Mean People Suck
Mean people suck. I think this must be true because I read it on a bumper sticker once.
Think about it. In every job, you have come across a client or customer who is just simply mean. Not nice. Rude. Angry. You know the type.
In business, mean people can be a productivity suck, a profit suck, a time suck, and a morale suck. A mean client sets up a lose/lose/lose/lose scenario.
However, for years I felt like I could win over anybody. I used to think, “If I take a few minutes, smile, listen, and try to walk a mile in their shoes,” I could truly help them.
Boy, was I wrong. In 2014, I read an article in Forbes that changed my life forever.
We had to fire a client recently. It’s not something we enjoy, but it was necessary to our emotional, psychological, and business health.
Apply this six-point test to a problem client:
- They make unreasonable demands.
- They want everything for nothing.
- They’re always slow to pay.
- They don’t listen to you.
- They don’t respond to you.
- They show a basic lack of respect.
What would you do? #yourewelcome
Monday, April 23 – Playing Hooky
Last weekend was a blur. We worked at the Who’s Your Driver fan area at Richmond Raceway on Friday and Saturday, and got some great photos from Creative Director Art Webb and Sr. Graphic Designer Carissa Ghaffari. Check out this great collection of shots.
Sunday was Earth Day, but more importantly it was my wife Sue’s Birthday. Apparently, she is 39 all over again. Question: Where would you celebrate a Brit’s birthday? At the Great American Ranch, of course. (And yes, she did ride the mechanical bull…there’s video proof on my Facebook page.)
So on Monday I felt like I needed a day off to recover from the weekend. Thanks to friend and Mr. Fix-It CEO Mark Binshtok for inviting me to the 1st Annual BBB Blast, benefitting the Better Business Bureau Foundation. I grabbed my shotgun and joined Mark’s team for a trap shoot competition at Old Forge Sporting Clays. Let’s just say I’m a better writer than a shooter…but we had a blast. #punny
Tuesday, April 24 – Be Uniquely You
On Tuesday, we worked on a wide variety of projects, and happy to have pushed out a new print ad campaign for Vera’s Fine Jewelers, which showcases their custom designed jewelry.
It was also great to get out of the office a few minutes early to support our friends at Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (HCB2) at their Love Your Gut, Protect Your Butt fundraiser. Their signature fundraiser, the Boxer Brief 5K is coming soon on June 9. (Imagine hundreds of people running around Stony Point Shopping Center in their skivvies) Sign up today!
Wednesday, April 25 – RETREAT!
I dropped by work before driving up to the Virginia Council of CEO’s Retreat at Homestead Wednesday. #BigMistake Once I got into the office, it was like being sucked into a vortex. Checking email. Dropping in on meetings. Answering phones. Even after I tried to leave town, I kept getting side-tracked with errands. And just as I was about to jump on I-64 and head west, I saw a poor guy who skidded off the road in his front-wheel drive four-door Toyota. He was trying to get back on the shoulder, but he kept sliding backwards on the wet grass. So I stopped to help. Why? Am I good Samaritan? Not really. I just love using the big winch on the front of my big Jeep. #Grrrrr #MorePower
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Sr. Account Manager Kaitlin Thomas and Communications Manager Kent Brockwell represented M+M at the Richmond PRSA luncheon and learned tips for getting national press attention from former TODAY Show Senior Producer Jo Mathisen.
Thursday, April 26 – Miss Sue Makes a Speech
I’ve tried very hard to clear my schedule this past year, so that I can attend various Rotary Club events, but last night, I called on my First Lady (Sue) to deliver remarks at the Chesterfield County Student of the Year program, held at the Chesterfield Tech Center. Apparently she nailed it. I’ve always known that people like Miss Sue a lot more than they like Mr. Sue (the name kids call me at her school).
Please join me in congratulating our friends at CrossKeys Vineyards on their 10th Anniversary. This award-winning Virginia winery is based near Harrisonburg in Mt. Crawford, Virginia, so check them out if you’re up in the Shenandoah Valley (especially on May 26 for their 10-Year Anniversary Celebration Smoked & Oaked BBQ!) On Thursday, we finalized their 10th anniversary logo.
Calendar!
Leadercast Richmond 2018
Parkway Baptist Church
May 4
Leadercast Live is the largest one-day leadership event in the world. It is a pairing of inspiring messages and rich interaction with fellow leaders who are being intentional about raising their standard of leadership, through a creative, energetic and memorable experience. Our friends over at Leadercast have set up a special discount code for all of our readers! Simply enter “MM” at checkout for a $10 discount! Get your tickets today!
Madison+Main’s May 2018 Media Mixer
Casa del Barco – Short Pump
May 9
Join the Madison+Main-iacs and friends at Short Pump’s Casa del Barco on Wednesday, May 9 for our May Media Mixer! There will be delicious cocktails, yummy appetizers, and a door prize! Join us for a night of networking where the business world and the creative community can mix and mingle! RSVPs are not required, but are encouraged. Please feel free to bring a guest! To RSVP, e-mail Haleigh Lader at haleighl@madisonmain.com.
CrossKeys Vineyards 10-Year Anniversary BBQ
CrossKeys Vineyard – Mt. Crawford, VA
May 26
Join our friends at CrossKeys on Memorial Day weekend to celebrate their delicious decade of award-winning wines, exquisite food, and great events! They are hosting a Smoked & Oaked Barbecue on Saturday, May 26, live music from Morgan Dean, and their tasting room will by open until 8 p.m. as well. Make your reservations today.
Boxer Brief 5K
Stoney Point Fashion Park
June 9
The Boxer Brief 5K is Hitting Cancer Below the Belt’s (HCB2’s) largest awareness and fundraising event which attracts over 400 participants each year. Participants are encouraged to dress their bum and come out to run making this a very entertaining good time. Fun for all ages as there is a free kids 1/2 mile race, the “Caped Colon Crusader” Run for children under the age of eight. Plenty of music, active vendors, entertaining costumes and cute kids in capes — just a great morning as we bring awareness to colon cancer prevention. Email info@HCB2.org or visit HCB2.org for more information.
Friday, April 27 – ADVANCE!
So I’ve spent two days getting pumped up at the VACEOs Retreat. But I’m going to send a suggestion, along with a thank you note, to VACEOs Exec. Director Scot McRoberts when I get back. We should change the name to the CEOs Advance, because CEOs should advance, not retreat. #InTheFlow