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…