Shut up Already!

Intellectual / Self improvement
Goal: Read 12 books

After a recent Rotary meeting, I met with a fellow member that is also a current business prospect.  He wanted to tell me that he was not happy with his current financial advisor and wanted to meet with the money manager that I introduced him to last October.

The conversation started out with why he didn't like what his current advisor was doing, and it kept going.  He explained to me that he could do better than him, the advisor lost money, the fees he was being charged were too high, and other reasons why he should be fired.  Then it happened, I butted in and tried to explain what we could do for him.

I just finished the book SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham.  I enjoyed reading this short book about sales.  In some ways it's counter intuitive to what I have learned in my many years of selling - the method where I do most the talking and convincing - and is what I was trying to do with the prospect I just mentioned.  With Mr. Rackman's method, you listen first, find the problems, have the prospect explain the consequences of the problem, offer your solution, and then explain the payoff.

Fortunately, I remembered what I learned from the book and stopped myself from bestowing upon him how great we are and how well we will take care of him.  I have to remember, if someone is talking himself out of a current provider, shut up!

Pax Domini

The Faith
Goal: Friday morning Bible Study and daily study

One of the my goals in studying the faith is to be able to "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."  When I think about "everyone" I usually think of the atheist that wants to talk to me about the faith or the Jehovah's Witness or Mormon that shows up on my door step that believes their beliefs are the correct ones. What I didn't realize was that I am preparing for the mission field in my own house.

A couple of years ago during dinner our little two year old took her bread and lifted it up and said, "Always."  It kind of took me back and I had to think about what she was doing.  Then it dawned on me.  She was imitating the pastor during the Communion portion of the service when he elevates the Host and later says, "The peace of the Lord be with you always."  At that moment we had our payoff for sitting in the front of the nave during the Devine Service.  Although we were worried that she would cry or disrupt the service as it turned out,  at this young age she was able to take in the service and pay attention to what was going on.  If you are the parent of a young child, I would highly encourage you to sit with your children as close as possible to the pulpit.

I was recently surprised again.  Like the last time, it was during dinner.  This time she asked for bread, which I gave to her.  She said, "Dad, look it's bread. Can I have five pieces like Jesus?"  Once again, I stopped and had to scratch my head as to what she was talking about.  Then I remembered.  We had been reading her baby Bible before she goes to bed.  In it, the story of how Christ multiplied the loaves and fishes is included.

Granted, right now little people like her are "sponges" and they pick up the most interesting and strange things. However, I believe it's never too early to start teaching our children the faith. If they are going to be "sponges" then why not give them good water to soak up?  Lord have mercy on us for I know that the world is just waiting to fill her mind with bad alternatives.

The peace of the Lord be with us all......