...(continuance of conversation from Volume 82)..."your inquiry about the Syrian conflict and the relationship between Putin and Rowhani somewhat confuses me, my friend. Your question is very 'local' in nature and you well know that my response will be much more international in scope with greater implications; possibly, because you are so close to the 'tinder box' and can 'smell the flames' you ask such a simple question or is my 'sly foxe's inquiry something different entirely?"
Levine smiled, gestured with his hands as he always did when attempting to hide a certain facial recognition, then again requested the answered from the chief of GST, knowing full well the amount of intel that would support Tuscono's conclusions and theories. "Tony you know full well that I live and work in that 'tinderbox', as you so describe my country, as well as, like you my friend, having many alleyways in many cities to walk, so just consider me an old man who asks stupid questions."
Tuscono not commenting on Levine's response continued.
"Aristotle said 'We are what we repeatedly do' and so let us get a few simple conclusions off the table. You and I both know that Hassan Rowhani, as your Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, so aptly stated is a 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. He like his predecessor are nothing but 'paper cutouts'. The difference is that Rowhani has mastered the art of perceptural 'friendliness' and is a 'media darling'. Dress him in a red and white suit, give him a few reindeer and you have 'Santa'; but recall, he was previously Iran's nuclear negotiation chief in charge of covering up his country's nuclear weapons program so don't underestimate 'Santa'.
Additionally in a few weeks, six nations, including most importantly Russia and China, negotiating with Iran will produce documents that will cost Iran nothing while loosening the Western sanctions based on the notion of negotiating a follow up deal. In other words, Iran pretends to play nice for six months, during which time it receives sanctions relief, the freeing of some frozen assets, and the release of an Iranian nuclear scientist, by the name of Atarodi, arrested in 2011,and next summer NATO will be back to late 2006, trying to cobble together support for sanctions all over again.
The point here being that the deal is already done, as we both know since the last conversations were 'loud and clear' from the meeting rooms in Oman to not only GST but the Masata, because of my invitation to listen" said Tuscono with a smile as he immediately continued, "as we know the winner is not only Iran but also China as their need for oil increases daily and the oil sanction is now eliminated. This has significance toward the real 'end game' for we know who brokered the deal and gave this 'chip' to China. As I continue with these incidences which you will soon realize are all connected just remember, my friend, there are no coincidences. However, Iran's radicalism and destruction of Israel is entirely another matter and will remain until you decide to rid them of their nuclear product because no one else will."
Levine rolled his eyes and stated,"Tony I'm fully aware of everything you've stated could we move on toward your conclusions?" Unfazed, Tuscono looked his friend directly in the eye and said "You asked, so listen and remember 'old' man" and repeated "there are no coincidences." Tuscono continued, "We now proceed to Syrian WMD and what could go down in history as the biggest single foreign policy error by the present U.S. Administration. Remember before the U.S. Government shutdown the war in Syria was all that was shown on our news networks, showing hundreds of deaths, thousands of homeless civilians, calls for support of the 'rebel' forces, even potential 'air strikes' against President Bashar Assad; then magically the war ended from the media perspective, the U.S. Government shutdown and our politics became 'local' with no perspective of what was happening in the Middle East."
Tuscono pauses as a group of photographers with camera, tripods, wires, multiple large black cases and three very tall and long legged multinational models approached and continue to walk by the seated two men on their way to a beach photo session for some product or calendar insert. The South Beach neighborhood of Ocean Drive, Collins, and South Beach Park was becoming more active as the warmth increased and a new sunny day was taking center stage. The historic Art Deco architecture increased its color dance as more and more sun reflected off of the colorful masonry. The sounds increased as if life was taking a large breath toward another magnificent soothing warm day at the beach.
With one more quick look at the statuette models disappearing onto the beach area, Tuscono continues, "but, also as you know, our intel told us that after three years of fighting in Syria the 'rebels' are different as now most are Al-Qaeda supported with manpower, money and arms. So, after all the procrastination, the two sides in this civil war are either controlled by Assad, backed by Russia, or Al-Qaeda, backed by Iran. In either case, Vladimir Putin holds all the cards and starts the final moves of his chess game with becoming the lead negotiator to settle the WMD question. And, the SA-125 Russian missiles that your warplanes attacked inside a Syrian stronghold didn't make page 40 so you see only a few more pieces to be put into place."
"Now, my patient Jew friend, for the information you don't know and have come to acquire; firstly within the next few weeks Putin will even be the honored guest of the new Pope. According to our inside man, Francesco DiGiuda, with the Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, Guardia Svizzera Pontificia, notification was given to us at GST a month or so ago. Here is the new Pope, arguably one of the holiest and humble of all men without a clue what a 'photo op' will do for Putin; and, it wasn't as if he wasn't advised to by-pass such a visit but believes that it would be good for the Russian people. Naivety has no precognition. By the way, since I know you had an acquaintance with DiGiuda's father when he was part of the Palatine Guard before it was disbanded by in '70 by Paul VI, Francesco is now one of two Lieutenant Colonels."
Tuscono continues "the last piece of the puzzle before we get into the WHY and the End Game is the visit that Putin is planning as a state visit to Egypt in order to take advantage of frayed ties between Washington and Cairo thus resuming military ties with Egypt in light of this vacuum by Washington's decisions and fears of a return to the Cold War era rivalry. Well, guess what .... The rivalry started years ago when as a KGB intelligence officer the collapse of the soviet Union in 1991 Putin swore his revenge and started his masterful plan even as he technically retired from the KGB and become head of external relations in the latter part of 1991 for Anatoy Sobchak then on to Sobchak's first deputy mayor. Within seven short years having moved to Moscow was appointed deputy head of management under Boris Yeltsin and almost immediately moved to the head of Federal Security, an arm of the former KGB. In 1999 upon the resignation of Yeltsin, become the acting President. All the political steps managed with expert care even to the extent of manipulation around the term limits but always with his ultimate goal in full focus. Add a little luck and a possible Nobel Peace nomination and..."
Levine, as if waking from a dream, wide eyed and ready to speak as his brain just registered and tallied all the preceding facts stood and said "the Russians are rebuilding the Soviet Bloc!" "Correct, my friend" said Tuscono "and that is the 'Why'. Putin's desire is to rebuild the Soviet Union to be the number one power in the world. As you just added up all the facts that were in clear view from Iran to Syria to Egypt to China to the Pope. The sum total is a new and powerful world order raising like the phoenix from the ashes of disgrace."
Tuscono with a more forceful speech continued, " all financed by Putin's daily seizure of the Artic where other than the continental U.S. lays abundance of oil. His plan is to control all of the Artic oil to finance the taking back of the old Soviet Bloc including Ukrainia, Belorussia, Uzbek, Kazakhstan, Azerbaija, Lithuania, Moldavia, Latvia, Kirghiz, Tajik, Armenia, Turkmen, Estonia and Georgia, with Georgia being the first."
Levine's face was now telling the tale of age and question. Tuscono, deflecting the look, continued, "the money, the means, the political clout, and positive image, as a peace maker, are continually being put in place. Putin doesn't care about Iran, Syria, Egypt, the Pope nor even China, even thought the Chinese have a good idea of what is about to take place and have worries about Kazakhstan already moving manpower and structure to their Northwest border area, because Putin knows that no one will stop him after he invades and takes Georgia with the rest to follow. No one will stop him unless..."
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Volume 82 - Mystery - Fact or Fiction? Part 1 - Introduction-Visit-Question
The following is a conversation that took place four weeks ago, on or about October 8, 2013 in the 700 block area of Ocean Drive, in the public park diagonally across from the former Victor Hotel, Miami beach (South Beach), Florida. The participants, sitting on the park bench, are Tony Tuscano and Jacob Levine. The time is approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Tony Tuscono is the C.E.O. and founder of a high security company known as Golds, Sachs & Thomas which also does covert contractual work with a highly classified section of the U.S. government formed during the Presidency of '41'. GST with the main office in South Beach has offices in New Orleans and Shanghai. Tuscono's resume includes three degrees, fluency in four languages, action in three major conflicts, decorated ranger and 'spook' credentials involving over a hundred covert operations. Jacob Levine is a 'retired' Israel citizen visiting South Beach. 'Retired' from being the number two man in Israel's Mossad, the Central Insitute for Inteligence and Special Missions, and more specifically, the former Director in Israeli's Metsada, the clandestine operations command arm of the Mossad which runs small units of agents who carry out actions abroad against those considered to be a threat to Israeli security. They specialize in rescue, assassinations and sabotage.
According to security briefing documents, these two individuals first became friends in mid-1976 due to an incident which ocurred on June 27, 1976 when Air France flight A300, originating in Israel, was hijacked and forced to land in Entebbe Uganda. The Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin, ordered the Mossad to rescue the Air France passengers while it was on the ground in Idi Amin's Uganda. The commander in chief of the Mossad turned the rescue over to Levine and the Metsada unit. Swiftly dealing with Amin, the Metsada unit kidnapped Amin's daughter within twelve hours of the hijacked plane and, magically, the Uganda's government cooperation was instantaneous. According to all news accounts the heroic operation, thousands of miles from home, was a great success since all the hijacked passengers, with the exception of a Mrs Fora Block, were released to safety. Only one member of Levine's unit, Major Yonathan "Yoni" Netayahu, was killed in the course of the rescue. Levine was a real hero in his homeland.
What was never known about this operation, traveling under false identifications, were passengers Tony Tuscono and Chester Carson. They, according to classifed file documents, had just finished a rather involved operation in Jordan and through the cooperation of the Mossad escaped through Israel and coincidently were booked on Air France flight A300. When Rabin ordered the Entebbe rescue operation, he was fully aware of the two U.S. agents on board. A thousand miles away a hijacked aircraft lands in a country that is friendly to fanatical terrorism yet the final score showed eight terrorist dead, one civilian and one member of the unit. The order to take the plane only came after Tuscono and Carson had already disposed of all but two of the hijackers using Glock 28's with specially designed Heckler & Koch silencers made with Polymer 2, the 'space-age' plastic still in covert manufacturing processes decades later. The two remaining terrorists had secured themselves in the cockpit holding automatic weaponry to the pilot and co-pilot's heads. The Metsada unit blasted the cockpit door with 'flash' agent and newly created 'sound' canisters followed by sequencial rounds of silent automatic fire. Although the crew were injured, they somehow survived. The dead civilian died at the scene taking fire from one of the six terrorists as so stated in clasified file 173940 incident report dated September 1, 1976.
The conversation on the park bench, between these two old friends, started with Tuscono asking Levine how he enjoyed his first night in South Beach and the private belcony seating at Mango's, a South Beach night club celebrating their twenty-second year anniversay in business.
Levine, as cordial and mannered as his file so implies, simply smiled, thanked Tony and then stated, "My friend we are need of your assistance, or rather your assessment of a very serious matter."
Levine paused, took a deep breath of the ocean salt air, "Over all these years we have always respected each other's opinions whether we agreed or not. So today I simply ask, my very dear friend, please give me and my country your analysis of the Syrian situation with respect to Putin and Rowhani as I'm fully aware of your unique working relationship within the Soviet block for the past three and half decades."
There was a silence, the kind that can exist between friends, then Tuscono spoke. "One has to remember history and know the subject matter within the time frame that something occurs; that is the problem with history and historians as it seems the 'time frame' and 'personal points of view' have a tendency to detract from the truth. You ask me a very complex question; and yet, with all of your intel my response to you will not be what you expect."
Levine raised his hand in mock surrender "I would not be here if we didn't believe your perspective to be relavant regardless of its outward rational."
Tuscono facing Ocean Drive watching waiters clearing late morning breakfast plates served on one of the many patio's, as the morning sun started to raise its level of warmth on his back, picked his words carefully knowing full well the impact that they were about to make. "Well, my friend, here is my response to your question and the analysis that will hopefully serve you as well as some of our clientele in the very near future years. TO BE CONTINUED WITH PART II - The End Game
Tony Tuscono is the C.E.O. and founder of a high security company known as Golds, Sachs & Thomas which also does covert contractual work with a highly classified section of the U.S. government formed during the Presidency of '41'. GST with the main office in South Beach has offices in New Orleans and Shanghai. Tuscono's resume includes three degrees, fluency in four languages, action in three major conflicts, decorated ranger and 'spook' credentials involving over a hundred covert operations. Jacob Levine is a 'retired' Israel citizen visiting South Beach. 'Retired' from being the number two man in Israel's Mossad, the Central Insitute for Inteligence and Special Missions, and more specifically, the former Director in Israeli's Metsada, the clandestine operations command arm of the Mossad which runs small units of agents who carry out actions abroad against those considered to be a threat to Israeli security. They specialize in rescue, assassinations and sabotage.
According to security briefing documents, these two individuals first became friends in mid-1976 due to an incident which ocurred on June 27, 1976 when Air France flight A300, originating in Israel, was hijacked and forced to land in Entebbe Uganda. The Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin, ordered the Mossad to rescue the Air France passengers while it was on the ground in Idi Amin's Uganda. The commander in chief of the Mossad turned the rescue over to Levine and the Metsada unit. Swiftly dealing with Amin, the Metsada unit kidnapped Amin's daughter within twelve hours of the hijacked plane and, magically, the Uganda's government cooperation was instantaneous. According to all news accounts the heroic operation, thousands of miles from home, was a great success since all the hijacked passengers, with the exception of a Mrs Fora Block, were released to safety. Only one member of Levine's unit, Major Yonathan "Yoni" Netayahu, was killed in the course of the rescue. Levine was a real hero in his homeland.
What was never known about this operation, traveling under false identifications, were passengers Tony Tuscono and Chester Carson. They, according to classifed file documents, had just finished a rather involved operation in Jordan and through the cooperation of the Mossad escaped through Israel and coincidently were booked on Air France flight A300. When Rabin ordered the Entebbe rescue operation, he was fully aware of the two U.S. agents on board. A thousand miles away a hijacked aircraft lands in a country that is friendly to fanatical terrorism yet the final score showed eight terrorist dead, one civilian and one member of the unit. The order to take the plane only came after Tuscono and Carson had already disposed of all but two of the hijackers using Glock 28's with specially designed Heckler & Koch silencers made with Polymer 2, the 'space-age' plastic still in covert manufacturing processes decades later. The two remaining terrorists had secured themselves in the cockpit holding automatic weaponry to the pilot and co-pilot's heads. The Metsada unit blasted the cockpit door with 'flash' agent and newly created 'sound' canisters followed by sequencial rounds of silent automatic fire. Although the crew were injured, they somehow survived. The dead civilian died at the scene taking fire from one of the six terrorists as so stated in clasified file 173940 incident report dated September 1, 1976.
The conversation on the park bench, between these two old friends, started with Tuscono asking Levine how he enjoyed his first night in South Beach and the private belcony seating at Mango's, a South Beach night club celebrating their twenty-second year anniversay in business.
Levine, as cordial and mannered as his file so implies, simply smiled, thanked Tony and then stated, "My friend we are need of your assistance, or rather your assessment of a very serious matter."
Levine paused, took a deep breath of the ocean salt air, "Over all these years we have always respected each other's opinions whether we agreed or not. So today I simply ask, my very dear friend, please give me and my country your analysis of the Syrian situation with respect to Putin and Rowhani as I'm fully aware of your unique working relationship within the Soviet block for the past three and half decades."
There was a silence, the kind that can exist between friends, then Tuscono spoke. "One has to remember history and know the subject matter within the time frame that something occurs; that is the problem with history and historians as it seems the 'time frame' and 'personal points of view' have a tendency to detract from the truth. You ask me a very complex question; and yet, with all of your intel my response to you will not be what you expect."
Levine raised his hand in mock surrender "I would not be here if we didn't believe your perspective to be relavant regardless of its outward rational."
Tuscono facing Ocean Drive watching waiters clearing late morning breakfast plates served on one of the many patio's, as the morning sun started to raise its level of warmth on his back, picked his words carefully knowing full well the impact that they were about to make. "Well, my friend, here is my response to your question and the analysis that will hopefully serve you as well as some of our clientele in the very near future years. TO BE CONTINUED WITH PART II - The End Game
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Volume 81 - The Customer is Not always right
The Customer is NOT always right is something that we have always known but have been uncomfortable to publicly claim since "the Customer" is the reason for our existence, and we have always been told 'no matter' the situation "the customer is always right." Herein, however, lets inspect this creature (the customer) and attempt to understand my belief that the Customer is Not always right, and where the 'Responsibilty' exists to correct, enhance or separate. We are all "customers", in one way or another, so we can all agree that depending on what 'side of the table' in which we sit our views are likely to be prejudicial.
First example: a couple with their two children come into a restaurant and order Pizza, soft drinks and coffee. The server takes the order and brings the drinks to the table to find both children out of their seats playing with placemats, condoments, and parmesan cheese shakers on another table; but, she goes about her duties without saying a word. A short time later their food order is served. Ten minutes after being served one of the adult customers calls, in a rather boisterous voice, the server over and complains that the pizza is not baked completely, although four slices are gone from the large serving plate. The server brings the remaining pizza back to the kitchen for reheating then back to the couple whose children remain drinking soda and continuing playing with cheese shakers and condiments. A few minutes pass and once again the server is called to the table and now the complaint is 'they' don't like the dough/crust although now more than 3/4 of the pizza has been eaten. The server apologizes and tells the patrons that there will be no charge for the pizza. The 'gentleman' further complains that the Pepsi is 'flat' and refuses to pay for the soft drinks further stating that this was their 'first' and 'last' trip to this restaurant. The couple with the two 'unmannered' children depart the restaurant but within five minutes of their departure, figuring that their 'satisfaction' is not quite satisfied, telephones the restaurant to speak with the owner or manager complaining that the server was a 'rude bitch.' It is quite obviously the customer was wrong and completely 'out of bounds'. This is a 'retail' example dealing with "the public", and considering our constant lowering of educational standards as well as our "Wal-Mart" dress standards mixed with our further declining disregard of 'parental responsibilty', simple respect and the basic 'manners'of a human being I'm not sure how anyone works in the 'service industry' as a server or bartender.
Now to the second example, and the MAIN POINT OF THIS BLOG, within the 'Commercial' arena where 'customers' tend to be 'repeat' in nature and normally have years of experience with the vendor/manufacturer relationship:
A repeat commercial customer/distributor places multiple orders to be shipped UPS on their account. UPS notifies the manufacturer, after product has been manufactured, shipped and received by the customer, that the customer's account number has become invalid and now the shipper is responsible for the frieght charges. The customer refuses all communication with the manufacturer (who luckily had the customer pay in advance for the actual merchandise). Clearly, the customer is wrong (as well as UPS for accepting and delivering and then to notifiy the shipper that the account was closed). Clearly the Customer is not only wrong but deceitful.
A third example (again, within the 'commercial' arena): A customer, who has been a customer for over 4 years and although a 'slow' pay (over 45 days) knows that the terms of the deal are 1% ten net 30 has his account blossom to over 90 days. When approached via phone, and email concerning this matter he is insulted for he didn't realize the time 'started' at day of shipment. Clearly, the customer is wrong and that within his argument of 'starting' time attempts an excuse/complaint directed to avoid the actual problem.
I can write a 100 examples of the Customer/Client being wrong for whatever their motivation and justification but this is not a social psychological blog; it's much simplier, as it's about problem customer/client and Salespeople/Manufacturer Representatives. I forgo, for this blog, the service/retail industry for this category sets pricing by a 'Menu' or price 'tag' whereas in the Commercial-Industrial 'Sales' game exists that 'open window' to negotiate on numerous subjects such as price. This doesn't diminish the Service or Retail industry working people, and techniques needed, who have to daily deal with the rude, uneducated, moronic people that visit their shop, restaurant or bar.
It is my belief that within the 'Commercial' arena of 'sales' it is the responsibility of the Salesperson to be skilled enough to handle all customer types and to manage appropriate time to accomplish goals of the company they represent. The catagories that are of discussion involves those clients/customers that 'Grinds' on price, Indecisive, Buys competitive product, 'Loves' what you say but doesn't buy, 'Knows' it all, Lies to you, Egomaniacs, Incompetent, Complainers, and Those who simply have no buying authority. Each of these catagoies are blogs/teaching sessions by themselves but the point of this blog is to say that although each of these catagories makes the client/customer 'wrong' or simply difficult, it is still remains the RESPONSIBILITY of the Salesperson to OVERCOME EACH with proper technigue, knowledge, time management, and an 'eye' for the 'detail' without excuses for failure that are based on human fraility rather that specific detailed points of sale.
'Life' since 911 and the Global Economic stage since '08 is not as easy as it was even a few decades ago. Pressures of 'life' from one's home life, physical ailments, older parents, debt, death, etc. are all part of today's heighten struggle; nevertheless, the days of conventional sales approaches simply taking clients to dinner, drinking and 'hugs' don't cut it today where upper level sales techniques and time management must be mastered to actually sell products.
As challenging and as stressful as client problems may be to handle it is the very reason why salespeople exist. If every customer simply handed you an order without a struggle, most salespeople would not be needed. Problem clients are more than a reason for justifying your job, as they also represent an opportunity, but the salesperson must prove their own value both to the customer and to their employer.
First example: a couple with their two children come into a restaurant and order Pizza, soft drinks and coffee. The server takes the order and brings the drinks to the table to find both children out of their seats playing with placemats, condoments, and parmesan cheese shakers on another table; but, she goes about her duties without saying a word. A short time later their food order is served. Ten minutes after being served one of the adult customers calls, in a rather boisterous voice, the server over and complains that the pizza is not baked completely, although four slices are gone from the large serving plate. The server brings the remaining pizza back to the kitchen for reheating then back to the couple whose children remain drinking soda and continuing playing with cheese shakers and condiments. A few minutes pass and once again the server is called to the table and now the complaint is 'they' don't like the dough/crust although now more than 3/4 of the pizza has been eaten. The server apologizes and tells the patrons that there will be no charge for the pizza. The 'gentleman' further complains that the Pepsi is 'flat' and refuses to pay for the soft drinks further stating that this was their 'first' and 'last' trip to this restaurant. The couple with the two 'unmannered' children depart the restaurant but within five minutes of their departure, figuring that their 'satisfaction' is not quite satisfied, telephones the restaurant to speak with the owner or manager complaining that the server was a 'rude bitch.' It is quite obviously the customer was wrong and completely 'out of bounds'. This is a 'retail' example dealing with "the public", and considering our constant lowering of educational standards as well as our "Wal-Mart" dress standards mixed with our further declining disregard of 'parental responsibilty', simple respect and the basic 'manners'of a human being I'm not sure how anyone works in the 'service industry' as a server or bartender.
Now to the second example, and the MAIN POINT OF THIS BLOG, within the 'Commercial' arena where 'customers' tend to be 'repeat' in nature and normally have years of experience with the vendor/manufacturer relationship:
A repeat commercial customer/distributor places multiple orders to be shipped UPS on their account. UPS notifies the manufacturer, after product has been manufactured, shipped and received by the customer, that the customer's account number has become invalid and now the shipper is responsible for the frieght charges. The customer refuses all communication with the manufacturer (who luckily had the customer pay in advance for the actual merchandise). Clearly, the customer is wrong (as well as UPS for accepting and delivering and then to notifiy the shipper that the account was closed). Clearly the Customer is not only wrong but deceitful.
A third example (again, within the 'commercial' arena): A customer, who has been a customer for over 4 years and although a 'slow' pay (over 45 days) knows that the terms of the deal are 1% ten net 30 has his account blossom to over 90 days. When approached via phone, and email concerning this matter he is insulted for he didn't realize the time 'started' at day of shipment. Clearly, the customer is wrong and that within his argument of 'starting' time attempts an excuse/complaint directed to avoid the actual problem.
I can write a 100 examples of the Customer/Client being wrong for whatever their motivation and justification but this is not a social psychological blog; it's much simplier, as it's about problem customer/client and Salespeople/Manufacturer Representatives. I forgo, for this blog, the service/retail industry for this category sets pricing by a 'Menu' or price 'tag' whereas in the Commercial-Industrial 'Sales' game exists that 'open window' to negotiate on numerous subjects such as price. This doesn't diminish the Service or Retail industry working people, and techniques needed, who have to daily deal with the rude, uneducated, moronic people that visit their shop, restaurant or bar.
It is my belief that within the 'Commercial' arena of 'sales' it is the responsibility of the Salesperson to be skilled enough to handle all customer types and to manage appropriate time to accomplish goals of the company they represent. The catagories that are of discussion involves those clients/customers that 'Grinds' on price, Indecisive, Buys competitive product, 'Loves' what you say but doesn't buy, 'Knows' it all, Lies to you, Egomaniacs, Incompetent, Complainers, and Those who simply have no buying authority. Each of these catagoies are blogs/teaching sessions by themselves but the point of this blog is to say that although each of these catagories makes the client/customer 'wrong' or simply difficult, it is still remains the RESPONSIBILITY of the Salesperson to OVERCOME EACH with proper technigue, knowledge, time management, and an 'eye' for the 'detail' without excuses for failure that are based on human fraility rather that specific detailed points of sale.
'Life' since 911 and the Global Economic stage since '08 is not as easy as it was even a few decades ago. Pressures of 'life' from one's home life, physical ailments, older parents, debt, death, etc. are all part of today's heighten struggle; nevertheless, the days of conventional sales approaches simply taking clients to dinner, drinking and 'hugs' don't cut it today where upper level sales techniques and time management must be mastered to actually sell products.
As challenging and as stressful as client problems may be to handle it is the very reason why salespeople exist. If every customer simply handed you an order without a struggle, most salespeople would not be needed. Problem clients are more than a reason for justifying your job, as they also represent an opportunity, but the salesperson must prove their own value both to the customer and to their employer.
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Volume 80 - The Second Day of Government Shutdown
....Has anyone noticed that the Federal Government is in the 2nd day of a 'shutdown'? Not only has this action caused little or no inconvenience we shouldn't stop the 'shutdown' but should enlarge its scope.
Since the Federal Government keeps doubling its size every five years or so, now is the perfect time to cut the excessive amount of Federal employees. You say this cannot be done....here's the rationale and solution to this ever growing 'monster' that lives in the 'beltway'. Since little is being accomplished when the following agencies actually 'work' (debatable term) and now 'shutdown', which is not even noticable by the average tax paying citizen, send the Energy, HUD, Commerce, Interior, and Education agencies into moth balls and put the IRS into a three year phase out.
Make Congress a seven year one term position, with the obligation/requirement of a 'Balanced Budget' for each year of their elected position with subsequent penalties, known as 'accountability', with the same health care, social security, type benefits/obligations as (again) the average tax paying citizen. In addition, this would apply to all their staff/employees, after which they can all return to their former jobs (if they had any to begin with).
As Daniel Webster wrote, at the close of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, "Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the People against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
Since the Federal Government keeps doubling its size every five years or so, now is the perfect time to cut the excessive amount of Federal employees. You say this cannot be done....here's the rationale and solution to this ever growing 'monster' that lives in the 'beltway'. Since little is being accomplished when the following agencies actually 'work' (debatable term) and now 'shutdown', which is not even noticable by the average tax paying citizen, send the Energy, HUD, Commerce, Interior, and Education agencies into moth balls and put the IRS into a three year phase out.
Make Congress a seven year one term position, with the obligation/requirement of a 'Balanced Budget' for each year of their elected position with subsequent penalties, known as 'accountability', with the same health care, social security, type benefits/obligations as (again) the average tax paying citizen. In addition, this would apply to all their staff/employees, after which they can all return to their former jobs (if they had any to begin with).
As Daniel Webster wrote, at the close of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, "Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the People against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
Volume 79 HERE WE GO AGAIN!
As of 12:30 p.m. EST we have not as yet embarked on another war as the 'leaders' of our great nation forces us to become the 'policemen' of the universe. However, now with House Speaker John Boenmer support, the President will certainly stike against the present Syrian regime under some type of 'humanitarian argument' but please don't attempt to sell us again the American Security argument as we've been sold that product under the disquise of the 'domino theory' to WMD.
Lets face the ugly fact that the Twin Towers would still be standing if some federal authorities had gotten off their collective 'fat asses' and acted upon all available intel but failed, thus allowing a few radical Muslum underachievers to 'show off' to the world and kill 3,000 U.S. citiizens. We refuse to understand history and have no understanding whatsoever of the Middle East or Asia, countries with five thousand years of history, and yet continue to refuse to protect the borders of this great country.
It is time to return to a foreign policy that puts America's security first and no one has yet to prove (again) that this intervention into Syria's civil war is a security threat to America. Defending our nation is the federal government's most importand duty, not humanitarian responses to countries that hate us. If our National Security is, in fact, at risk then get a Declaration of War from Congress, Go fight it, Win it and get it Over with (unlike Korea,Vietnam, Iraq and Afcanistan).
I have deep feelings for all the millions of innocent people within the Middle East who have suffered at the hands of their tyrannical leadership over their thousands of years of history. I sincerely hope that there exists a special place in Hell for these tyrannical bastards that kill innocent women and children but they are not our responsibility. The people that live, work and struggle as legitimate U.S. citizens are our responsibility and its about time that we take care of ourselves and enforce the laws of this country within our country rather then spending hundreds of billions of dollars in and for countries that burn our flag and call for our distruction. We have over 900 military installations in over 150 countries and our National Security has been compromised because our troops are spread all over the universe and we can't protect even our own borders, and going broke attempting to be the world's policeman.
(Back to Syria for a moment and the forthcoming decision to attack)...the very reason that I'm a Constitutional Conservative with a Liberatarian slant is because today it doesn't matter if you're a Republican or Democrat; its all the same, its WHO IS IN OFFICE that makes the rule. Don't understand? Ok........here's a quote from now Vice President Joe Biden in 2007 "The president has no constittional authority...to take this nation to war...unless we're attacked or unless there is proof we are about to be attacked. And if he does, I would move to impeach him." Enough said!
Lets face the ugly fact that the Twin Towers would still be standing if some federal authorities had gotten off their collective 'fat asses' and acted upon all available intel but failed, thus allowing a few radical Muslum underachievers to 'show off' to the world and kill 3,000 U.S. citiizens. We refuse to understand history and have no understanding whatsoever of the Middle East or Asia, countries with five thousand years of history, and yet continue to refuse to protect the borders of this great country.
It is time to return to a foreign policy that puts America's security first and no one has yet to prove (again) that this intervention into Syria's civil war is a security threat to America. Defending our nation is the federal government's most importand duty, not humanitarian responses to countries that hate us. If our National Security is, in fact, at risk then get a Declaration of War from Congress, Go fight it, Win it and get it Over with (unlike Korea,Vietnam, Iraq and Afcanistan).
I have deep feelings for all the millions of innocent people within the Middle East who have suffered at the hands of their tyrannical leadership over their thousands of years of history. I sincerely hope that there exists a special place in Hell for these tyrannical bastards that kill innocent women and children but they are not our responsibility. The people that live, work and struggle as legitimate U.S. citizens are our responsibility and its about time that we take care of ourselves and enforce the laws of this country within our country rather then spending hundreds of billions of dollars in and for countries that burn our flag and call for our distruction. We have over 900 military installations in over 150 countries and our National Security has been compromised because our troops are spread all over the universe and we can't protect even our own borders, and going broke attempting to be the world's policeman.
(Back to Syria for a moment and the forthcoming decision to attack)...the very reason that I'm a Constitutional Conservative with a Liberatarian slant is because today it doesn't matter if you're a Republican or Democrat; its all the same, its WHO IS IN OFFICE that makes the rule. Don't understand? Ok........here's a quote from now Vice President Joe Biden in 2007 "The president has no constittional authority...to take this nation to war...unless we're attacked or unless there is proof we are about to be attacked. And if he does, I would move to impeach him." Enough said!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Volume 78 The Consensus of Stupidity
....As I'm sitting in my local bar attempting to wash away a terrible sales day at my company, a group of golfers start arriving after their Wednesday afternoon round of golf. I'm familiar with most of them as we all live within this small town of under 10,000 people. They all gather at the other end of the bar from where I'm sitting and carry on about their round of golf, paying up bets, arguing about shots made or missed, the usual conversations that takes place with guys after a round of golf. One of the players, who I've known for over forty years waves me over to the other side of the bar to join them. Actually I've been doing quite well with my 'shots' of chilled Crown and Bud Lite (to the extent that the bartender placed 'my' fifth in the beer cooling rather than having 'to shake with ice') and the last thing I needed was to join in with the golfing group; nevertheless, against my better judgement, which was obviously somewhat clouded, I moved to the seat next to (lets call him) Ralph.
After the normal pleasantries of asking about their round of golf, my 'friend' asked about my day and I simply stated the sales were very slow and I'm very disgusted with the economy and 'those' in Washington. I should have remained on the other side of the bar for my 'friend's' next statemnt was "you can certainly blame this economic mess on Bush and those Republicans". Being the smart ass that I am, I asked him if he meant 41 or 43 to which there was no response, as he had no clue. Needless to say the conversation only went 'down hill' and, of course, I added to the fuel mixture by stating (in response to his anti-Bush statement) that I was a Constitutional Conservative with some Libertarian leanings. My 'friend' is a third generation Democrat (I'm a second) born and raised in Northeastern Ohio which is actually the point within this writing as it defines the lunacy of 'blue and red' thinking.
As I stated in my previous writing "there exists no true diversity of opinion, multiple ideological perspectives, creative thinking and decision making skills." I guess it also applies to older generations since (obviously) many believe that the politics of the 50's, 60's, 70's and very early 80's are the same today. They are ingrained with the thinking that Democarts are 'for the people' and Republicans are 'for the rich'. The facts however show that 'our' elected officials in Washington, whether 'blue or red', have no idea what it is to struggle with a small business, health care issues, balancing budgets, clueless as to what an income and balance sheet represents and further they don't care. Why would they? They have spent millions of dollars in getting elected which now guarantees them income (same income which they presently make even at one term in office) for the rest of their lives, a health care plan that is of no cost and delivers the very best of the medical field, no bugets to balance, and can raise OUR debt ceilings at will.
It seems to me that if one is to argue Politics, one ought to at least have some thoughts that are original and not part of the rhetoric concerning 'Democrats and Rebulicans' of today's ilk. I think one ought to acknowledge the fact that within Cabinet appintments made by President Obama that less than 8% of the appointments have prior private sector experience and that is the lowest in 100 years. Acknowledgement of facts as to increases in debt per administration or Tax plans as it pertains to payment of food stamps, health care, illegal immrigrants and the rest of the 'free stuff' since it will negatively affect those who actually work for a living and those that actually need assistance, medical or otherwise.
Or other facts:
* Federal spending highest since World War II
* Budget deficit highest since World War II
* Percentage of taxpayers paing income lowest in modern era
* Home ownership rate lowest since 1965
* Government dependency defined as the percentage of persons receiving one or more federal benefit payments highest in American history without accountability
Unfortunately Socialism has taken root and now producing seed; but who cares as long as government, 'Blue or Red', takes care of us and obviously knows what is best.
Back to my chilled 'Crown' not to be confused with 'clowns' who have taken up much too much of my drinking time.
After the normal pleasantries of asking about their round of golf, my 'friend' asked about my day and I simply stated the sales were very slow and I'm very disgusted with the economy and 'those' in Washington. I should have remained on the other side of the bar for my 'friend's' next statemnt was "you can certainly blame this economic mess on Bush and those Republicans". Being the smart ass that I am, I asked him if he meant 41 or 43 to which there was no response, as he had no clue. Needless to say the conversation only went 'down hill' and, of course, I added to the fuel mixture by stating (in response to his anti-Bush statement) that I was a Constitutional Conservative with some Libertarian leanings. My 'friend' is a third generation Democrat (I'm a second) born and raised in Northeastern Ohio which is actually the point within this writing as it defines the lunacy of 'blue and red' thinking.
As I stated in my previous writing "there exists no true diversity of opinion, multiple ideological perspectives, creative thinking and decision making skills." I guess it also applies to older generations since (obviously) many believe that the politics of the 50's, 60's, 70's and very early 80's are the same today. They are ingrained with the thinking that Democarts are 'for the people' and Republicans are 'for the rich'. The facts however show that 'our' elected officials in Washington, whether 'blue or red', have no idea what it is to struggle with a small business, health care issues, balancing budgets, clueless as to what an income and balance sheet represents and further they don't care. Why would they? They have spent millions of dollars in getting elected which now guarantees them income (same income which they presently make even at one term in office) for the rest of their lives, a health care plan that is of no cost and delivers the very best of the medical field, no bugets to balance, and can raise OUR debt ceilings at will.
It seems to me that if one is to argue Politics, one ought to at least have some thoughts that are original and not part of the rhetoric concerning 'Democrats and Rebulicans' of today's ilk. I think one ought to acknowledge the fact that within Cabinet appintments made by President Obama that less than 8% of the appointments have prior private sector experience and that is the lowest in 100 years. Acknowledgement of facts as to increases in debt per administration or Tax plans as it pertains to payment of food stamps, health care, illegal immrigrants and the rest of the 'free stuff' since it will negatively affect those who actually work for a living and those that actually need assistance, medical or otherwise.
Or other facts:
* Federal spending highest since World War II
* Budget deficit highest since World War II
* Percentage of taxpayers paing income lowest in modern era
* Home ownership rate lowest since 1965
* Government dependency defined as the percentage of persons receiving one or more federal benefit payments highest in American history without accountability
Unfortunately Socialism has taken root and now producing seed; but who cares as long as government, 'Blue or Red', takes care of us and obviously knows what is best.
Back to my chilled 'Crown' not to be confused with 'clowns' who have taken up much too much of my drinking time.
Thursday, August 01, 2013
Volume 77 (The Sabatical is over) Why is a generation of workforce/students a disappointment?
WOW! It's now been over two and half years since my last post. Amazing what happens over that period of time with the bigger question 'simply why write again'? What does one have to say that is so damn important as to write it down? The truth of the matter is 'nothing' and 'I don't know'. It's just therapy; a formulation of thoughts put to pen. So, after a couple of years the 'sabbatical is over; let's just jump!
To some this would be a most unusual question, since today we are under the impression that our 'kids' (last two generations actually) are the 'best and brightest.' They have grown up a digital society and can instinctively use, program, solve all types of electronic gadgetry. It isn't only the advancement of the digital age, our 'kids' now speak plainly of diversity of race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. Our liberal sense of thinking gives us the illusion that we are advancing into higher and higher arenas of intellect and promise. Yet, we are sadly mistaken. Our present generation of workforce is far unqualified for such lofty thoughts of promise. Not only is our present generation a failure, the next generations could be worse.
Granted our 'kids' are wizards with the new electronic gadgets that hit the market everyday. Not only can these 'kids' buzz through multiple stages of the most complex computer games with hand-eye abilities never dreamed of, they are the most 'open-minded' generation to exist and can carry those discussions of diversity to certain limits of acceptance. Nevertheless, that is where the abilities stop and possibly where the problems start.
You see it is my theory that although all of the above is true especially when discussing certain abilities and discussions, there exists however no true diversity of opinion, multiple ideological perspectives, creative thinking and decision making skills. Our last two generations endless sensitivity to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and entitlements outstretches the desire or process for the development of innovative solutions to our problems be it national or local in nature; thus, we have processes upon process upon discussions never ending and no results.
Today's opinions, that do exist, come from genius marketers, advertising gurus, media experts and 'pitchmen' that make the 'snake oil doctor' look infantile. Their thought processes are influenced by instantaneous messaging, political correctness and entitlement (yes, using that word again) without any perspective of history and creativity solely based on a click of a device not a 'click' of brain thought prowess.
Is this because our educational system is less than adequate? Is it because we as educational students don't even rank in the the top twenty nations of the world in math and science? Is it because our workforce/students have no basis of history, even modern American history? Is it because we, as a nation, are so politically correct yet so ignorant of other countries and people (other than what our Media presents as fact)? I haven't any idea, just an old man writing for therapy.
To some this would be a most unusual question, since today we are under the impression that our 'kids' (last two generations actually) are the 'best and brightest.' They have grown up a digital society and can instinctively use, program, solve all types of electronic gadgetry. It isn't only the advancement of the digital age, our 'kids' now speak plainly of diversity of race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. Our liberal sense of thinking gives us the illusion that we are advancing into higher and higher arenas of intellect and promise. Yet, we are sadly mistaken. Our present generation of workforce is far unqualified for such lofty thoughts of promise. Not only is our present generation a failure, the next generations could be worse.
Granted our 'kids' are wizards with the new electronic gadgets that hit the market everyday. Not only can these 'kids' buzz through multiple stages of the most complex computer games with hand-eye abilities never dreamed of, they are the most 'open-minded' generation to exist and can carry those discussions of diversity to certain limits of acceptance. Nevertheless, that is where the abilities stop and possibly where the problems start.
You see it is my theory that although all of the above is true especially when discussing certain abilities and discussions, there exists however no true diversity of opinion, multiple ideological perspectives, creative thinking and decision making skills. Our last two generations endless sensitivity to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and entitlements outstretches the desire or process for the development of innovative solutions to our problems be it national or local in nature; thus, we have processes upon process upon discussions never ending and no results.
Today's opinions, that do exist, come from genius marketers, advertising gurus, media experts and 'pitchmen' that make the 'snake oil doctor' look infantile. Their thought processes are influenced by instantaneous messaging, political correctness and entitlement (yes, using that word again) without any perspective of history and creativity solely based on a click of a device not a 'click' of brain thought prowess.
Is this because our educational system is less than adequate? Is it because we as educational students don't even rank in the the top twenty nations of the world in math and science? Is it because our workforce/students have no basis of history, even modern American history? Is it because we, as a nation, are so politically correct yet so ignorant of other countries and people (other than what our Media presents as fact)? I haven't any idea, just an old man writing for therapy.
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