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The Make-it-Fly®
Café last Thursday was truly overwhelming for us. Members
from one of the Alumni Advisory Boards hijacked the entire event!
Having heard of some challenges we currently face,
they turned the evening into a “Return the Favor”
occasion. We were deeply touched and humbled by the overwhelming
outpouring of heartfelt love from everyone. We are grateful and
feel very honored to have so many caring and creative clients.
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At the start of each
Make-it-Fly® Alumni Advisory Board,
members share their successes and challenges of the previous 30
days. They also share helpful business tips with fellow board
members. Some of these tips are too good to keep to ourselves,
so we plan to share them with you in our new Quick Biz Tips
& Ideas, which we’ll send out alternately with
In-Flight Refueling.
Our very best regards,
Dave and Victoria
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| Gary
Cruson
G&S Mountain Recyclers
Gary Cruson is doggedly committed
to keeping our environment healthy. "The
environment we protect belongs to our children," he says.
"Technology is never going away, but the way we deal with
our used equipment can be made safer. That is what G&S is
all about."
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G&S Mountain Recyclers began in 2002, when
they started working with a non-profit organization, helping with
their recycling and refurbishing. "Though we continued to
help the non-profit," Gary says, "we started recycling
for others in 2004."
Gary makes sure that G&S keeps
everything local, dismantling all equipment here,
so as not to further pollute the air and burn up more energy with
transportation. "Instead of shipping used electronics all
over the world—to places like China and Africa—like
a lot of recyclers do," Gary says. "We recycle electronic
equipment in a safe and truly environmentally friendly way—it’s
recycling the right way!"
Since identity theft is a big problem
with used computers, recycling practices are doubly
important. "Even if your hard drive has been erased, it takes
very little effort to get the information from it," Gary
says. "It either must be physically destroyed or erased with
highly sophisticated software. Other recyclers promise to do this,
but the only way you can guarantee this is by tracking. As far
as I know, no other company in the state tracks their equipment,
except by weight. We track every piece by make, model and serial
number. We have a record of what
happens to each piece and can offer a 100 percent guarantee that
the data is destroyed. We either dismantle or
refurbish and donate every item. When dismantled, hard drives
are split in half."
Q: What do you find most fulfilling
about running your business?
GC: The freedom
of time—not having to punch a time clock. I also love helping
those who are less fortunate by putting people with mental or
physical disabilities, who can’t do anything else, to work.
Seventy-five percent of our workforce is disabled. We’ve
seen improvements in very disabled people who have found a niche
in what they do for us where they can excel. It makes me smile
to watch them! We’re also a family-owned business, so I
have family there all the time, which can be good and bad.
Q: What is your background experience
in this area?
GC: I don’t
have any special background. My dad ran an office supply store,
and when I was growing up, I spent my summers cleaning typewriters
for him. I guess I’ve gone from typewriters to computers!
Q: What book has been most helpful
to you in your business?
GC: I know I should read
books, but I don’t. I’m just driven to do anything
I do better and quicker. I love challenges and solving problems.
Q: Who has influenced you most
in your life?
GC: My wife, Jean, and my
mother. Whenever I’ve had a challenge I was about to give
up on, they’ve both stood behind me and said, “You
can do it!”
Q: What has proved to be your most
successful marketing strategy?
GC: I
fly be the seat of my pants and have tried all sorts of things.
The business has grown mostly just by word of mouth.
Q: What have been the greatest
challenges you have had to overcome, or are currently facing,
in your business?
GC: Helping
people to understand that there is hazardous material in electronics
that should not be put in landfills. For instance, in a CRT monitor
there are four to six pounds of liquid lead. If it’s tossed
in a landfill that isn't lined, when it rains, that lead can go
right into the water that we and our children will drink.
Educating people so that they see their responsibility to pay
for proper recycling is a challenge. Some of my competitors don’t
charge, because they turn around and sell it overseas where there
are no restrictions on how it’s recycled. For example, there
are a couple of provinces in China where the death rate is astronomical
because of pollution from improper recycling.
Q: How did you benefit/are you
benefiting from participating in a Make-it-Fly®
board?
TS: It’s helped me
to stay more accountable, and the input from board members in
a variety of different businesses helps tremendously. They give
me ideas and stimulate me to have more ideas on top of that. One
member designed a flyer for my company, and another helped me
with donating equipment out.
Q: What would you say to other
business owners who are contemplating getting involved in a Make-it-Fly®
board?
GC: I
guess you have to decide to have an open mind to take in and act
on what others are saying. And if you do that, it’s an invaluable
tool!
Gary Cruson can be reached by phone
at: 303-682-3171. Or visit his website at: www.mountainrecyclers.com.
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|
 Dave’s
Networking Tip:
Employ
the Painless Pocket Plan.
When attending networking events, we give and receive
business cards as a means to reconnect with those we meet.
Choose one of your pockets for your own cards—those
you’ll give out when asked for them, and another
pocket for cards given to you. This will eliminate confusion
and prevent you from giving away someone else’s
card by mistake.
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 Want
to Get Ahead?
Consider a Coach
By Victoria Munro
Being the boss can be lonely.
You can’t always share your trials and triumphs or discuss
crucial issues with employees or others. But someone with whom
you can talk through a situation or challenge you’re facing
and can prove invaluable. Hiring a coach may be the answer.
In addition to acting as a sounding board and offering an objective
perspective, a coach can help in other ways. For example, most
of us know what we need to do, but may struggle to get it all
done. He or she can work with you to clarify your goals and create
a plan to reach them faster. Also, small
business owners are seldom accountable to anyone else.
A coach will hold you accountable to do what you’ve committed
to do.
What’s the Win?
Your coach can help you stay focused and on track,
overcome obstacles, recognize and avoid potential hazards, and
identify blind spots and self-defeating patterns that will hinder
or sabotage your success.
With the right coach in your corner—someone who will listen,
draw out solutions, challenge, motivate and strategize with you—your
business can leap light years ahead. Whether you’re a business
of one or a hundred, you’ll profit from the support and
encouragement. Having someone to spur you on to reach your goals,
and celebrate your successes with you is a big win!
What could this company do that would make doing business with
them easier or more profitable for you? Are there other services
or products that you would appreciate the company offering?
Find the Right Coach for You
If you decide to hire a coach, start by clarifying
what you hope to gain. Ask for referrals from those you trust,
take time to call and interview them. Find out about their background
and whom they typically work with. It’s a good idea to have
a list of questions ready to ask. You need to be comfortable with
this person and feel that you “connect.” Make sure
he or she has similar values to your own, understands and will
support you. Ask for at least three references and check on them.
Make the Most of Your Coaching
Remember, coaching is a two-way process. You may
receive the best advice and suggestions, but you will have to
do the work. Set aside time to work on assignments and your weekly
meetings. Be open to learn, see and do things differently. Discuss
issues, problems and opportunities you’re facing; often
the process of talking is all you need. Always, keep your goals
clearly in view.
Coach, Consultant, Strategist—What’s
the Difference?
John Zentgraf of Catalyst Performance Group LLC explains, “A
consultant brings outside expertise, usually in specific areas,
that the client needs. Whereas a coach assumes that the answer
lies within the client—his or her role is to awaken clients
to the possibilities they may not be aware of and to expand their
options.” With more than 20 years as a successful business
owner, John sees himself as both a consultant and a coach. He
emphasizes the importance of clearly defining what you’re
looking for: a coach, a consultant or a blend of the two.
Terri Starck of Point
B Strategies agrees. She views her role as a strategist. “A
coach may give you pre-defined business solutions,” Terri
says, “But a strategist listens to where you want to go
and then leverages your strengths, obstacles, and life experiences
to launch you to levels where you always wanted to go but were
afraid you would never reach.”
Hire Your Own Cheerleader
Having the right coach to encourage, challenge
and support you—your own personal cheerleader—can
save you years of hard work, frustration and missed opportunities,
and help you avoid mistakes and get where to want to go.
Click
here for the printable version.
Click
here to read more articles like this one.
Forward
this email to a friend.
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|
Victoria’s
Marketing Advice
Put Yourself in Your Customers’
Shoes
When writing marketing copy for your services
or products, look at it from a client’s perspective.
Your clients are likely busy people. Do you tell the client
what’s in it for
them right away? Make sure what you say
passes the “so what?” test by offering a solution
you know they want. |
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Please check
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| READING THIS AD? THEN WHY
NOT PUT YOURS HERE TOO? The In-Flight Refueling
Ezine reaches more than 2,300 entrepreneurs,
small-biz owners, consultants and marketers. Reserve
your advertising spot today in the next In-Flight Refueling
Ezine,
http://www.make-it-fly.com/ezineads.html.
Paid Advertising Disclaimer: Make-it-Fly®
LLC does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability
of any of the paid advertisements above or the quality of any
products, services, information, or other materials displayed,
purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection
with any ad. It's common sense to do your own due diligence before
purchasing any product.
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The
Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101
Each
Make-it-Fly® Advisory Board 101 program
consists of 12 non-competing business owners who meet once a month
for three consecutive months. In the spirit of giving, they offer
each other solutions, ideas, resources and encouragement. Dave
and Victoria facilitate each group and share powerful tools to
assist business owners in reaching their goals and living more
balanced lives.
If you have experienced a Make-it-Fly®
program, please share the following openings with other business
owners who need support. Call Dave for more information at 720-962-8888.
Programs are held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Current program openings in Denver:
- Fridays - May 2, June 6, July 11, 2008
- Thursdays - July 31, August 28, September 25, 2008
- Fridays - September 9, October 5, November 2, 2008
Click
here to sign up for Advisory
Boards.
Or call Dave at 720-962-8888.
Alumni
Boards are groups of 12-14 small business owners who have
participated in at least one Make-it-Fly®
Advisory Board 101 and wish to continue the support and accountability
with a group of like-minded, giving business associates. Members
meet once a month for a three-hour meeting.
If you completed the initial Make-it-Fly®
Advisory Board 101 and are interested in more information on Alumni
Boards, call Dave at 720-962-8888.
Make-it-Fly®
Café
High altitude networking, where exceptional people help each
other.
Next
Café is scheduled for
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2008
Time: 4:30 to
7 p.m.
Location: Maloney's Tavern,
1432 Market Street, Denver.
Click
here for details and special parking arrangements.
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Click
here to read previous issues of Make-it-Fly®'s
email newsletters.
Contact
Make-it-Fly® - Dave and Victoria:
email: info@make-it-fly.com
voice: 720-962-8888
web: www.Make-it-Fly.com
Reprint
Permission:
Please email or call Victoria if you'd like to reprint any information
contained in this newsletter. Thanks! © Copyright 2008. All
rights reserved.
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Make-it-Fly®
LLC
720-962-8888
355 South Teller Street, Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80235, USA
http://www.make-it-fly.com
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