Bryant Halstead's Blog

Life Is Like Riding A Motorcycle... You Are Either In Control & Charting Your Own Course Or You Are Riding Bitch!

2011-10-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

Before you get your panties in a bunch because I used the term "riding bitch", please understand this is a common term used in the biker community. Simply put... If you are a passenger on a motorcycle, you are "riding bitch" and you have no direct control over where the bike goes, how fast, etc.

Life can be like that if you let it. How many of you have let go of the handlebars and are letting someone else chart your course? Are you working on your goals and making progress toward fulfilling your dreams? If you aren't working on yours, then whose are you working on?

I hope my use of the term "riding bitch" did ruffle your feathers a bit. Why? Because maybe that will be enough to get you to realize it's time for you to take charge of your life and live it the way you want to!

It's time to grab the controls and take your life in the direction you choose, are you up for the challenge?

Enjoy the Ride...

Integrity... Don't Compromise Yours and Don't Tolerate Other Who Have None!

2011-07-28T05:21:00.000-07:00

Integrity is yours and it is something nobody can ever take from you. In fact, the only person able to compromise your integrity is you. So what is integrity anyway? Wikipedia defines integrity as a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness that is a verb or accuracy of one's actions.

In life and in business, integrity means doing what you say you'll do, delivering on your commitments. It means standing by your values and not compromising them for anyone. Living a life of integrity has it's challenges. You'll find that not everyone has high integrity and you may even find it necessary to sever ties with others who do not have the level of integrity you expect. In my experience I have found that when people with low integrity are found out and confronted, they run, so you might not actually have to do the severing of ties, just call them out on their lies and they will run.

Say what you mean and mean what you say!

Enjoy the ride...

Slow Your Roll... Don't Get Spun Up About Things Beyond Your Control

2011-06-01T05:08:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to MCB Camp Lejeune, I was reminded of how little regard Mother Nature has for our schedule. My flight departed Jacksonville, NC bound for Charlotte at approximately 3:00 PM. Due to the weather in Charlotte, our planned flight path was south along the coast with plans to change course at Charleston, SC and head back around the storm and arrive in Charlotte after it had passed. I must add that this was the Friday prior to Memorial Day weekend and the 70 passenger plane I was on had me, a couple of other "older guys" and 60 some young Marines VERY anxious to get home for the holiday weekend.

Approximately an hour or so into the flight, the captain informed us that the Charlotte Airport was now closed to all arrivals and we were landing in Charleston, SC to refuel and wait out the storm. The response from my fellow passengers to this news was less than joyful. Many of them began to voice their disapproval with the plan and place blame on the airline, etc. The next 2+ hours of sitting on the tarmac with the 30 minute update intervals was no more enjoyable and did nothing to reduce their discontent. Fortunately, I had a good book and was making good use of my "extra" travel time. We did get to deplane for about 20 minutes and I ran into an old friend Jack Daniels and we got a few minutes of "quality" time together prior to getting the call to re-board.

We did eventually get to Charlotte and my planned 7:00 PM arrival into DC turned into a 12:30 AM arrival. Good news is there was no traffic to deal with on the ride home!

The point of sharing this experience is to call out the fact that we often get caught in situations such as this that are well beyond our control and we get all spun up about it. My question is why? There is literally nothing that you can do so why fall victim to the spin? This is all about mindset and your ability to control how you respond. Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup book series, uses the formula E + R = O to explain what I am talking about. Events are going to happen in your life. How you choose to Respond will determine the Outcome. It's that simple. You are in charge of you and how you deal with what occurs in your life. Don't waste your valuable time and energy getting spun up about things that you have no control over!

Enjoy the ride...

Employee Engagement... Put the GAS in Your Own Tank!

2011-05-04T03:40:00.000-07:00

Employee engagement... What the heck is that anyway? Sounds like some catch phrase conjured up in the world of academia. Are we talking about how committed or involved in something people are? Maybe whether or not they "Give A Shit?"

I think that's exactly what we are talking about... the "GAS" factor, just how much do you Give A Shit about what you do and how well you perform? I am a biker and as you well know motorcycles run on gas. I am responsible for putting the GAS in my own tank, yes even in New Jersey! So what do I mean by that? Well it's pretty simple. Whether or not an employee is engaged our committed to their work is on the employee. Many people want to place the responsibility of this on the organization they work for and while they surely play a part, the ultimate responsibility is on the employee. You are responsible for your own happiness, stop looking to others and external things to make you happy.

If you work for a jerk or an organization that doesn't appreciate you, go somewhere else! Don't waste your precious time and energy on people and organizations that don't value it! Don't let people and situations spoil the GAS in your tank.

Enjoy the ride...

Ship... Shipmate... Self... Get Your Priorities Straight!

2011-03-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

Ship... Shipmate... Self... A Navy Chief friend of mine offered these three words pertaining to priorities. WOW!!! Very profound and it speaks volumes about the priorities of an organization and how they should be. In this example, it's obviously a Naval vessel that is the subject, though this same methodology can be applied to other organizations and parts of our lives. Here are a few examples:

God, Country, Corps... (Sound familiar my fellow Jarheads?)
God, Family, Work
Mission, Team, Self

I'm sure you could think of a few more. The bottom line here is that in most cases, the preservation of the organization and the welfare of others needs to be a higher priority than self-satisfaction. It's not just about you and your agenda. To truly be effective, all leaders must know this and live by it!

Enjoy the Ride...

The Foundation of Leadership... Lead Yourself First!

2011-03-21T07:40:00.000-07:00

Leadership of others begins with leadership of self. In other words; You must first make sure that you are a squared away, living, breathing, walking, talking example of what others strive to be. This is a philosophy that I learned as a young Marine and have seen the importance and practicality of it play out time and time again. You can't be a walking contradiction and expect others to follow and respect you. The old saying, "do as I say not as I do" doesn't bode well for leaders.

Now, here's the part that might ruffle a few feathers. Relationships are hugely important in leadership and in life for that matter. If you are on your second, third, or fourth marriage, you might suck at the relationship thing and if that is the case, your leadership abilities are hindered as a result. Yes, I said it! Seriously, how can you argue that? Ok, so maybe it's not the relationship thing. Maybe you suck at judging people, well that too is a problem that is negatively impacting your ability to lead. No wait, I get it... It's not your fault, it's the "other" person in the relationship that is the problem. Hmmm.... Accountability for your actions? Sound familiar? Another huge part of being a successful leader is being accountable to yourself and to others. When you screw up, own it and then fix it!

Here are 5 areas to focus on in order to make improvements in the "Lead Yourself" category:

1) Know what fuels your machine and share it with others...

You have to know what makes you tick, what drives you, what you are passionate about. It's also important to know this about your people but first you must know it about yourself.

2) Have a personal vision and a plan for achieving it...

You have to know where you are headed, what you want to achieve and how you plan to do so. We ask people in their "work lives" to do this all the time however, we don't often use these very effective tools to achieve or our dreams... Start today!!!

3) Update your operating system...

Computers have operating systems that need updating on a regular basis. They often get viruses that begin to negatively impact their performance. Our brain, which is our operating system and the programming that it has received which is our belief system is much like that of a computer's operating system. The human operating system needs to be updated and the viruses that show up as self-limiting beliefs must be removed an replaced with new, possibility focused beliefs.

4) Focus on building strong relationships...

Life, business, leadership, it's all about people. Focus on connecting with those around you. People need to be connected, we are herd animals and feel comfort around others like us.

5) Have your S*#T together...

Make sure that you are setting the right example for your people. Trust me when I say THEY ARE PAYING ATTENTION!!! You can't expect them to do or be something you are not. Hold yourself to a high standard and expect the same of your people. Be accountable to them and hold yourself and them accountable.

And last but not least... ENJOY THE RIDE!!!

Reduce Your Christmas Card Budget... Be Authentic

2011-02-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

Got too many friends? Or let's say "acquaintances" and you want to find out who your real friends are?

Here's a sure-fire way to thin the herd... Start being completely honest with them. Call them on their BS and hold them accountable for their actions. That alone will be a new concept for many and they will tuck tail and run because they are unable to deal with the truth! Now, it must also be said that in order for you to be authentic with your friends and give them open and honest feedback, you too must be able to receive the same from them.

If you want to have some fun and shake things up a bit... Try this at work too. It's espcially fun to do this with your boss. Make sure you get permission first or they "open the door" and then seize the moment. I wrote about one of these experiences in a book entitled "My Boss Sucks... A Story Book and Survival Guide". Check it out @ www.bossfixers.com

If You Are Not Part Of The Solution... You Are Part Of The Problem!

2011-02-12T05:15:00.000-08:00

Bitching, pissing & moaning, whining, and complaining is easy and all too commonplace. Seriously, start listening to conversations at work, maybe even your own, and see just how much of this negative behavior goes on. What are you doing about the events and circumstances that cause you or others to complain? Nothing? Shame on you! If you are unwilling to take steps to change whatever the situation is that you are complaining about then STFU! In case you are unfamiliar with that acronym, here's a clue... Shut The... You can figure out the rest. If you can't offer a solution or are unwilling to be involved in an effort to create change then you have forfeited your right to complain.

How about this... Step up and be a part of the solution!

Enjoy The Ride...

Pain/Pleasure Factor

2011-02-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

In my experience as a law enforcement dive team commander, I was often tasked with evaluating the benefit of a given mission versus the risk it would pose to team members executing the mission. This is referred to as the Risk/Benefit Factor.

It's my opinion that we should evaluate our personal and professional relationships in a similar way. Let's call it the Pain/Pleasure Factor. We all have a finite amount of time each day, year, etc. and you get to choose how you spend that time. My advice is that you choose wisely and don't waste time with people who are more of a pain/frustration than they are a pleasure to be around. Make sense? Sure it does.

So look at your interactions through that lens and place a high value on your time. Plain and simple... Don't spend time with people that suck the joy out of life.

Enjoy The Ride...

Back in the Saddle

2011-02-05T04:44:00.000-08:00

Wow.... It's been waaay tooo long! Time to get back in the saddle!

Let's talk about responsiveness...

I am amazed by how many comments I get from people for calling them back so quickly... WTF? Seriously, I thought it was a "no brainer" when someone calls you and you know that you have a hot lead or someone who is ready to buy, you are like "Quick Draw McGraw" grabbing the phone to call them back? Apparently that doesn't always happen, so here's your chance to stand out among your competition.... Be responsive, return those calls ASAP and see what a difference it can make.

Ride on...

Two Simple Rules for Success in Sales

2009-09-02T03:56:00.000-07:00

I was on a coaching call with my good friend James Malinchak a few days ago and we were talking about selling. He shared the following two simple rules for success in sales that he learned from Larry Winget.

1) Have a great product or service
2) Offer to sell it to a bunch of people

Now... This seems very simple and you might even be having the "well duh" response to these rules.

The real deal is that selling is that simple. If you are not generating the sales that you want, evaluate step one. If you believe step one is covered and you still are not hitting your mark, evaluate step two. If step two is covered, them maybe you were wrong about step one.

Utilize these two simple rules in your business and watch the sales improve.

Just Believe...

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!!!

2009-08-18T04:59:00.000-07:00

Say what you mean and mean what you say.... We'll all have a much better day!

Here's a little experiment that I suggest you try:

-Pay close attention to the conversations that you have with people today. Make a mental note every time you hold back and don't say what you are really thinking or say something that you don't mean because it's the "politically correct" thing to say.

When people communicate with each other in an authentic way, business gets better, and so does life.

Try it.... You'll like it.

Just Believe

Exposure = Opportunity

2009-08-13T02:09:00.000-07:00

Exposure = Opportunity.....

Does your target market know who you are and what product and/or service you have to offer?

Turns out people can't buy from you unless they know you exist. What are you doing to make sure that people know what you do? Here are a few ideas that might help you improve your exposure and create more opportunities for sales.

1) RADAR ON - In sales/business development you are always on duty. Yes, your primary work day might end at 5 or so and I know work/life balance s important. If you are a business owner, or responsible for sales or business development, you must always be aware of an opportunity to create "exposure" for your business.... RADAR ON!

2) REFERRALS - Ask your current clients/customers for referrals. This does two things.... It let's you know that they are happy with your product/service and gives you another "opportunity".

3) SOCIAL MEDIA - If you have resisted Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Plaxo, etc. It's time to get in the game. Google yourself.... How many times does your name show up? Don't you think your potential clients do this? Social media is a great way to get your information out there and create a network of people that are interested in what you do.

4) PHONE A FRIEND - Pick a friend that you have lost contact with. Reconnect with them and rekindle the friendship..... See what they are up to and how you can help each other.

5) SELF-IMPROVEMENT - Turn off the TV, stop watching the trash people call the NEWS, and start reading personal and professional development material that will help you improve.

These are just a few random ideas that you can use to improve you and your business.

....Just Believe

Building A Winning Team

2009-04-17T04:12:00.000-07:00

Leadership is all about getting people to work together towards a common goal because they are inspired and want to.

To build a winning team, you must focus on these five key elements:

1) Trust
2) Effective Communication
3) Skill
4) Accountability
5) Leadership

If any of these are missing on your team, you will not reach your potential and will likely fail.

The role of the leader is to work on building all of these and make sure that you are providing everything for the team that they need. It is also essential that you provide enough support and oversight and not too much. You are there for direction and resources, not to do their jobs for them. Give them what they need and stay out of their way and let them get it done.

Teams win where individuals fail this is especially true when you have the five key elements listed above present on your team.

Just believe...

Winning the Sales Game.... Is Your Organization Set Up to Win?

2009-04-14T03:31:00.000-07:00

Sales is about relationships, period! It amazes me how managers and organizations cripple the effectiveness of their sales force by hindering their ability to get out there and build the very relationships that generate sales.

Without sales, your business goes away! Are you holding back your sales people by having them spend hours answering phones, responding to unnecessary emails, tracking activity, etc.? There is value in documenting contacts and activity and it must be done in a streamlined and very efficient way. Sales people make money for the organization and themselves when they are selling, not when they are creating spreadsheets, completing expense reports, and all sorts of other non-revenue generating activities.

Make sure that you and your organization are set up for success. Don't over burden people with reports, etc. that take too much time away from their most important function... SELLING!

Take the handcuffs off of your sales force and let them SELL!

Just believe...

Dallas police chief apologizes for conduct of officer who drew gun on NFL player outside hospital

2009-03-27T06:03:00.000-07:00

OMG!!! I am not a big news fan because it's mostly a bunch of negative fear creating nonsense however, this story caught my attention due to my law enforcement background.

A Dallas police officer, Robert Powell detained an NFL player in the hospital parking lot when he was trying to get to the bedside of a family member to say goodbye prior to their passing. The fact that this involved a professional athlete is irrelevant. Nobody should ever be treated this way. Yes, the guy ran a red light and under the circumstances, it seems totally reasonable. The problem is that this cop is a moron and has zero common sense and compassion!

I am totally pissed off and outraged that anyone who wears a badge and carries a gun could ever treat someone like this is such a situation! Someone needs to rip the badge off of his chest and send him packing and make sure he is NEVER allowed to serve in this capacity ever!!!

I feel like flying to Dallas and doing it myself, this is disgusting! My heart hurts for this individual who did not get to say goodbye to a loved one due to the ignorance and lack of compassion shown by Officer Powell.

Leadership, Personal Development, and Success

2009-03-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of presenting at The University of Mary Washington's Annual Leadership Conference yesterday. What a great learning experience for me and the attendees.

The presentation was entitled Leadership & You - What They Don't Teach You in College About Bosses in The Real World That EVERY Student Must Know!

This presentation covers the fact that over 70% of the American workforce is disengaged and how this is due to the serious void in leadership! Fact is, there are a bunch of bad bosses out there that could not lead their way out of a paper bag! The problem with this is that it's costing everyone lots of money and causing a lot of unnecessary stress. Many of these bad bosses would get better if they were taught the right way! The tactics of success and great leadership can be learned. There are ways to improve your response to the events in your life and how to do that. How you can understand the source of self-limiting beliefs and move beyond them. The importance of having clearly defined targets or goals that you are aiming for.

All of these points seemed to resonate with this audience and might have been the first time that many of them had ever heard a message like that. This caused me to wonder.... What the heck are they teaching kids in college anyway? Are they getting an education or just a degree? Are they being provided with information that will really help them deal with what's in the real world after college?

I'm sure some are and I'm also sure many are not! If you want information about how to be successful in the real world and what they don't teach you in college about surviving while working for and idiot.... Visit www.bryanthalstead.com and get a copy of My Boss Sucks - A Story Book and Survival Guide. This practical resource is full of stories about leadership gone wrong and how to deal with it along with plenty of personal success messages.

Selling Is A Lot Like Dating

2009-03-19T04:53:00.000-07:00

First of all, I am no expert on dating... However, I do have a basic understanding of the "rules" that I recall from way back when???

Selling is like dating in that you must start out slow, maybe even have a plan or a desired outcome. It's important to gain favorable attention from your prospect, build rapport, and make a connection. Without these steps being satisfactorily completed, your chances of taking things to the next level are seriously limited.

So the next time you have a meeting with a prospect, map out a plan in your mind that creates the outcome that you want. Visualize that outcome and focus on making a connection. In most cases, the purpose of the "first date" is not to get the sale. The purpose is to make a connection so that you can get the second date. That's when you can dial it up a notch and start determining what wants and needs your prospect has and how you can fulfill them.

Remember, take it slow... If you move too fast, you might "get slapped" or lose the sale.

Just believe...

Three Types of Bosses...

2009-03-16T03:49:00.000-07:00

There are three distinct types of bosses:

1) The Good
2) The Not So Good
3) The Downright Ugly

The bad news and the unfortunate fact is that the latter two categories seem to be where most bosses are.

The good news is that leadership can be learned. I'm sure you have heard the ever familiar debate.... Are leaders born or made? Well, they are made. Some are made early on by their surroundings and early influences, while others develop on their own with intention.

If you have a bad boss, it's not your fault. They are a bad boss for one of two simple reasons:

1) They have not figured out how to get better, where the resources are, etc. Fact is, our society does not seek out great bosses. Instead what happens most often is people who are great performers are promoted into leadership roles. Success and high performance in a non-managerial role does not always equate to success in a leadership role. We must help people to become great leaders... It is a skill that can be learned!

2) They don't care. They are in it for themselves and they have no interest in getting better and could care less how their poor leadership is effecting the lives of others. If you work for a boss like this, GET OUT NOW!!! Seriously, they will not change and they are probably sucking the life out of you. I had a boss like this once and I kicked him to the curb. He's still a bad boss and the sad but true fact is that he thinks he's a great one. Here's the evidence... Morale in his organization in worse than it's been in years and the majority of the people that work there would go elsewhere if presented with a good option. What a shame!

If you are a boss or ever plan to be, commit to yourself that you will learn all you can about how to be a great one. Learn what inspires your people, what resources they need to be successful, what they care about, and have the emotional intelligence necessary to be GREAT!

Just believe...

Solution Based Selling.... The Secret To Selling More!!!

2009-03-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

Solution based selling is not a new concept. It is however extremely underutilized. What does it means?

Simply put, you sell holes.... Not drills. If someone needs a hole, they need a hole, the drill is one tool that will provide that for them and they don't really care all that much about the drill.... It's the hole they need/want.

Here's an example of how this applies to the self-help/professional development industry that I am in.

Decision makers don't buy leadership development, what they buy and what they want is what the process of leadership development will do for them. Here are some examples:

-Reduce operating expenses
-Lower employee turnover
-Increase employee engagement
-Reduce conflict & enhance performance
-Improve collaboration
-Reduce employee theft

The language of business is $$$$. Show the decision maker how they will make or save $$$$ by "investing" in your services.... That's the magic.

Just believe...

A TIP TO IMPROVE SALES & PERFORMANCE...

2009-03-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

Return phone calls - This sounds simple yet I am amazed at the number of people who just flat out don't return calls. I must tell you that this is rude and unacceptable! Do you like it when someone does not call you back? Probably not... In fact, most people don't like being ignored and that's exactly what it is.

The problem with this is that it's a sign of more serious problems. Chances are if you are one of these people that don't return calls, this attitude and behavior is showing up in other areas of your life.

Think about it.... How many other people are you blowing off? Here's a potential list:

-Your family
-Friends
-Co-workers
-Subordinates
-Customers

Return phone calls... Stop being RUDE!

Just believe...

The Pilfering of America By Large Corporations and Politicians

2009-02-28T13:17:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I am fed up with the mismanagement and financial irresponsibility by our government and the large corporations in our country. The recent incident with Northern Trust and the serious error in judgment they made by sending a bunch of employees to a PGA Golf Tournament and springing for lavish rooms and high-end entertainment is unacceptable. All this after receiving $1.5 billion in federal bailout money in Oct. 08. Kudos to the politicians that called them on this!

Since then, Morgan Stanley and Wachovia have removed their affiliations with similar events. I wonder if they would have done this without Northern Trust being caught with their hand in the cookie jar? I seriously doubt it!

Here's a trivia question for you:

Besides our government, what has a whole bunch of intelligent people with huge egos, low or no moral or ethical standards, and a serious void in leadership?

Answer: Corporate America

So with that said, what can we do about it. My recommendation is for each of us to evaluate where we are spending our money and choose with intention to longer line the pockets of these thugs. They are nothing more than common criminals in high dollar suits. Spend your hard earned money with the "mom & pop" businesses in your community. Our country was built on these businesses and the owners really appreciate your business and won't take you for granted, or at least most of them won't. The ones that will are the exception and they are either former corporate big wigs or politicians or in training for one of those roles.

Let's take our country back from the thieves and idiots that are running it!!!

In all fairness, I must state that there are some great large corporations out there that are doing it right and unfortunately, they are becoming fewer by the day.

Just believe...

Use Your Shield... Executive Leadership Coaching Program

2009-02-25T04:23:00.000-08:00

I recently attended an awesome seminar held by my coach James Malinchak. He was talking about how you must be strong and not let the limitations of others and their negative comments impact your belief. He used the analogy of Superman and Wonder Woman and how they are able to deflect bullets that are fired at them.

When he was talking about this, I began thinking of how we use a shield in S.W.A.T. to give that added element of protection when entering potentially hostile environments. Picture a S.W.A.T. shield, they have a small window for the operator to look through.

Then it hit me.... YES! A S.W.A.T. shield and a team behind us is exactly what we all need! The shield can protect us from all of the negativity people want to sling our way and it's got the small window so that we can maintain the focus on our target. The team is made up of our coaches, mentors, and peers that support us, give us the added support that we all benefit from.

Do you have a coach? A mentor? A team that supports you?

Halstead, Inc. has just launched a high-end exclusive Platinum Coaching Program that will do just that for its members. Give us a call, we'd love to have you on the team!

Just believe...

Small Business Success / Entrepreneurial Success

2009-02-24T04:03:00.000-08:00

Are you a small business owner? Do you know someone who is? Have you ever heard of a business? Seriously, owning a business of your own is often called "The American Dream" and many people chase this dream every year. The unfortunate reality of this is that if they do manage to make it through their first year, many find what they thought would be a dream, turns out to be a nightmare. They end up working more than they did in the job they left and don't have the lifestyle they wanted.

The good news is... This can be done better with the proper planning, training, and development. Business owners must make the shift from an employee mindset to an owner mindset. They must be visionaries and provide direction for the organization. Many business owners are so caught up working "in" their business and have no time to work "on" their business. Successful entrepreneurs know that it's working "on" your business that will create the success you desire.

Halstead, Inc. has an exclusive platinum coaching program for entrepreneurs that gives you these keys to success. We help entrepreneurs develop a strategic plan for their business, and improve in the areas of leadership, sales, customer loyalty, time management, and business process improvement.

The lifestyle and success that you desire is possible with the right plan. Are you ready to get started?

Be Nice! Seriously, It's a No Brainer... Be Nice!

2009-02-14T04:10:00.000-08:00

Customer service and the declining quality or even existence of it is a hot topic today. Here's the deal... Customer service is the price of admission. With so many choices available to the consumer, you have to deliver an acceptable level to even be a contender in your market.

The new bar or target that will set you apart and create a competitive advantage for you is customer loyalty. What's the difference you ask? Simply put, customer service measures attitude and customer loyalty is all about behavior. Good customer service is expected. When a customer gives you money in exchange for a product or service, they expect it to work and fulfill whatever need or want they had. So when that happens it's nothing special.

What does seem to be "special" or a rare and elusive creature is the person who serves you with a smile and actually acts like he/she is enjoying being of "service" to you. Seriously, I am sick and damn tired of people who act like I am bothering them when I go to buy something from the organization that they work for. Is it really that hard to smile and say thank you? Be nice people... Seriously, it's a no brainer... Be nice.

So, to review... Step one - BE NICE! The next step, the strategy of customer loyalty is to create a connection with the customer. How do you do that? Talk with them, engage them in conversation, make them feel appreciated for buying from you, act like you care about them as people. Developing loyal customers is about making an emotional connection with them. When you do that the next time they are in a position to need the goods or services that you provide, the likelihood that they will buy from you is drastically increased.

Simple really... BE NICE!

Just believe...

S.W.A.T. and Business

2009-02-07T04:43:00.000-08:00

As a professional speaker, I share many of the experiences that I had in law enforcement and what I've learned about leadership to help others become better leaders and achieve more.

I recently had someone ask me what S.W.A.T. and business have in common and how the lessons and principles of running a S.W.A.T. Team can help in business. The best way I can answer that is to describe what I feel are some of the essential characteristics of a great S.W.A.T. Team.

Here they are (in no particular order):

Skilled, talented, and proficient team members
Competent leadership
Effective communication
Trust
Clearly defined goals and objectives
Training and development
Flexibility
Clearly communicated expectations
Accountability
Collaboration
Belief in the team and in the process
Great attitude
Winning mindset
Focus
Discipline
Right people in the right positions
Focused on strengths vs. weaknesses

Any of these sound like they are necessary in business? ABSOFREAKINLUTELY!!!!!

Find out more about my presentations at http://www.bryanthalstead.com

Just believe...

Virginia's Budget Situation and Proposed Cuts

2009-01-27T03:34:00.000-08:00

Virginia Sheriffs gathered in Richmond yesterday to voice their concern/objections to Governor Kaine's proposed budget cuts which would cut funding to their departments.

I am well aware of the budget shortfall and I think even considering cutting law enforcement funding during a time of economic crisis is just silly. As a 14 year law enforcement veteran, I can tell you that when the economy is bad people get desperate and resort to things that they would never consider during good times. What I mean by that is simple, during poor economic times, crime increases. This is truly a head shaker for me. I think there is a lot of cutting that can occur before we start chopping at the public safety budget.

Just believe...

America's Success Team Commander - Start/Stop List for Success www.bryanthalstead.com

2009-01-25T06:34:00.000-08:00

STOP wasting time making excuses and complaining about your current situation.

START taking responsibility for your actions and hold yourself accountable for the results.

STOP looking for other people and things to make you happy.

START doing things that make you happy, make you feel good about yourself, and fill you with joy.

STOP wasting time doing unproductive things like watching prime-time TV for 4-5 hours every evening.

START reading books, listening to CD’s, and attending seminars on personal development.

STOP going through life without a plan or direction, like a bottle drifting in the ocean.

START creating a vision of who you want to be, write it out, set goals, and start working the plan.

STOP spending time with negative people that suck the joy out of every room they walk into.

START associating with positive people that have achieved more than you, learn from them, then do what they do.

STOP worrying about stuff that you do not control.

START focusing on what you can control, YOU.

STOP neglecting you... saying YES to everyone, being such a pushover and doing everything for everybody else.

START saying NO! Do stuff that furthers progress towards the goals that you have set.

STOP listening to everyone else’s opinion about you and what you are doing. Their self-imposed limitations suck!

START believing in yourself, your capabilities, and work the plan like failure is not an option.

STOP engaging in destructive behaviors like excessive drinking, eating, smoking cigarettes, etc.

START taking care yourself. Treat yourself like a finely tuned machine.

STOP doing things the way you have always done them because it’s the way you have always done them.

START looking for new and innovative ways to improve upon everything that you do.

Just Believe...

Give Me a Break!

2009-01-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

I was listening to Denny More's morning show on Thunder 104.5 yesterday and there was a discussion about Virginia Governor Tim Kaine's support of a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars. Several callers dialed in and shared their opinions.

I felt compelled to contribute. The bottom line is this... Is this really the most pressing issue facing the Commonwealth at this time? I think not. I think Governor Kaine needs to worry about our current economic situation and avoid supporting ways to negatively impact businesses. Seriously, at a time when many small businesses are already struggling, he decides now is the time to hit the restaurant and bars with an action that could impact their business even more? Wake up Governor Kaine, this is just plain STUPID!!! I have a very low tolerance for stupid and this pegs the meter!

I have seen numerous food and coffee establishments in our area close recently and don't think it is right for the government to even consider actions that would aid in the closing of more. This tells me that Governor Kaine might not be all that in touch with what's going on in his state. Maybe he's more interested in chairing the DNC?

The decision for smoking or not at a privately owned restaurant or bar should be left up to the individual business owner not the government.

It should be noted that I am not a smoker. What I am is an American! I believe in the individual freedoms that we enjoy and that make our nation the greatest on the planet! I refuse to sit back quietly and watch government try to chip away at these!

Just Believe...

A Call to Action

2008-11-17T03:41:00.000-08:00

The world, or at least my view of it, has become a media driven machine. The problem with this is that it seems most of the media has no desire to report anything positive or upbeat. Seriously, take a hard look at your daily news and see what the ratio is between good vs. bad. Better yet, why don't we all just stop watching the crap?

In the last several months all we hear about is the economy being in the tank. I think that some if not all of this has been created by the media "Fear Machine". Yes, there are some people who have lost their jobs and that is unfortunate. However, the majority of people able to work in our country are still working. Yes, some major companies have failed recently or declared bankruptcy. Many, if not all of the companies that have crashed and burned recently have done so due to poor leadership and management and not the economy. Bottom line is, the idiots that were "flying the plane" saw the mountain and refused to change course..... CRASH!!! A great economy would not have saved companies from that.

So here's my call to action and challenge for you:

Stop crying in your beer and complaining about how bad the economy is. Stop repeating the lies and skewed perspectives generated by the media and thereby perpetuating the problem. We can change this, just like the media has done. Let's start a campaign of positivity and refuse to accept anything less than a thriving economy. We live in a country of abundance. The homes we live in, the cars we drive, everything..... Think ABUNDANCE!!!!

Let's turn this around, we have the power and the responsibility to do so!

Just believe!!!

Write Your Own History...

2008-11-04T03:58:00.000-08:00

Today is a huge day for America. Election day..... Today we will choose the next President of the United States and no matter which party's candidate is ultimately elected, it will be a very significant day in the history of our country. We will either have the first African-American President or the first female Vice-President.

Everyday is a very significant day in your life and ultimately your history. Winston Churchill said, "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it". That's what we do. Every decision we make, every action we take, we are writing our history. We have the ability to create our reality through our attitudes, thoughts, and subsequent actions. Choose wisely and make sure that you are writing your history with intention.

Just believe...

Our Economy.... Is it really that bad?

2008-10-24T06:10:00.000-07:00

I'm in the business of helping people achieve greater results in their lives. One area that I focus on is mindset. Your outlook on life or mindset can be significantly impacted by the information you "allow" to enter your head. What I mean by that is there is a lot of negative crap (that's a technical term) that we are potentially exposed to everyday via the media, people we associate with, etc. You must learn to treat all of this negativity as if it were radio-active, in other words... AVOID EXPOSURE!!!

I live in Virginia where the current rate of unemployment is 4%. Let's think about that for a second. Generally, about 3% of the overall "employable" population is not employable due to various disabilities, etc. This means that of the total employable population in Virginia only 1% of them are actually unemployed or in a more positive light.... 96% of the total employable population is working. That being said, how bad is the economy really?

Don't let the media machine cloud your view of reality. Stay positive, stay strong, and...

Just believe!!!

Trust Your Gut...

2008-10-14T05:39:00.001-07:00

I just returned from a fabulous trip to the Big Easy! My wife and I went there to attend a friend's wedding. The first night there we decided to take a walk down to the infamous Bourbon Street. This being our first trip there, we had no idea where we were going. We did have a map however, my map reading skills were a "little" off that night. We ended up just on the outskirts of the French Quarter. We both noticed immediately that there was a stark contrast between the area we had just traveled through and what was ahead of us. Our instincts "kick in" and we quickly reversed our route and ultimately found our way to our intended destination. The point of this story being "TRUST YOUR GUT". We all have incredible instincts and based on my knowledge and experience, when we choose not to trust our gut... that's when we get in trouble.

Just believe...

Look Beyond What People Say...

2008-10-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

There are many people that only say what they think you want to hear and we call that pretense. It's important to look beyond what people say and pay attention to what they do. As it turns out.... Actions do speak louder than words. Politicians ought to be sufficient evidence of this. I know plenty of people who pretend to be something they are not and say what they believe people want to hear. What they don't realize is that this comes with a cost. Ultimately, they are selling themselves, and their integrity to others... Not a place I want to be... how about you? Be real, be yourself, that's why you are here and that's what really matters!

Just believe...

Leadership Complacency

2008-10-06T03:59:00.000-07:00

Complacent leaders are costly and dangerous to organizations and people. Leadership is an ever evolving set of skills, knowledge, and behaviors. Watch out for people in leadership roles with the "I've arrived" mentality. The very best leaders have a thirst for knowledge and are always looking for ways to improve themselves, their people, and the organization. They are self-actualized and secure in who they are. Leadership of others begins with leadership of self. Your leadership challenge for today is to learn something new.... About yourself, the people you work with, your job, your company, whatever... Just learn something new. Just say NO to complacency!

Just believe...

Save Yourself......

2008-10-03T04:27:00.000-07:00

Do you work for a boss who couldn't lead a thirsty horse to water? Is he/she one of those bosses that is in a position of leadership but can't spell leadership much less exhibit any of the characteristics associated with it?

Well here's the deal.... Working for an idiot is your choice, that's right.... If you don't like it, get out! SAVE YOURSELF! I know, I used to work for one... and I did just that. I got out and my life is much better as a result. I now get to watch from the outside as this moron and the yes men and women that surround him continue to run this organization into the ground and drive people away like it's the right thing to do.

Seriously, you owe it to yourself and those who care about you to get out and find a role in an organization that believes in you, cares about you, and allows you to grow.

Just believe...

Passion.... Do You Love What You Do?

2008-10-02T04:51:00.001-07:00

I will be speaking on behalf on my local Chamber of Commerce today at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a local business. In preparation for this event, I met with the owners of this business. I was thrilled to see the excitement, enthusiasm, and passion that they have for what they are doing. They are both great people doing something that they truly believe in and love doing!

Do you love what you do? Are you spending each day working in a career that you are passionate about? Are you doing work that you love and believe in? These are questions that you need to ask yourself. If the answer is no, then maybe it's time to re-evaluate what you care about and make some changes in your life.

Someone asked me last week how many hours I work each week. I had to stop and think because I don't keep track and quite frankly I have no idea. It's not work, I love what I do and so it never feels like work. So I still don't know the answer and it really doesn't matter.

The bottom line here is.... Do what you love and love what you do, you'll be happier and so will everyone around you!

Just believe...

Positive vs. Negative and the Impact on Creativity

2008-10-01T05:28:00.000-07:00

You have the choice to maintain a positive or negative outlook. My question to you is: How much good has ever come to you due to you having a negative outlook or "being in a funk"?

My guess is..... very little or none! Here's the deal.... Negativity blocks creativity and everything good. If you want to have the creative juices flowing and get the most out of opportunities that come your way, you must maintain a positive outlook!

Just Believe...

Words Are Like Bullets.... Aim Carefully.

2008-09-30T04:04:00.000-07:00

Communication... One of the biggest challenges that we all have is effectively communicating our thoughts, ideas, and feelings to others. When communicating with others, it's important to remember that words are like bullets, once they are "down range" you can't recall them. Take time to think about what you say before you actually say it. Consider the power of your words, both good and bad and make sure that you use them with intention. Focus on becoming a masterful communicator and watch the relationships that you have in your life improve.... Yes, that 's a challenge. Like anything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it. If you choose to improve your ability to communicate and take the necessary action steps to facilitate that outcome, it's as good as done..... Start today!

Just Believe!

Hello.... This Is Me!

2008-09-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Bryant Halstead and I am a motivational speaker, success coach, and author. I am a founding partner in a professional development company headquartered in Fredericksburg, VA called HALSTEAD, Inc. We help individuals and organizations achieve greater results and live happier more productive lives. Check us out at www.halsteadinc.com

The purpose of this blog is to share information that will help people achieve a higher level of happiness and satisfaction in both their personal and professional lives.

Stay tuned for frequent blog entries.

Just Believe...

Bryant