Canada Day

Today was Canada Day.  Happy Day to all my Canadian friends and family!  Right now, they're likely watching the last bursts of Canada Day fireworks shot over Lake Ontario or Lake Huron or the Bay of Quinte at the mouth of the Trent River.  Perhaps they attended a community gathering at Centennial Park in Trenton as I always did as a kid, or a similar park in Mississauga or Kincardine or Cobourg.

I have now spent almost exactly half my life in the U.S. after spending the first half in Canada. To this date I'm still a Canadian citizen and proud of that heritage. I still get excited for any international recognition or success Canada enjoys, even as I also cheer on my adopted country (for instance, U.S. beating Spain in soccer recently was a big thrill!).  When Canada and the U.S. face off, I root for the Canadians every time. It really only pays off in hockey and curling.

There are many other Canadians here in the U.S. who also remain proud of their heritage.  Some shared their favorites in a column today in the New York Times.  Thanks to Nick for sharing with me! Some of the sentiments shared in the column made me literally laugh out loud and nod in agreement.  For instance, Coffee Crisp IS the best candy bar in the world!  Even my lovely wife, an American through and through, would agree with that.  At least, it's often been one of the first things we buy when going to a convenience store in Canada.

Hockey highlights SHOULD lead all sportscasts.  I, too, often note that many of the comedians who make it big in Hollywood are, in fact, Canadians.  And, before coming to the states for my B.A. at Calvin College, I earned a diploma in journalism from Loyalist College. My childhood home, in fact, was located on the Loyalist parkway -- named for those Americans who remained loyal to the crown and eventually relocated to Canada.  I do remember, as Malcolm Gladwell (The New York Times, The Tipping Point) does, learning about the war between America and England from a different perspective.  STOP!  This isn't a commentary on the American Revolution and who was right or wrong in that conflict. (It is interesting, however, that less than a hundred years later Canada obtained self-governance without a shot being fired. That said, "The Patriot" is one of my favorite movies.)

I don't miss the snow.  But that's only because I live in Michigan and we get just as much snow here as I ever did growing up on the north shore of Lake Ontario.  In fact, we often get more. I'd be fine living without snow for awhile to see how much I'd miss it. 

I've gotten used to spelling color and honor without the "u." But if I ever find myself missing the extra vowel, I just need to go to www.artistry.com and check out our colour cosmetics. That is so not AP Style.

I didn't grow up, as Kim Cattrall did, in Vancouver, so I never camped inside a circle of logs washed up on the beach.  I did, however, watch every episode of the CBC series "The Beachcombers" about Nick Adonidas, who earned a living recovering stray logs.  And I was kind of a beachcomber myself on the shores of the Bay of Quinte, collecting stuff that washed up on shore in my fort. One time a rowboat washed ashore and I was able to play with that for a few weeks.

Tomorrow I'm driving to Canada to see my dad and most of my family and some of my cousins. I will have missed the fireworks, but I will still enjoy most of the holiday weekend there. I will stop and get a Coffee Crisp.  I will stop and get a Tim Horton's coffee.  I might even get some Dill Pickle chips, although those have become available here in the U.S. in recent years. And I will flash my Canadian passport at the border (along with my U.S. Resident Alien card).  

Happy Birthday Canada.  I'm coming home!

Summer of Soccer

When I was growing up, I played soccer.  Lots of it.  I grew up in Canada, so the Little League Baseball experience was not really a part of our lifestyle.  I played pond hockey, but my dutch immigrant parents couldn't afford for all us boys to play league hockey.  But soccer, that was cheap. 

Over time, I played lots of summer soccer as well as in high school and early on in college. I was a linesman for men's leagues in my teens, and I was a referee for youth leagues, women's leagues, and high school girls soccer. I coached youth soccer as a teen and, much later, as a parent.  As a senior, my high school team won our county tournament and lost in a tie-breaking shootout to the eventual Provincial champion.

So, for Amway Global to be sponsoring the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer and the Los Angeles Sol of Women's Professional Soccer is very cool for me. It makes me yearn to play soccer competitively, although I suspect the Sunday afternoon pickup games with other weekend warriors that I join now and again (at East Grand Rapids Middle School's field, about 3 p.m., if you're interested) is about all I could manage.

This weekend I traveled with Amway Global Managing Director to watch the Quakes beat Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 and the Sol beat FC Gold Pride 2-0. It was a good weekend for Amway Global soccer. But the good news doesn't end there!

On August 8, the Quakes will play the Columbus Crew at Candlestick Park in San Francisco as the first game in a double header.  The second game?  European champion Barcelona vs. Mexico's Club Deportivo Guadalajara (aka Chivas).  It will be a capacity crowd of some 60,000, all exposed to the Amway Global brand.  Earlier in the summer, in just one month, Nutrilite-sponsored AC Milan will also come to visit, playing the Los Angeles Galaxy in Los Angeles. That one has a lot of storylines, with David Beckham currently playing for AC Milan but returning to the Galaxy for this game.  It also brings the Nutrilite brand up against competitor Herbalife.  (This week the Amway Global brand won against the Herbalife-sponsored Galaxy ... will AC Milan repeat the feat?)

At the Sol game on Sunday, women's soccer legends Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett, Tiffeny Milbrett and Brandi Chastain were honored, nearly 10 years after winning the historic World Cup in front of more than 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl. Before the game, we got onto the elevator going up to the concourse level and a woman pushing a stroller with two toddlers entered.  It was Mia, although I didn't recognize her at first since I saw the Sol's PR guy and was greeting him. 

A nice addition to this weekend's games was the attendance of special guests from Easter Seals as well as the Nutrilite and Artistry MoBEs.  Fans had a chance to get treatments, massages, Amway Global "thunder sticks" and sample products prior to the games, enhancing an already awesome fan experience.

Anyway, Amway Global's summer of soccer continues and our brand continues to make millions of impressions on fans across the country.  Check them out when they come to a city near you!!

Kick Arounds with Easter Seals

I'm writing this from a Starbuck's, since they have consistently good wireless experience. Love that! I haven't had such good luck with wireless -- or any internet access at all -- at many of the hotels I go to. It's just beyond me how a quality hotel can get away without providing that kind of service to its guests. I mean, that should just be baseline service now, right?

The Starbuck's I'm at is just down the street from the Home Depot Center where the Los Angles Sol did a kick around for local Easter Seals kids. Easter Seals helps kids with various disabilities achieve greater independence through physical therapy, daycare, and other services. For about 30 years now Amway has partnered with Easter Seals, raising more than $25 million!

 L.A. Sol's Greer Barnes with Easter Seals Visitor

Yesterday I was up in Dublin, Calif., which is east of Oakland, where the Earthquakes take on the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday. I'm headed up for the game and then come back here to L.A. for the Sol's game Sunday vs. FC Gold Pride. When I was in Dublin, several Quakes players came to the Kaleidoscope Easter Seals Center to do a clinic, hand out shirts and game tickets, and sign autographs.  It was heartwarming today and yesterday to see Earthquakes and Sol players help create such wonderful memories for these kids and young adults. 

A thumbs up for the Amway Global replica jerseys handed out!

I'm looking forward to coming back this weekend to see some of my new Easter Seals friends and to cheer on the Quakes and Sol.  Go teams!!

Quakes handing out team t-shirts to ES kids

Players pose with kids at L.A. Sol/Easter Seals Kick Around

Sol dominant league leaders

The Amway Global-sponsored L.A. Sol continued to take care of business with a 3-1 victory over the Washington Freedom, raising their record to 7-1-3 (24 points). The Freedom are in second with a 3-3-3 (12 points) record.  France's Camille Abily led the way today with two goals, giving her six for the season, which is the league lead.

If you don't already, check out the Women's Professional Soccer site regularly for all of the great articles and pix featuring Sol players ... alway with the Amway Global logo prominent!

Five Questions: DSA Recap

I came back to GR from DC yesterday, but have only just now caught up with the backlog of stuff awaiting my attention in the office! But before I call it an evening, I wanted to provide a recap of the week at DSA.

Within an hour of arriving in Washington D.C. at the beginning of the week, I was at the DSA's Communications Committee meeting. I've been a member of the committee for three or four years now and it's great exposure to my peers at other direct selling companies. There was a lot of discussion about the media coverage of the industry, especially the contention that direct sellers do well during an economic downturn.  I think the industry does draw a lot of interest during a downturn, in terms of recruiting. Sales, however, are impacted for us just as they are for other retail sellers. That said, a recession and higher unemployment does raise interest in direct selling as an option to earn extra income.

QUESTION #1:  Do you have a good story we can share with news media in YOUR hometown?  It doesn't have to be your story ... it might be the story of someone else in your group.  Let us know and we'll see what we can do!

The opening session featured Maya Angelou, as I've already shared here in the SuperDu Blog. She was awesome. So frail physically, so powerful in her words and in her delivery. She passed by where I was standing afterwards, and I said a simple "thank you" to her. She would be fascinating dinner company.  She has so many stories and such a wonderful, colorful way of speaking. She truly uses delicious words and she speaks them in a way that mesmerizes you. It is not hard to see that she is a poet.  I am sure that when she asks for a cup of coffee or greets you on the street it sounds like a portion of a verse she has been working on.

QUESTION #2:  Which person would YOU like to have dinner with?  It could be anyone, ever.  Be creative!

Other sessions featured John Maxwell, who's always great, and Suze Orman, who did a really great job telling us why direct selling is SUCH a great option right now as Americans are looking for extra income.  Also, Avon CEO Andrea Jung spoke, and it's easy to see why she is such a respected and dynamic leader for her company.  There were other "showcase" speakers. I thought Rory Vaden did a good job.  I am not sure what in his background makes him credible ... but a good speaker all the same.

QUESTION #3:  Who is the BEST speaker you have ever heard?  What was it about that speaker that was so good?

I led roundtable discussions about social media on Monday and was part of a four-person panel discussing eCommunications on Tuesday. It's funny, but social media was discussed a lot in other presentations as well. It would seem natural.  We're in a "people" business that involves networking and connectedness. That's what social media is all about.  I heard some say that they don't have time for social media or that it's not an important to their business. That's like saying they don't have time for people or that people aren't important to their business.  Social media isn't some "thing" out there to be accepted or rejected.  It's just a place that people are gathering ... in greater and greater numbers.

The roundtable I led was part of a larger communications breakout session.  I was told the largest numbers came to that breakout, as opposed to other sessions going on at that time.  And in the room, the largest numbers were cramming around the tables discussing social media.  Some stayed for a couple sessions since they were limiting our conversations to 20 minutes (with four or five planned over an hour and a half). 

And following the panel discussion I had a lot of people come up to me to ask additional questions or share their comments. I was humbled by all of their nice comments. I love talking about this stuff and I'm very proud of all that we've accomplished here in the Opportunity Zone. I think there's a lot more to say, however, and the Web is a very big place. 

QUESTION #4:  What is NEXT for us in social media?  Where do we need to expand our presence? 

The Spotlight Tour of 2008 was an award finalist this year at the DSA Awards Dinner. It didn't win, but it was an honor for the company to be recognized. The first Spotlight event of this year happens in a few weeks in Anaheim, and I'm hoping this year's slate of events provides some great interaction between the company and the field, as well as great learning opportunities for IBOs and for us.

Also, Doug DeVos was honored during the DSA dinner.  He was inducted into the Direct Selling Education Foundation's Circle of Honor, which recognizes industry leaders who have contributed their time and talents to benefit the direct selling industry, particularly through education efforts of the DSEF. Doug was given a standing "O" and did a great job at the podium in acceptance of the award.  He acknowledged the great partner he has in Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel, who also was in attendance.  He acknowledged an even better partner in his wife Maria, who also was on hand at the black-tie event.

QUESTION #5:  The call to action at the DSA Annual Meeting was to Be Phenomenal.  What will YOU do to be Phenomenal?

As I wrap up this tome, I'm a little down.  The Red Wings lost to the Penguins, so the series is tied.  The Magic lost to the Lakers to kick off the NBA Finals.  But both teams have a lot of series left to pull it out.  So do all of us.  The economy's down and now may not be the best time for business. But there always are those who buck the trend.  I think that can be us.  But it requires all of us to be phenomenal.  So, have a phenomenal day!!

A Rainbow in the Clouds

I am at the Annual Meeting of the Direct Selling Association, which this year is being held on Washington D.C.  I came in yesterday for a Communications Committee meeting and this morning I hosted a roundtable discussion on social media practices in the direct selling industry. There are lots of questions on the part of direct sellers on how to do social media right.  I think too many people want to go into Facebook or Twitter and start generating sales.  I don't think it works that way. You need to develop relationships with people and be an active member of the communities in which you're involved.  I don't think it's that different than being an active member of your *real* community.  When you give of yourself with no expectations of a return, you will be surprised at the actual return that is delivered. 

The highlight so far, however, was the keynote speech this morning by poet laureate Maya Angelou.  I've seen her on TV before and heard her in bits and pieces, but I found her to be one of the most mesmerizing and authentic speakers I've ever heard.  To hear her recite her poetry, typically from memory, is to witness an amazing piece of performance art. 

She talked about her Uncle Willy, a "cripple" who remained to himself for the most part.  But that Uncle Willy taught her math and reading and how to run his store.  She didn't think much about Uncle Willy's impact until much later, when another man told her how Uncle Willy had given him a job and taught him math and reading. That man was the first southern black mayor, of Little Rock, Ark.  She found out then the impact that this mayor had had on others ... the arc of influence was quite wide, it turns out.

Maya talked about the old spiritual about God placing a Rainbow in the Clouds.  The clouds prevent us from seeing the sun and the moon and the stars ... the lights that are out there ... but the rainbow reminds us that they are still there and that there is hope in troubled times.  That is so true today, with economic uncertainty and unemployment and discouragement. The rainbow is a reminder of better times that are promised.  The rainbow is a sign of hope, despite your shortcomings.  Maya shared how she was sexually abused at the age of seven, and that the perpetrator was found dead soon after.  She had shared with others who that person was.  In her mind, she thought her words had the power to kill.  She stopped talking, for six years.

Her mother, however, never stopped believing in her. While brushing Maya's hair, she would tell her that she would grow up and teach others all around the world.  As poet laureate, Maya Angelou has certainly done that.  She also has reminded us of the importance of being a rainbow to others ... of inspiring hope in them, not despair.  Of encouraging others, not tearing them down.  Of giving people a "thumbs up" sign as opposed to another sign involving a different digit.

Lots to think about here in D.C.  I encourage all of you to try your best, to help others without thought of what you might receive in return, and to be a rainbow to others who will change the world!

Marta: Heart and Sol

Last week I was in Los Angeles to meet with soccer superstar Marta, who is an Amway Global endorser and has led the Amway Global-sponsored L.A. Sol of Women's Professional Soccer to the best record in the league. Marta, of Brazil, still communicates primarily in Portuguese, her native language.  But it's clear to see she is passionate about soccer, driven to succeed at the highest level, and committed to a healthy lifestyle.  All of which makes her a great representative of the Amway Global brand!

We spent an afternoon doing photo and video shoots, obtaining assets we plan to share in a variety of upcoming communications. Marta shared her story about growing up in a small town in Brazil, raised by her mother in a town where agriculture was the main employment. Soccer was Marta's ticket out, and she has made the most of it.  Just 23, she is making her mark in the premier women's soccer league in the world. This month she's featured in a two-page spread in SoccerAmerica Magazine, which also includes an inset picture of her on the cover.  The magazine also includes a wonderful two-page spread picture of the Sol's Allison Falk, who scored the first goal of the first game for the Women's Professional Soccer league.  AND, there's a two page spread featuring Bobby Convey in his Amway Global logo'd San Jose Earthquakes shirt.  Awesome exposure overall of Amway Global's soccer sponsorships.

During our photo shoot, I also met Ashlee Barnes, a makeup artist who has been featured in TLC's Real Simple, Real Life.  Not only that, Ashlee's parents are IBOs.  She did a great makeover on Marta, which contributed to the great photo shoot.  I'm looking forward to sharing more about Marta and our soccer sponsorships in the weeks and months ahead! 

 For more pix from the Marta shoot, check out my Flickr set!

Congratulations to ARB!!

ARB won the prize drawing for her comments sharing her favorite memory about Amway.  Just so you know, I create numbered ballots that reflect the number of entries and then select one out of a hat (actually, in this case a tiny metal box that once held M&Ms) and find the corresponding comment to determine the winner! In this case, the winner (anonymous, and shall remain that way!) truly took open, honest and transparent to heart in sharing her story of changing in the car on the way to meetings. I actually got a little nervous as she described her husband changing WHILE driving AND drinking XS.  There's gotta be a law about that, ARB!  I mean, if they're outlawing talking on cell phones while driving, I can't imagine they're allowing changing of pants and shoes.

I will admit to changing in my car from time to time ... but while parked someplace out of sight.  I may be about transparency here, but not THAT transparent!  :)    

No favorite memories?

I'm surprised that more people haven't shared favorite memories of their time with Amway Global.  I guess my used book collection isn't enough of a premium.  I will UP THE ANTE and include some sponsorship tchochkes from years past, including a collectible pin from our Indy Car years with Scott Brayton, a poster featuring world soccer superstar and NUTRILITE endorser Ronaldinho, and one additional item to be named (it'll be a good one, I promise!!).

SO, share those memories!  It's our 50th, and while the Diamonds from all the world over are in Vegas celebrating, we can create our own little party online!

P.S.  As I'm writing this, I'm watching the Orlando Magic leading the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Arena ... GO MAGIC!

CONTEST: Amway's 50th Anniversary & YOU

Executive Diamonds from around the world are arriving in Grand Rapids this week to help celebrate Amway's 50th anniversary.  Private concerts, tours of the company and the Nutrilite and Artistry Mobile Brand Experiences (MoBEs), special recognition meetings and more will make this a very memorable week for them.  From there they head off to Vegas, where Diamonds from around the world also will gather for an even BIGGER party.

It's a special time in the history of Amway Global and the Amway business around the world. We all can't go to the parties, but we can all celebrate!  I hope you have special memories of your time with Amway. I sure do (and I think I've already shared a few)!  I feel another contest coming on.  I checked my book shelf and I have a special prize!  

First, I want you to share your favorite memory of Amway.  It might be big, it might be little.  It might be from your time as an IBO (or distributor, depending on when it was!!) or it might be as a customer or it might be as a former employee or it might be as a member of the public who has benefited from Amway's contributions to the community.  If you're a current employee reading this, you can't win. BUT, I'd still love to hear your memories too!!

The winner receives a prize package that consists of a copy of the Wilbur Cross book "Amway: The True Story of the Company that Transformed the Lives of Millions."  It's about 10 years old, but it's accurate about the first 40 years of our business.  ALSO, the winner receives a paperback copy of Rich DeVos' "Believe!," published in 1975. The cover says, "Discover how you can attain success and personal fulfillment ..."   ALSO, a hardcover of Jay Van Andel's "An Enterprising Life," published in 1998. Jay's autobiography is a wonderful look at the history of Amway through the eyes of one of its founders.  And finally, an autographed copy of Rich DeVos' "Compassionate Capitalism," published in 1993. Compassionate Capitalism really gets to the heart of the Amway business concept of "people helping people help themselves."  Together, these books present a lot of the history and thought that has gone into the Amway business.

SO, share your stories and I will draw ONE winner for all four books next Friday, May 29.   SO, get writing!!  Don't wait another 50 years.  I want your favorite memory from the first 50 years!

.

NOTE:  [May 24, 2009]  I'm surprised that I've received only two legitimate entries for the contest in the past five or so days ... but the good thing is that y'all have another five days to go!   RL

Jack Kemp, Optimist

OK, this is not a political blog post, just a story about me and Jack.  Former Congressman and Presidential nominee Jack Kemp passed away a few weeks ago, and since then I have thought about my brief encounter with him and read how others have eulogized him.

In the fall of 1995, I went to an IBO event in Salt Lake City at the Delta Center. I was there to coordinate the stage appearance of the Easter Seals child ambassador, who was to thank Amway IBOs for their generosity in support of Easter Seals.  I was awaiting the specially equipped van that was bringing the child ambassador and her parents.

Meanwhile, of course, there were other VIPs arriving and departing from this area, with numerous IBOs on hand, performing different assigned tasks. I tried to stay out of the way, leaning up against a brick wall near the entrance. That was when the stretch black limo pulled up and a half dozen IBOs ran up to greet the arrival.

The door of the car opened and Jack Kemp stepped out, his white hair swooping with its distinctive cut. 

OK, I have to pause the story to explain something. The Amway Independent Business Owners were all very sharply dressed in navy blue suits, white shirts and, for the most part, red ties. I know, I know ... the uniform. Let's just say that I think they all looked very professional and perhaps for some of these gentlemen this was their only suit and they wanted to make a good impression to other IBOs, to their uplines, and to the special guests. They took their businesses seriously and they heeded the advice of their mentors to look sharp.  Meanwhile, leaning up against the wall is this guy wearing a pale green suit with some sort of check pattern and a floral tie. I was styling. 

Jack stood up and surveyed his surroundings.  He then breezed past the phalanx of five or six IBOs in their blue suits and walked up to me, a good 10 yards away. With hand outstretched he said, "Hello, my name is Jack Kemp and I'm running for President of the United States of America."

Standing straight now, I shook his hand and said something pithy like "Nice to meet you, Mr. Kemp," or "Welcome to Salt Lake City, Mr. Kemp." I can't really remember. I know I didn't have the heart to tell him I was a Canadian citizen and couldn't vote for him (or anyone else).  

I do think he was looking for the person he needed to reach out to and, in that moment, he felt that person was me. I'm fairly certain it was the suit. He looked around and saw all these sharp, professional men who obviously were excited to meet him. Not that I was disinterested -- I was just focused on looking for the little girl in the wheel chair and didn't even know Jack was arriving. Also, as a Canadian who had been in the U.S. only a short period of time, I was somewhat disinterested in politics.  I also need to point out that it wasn't that I was unkempt or unprofessional.  I was just different professional. In any case, I had the look of a person that needs to be reached out to.

I still don't own a navy blue suit, although I have a nice navy blue blazer I wear with tan pants. I have a black suit and a charcoal suit and I've had brown and grey suits. I don't think I've had a light green suit like the one I was wearing that day in more than a decade. That might be why I also haven't had the opportunity to shake the hand of a presidential candidate since 1995. OK, that might not be the only reason.

I did appreciate Jack Kemp and I like a quote shared by his son.  Jimmy said, "My father didn't think people were the problem but the solution." In a column, speechwriter Peggy Noonan said, "He was an optimist not in the modern and prevalent sense of being too stupid to know things can go bad, but in a way that suggested an informed sunniness. If things get dark, and they might, we'll have the brains, heft and resourcefulness to turn it around."

Optimism. I tend to look for the opportunity or silver lining in all situations, even if that situation gets me down. I have appreciated that in some of our political leaders in the past, and I think we need it from our political and business leaders today. Plus, I think America in general needs to remember (rediscover?) how great it is and Americans need to start going after what they want out of life with a new verve and energy, fueled by an eternal spirit of optimism, of what is possible, not impossible. Of what we can do, not can't.  Of what's good about our lives today, not what isn't.  So, although I didn't know Mr. Kemp well beyond that handshake, I do mourn his passing if it means one less voice of optimism.

I hope you all have a great day and a great weekend, filled with a spirit of optimism and hope and joy.

Lady I revisited

A couple months ago I blogged about Lady I, aka Beth Dornan, aka Amway Global Insider, aka my boss. Well, my former boss.  Beth is moving over to Amway HQ where she'll work in the Corporate Communications area.  With her departure, our area has been reorganized a little, with a new Director coming in about a month (after the 50th Anniversary).

Beth's departure ends 17+ years of close collaboration between her and I.  Well, I'm sure there will still be times that we collaborate, since we both still work for the same global company. The circumstances will not be the same, however, as I've spent my entire career here at Amway working with or for Beth in the same department/division. I've been her wingman for a long time! I think some people think we're part of the same package.

There have been many times where Beth and I have disagreed on a direction.  But I truly respect her leadership, her management style, her respectful treatment of others, her innate sense of fairness, and her "play-by-the-rules" approach. I think Beth and her friends and family love to play games, but when it came to her work here at Amway Global, Beth wasn't playing games. She took everything about the communications eminating from this company very seriously. And I think the communications from the company have improved over the past five years that she's been at the helm.

As I stated in the Lady I post celebrating Beth's 20 years with the company, there are few women (heck, few people!) with whom I've had a relationship as long as I've had with Beth. She's not just been a boss or co-worker, she's been a mentor and a friend. So, it's with sadness that we celebrate "Beth Week" here at Amway Global Integrated Marketing (formerly Marketing Services). Her office is nearly bare as she removes her books and files and toys and other detritus from her long career here. We're prepping for farewell parties and lunches and celebrations (stop by Vitales of Ada after work on Thursday). There are the final hand-offs of files and information and secret passwords (OK, that last one isn't true ... well, it might be ... maybe it just hasn't happened yet) and the teary hugs.

I say "farewell" party because it's not "good bye." In fact, she's just moving three miles down the road to Amway World Headquarters, and she will continue to be active here in the Opportunity Zone.  My PR group still works closely with the Amway Corporate Communications group, so I'm sure we'll be in meetings at least a couple times a month. 

But it's still the end of an era.  So long Beth, and best wishes to you at HQ.  To quote Dr. Seuss to you for the second time today (the first was in Facebook) and to others saddened by your departure this Friday, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Congratulations to Jiomarys Alers!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your definitions of "True Success."  Definitely some interesting viewpoints on what it means to be truly successful.  I did a drawing of those who got their responses in on time, and Jiomarys Alers was the lucky winner!  I guess in this case, true success is participation!

To me, true success is a lot of things -- some of which I saw here, some of which I did not.  To me, True Success is a good effort, regardless of outcome.  True Success is a positive attitude and helping those around you be better people and, hopefully, able to achieve their version of true success.  To me, True Success is the satisfaction of not compromising your values and of not taking shortcuts. True success is living the life you were created to live.  I have personal views about what that life mission is, of course, but I'm not going to impose those views on you here. But let it suffice to say that True Success, to me, is larger than anything going on in my life. 

I hope you are able to achieve your version of success, and I hope that your version is grounded, is authentic, is true, is noble, is grand.  Have a great weekend!

TRUE SUCCESS -- Win a Ribbon Gift Card!

OK, I have a Ribbon Treasure gift card that will expire July 31, so I'm going to do a quick contest here at SuperDu.  The winner gets the gift card, which can be redeemed for a digital camera, a Fossil hobo bag, a Kawasaki Cordless Drill Tool Set, a Tasco telescope, a Kenneth Cole watch, or one of a dozen or so other gifts. Yummm ... there's also a DeLonghi Panini Press.

The contest?  Tell me what True Success means to you.  That's all.  What is TRUE success.  Just respond and your name will automatically be entered into a drawing.  I will close up the contest at noon on May 8, a week from tomorrow.  SO, just respond with your brief definition of true success.  And, if you feel moved, share a personal example of someone who had done just that. 

Hope you have a successful week ahead of you (however YOU define success!!)

NOTE:  I edited this post ... it was pointed out that we don't refer to this as gift "catalog" anymore, which I did know (but slipped into old habits).  The Ribbon "Treasure" Gift Card does, however, come with a little book displaying the gifts you can choose, some of which are above!  -- RL

 NOTE II:  Wow!! Great responses so far!!  Keep em' coming!  Deadline is noon (ET) on Friday!!

Customer Satisfaction

We live in a very old house, built in 1925. We had it reroofed back in January.  I blogged about it back then.  When we signed the contract, we expected they would do the work when the snow and ice was gone (and when we signed the clause that we were flexible on timing we thought that was because they didn't want to do it right away ... we were wrong).

Well, they put the new roofing on.  First they had to remove four layers of shingles on the house and three on the garage.  I'm guessing that sometime in the '50s or '60s a previous owner decided the garage could skip one round of shingles. OR, perhaps it was built later and therefore didn't have the first level that the house had. Whatever.

The first issue we had was when they took down our gutters which were filled with ice and fell and were destroyed. The gutters was one of the first projects we had done on this house when we purchased it 11 years ago. There were none and once, when there were torrential rains, water seeped into the basement.  SO, when the gutters came down, the guys there asked if we were doing siding this summer.  "Ummm, no," was my reply since we really couldn't afford the new roof.  "Yeah, because if you're putting on new siding you'll have to put up new gutters anyway," was what the young man said.  "I think I want you guys to put up new gutters," was my reply.  They agreed that they would, but probably not til April.

It's April, and today there were torrential downpours.  I went down to the basement as I began to write this paragraph, and sure enough, there's seepage.  Fortunately, it's in the concrete floored laundry room and not in the carpeted family room.  Yet.  These customers are not satisfied!  We want our rain gutters back!

OK, there's more.  All of this is AFTER the attic debacle.  You see, we didn't know until they were all done what had happened up there.  Let me just preface this with the fact that we have a beautiful walk-up attic that we use to store clothing, memorabilia, financial records, Christmas decorations, excess furniture, and more. After they had left we found that everything up there was covered with tarry shingle debris, wood splinters, nails, and dirt.  Nearly 85 years' worth of roofing was scraped off and our roof is not plywood -- it's old-style boards. There are cracks between boards through which the dislodged shingle debris could slip.  MOREOVER, when they nailgunned the new shingles into place, the dry, old wooden boards of our roof shattered in many places, so now you can see the bottom side of the new shingles in many places ... the only thing between our stuff and the sky.  So far it's remained dry, although we can see daylight when we look up alongside the chimney.  I've been told since then by other roofers that it is common practice to tarp the attic on jobs like these featuring older homes.  We had no idea.

And as it warms up I'm noticing other things ... like the incomplete job they did on replacing soffit under the overhang by our back door.  Like the incomplete job with flashing to cover the top layer of shingles in certain areas.  You're NOT SUPPOSED to see exposed nail heads on shingles.  Plus I'm still picking up nails and debris out of the yard.  These guys tore down our gutters but left all the downspouts hanging (loosely) on the walls so that now they jangle around in the wind. UGGH!  I'm only hoping that means they intended to leave them in place so that they could use them as they were.

Many of our calls have gone unreturned.  The sales rep will call us back now and again, but the owner or manager of the company will not. The sales rep said the owner would call yesterday.  He did not. The message to the company today was that we will expect to hear from them Monday or we start court proceedings. Of course, that will be simultaneous with Better Business Bureau reporting. Not to mention the negative word of mouth that will occur when two very wired adults start talking in Facebook and Twitter about it.

At this point, we're dissatisfied customers. Had we even just received phone calls to let us know they were getting us on the schedule we would not be this way.  Of course, we'd be much happier if they'd already been here and handled it before the rains descended upon us.

I know there are analogies to our business. We do have money-back guarantees.  We do strive to make things right when issues arise.  There are situations that take longer and require more work than any of us like, but we are not staying silent on our problems.  The blogs here in the Opportunity Zone are a great forum for people to share their frustrations (and satisfactions) with our business. It makes me wish that Amway had put the roof on my house. Perhaps it's a new line extension for the business?