Sharing

Bikers are widely known for our generosity. In any community on any given weekend you’ll find a poker run or some other biker event geared towards one charity or another. It’s a great thing and we are extremely proud of how much money we raise along the way.

John Paul Dejoria, Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Systems and fellow biker said to me one day that “Success not shared is failure.”

Of course we gladly do this on our bikes because it’s connected to our passion for riding and by extension life in general. It’s a no-brainer. But what about your business life, are you sharing your passion and knowledge? Is there a favorite charity or non-profit organization which shares your passion that you’ve connected to?

Now I’m not talking about just giving dollars although that’s important. I’m talking about giving your precious time because there are some excellent organizations out there that can use you and your skills. So if you’ve not looked around your community do so.

Go out and offer others the same kind of helping hand we all received along our path to success. Get involved by teaching a class at Junior Achievement or share your experiences through the local Center for Entrepreneurship or Rotary Club.

Because whether it’s on the bike or off, there’s no greater feeling than giving something back.

Ride On

Tough Riding

OK…are we in a recession or aren’t we? Whatever the politicians and economists elect to call it, all signs are for slower times ahead. And, if so, what are you doing to prepare?

I’ve found that tough times in business are similar to riding through one of Florida’s summertime downpours. You know its coming and won’t last forever but you just can’t tell how bad it really is until you’re in the middle of it.

The key is to keep your wits about you and pay close attention to what’s directly around you. Be patient, narrow your focus to the road immediately ahead instead of looking off into the horizon and keep it straight.

So, in your business, pay close attention to the fundamentals and focus on what’s happening now. Keep your eye on the little things and by all means, sweat the small stuff. Because just like that Florida downpour, slogging through it ain’t fun, but you’re still moving forward…just not as fast as before.

After all, whether it's business or biking, the goal is to get there safely.

Ride On

Bike Week Baby!!

It’s Bike Week and one of the perks of living in Central Florida is that it comes twice a year. So on Friday I removed myself from the business ‘grid’ for a mental health weekend that just ended. No business, no emails, no cell phone calls…just riding.

The weather has been awesome for the thousands of brother and sister bikers who have ridden in to make it one hell of a party. We’ve come together to celebrate the freedom of motorcycling and it’s all about great riding and rock and roll music from Orlando to Daytona.

Bike Week aside, there aren’t many outside diversions that allow for this complete of a ‘get away’. Sure there’s sailing or mountain climbing, but that requires you to travel to wherever it is your boat or mountain is in order to take advantage. On a bike the wind in your face is immediate and the smile that comes with it is constant as it blows away the cobwebs and clears your brain. It’s why we ride...

So if you’re one of the thousands out here this week be safe and keep the rubber side down. And if you come across someone wearing a Biker’s Guide to Business t-shirt tap me on the shoulder and say hi...I’ll buy you a beer!

Ride on…

Getting Better

What do you invest in yourself in terms of professional development on a yearly basis? I’m talking specifically about conferences or workshops that will improve you personally, which in turn improves your company.


In my line of work as a Navigator of companies I need to maintain a critical edge in most of the crucial business areas, i.e. marketing, leadership, development, etc. So, I find myself attending 3 or more conferences a year, each requiring substantial bucks along with my getting on a plane and flying somewhere.


Yes, there’s the definite cost in terms of time and dollars, but the decision is easy as getting smarter ensures that I not lose a good client because I lazily handed my competitive edge to someone else. Plus, my clients see this investment in my education as an investment in them. It’s like I wrote a few weeks ago in Riding Partners…they too want to hang out with someone who’s on top of their game.


And if you’re gonna do it – do it right! These conferences are usually in a cool location so get there a day or two early and rent a bike. I’m currently in beautiful California where I spent the day before this conference riding a Harley down the Pacific Coast Highway.



While some of my fellow attendees were fighting 4-5 hour flight delays in order to get here, I had the wind in my face and the Pacific Ocean as my riding partner. It totally relieved me of the stress I left behind and cleared my mind of the cobwebs in order to open up to what I’m came here to learn.


Now that's how you combine work and pleasure…and people wonder why we ride!

Ride on,

A visit to the dealership...

There is something about being around other bikes and bikers that instantly takes you out of your box. It’s a bit rebellious and a bit of I know something the ‘normal’ guy doesn’t because I choose to step outside of the mainstream.

It’s an attitude. Not cocky per se…just a feeling of confidence one gets from having control within a vulnerable environment. You’re not the biggest and baddest…no, 18-wheelers are. But you are agile, powerful and fast…just like your company needs to be - no matter the size.

To be successful in business you always need to question the status quo and be willing to come across as a bit ‘different’. After all, we didn’t come here to follow the pack. Hell no, we came here to lead!

So, rather than think of yourself as an entrepreneur who happens to ride, flip it. Walk through your business world like the biker who happens to be an entrepreneur. Walk with that swagger that let’s others know that you’re different…that you have it together.

Because, as both a biker and an entrepreneur…you do.



Ride On

Begin at the End

How often have you begun a year just rolling full steam ahead off of last year’s momentum only to find yourself in March or June having to change direction? If that’s happened to you it’s probably because you’ve not stopped to think about the up-coming year.

This is why at the beginning of the year I asked myself and each of my clients to finish this statement. “2008 will be a successful year if…?” If what happens? If you accomplish what?

This simple but profound exercise can help you to see the coming year in its proper perspective. It forces you to project out and look at what projects and tasks you’ll need to focus on and is a great way to stop things from falling thru the cracks.

It also is a shot of adrenalin as your sense of urgency goes up along with your anticipation to get things done. Try it and pass it along to your employees and associates…it works.

Ride On

Riding Partners

Do you ride with the same group each and every time or do you mix it up a bit? My personal preference is to mix it up as I’ve found that diversity brings more enjoyment on the open road as each set of riding partners has their own likes and riding preferences.

There are some that like the easy roll that comes with the back roads and there are others that love the speed and vibe of the open highway. In either case, it’s good riding.

It’s the same in business. I always mix it up...especially in business! Reason being is that business, by its very nature, is competitive and you need every edge in order to become and remain successful. Therefore, you need to hang out with those who are just as hungry as you.

I surround myself with people who are hungry for more knowledge, greater skills and improved techniques. I want to hang out with the best at what they do and who wake up every day looking for ways to improve and move forward.

It’s the easiest way I’ve found to close my ‘knowledge gaps’ and cross those chasms with new skills and insights. And, just like riding, we help each other get to where it is we all want to go.