Daily Intent

Santa Barbara, CA
We’re just over a week away from the day of love.

His shoes shined.
Her hair furled.
His pants pressed.
Her lashes curled.
His shirt clean.
Her lips glean.
His face shaven.
Her dress curve’n.
The roses bundled.
The reservations set.
A night intended to never forget.

Whether you appreciate this Hallmark holiday or do everything to avoid red February 14th, it is a day from which we can all learn.

Let’s transport back to elementary school.  The classroom is bustling with creative minds working collectively to turn drab walls and yellow tarnished desks into rosy shades of red.  Kids love Valentine’s Day.  It becomes an art project and a lesson on giving.  Colorful cards and love commentary are inked with very confidently written squiggled first names.

Or maybe I’m getting a bit too poetic.  Maybe it’s just about the candy.   Halloween seems like a distant past.  Pillow cases are now empty.  It is time to refill.

Whatever the selfish or selfless motives of these little rascals, they love it.  They are proud to care for others.  They are entirely present in every card they write.

And the culture in which is created, lasts for weeks after the day.

You may have grown more mature and have a past of many less than positively emotional Valentines, but this should not hold you back from expressing intense appreciation for those around you.

I’ll leave it up to you in how you show this appreciation to family, friends and a special loved one.

But I would like to encourage you in the form of business appreciation.  We must never forget to let those in our business know that they are important to us.  Show you care.

The most successful executives and managers I’ve met have been almost neurotic about serving their employees and customer.  They go through great lengths to show their customer, their community and their people that they care.

They care for the smallest details.  They listen to clients during times of crisis even when it has no relation to the business at hand.  They look after the employees’ children by setting up a day care center.  They send flowers and gift baskets.  They offer extra benefits.  They throw company barbecues that promote community.

In doing this all, you are creating a company culture.  A culture of trust that cannot be matched by competitors.  An environment of which competitors’ employees want to be a part.  You are becoming a leader in which people want to follow because you actually care about their well being.

You see, the world is in desperate need of a hug.  Love.  Amor.  Amour.  Amore.  Liebe.  Cinta.  Ai.  Your clients are in need of a hug.  Your office is in need of a hug.  Blast them with goofy, creative, and thoughtful acts of appreciation. 

…You might also include candy, just to be safe.
___________________________________________________________________
PLAN
Catalyst for Thought - MINDS Lunches.  Klaus Schauser, one of the founders of Expert City which later became Citrix Online, will be joining us in late February.  Register at www.CatalystSB.org to ensure you receive the registration emails.
___________________________________________________________________
LEARN
Buzzword: White-Shoe Firm
“A slang term for a broker-dealer firm that is strongly against hostile takeover practices.

The white-shoe firm’s name is derived from the white buck shoes that were a fashion requirement within elite social organizations in the 1950s. “  -Investopedia.com

  Six Points to Ponder:

   1. Fly Injured One.  The Markets fluttered its wings this week starting February off with a couple days of solid rises. Job declines slowed. Manufacturing picked up. - The Dow is up to 10,262. The S&P 500 followed suit, 1098.  And the Nasdaq finds itself flat from last week, 2183.  Oil is up $3 to $77/bbl.
   2. Small Business Support. Dolling Out Dollars.  President Obama proposed a plan to shell out $30Bn in efforts to boost small business activity.
   3. Greek Austerity. The EU endorsed the Greeks’ plans to reduce their deficit.
   4. Pending Home Sales Up. 1% increase in December over November 2009.  A forward looking indicator that bodes well for real estate in Q1 2010.
   5. Unclaimed Property.  In doing some saving research, I came across a site that allows you to search any outstanding money you are owed. See below.
   6. Superbowl Sunday Funday.   Superbowl parties are in abundance.  Sunday the Colts take on the Saints in a wild showdown.  Australian Open.  Williams and Federer claim top ranks, again.

Positives:

    * Whenever negative news and data points begin to slow, the Markets respond positively.  It gives them reason to believe the worst has come and gone.  Moving forward there is a high likelihood that we’ll remain flat or even begin to slightly improve from our current state, in the medium-term.  Whether you believe this or not is up to you, but this is why you are seeing the stock market perform better than you may feel it should.  They are projecting what you will feel, in economic terms, months ahead, rather than today’s current situation.
    * Support for small businesses, if done correctly and not siphoned off or secured away in savings accounts, could really help stimulate the overall economy.  The challenge lies in small business owner confidence.  For example, if I have been given a large check by a friend and told to spend it, I may wait to see if I need it for necessities before I go spending it on frivolous things.  The business owner will think the same way.  This is one of the many challenges President Obama faces in dolling out dollars.
    * The European Markets along with the foreign exchange indexes appreciated the EU’s endorsement of the Greek’s austerity plan.  Without the EU’s backing, there was high alert for a Greek government failing, calling on bankruptcy.  There are still many more tough decisions and cuts to be made, so all is not rosy.  Either way, the Euro is up today over the dollar.  Mierde.  More expensive foreign traveling for us Americans.
    * Pending home sales data points represent the number of homes that have received accepted offers and are now in escrow.  Within the next 30 - 60 days these homes are expected to close and become official sales.  Being that they were up in December over November, we can expect higher sales numbers come January and February reports.  I’ve witnessed many of my clients falling into this pending home category over the last couple of weeks.  The climate is ripe for purchasing.  Low home prices.  Low rates.  High tax incentives.  I still urge all buyers to buy a place they could see themselves in for many years to come.
    *Upon my posting of the unclaimed property site, I received text and Facebook messages confirming over $1000 in discovered dollars.  Please be sure to check out the site and the different states in which you’ve lived.  http://www.betterbudgeting.com/unclaimedmoney.htm. You too might be owed money!
    * Superbowl Sunday Funday is always a positive.   Chili, cream cheese dip!  Pizza dip!  Good friends yelling at a television…
    * Last Reminder: Verizon Wireless and AT&T have just lowered their monthly service fees.  Unlimited minutes and texts are only $69.99 / month.  I called yesterday and was able to update my plan, saving $25 / month.  Call your carrier today and save yourself dollars.

Negatives:

    * We’re taking a week off from anything negative.  Valentine’s colored glasses.

GET INVOLVED
Local:

Santa Barbara Film Festival Kickoff.
Where: The Arlington for the Red Carpet.  After party will be at Paseo Nuevo.
When: Thursday, February 4th.  7pm.
Cost: $65
Why:  Get out with the stars.  See creative works.  Experience your Santa Barbara community in glitz.
For other fun ideas, go to www.lovemikana.com

Live and Be Well,

Jeff Bochsler