Rolling Clouds

Don Grose
I put my feet up on the bench and lounged back in
my portable camp chair ...I let my head fall back
and looked up...it was 28 degrees, the sun was hot,
and the big, puffy , white clouds, rolled , and twisted, tumbled, before my eyes, as if they were
leaves caught up in a swollen, springtime, mountain
brook...John Gorki's energetic guitar and silky voiced
"Water is Wide" accompanied the moment on my CD Walkman...Wonderful for a moment.
It was one of several breaks in the action as we entertained clients at an annual Golf Tournament
at the Links at Penn Hills. I was stationed on the
eleventh hole, handing out CD's , " the Best of the
Golf Shop Radio Program" a special project I'd
undertaken specifically for this event, essentially
an hour long version of the show I do each week on
920 CJCH without commercial acknowledgements.
Whole focussed on the short game " Best Of " includes
healthy golf thinking, attitudes and some interesting
observations, including part of an interview I did
with singer, songwriter Bruce Guthro, where he
described " a moment" when I asked him about his
most memorable shot.
It was nice to see many of the folks ( clients ) I don't get to see much any other time and I think
most everybody left quite content and satisfied.
I have a busy morning ahead so I'm cutting this
short but I will be back soon.
Ad Tip du Jour...When you are putting together
your advertising budget, much like planning a
campaign make sure you know what you want to
accomplish...If you are content with the status quo
then leave your ad budget where it is, or use the
criteria you always have ( 2 % of revenues )when
deciding how much you are going to spend...but if
for example your desire is to increase sales by
15 percent over the next year, then does it not
make sense that you have to increase your ad budget
accordingly ? Make sure that your planning reflects
your objectives - make your plan - know in your heart
that you have a plan that will get you where you
want to go - and then stick to your plan. Guaranteed
there will be bumps in the road - but stick to your
plan - don't be distracted or scared off. Your commitment will pay off. When was the last time a
fitness program worked for you when you quit after
a month ? People don't talk diets anymore - they
discuss changing lifestyles...effectiveness is the
result of longterm commitment. Find out what works
and then stick with it..
Jackie Burke Junior once said.." Bad putting stems from thinking how instead of where."
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Almost a Great Week

Don Grose
So the Oilers fell short...all things considered
Edmonton has every reason to be proud of their hockey
team who I think finally played to their potential
in the playoffs. Full credit to Craig MacTavish
whose intelligence and creativity as a coach brought
them to the brink of immortality and did so in such
a way that the team peaked at just the right time.
Peca, Pronger Smith and Smyth played their games and
it was a releif that goaltending didn't in the final
analysis do them in the last round. Unsung hero award
should go to Ethan Moreau whose unselfish and
sacrifice and dedication went unnoticed by the media
covering the Stanley Cup. Congratulations Jim Rutherford and Peter Laviolette...very nice job !
The NHL is better than ever - the product was exciting
to watch and thankfully speed and skill have once
again taken their proper priority places on the
list of team ingredients required to win. Mr. Bettman, one request...move the trading deadline back to January 1st...rent - a - players detract from the
integrity of the team concept.
Now - onto the highlight of the week...You gotta love Lefty !!! Phil Mickelson admittedly had me nervous...but his true potential shone in the final
holes of the US Open..Wow...his finish was even beyond my wildest dreams...My only regret was that Colin
Montgomery was not able to dig deep enough to win.
He came within one shot..he came within one mistake..his crime, I beleive was wanting it too
badly. I am not sorry that Ogilvie won...his chip in
and the par he made at 18 under the pressure he faced - well...he earned everything he gets !
Advertising Tip of the Day...Just tell the truth !
A puppy can't be a kitten, and a chicken will never
walk like a duck so trying to represent yourself or
your product in any other way is simply setting you
up for disaster. Oversell me, promise me more than
you can deliver, and I am going to be disappointed.
Why should you care ? As a victim, I am going to tell a far larger number of people how you misrepresented yourself than I would if you treated me well...
When was the last time you were anxious to tell
anyone who would listen that Air Canada didn't lose
your luggage.
Know what your limitations are - don't flaunt them
but recognize them as being the boundaries outside
of which you will not stray. Your integrity will
come back to haunt you in all the best ways in the
long term.
Til next time - Hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

It's a Cruel Game - But It's a Great Game

Don Grose
I should be watching the hockey game right now..My
Oilers lives are hanging tenuously by a "Must Win"
thread...But at least for the next few minutes they'll
have to do it on their own.
Thought number one...Played golf last Thursday at
Granite Springs in a scramble - a charity event for
the Canadian Paraplegic Association. It was miserable,
cold and damp...but the presenting sponsors, Investors
Group, raised another $ 15,500 for CPA and everyone
seemed to have a great time despite the weather.
Kudos to the team from Investors for another sterling
performance in hosting the event...Bravo to Granite
Springs for once again doing a bangup job in very
strained conditions - and my utmost respect and
admiration to Lockie Rutt and the folks at CPA for
the work they do...very special people all and I consider it my privilege to be invited to participate
each year.
Still with golf...Lord what a tough game...another
year another first round defeat in the club match play
event...and I was up for this one ! The last couple of
years my enthusiasm for competition had in fact diminished a little - but I had myself psyched for
my battle with " Remax Rob."It was a good match although neither of us was particularly brilliant.
In the end - it's hard to keep up with the long
ball and my own lack of consistency was the
determining factor...Good luck Rob...( Basta...just
kidding..I'm not really bitter ).
Nipped over to PEI last week...Good Gawd but everything
looked lush and wonderful...as opposed to water logged
and grey. The sun and shining. It was warm. Didn't play
golf, but did some interesting interviews that will
be airing on the Golf Shop in the weeks ahead.
Yesterday, I had the tremendous pleasure of meeting
and having a game of golf with, singer, songwriter,
and all around good fella, Bruce Guthro...Mike DeYoung
at Glen Arbour was as always, very gracious as host,
and we managed to get to the putting green
on 18 before they blew the horn to get everyone off
the course due to threat of lightening. Bruce as
those who listen to the show will find out , is a
very likeable guy - he and Rick McGuiness make a
great couple of guys to play golf with..Bruce has a
new album coming out---go to his website for a
preview.
Now to the PGA Tour...Go Tiger ! This may be the US
Open...but it also may be the first time since he
started his pro career that Tiger Woods should play
under zero pressure.First, as Tiger he has nothing to
prove..and please don't misunderstand what
I'm about to write but he will not be playing, concerned that his Dad could be disappointed...He knows
that his Dad passed away, well aware that his son is
the best golfer this planet has ever seen. Secondly,
Tiger has just had nine weeks away from the game..
so if he's sloppy, it's rust and that's to be understood and no big deal...and maybe I'm wrong
but Tiger seems very relaxed..more relaxed and at
peace with himself than I have ever seen. It's in
his deportment, his smile, his comments to reporters
and his eyes. There is a tranquil quality or air
surrounding him that I think is unmistakable. And I
think it should scare the tar out of Lefty, Ratief,
Ernie and anyone else. I would not be at all surprised
if Tiger goes flag hunting and performs like a man
possessed, unlike anything else we've ever seen.
Phil Mickelson will finish the year without another
major victory.
Jack and Tom Watson on the Island next week - should
be quite a show...good luck to the organizers !
Til next time..hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Growing older beats the alternative

Don Grose
I played golf last night/yesterday...after a fashion.
There is no question that conditioning is a factor in
how one performs on the golf course..I had always beleived that my handicap would inch upward as time
went on - and I lost flexibility - and strength - to
advancing years. A pretty solid 7 handicap for as long
as I can remember, I have played consistently poorly
enough so far this year that my handicap has jumped to
double digits...I am using new equipment this year -
and Lord knows I have not gotten any brighter ( Buddy
Kelvin insists on repeating that " Ignorance you
can fix - stupid is forever ! )- but I think it's
safe to say that the biggest difference in my game
is physical conditioning. I suspect I have finally
run the cards on years of playing racquetball, hockey,
baseball, riding bikes and generally just being active.
The answer now is starting to earn some credits back.
I have been talking about it for several months..
but now is the time ! Here's the plan...5 pounds a
month for the next 24 months...June 1 , 2008 I will be
back to something resembling my playing weight.
I am also going to start a workout routine that will
involve walking, and other exercise...losing weight is
no longer optional - but gotta rebuild some strength as well....while the chore seems daunting..starting
from where I am will make any progress significant.
Onward..probably too late to impact this golf season-
next year will be my comeback season.
All of the above should not be mistaken for an
excuse...
Why he delights in it so is beyond me - I think he
gets it from his mother. Tyler, the oldest boy, the
first son, The T-Bone of my life, has kicked my
behind in two straight golf games already this year.
It's been coming admittedly for a couple of seasons.
I sure liked him a lot more when he was too busy
with other things to play...How does he hit it so far ?
If he ever learns to putt he'll be someone else who
refuses to be seen in public with me...heavy sigh..
Seriously...I remember how much my Dad used to enjoy
getting out on the golf course with me - and then
with me and his grandsons Tyler and Matt..that is what makes golf great. Time together having fun, laughing,
kidding around,enjoying the fresh air...even makes
humbling,defeat palatable. ( Bone if you're reading
this, I don't want you getting all nervous thinking
I'm setting you up..getting you all confident and
open to a sneak attack...don't even think about it )
I don't know whether I mentioned Neptune Theatre's
production of Evita in a previous post..I am not
a huge fan of musical theatre but I have to say
that it was very good ! Neptune has to do something
with their air circulation, though. Balcony ticket
holders suffer when the theatre is anywhere near
full. It's the only negative comment I have to make
after our first season as subscribers...and yes we
will be back.
I will not go back to the Argyle Bar and Grill.
Our theatre group went there once before and
because it's so handy to Neptune we decided we'd
return last weekend. So we made a resrvation for
the six of us - and on our arrival were informed
they'd had a rush of larger reservations so they
were putting the six of us in a booth. Needless to
say we left. The staff was unwilling to help out
except to say they'd set us up in the lounge so with
their very hollow apologies ringing in our ears
we went next door to OPA where once again we had
a fabulous meal thanks to hostess Colleen and our
waitress ..I think the waitresses name was Kelly.
She was terrific in every way and instrumental in
turning around what could have been a less than
successful outing.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - some
people are naturals at service and if you are
someone in the hospitality industry - nurture,
coddle, protect, and appreciate your good people.
They are your superstars !
Advertising Tip of the Day....forget what I just
wrote...don't ever use your service, don't ever
mention your service, and certainly don't promote
superior service, unless you are going to tell
me a story that illustrates what makes your service
so much better than anyone else's in your industry.
I have a client that uses as a positioning statement,
"Most Trusted Builder." As an advertiser the last thing you want to do is create in the mind of
potential customers the question, " Says Who ?!?"
Unsubstantiated claims are very dangerous...
For years radio stations ran to potential advertisers
crying ( claiming ), "We're Number One !" So you've got six radio stations in a market going to each advertiser, or potential advertiser, all claiming
they were the best...no wonder businesses equate sales
people with weasels and don't trust them.
The first question I asked myself when I got it advertising sales was, " So what the hell do you say when you're number 2 - or number 7 ? " Fact is every station is number one with the listeners who like it best. Fact is,if as an advertising vehicle I can offer, a company an ad campaign, or strategy, that provides the business with the chance to attract enough commerce that they get good return on their investment, then who cares if I have the largest
audience...The fact is, telling a potential client
that I am " Number One " or "the best at anything"
creates nothing but an air of mistrust.
The primary premise has to be - I have something you
can use and I am going to show you how to get the
absolute most out of it so it makes sense for you.
Then it doesn't matter if I'm the cheapest, most expensive or eat apples standing on head ( better than anybody else. )...
I hope you have a truly, magical day...and yes, I am
thinking of you when I say that ...
Happy Trials
Don