Celebrate Success
A number of years ago I made a list of ten things I think that people need to do in order to be successful. Number 10 on that list is “Celebrate Success.” I think it’s important to have fun and mark milestones with your colleagues. Sometimes we get very busy and fail to do that. But this week we had a lot to celebrate, so we did. 🙂 (If you’d like me to send you my Top 10 Tips for Success, just email me back and I’ll send you a free copy.)
Last Sunday I was pressed into service as Lay Worship Leader at Brandermill Church. It looks like an important job. I have to wear a suit and I stand at the pulpit and say things like, “Let us stand as you are able and join in our call to worship.” When our preacher, Reverend Brooks, asked the congregation to share the good news, I told him that I launched a new Cheesecake business with some partners. His response? “That’s wonderful news David. Did you bring me some cheesecake?”
Monday, November 17th – At Monday’s MMMMM (Madison+Main Monday Morning Meeting) we celebrated our Above & Beyond winner, Lindsey Durfee. Account Executive, Casey Severinghaus, put it best, “Durf dealt with a lot last week with the World’s Best Cheesecake launch. She handled it brilliantly, better than I ever would. It’s amazing how calm she stays through any stressful situation.” #GreatjobLindsey #GoDurf
Kara Forbis was in town, making her long commute from Virginia Tech country. Kara and I dined with Yard Works Chief Operating Officer, Robbie Urbine at Plaza Azteca. We made plans for 2015 and celebrated our accomplishments in 2014 with table side guacamole. We would have celebrated with margaritas but we had to meet with our friends at CowanGates and Robbie probably had to operate some heavy equipment.
Wednesday, November 19th – On Wednesday we learned that our client First Bank had reason to celebrate. Congrats to CEO Scott Harvard and COO Dennis Dysart for orchestrating a big expansion for the Strasburg based community bank. First Bank is purchasing six branches from Bank of America and will be expanding their operations to Woodstock, Elkton, Staunton, Waynesboro,Dillwyn and Farmville. To help them celebrate their success we sent them Trump champagne (made in Virginia).
At lunch Wednesday we hosted our monthly lunch and learn with special guest Satish Reddy, who is the President of Aha Apps. Satish and his team do an amazing job creating Aha moments for clients by utilizing technology. Check out more information here.
On Wednesday night, I was back in the gym for basketball. This time however, I was running Jack and his friends through the paces for the Smith Shark’s team tryouts. Surprisingly enough, Jack wasn’t the tallest kid on the floor, which was a great relief for him that he doesn’t have to play center this year and can settle back into playing small forward. The kid’s got a very decent outside shot.
Thursday, November 20th – On Thursday we started sending out invites to our holiday get together. It will be a smaller affair this year as we celebrate with colleagues, family, clients and partners. It will be held on December 11th and the theme is Hawaiian Luau. “Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day” The long range forecast for December 11th calls for cloudy skies and a low of 30 degrees. Oh well, it will be merry and warm inside thanks to our friends at Howell’s Heating & Air who installed two HVAC units this year. #Mahalo
Friday, November 21st – This morning we shot another web video for our friends at Village Bank. Thanks to Hal Dowdy for shooting the spot. Thanks to Kristen Sims, Village Bank Marketing Coordinator, for her assistance. Also special thanks to Brandon Singletary, star of the video and former Madison+Main intern. #whattheworld We should have it done by next week and we’ll share it with you then.
There was a half naked man in my office this morning. Advertising is a very weird business.
This afternoon I had a quick conference call with old pal Taylor Malbon, the Marketing Director at The Yacht Club at Marina Shores. Taylor and I worked together at Madison+Main for six years and we still work together today, she is one of our clients. As a fun side project, she has a facebook fan page, where she posts funny things that her sons say. Check it out.
As I write this I am on my way to Charlottesville with my daughter Hattie. We are taking a tour of Mr. Jefferson’s University tomorrow and attending a UVA football game tomorrow night. I can’t believe she’s old enough to start touring colleges, but I can believe that she’ll get scholarship offers from a number of really good schools. Her 4.5 GPA must come from her Mother’s side. Side note: This trip was planned way in advance of the Rolling Stone article. #sadface
Oh a happier note, you can use the offer code GIVEME5 at worldsbestcheesecake.com and save $5 instantly on any cheesecake we make. In fact, if you order five you can save $25. 5×5=25 #mathgenius