about how to grow a successful business.
I learned that Doug has been active in Boy Scouts for more than 15 years.
He shared how scouting has influenced him in numerous, positive ways and
how he continues to apply its mottoes to his life and his business.
I realized that there was a lot to be learned from this simple philosophy!
So, take a tip from the Boy Scouts.
Become better at who you are and what you do
by using these three basic building blocks!!!
BE PREPARED.

Know your business thoroughly and continue to learn and stay current in your field. People will come to rely on you as the Go-To person! Keep marketing materials, information, paperwork and necessary tools handy when going on a business call. Approach everyone with a smile on your face and a positive attitude. Practice ahead of time how to comfortably overcome objections and how to have a conversation rather than a confrontation. Align yourself with other good people who are also good at what they do.

DO A GOOD TURN DAILY.

We live in a very busy world, but at least once a day, it's important to take some time to take our eyes off ourselves and focus on the needs of another. Take a few moments to extend courtesy to another or go out of your way to make someone else's day a little bit better. Proactively do something for somebody else and expect nothing in return. Doing a good turn not only makes our world better - it makes you feel great!!!

LEAVE A LEGACY.

Doug shared a wonderful story about New College. Founded in 1379, it's one of the oldest Oxford colleges and has a great dining hall with huge oak beams across the top. A century ago, it was discovered that the beams were full of beetles and needed to be replaced. The dilemma was, where to get beams of that caliber? It turns out that the original builders knew that oak beams are prone to beetles. So, when they built the dining hall, they also planted a grove of oaks! Let's follow the builders' lead and leave a legacy. Start planting your own acorns by sharing your gifts with others. For example, Ron and I sponsor the YPN. By mentoring fledgling entrepreneurs, we share with others what we've learned about building a successful business and plant the seeds to help them build their own.