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Michelangelo was asked, “How can you carve that statue out of that block of marble?”.

Michelangelo replied, “The statue was already in the stone. I merely chipped away the unnecessary parts.”

I just graduated from Connext Nation’s program “Referral Pursuit” facilitated by Debby Peters.

At the graduation ceremony I quoted the Michelangelo story and then continued:

“That was my experience with Debby. Over a period of more than twenty hours face to face and an additional twenty hours of homework I found my paradigms pulverized and the unnecessary rubble of my business message removed.

Now my statue is revealed. I see my clients, my target market and myself clearly. I know what I do best.”

Debby taught me the power of short sequential, additive points. She revealed that you don’t want to “dump” too much information on people who are merely asking polite questions. However, as people continue to show interest you can progressively add to your message.

The following is my seven point sequential message.

1.       I’m Don Kardux, Business Navigators, Helping Business Chart The Course to success.

2.       The best thing I do is to teach owners and their management teams how to listen to their employees.

3.       That’s why I created the “Reverse-Flow” process where groups identify and prioritize strategies.

4.       Strategies, which when implemented, will reduce or eliminate the barriers that stop us from doing the ‘best we can’ or capitalize on opportunities not yet pursued.

5.       Often, the result is; growth, increased profit and the creation of a culture where most of the employees most of the time are really looking forward to coming to work.

6.       I’m looking to partner with HVAC wholesalers willing to introduce me to any of their clients who might benefit from my services.

7.        The advantage for the wholesaler is that my clients often buy more from them and pay them on time.

Debby’s help was critically wonderful. If you want to learn more, please, go to her website.

http://www.connextnation.com/

How Richard Boone influenced Business Navigators philosophy.

Coming after from three years teaching in the Republic of China (Taiwan) we were leaving Tel Aviv to go to Greece.

There in the line ahead of us was the actor, Richard Boone of ‘Have Gun Will Travel’ fame. I said to my dad, ‘That looks like Richard Boone’s nose up front’. My father said, ‘Not just the nose that’s the entire man.

I said, “I’m going to walk up and introduce myself and say ‘I’m a film maker too, I just completed a film in Taiwan’”.

But, I didn’t and he went on to his plane.

Opportunity lost.

When, I took my seat on the plane there he was in first class. I said, “I’m going to walk up and introduce myself.” But, I didn’t.

Second, opportunity lost.

We spent three days in Greece and in the airport, getting ready to go to Rome; standing in the security line ahead of us was Richard Boone. I said,”I’m going to walk up and introduce myself.” But I didn’t.

Third, opportunity lost.

When, I took my seat on the plane there he was in first class. You guessed it.

Fourth, opportunity lost.

Finally, we checked into a charming hotel called The Eliseo”. There in the lobby checking in was… Richard Boone.

I dashed to my room ran a hot towel over my face, splashed on some English Leather and dashed down to the Bar.

Seated alone in that quiet bar was Richard Boone.

Fifth, opportunity found.

I sat some distance away furtively looking at him until he looked back.  I said, “I know” meaning I know who you are. He replied, “I know you know, come over here and we can talk.”

I did. We did. For over two hours.

This is not just a story about seizing opportunity.It is about the advice he gave me that changed my life and provided the direction for Business Navigators some twenty years later.

I told him that I was going to Bowling Green State University in Ohio to work on my Masters degree in Theatre and Film. I asked for his best advice.

He said, “Ask everybody and really listen to what they say, and then make your own decisions.”

I said, “Ask everybody?”

“I just finished directing the first American western filmed in Israel and I send the rushes back to my mother in Oregon state” he replied.” I built her a viewing room and hired a projectionist”

“Your mother is a file critic?” I asked.

“She’s just a housewife but, she knows what she likes. I ask the grips on the set and all of the other workers. . ‘What do you think? ‘I listen to everybody.”

Richard Boon was right. A most powerful source for making things better is everyone involved in the situation.

I know it to be true and that’s why I say, “You have already hired the solution to most of your problems- your employees. You just have to listen.”