Seven years ago or so, I become a regular in the water at a very protected spot in Laguna Beach, California. A young freckled faced kid befriended me and I quickly realized that this was a kid to be on the good side of as he lived a stone's throw from my favorite surf break. It was definitely not hard to like the kid as his good nature and friendly disposition made him stand out. I am very aggressive in the water and in competitive situations I have been known to be without smiles. This kid at ten years old had the gall to give me the nickname "Smiles" or "Smiley" and to this day it has stuck as good as any I had ever been given growing up. I call him Sammer.
If you ride the surf at this beach regularly, it is impossible not to run into Sam. I used to joke with him that he was the mayor of the beach. No joke, he had a presence about him at the beach that kind of made you think he was the beach's protector. He is the kind of kid that stops you dead in your tracks and you think, "Wow, what a tremendous young man and what a great job his parents have done". He is friendly with neighbors and return visitors to this secluded beach and it would be safe to say that he has an extended family of adults and kids who frequent the beach and look out for him. I happened to roll thru town one day, and despite knowing there was no surf, I decided to check the waves anyways. A short, gray haired man was standing outside of the gate to the Sammer's house and he was busy attacking a pile of fallen leaves in the garden with a rake. He stopped to talk with neighbors as they walked their dogs passing the house,and I decided to introduce myself and give him some hand me down clothes to give to Sam. Now I had never met Big Earl as I will call him, but I knew from Sam that he was stern and very religiously convicted. He broke into a big smile when I told him that I was smiley. I guess when your kid comes home and tells you that he surfed with Smiley you would have to wonder who this Smiley character is. I struck up a conversation with him and before you know it, I had been talking to him for 20 minutes. I got to understand his parental philosophy and concluded that his son was largely a product of a loving home with good discipline. He told me that he wanted to keep his son out of Orange County's youthful fascination with drugs, and he expressed a little worry that some of these wreckless Laguna Beach kids with little or no adult supervision, would influence his son. All parents are concerned about these things, but maybe he did not understand how well he had done with his wife to keep Sam well-grounded and respectful of adults.
As I have watched him grow up over the last few years, not only have I become like a big brother to Sam, but also I also have become his friend. He has earned every ounce of respect that I have given him and it would feel like family was missing if I showed up to my favorite beach and he was not there. Recently, I had the opportunity to include Sam in a private event at Wave House. I promised him that I would not leave him behind when we went to San Diego to ride the Flow Rider. The funny thing is Sam is a minor and we had to get Big Earl to sign a death and dismemberment permission slip so his son could ride. Somehow I think Earl knew I would make sure that he was safe and protected. I wondered though how he would respond because to this day I can picture the look on my parent's faces when I asked permission to do something dangerous.
Several months back I was told that Sam's Grandfather's (Big Earl's Dad) health was failing and that he did not have long to live. During the final days, the shocker was that Big Earl was also on limited time with a diagnosis of inoperable pancreatic cancer. Tonite, I was informed of his passing this morning. I had just worked on a paper with his son to get turned in this morning. He was in great spirits with the work we did on his essay. Knowing that Earl was sick, I was happy to help his son. In talking with Sam, I was aware that Big Earl was deteriorating fast and he did not want to see anyone. I had planned on sending a note thru his son to tell him that as long as his son wanted help or advice of any kind, that he could count on me to be there. A 16 year old kid should not lose a grandparent and a parent in a 45 day period. We don't perfectly understand God's plan for us but this provide's another example of how life can seem grossly unfair. May you rest in peace Earl, never to be forgotten and leaving cherished memories with the family you left behind so early and unexpectedly. I suspect God's got an amazing plan for you. Just know that you did a tremendous job with your kids and that you can rest easy as a proud husband and father who did things right. Your legacy will be carried on by your kids and maybe even more importantly Sam, who will shine as a big brother to his sisters and a good son to the wife and mother who must move on. I suspect he will be tested but know he will provide the support and guidance your family needs during these tough times. Rest In Peace Earl!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Chargers-Reason To Be Excited? Perhaps Not Thanks To AJ Smith
Years back I received as a Christmas gift a Charger's jersey with none other than Dan Fouts name on the back. The air attack in the late Don Coryell's offensive scheming had me hooked. The problem was that their extremely potent offense was accompanied by a defense with more holes than Swiss Cheese. Nonetheless, I was hooked because the air show became the theme for our mock Charger games and player emulation that we did as kids in the streets, fields and play grounds.
Fast Forward 3 decades and I remain a Charger Fan. Even when they have the best record in the league, the Chargers find a way to punk out and let opportunities slide right by them. AJ Smith, has used talent evaluation to keep San Diego in an upper echelon of NFL Teams. But yet, they still can't win the big games.
Meanwhile AJ has alientated Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill both of whom are important to the team. My opinion, is that they cannot afford to let those guys go but once AJ makes up his mind, he seems to have the inability to question his decisions and arrive at the best answer for the Chargers. The Chargers are clearly not better off without these two outstanding talents. Pride gets in the way of a lot of things, and Aj should already expect that the Chargers will lose some games because Norv Turner is drum roll plese............Norv Turner. His poor game management will cost them atleast a couple of close games.
So Excited is probably not the word. I am happy to see a dreadful baseball season fade away into the fall and football to take over. As for the Chargers, best to expect the worst and avoid the disappointment that shrouds a team that is oh so close but yet so far.
AJ, get Jackson and McNeil signed and stop letting your pride to dictate poor personel decisions. It's a business. A business that needs key personel!
Fast Forward 3 decades and I remain a Charger Fan. Even when they have the best record in the league, the Chargers find a way to punk out and let opportunities slide right by them. AJ Smith, has used talent evaluation to keep San Diego in an upper echelon of NFL Teams. But yet, they still can't win the big games.
Meanwhile AJ has alientated Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill both of whom are important to the team. My opinion, is that they cannot afford to let those guys go but once AJ makes up his mind, he seems to have the inability to question his decisions and arrive at the best answer for the Chargers. The Chargers are clearly not better off without these two outstanding talents. Pride gets in the way of a lot of things, and Aj should already expect that the Chargers will lose some games because Norv Turner is drum roll plese............Norv Turner. His poor game management will cost them atleast a couple of close games.
So Excited is probably not the word. I am happy to see a dreadful baseball season fade away into the fall and football to take over. As for the Chargers, best to expect the worst and avoid the disappointment that shrouds a team that is oh so close but yet so far.
AJ, get Jackson and McNeil signed and stop letting your pride to dictate poor personel decisions. It's a business. A business that needs key personel!
Who Was She? Why Did This Happen
Not this past weeked but the weekend before, I attended a Saturday event in Huntington Beach related . It was a very good meeting with opportunities to network and learn more about the affiliate marketing industry. It was put together nicely and featured knowledgeable speakers that allowed a packed room to pick the brains of industry leaders.
It was an enjoyable event but it would be the lady who decided to take her life in a jump from the top of a parking structure that made the biggest impact on me. I did not see it personally and must have missed the horrible event that unfolded by a couple of minutes. As I waited at the traffic light just outside the parking structure, sirens blared with police coming from all directions. It was only after I called back to fellow event attendees that I learned what happened.
Why am I so captivated by this awful tragedy? Maybe it happened too close to home. Maybe it was the fact that it received very little if any media coverage? Aren't we responsible for helping each other in times of need? I believe we are and was disheartened by the lack of attention given to an event that I pray does not repeat itself with others who are at the end of their rope.
Who was she? Why did this happen? Did she leave family behind? Unanswered questions abound. I emailed the local orange county newspaper about the lack of coverage and how the treatment of the woman's death made it feel like she did not matter. It does matter! She mattered! I pleaded to the paper to use tragic stories like this to offer non-profit counseling centers to those that feel like she does.
The ecomomy has tested us all. It's tested our families, our companies, our friends, our faith, our confidence and our view of the future. If things were too much for this woman, who else out there feels like she did? We should take a negative story, clearly a tragic end to life, and spin it with an offer of people willing to help others.
The tone of my email was strong and definitive in my view of the press's coverage of this story. Reporting does not have to be just reporting of the facts. The representative that I have corresponded believes to some extent that we need to do something. The question is, can decision makers for the newspaper take this opportunity to send life rafts to others in need after a terrible event begs us to think about the possibility that people all around us desperately need our help.
Coverage can be seen here:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38935763/ns/local_news-orange_county_ca/
It was an enjoyable event but it would be the lady who decided to take her life in a jump from the top of a parking structure that made the biggest impact on me. I did not see it personally and must have missed the horrible event that unfolded by a couple of minutes. As I waited at the traffic light just outside the parking structure, sirens blared with police coming from all directions. It was only after I called back to fellow event attendees that I learned what happened.
Why am I so captivated by this awful tragedy? Maybe it happened too close to home. Maybe it was the fact that it received very little if any media coverage? Aren't we responsible for helping each other in times of need? I believe we are and was disheartened by the lack of attention given to an event that I pray does not repeat itself with others who are at the end of their rope.
Who was she? Why did this happen? Did she leave family behind? Unanswered questions abound. I emailed the local orange county newspaper about the lack of coverage and how the treatment of the woman's death made it feel like she did not matter. It does matter! She mattered! I pleaded to the paper to use tragic stories like this to offer non-profit counseling centers to those that feel like she does.
The ecomomy has tested us all. It's tested our families, our companies, our friends, our faith, our confidence and our view of the future. If things were too much for this woman, who else out there feels like she did? We should take a negative story, clearly a tragic end to life, and spin it with an offer of people willing to help others.
The tone of my email was strong and definitive in my view of the press's coverage of this story. Reporting does not have to be just reporting of the facts. The representative that I have corresponded believes to some extent that we need to do something. The question is, can decision makers for the newspaper take this opportunity to send life rafts to others in need after a terrible event begs us to think about the possibility that people all around us desperately need our help.
Coverage can be seen here:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38935763/ns/local_news-orange_county_ca/
Friday, May 7, 2010
Debt Settlement Aged Internet Leads- The Ladies Will Show You How To Close Them
The inbound call environment enjoyed by the Debt Settlement Industry has created a herd of catered to, lazy and entitled salesman. They demand that owners feed them with leads from tv and radio which continue to see and escalation in price and a deterioration of quality. Sounds like a recipe for disaster does it not?
Anyways, I have a group on the east coast which is a middle-aged group of women selling debt settlement services. Why is this significant? It is noteworthy because these empty nest mothers, widows and wives take aged internet leads and just crush them for all the juice they have wasting not one lead. They do not require $50-$70 inbound calls and truthfully they do not feel like they are missing out. Their whole operation is not only purchasing just aged debt settlement internet leads but also they are growing evidenced by their recent expansion.
I salute these women. I have heard them talk to people and sell, and it is clear that they are "Get It" Sales Women! They have a deeper connection with people and they draw on their experiences as women, mothers, and wives that are relevant to the experiences of real people in horrible financial situations. There is a certain empathy here that is powerful. This is reinforced by in depth knowledge of the product and a plan on how to get familied out of debt and back on track! Any group that can make this work has guts. Where they succeed daily, many others have failed. They have the same opportunities that everyone else who purchases them has. I would put this group of shining start up against anyone in the country. They understand that tons of people need help and that companies over buy leads with reps that are too young, too inexperienced and to ill-equipped to do well with aged internet leads. The gals treat these leads like gold and the leads pay them back a king's ransom!!!
To join the ladies at the top, call Robert Brack Lead Research Group to get your batch of aged debt settlement internet leads. If you can't close them, my favorite gals will! 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430
Anyways, I have a group on the east coast which is a middle-aged group of women selling debt settlement services. Why is this significant? It is noteworthy because these empty nest mothers, widows and wives take aged internet leads and just crush them for all the juice they have wasting not one lead. They do not require $50-$70 inbound calls and truthfully they do not feel like they are missing out. Their whole operation is not only purchasing just aged debt settlement internet leads but also they are growing evidenced by their recent expansion.
I salute these women. I have heard them talk to people and sell, and it is clear that they are "Get It" Sales Women! They have a deeper connection with people and they draw on their experiences as women, mothers, and wives that are relevant to the experiences of real people in horrible financial situations. There is a certain empathy here that is powerful. This is reinforced by in depth knowledge of the product and a plan on how to get familied out of debt and back on track! Any group that can make this work has guts. Where they succeed daily, many others have failed. They have the same opportunities that everyone else who purchases them has. I would put this group of shining start up against anyone in the country. They understand that tons of people need help and that companies over buy leads with reps that are too young, too inexperienced and to ill-equipped to do well with aged internet leads. The gals treat these leads like gold and the leads pay them back a king's ransom!!!
To join the ladies at the top, call Robert Brack Lead Research Group to get your batch of aged debt settlement internet leads. If you can't close them, my favorite gals will! 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430
Lead Research Group Rocks Data!
Lead Research Group has established itself as a leader in wholesale data. With roots in telemarketing campaigns, account representatives at this rapidly growing Huntington Beach marketing company have a tremdous background in phone sales and the fundamentals of data filtering. I get these emails every week with companies pitching lists with a listed cost, as if you could just pull it right off the shelf. It appears to be the old one size fits all approach with the goal of just dumping off some data on a customer. No thought goes into the data. No dialogue or discussion with a customer that provides relevant information that can be used to more effectively target data. None of this, just here are our lists, buy our lists!!! This falls way short of the effort I like to provide to customers data needs at Lead Research Group.
Telemarketers and Mailers need good data strategies. Companies employing these strategies need firms and reps that interact with their clients, ask questions, and formulate plans to filter data for higher contact ratios and enhanced sales. There is no perfect answer to data but the pursuit of perfection by a data provider will ultimately help end users with performance and sales.
If you have had campaigns in mail or telemarketing that have suffered or performed poorly, call me. Lead Research Group has blessed me with the opportunity to truly help you. I try and deliver on this every day and many companies continue to rely on my knowledge and advice for their data needs for mail and phone campaings.
Call Robert Brack Lead Research Group for data. Good Prices, Solid Strategies, Quality Data, Lead Research Group! 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430.
Telemarketers and Mailers need good data strategies. Companies employing these strategies need firms and reps that interact with their clients, ask questions, and formulate plans to filter data for higher contact ratios and enhanced sales. There is no perfect answer to data but the pursuit of perfection by a data provider will ultimately help end users with performance and sales.
If you have had campaigns in mail or telemarketing that have suffered or performed poorly, call me. Lead Research Group has blessed me with the opportunity to truly help you. I try and deliver on this every day and many companies continue to rely on my knowledge and advice for their data needs for mail and phone campaings.
Call Robert Brack Lead Research Group for data. Good Prices, Solid Strategies, Quality Data, Lead Research Group! 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Debt Settlement Internet Leads
Lead Research Group is a premiere provider of semi and exclusive internet leads. Historical Metrics and Customer Feedback indicate strong contact ratios, high average debt loads and profitable conversion.
We see on average 25-28k in debt on our leads with a large percentage of reorders. On the semi's we have simultaneous delivery so that no company has a competitive edge in our delivery. It then leaves companies to their own follow up procedures to attack the leads to close them down. We filter everything thru Targus for verification and call center verify any lead that has a flag before sending back to the end user.
Feedback positive and negative on each and every campaign is encouraged so that we can continue to tighten up our strategies to offer debt settlement companies leads with high contact rations, good conversions, enrollable debt amounts and affordable solutions for their marketing.
When you profit we all win!!!
For an Exclusive or Semi Exclusive Internet Debt Settlement Campaign Call Robert Brack Lead Research Group 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430
We see on average 25-28k in debt on our leads with a large percentage of reorders. On the semi's we have simultaneous delivery so that no company has a competitive edge in our delivery. It then leaves companies to their own follow up procedures to attack the leads to close them down. We filter everything thru Targus for verification and call center verify any lead that has a flag before sending back to the end user.
Feedback positive and negative on each and every campaign is encouraged so that we can continue to tighten up our strategies to offer debt settlement companies leads with high contact rations, good conversions, enrollable debt amounts and affordable solutions for their marketing.
When you profit we all win!!!
For an Exclusive or Semi Exclusive Internet Debt Settlement Campaign Call Robert Brack Lead Research Group 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430
Mail and Telemarketing Data
Lead Research Group is phenomenal with data. As a wholesale data provider this Huntington Beach Gorilla offers the best filtering options on the market at fabulous prices.
You have a target, we will help you stick it. Whether you are mailing or telemarketing there is a data solution for you.
We have bite size packages and whale size deals with HUGE VOLUME Discouns. There are no companies too BIG and no companies too SMALL. We have a solution for you!
Call Robert Brack Lead Research Group 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430
You have a target, we will help you stick it. Whether you are mailing or telemarketing there is a data solution for you.
We have bite size packages and whale size deals with HUGE VOLUME Discouns. There are no companies too BIG and no companies too SMALL. We have a solution for you!
Call Robert Brack Lead Research Group 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Two Things Debt Settlement Inbound Call Reps Must Do In Sales
In order for sales reps to give themselves a shot, I believe they must do two things.
1) Ask whomever is calling in "How are you doing today/tonite/this morning"?
Why: People like to feel connected. Who does not like to feel like other human beings care about them? Find me someone who says they don't and I will call B.S.!
2) Transfer Enthusiasm
Why: Sales prospects are attracted to people that have positive energy and charisma. Some would say it is the law of attraction. Perceptions about a company are formed in the first few minutes of a call. Enthusiasm says to a client that the rep believes in the product and loves the company that they work for.
Remember perception is reality. How do you want your company, reps and products to be perceived?
Lead Research Group offers a free inbound call approach webinar for debt settlement companies on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am PST. Please go to www.explodeyourphones.com and click on the shortcut to the direct response webinar, Hope to have you there!
1) Ask whomever is calling in "How are you doing today/tonite/this morning"?
Why: People like to feel connected. Who does not like to feel like other human beings care about them? Find me someone who says they don't and I will call B.S.!
2) Transfer Enthusiasm
Why: Sales prospects are attracted to people that have positive energy and charisma. Some would say it is the law of attraction. Perceptions about a company are formed in the first few minutes of a call. Enthusiasm says to a client that the rep believes in the product and loves the company that they work for.
Remember perception is reality. How do you want your company, reps and products to be perceived?
Lead Research Group offers a free inbound call approach webinar for debt settlement companies on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am PST. Please go to www.explodeyourphones.com and click on the shortcut to the direct response webinar, Hope to have you there!
The Data Difference!!!!
Telemarketing and Mailing should be done with intelligent design as it relates to the data and prospect targeting. If it were that easy to blanket people and get the right response, I would put the mail in the mailboxes myself.
It's not that easy. Data is intricate and should be carefully considered when mailing and telemarketing. Filters can be used to an advantage and disadvantage. Sometimes less filters is a prudent strategy and sometimes more filters is the sound approach.
When data is being purchased, you will need someone that can navigate you thru the treacherous waters of data. Do not allow myopic data sales people to help strand you on a dry reef in angry seas only to have your marketing campaign shattered against the jagged rocks.
Just as you would hire a veteran sea captain, you should work with reputable data people. I don't have all of the answers but can tell you two things: 1) the answers you seek in data are available thru dialogue with a knowledgeable data provider 2) when I don't have the answer I look to a circle of data experts that have accepted me and have given me insight as to absolute best practices in obtaining and filtering data effectively. Their continued mentorship of me is a blessing and boost to anyone working with us for data.
Consider Lead Research Group for your next data purchase. Lead Research Group is a wholesale data provider with a mantra of growing its clients. Call Robert Brack of Lead Research Group 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430
It's not that easy. Data is intricate and should be carefully considered when mailing and telemarketing. Filters can be used to an advantage and disadvantage. Sometimes less filters is a prudent strategy and sometimes more filters is the sound approach.
When data is being purchased, you will need someone that can navigate you thru the treacherous waters of data. Do not allow myopic data sales people to help strand you on a dry reef in angry seas only to have your marketing campaign shattered against the jagged rocks.
Just as you would hire a veteran sea captain, you should work with reputable data people. I don't have all of the answers but can tell you two things: 1) the answers you seek in data are available thru dialogue with a knowledgeable data provider 2) when I don't have the answer I look to a circle of data experts that have accepted me and have given me insight as to absolute best practices in obtaining and filtering data effectively. Their continued mentorship of me is a blessing and boost to anyone working with us for data.
Consider Lead Research Group for your next data purchase. Lead Research Group is a wholesale data provider with a mantra of growing its clients. Call Robert Brack of Lead Research Group 800-884-8371 Ext. 5430
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