Monthly Archives: January 2015

Jan 30 2015

Managers vs. LEADERS

Managers vs Leaders

Leadership lessons are great to keep you focussed on making good decisions and creating a winning culture for your team. Regardless of what industry you’re in, or how large of a team you are leading (it might only be you…), these are great lessons!

Jan 28 2015

LEADERSHIP QUOTES – from famous NFL coaches

vince lombardi

1) “Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” — Vince Lombardi, Head Coach Green Bay Packers (1959-67)

2) “Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence…If you’re in control, they’re in control.” — Tom Landry, Head Coach Dallas Cowboys (1960-88)

3) “On a team, it’s not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together.” — Bill Belichick, Head Coach New England Patriots (2000-Present), New York Jets (1999), Cleveland Browns (1991-95)

4) “If you want to win, do the ordinary things better than anyone else does them day in and day out.” —Chuck Noll, Head Coach Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-91)

5) “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” —Vince Lombardi, Head Coach Green Bay Packers (1959-67)

6) “Try not to do too many things at once. Know what you want, the number one thing today and tomorrow. Persevere and get it done.” — George Allen, Head Coach Los Angeles Rams (1957, 1966-70), Chicago Bears (1958-65), Washington Redskins (1971-77)

7) “You fail all the time, but you aren’t a failure until you start blaming someone else.” — Bum Phillips Head Coach, Houston Oilers (1975-80), New Orleans Saints (1981-85)

8) “Success demands singleness of purpose.” — Vince Lombardi, Head Coach Green Bay Packers (1959-67)

9) “Stay focused. Your start does not determine how you’re going to finish.” — Herm Edwards, Head Coach New York Jets (2001-05), Kansas City Chiefs (2006-08)

10) “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.” —George S. Halas, Head Coach Chicago Bears (1933-42, 1946-55, 1958-67)

Jan 27 2015

SUCCESS WITH SYSTEMS – the sales and marketing essential!

By request, this post brings together the content from three posts (parts I, II, and III). This is an article I refer some of my business enquiries to, when it comes to building an effective sales organization or team. It is applicable to high tech sales teach (ex. IT solutions), selling real estate, direct selling organizations—basically any sales organization.

The human element is always the most complex piece of building a business. Whether it’s the sales team itself or customer dynamics, systems are the key to success.

Enjoy!

Part I – Success With Systems

SystemsSystems - definition

Part II – Success With Systems

Systems-part IISystems - three layers

Part III – Success With Systems

Systems-part IIISystems - diagnostics

Jan 26 2015

BBQ Sauces – it’s a regional thing…

BBQ types 3I absolutely love BBQ, it doesn’t matter if it’s ribs, chicken, burgers or an awesome cut of beef. There’s something about the art of preparing everything yourself – gone are the days of store-bought sauces and flavours.

My go-to dish is my fall-off-the-bone ribs (you can find all the details for the preparation and sauces here).

I recently had the opportunity to visit some business associates in North Carolina and had the blessing of experiencing North Carolina BBQ for the first time—what a treat!

If you like BBQ, and enjoy variety in your tastes, here’s a collection of BBQ Sauces to add some flair to your artistry of BBQ!

North Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Sauce

Combine the bacon, beef stock, cider vinegar, white vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, red pepper flakes, chile powder and 1 tablespoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the bacon renders its fat, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat; set aside to let the flavors develop, 20 minutes. Remove the bacon. Reheat the sauce before serving.

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces applewood-smoked bacon (in one piece), cut into large chunks
  • 3/4 cup beef stock or broth
  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
  • Kosher salt

Directions

Combine the bacon, beef stock, cider vinegar, white vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, red pepper flakes, chile powder and 1 tablespoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the bacon renders its fat, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat; set aside to let the flavors develop, 20 minutes. Remove the bacon. Reheat the sauce before serving.

North Carolina Vinegar Sauce

Ingredients

  • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Texas Pete’s
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

  1. Place all of the ingredients in a small, non-reactive sauce pan and bring to a boil. Whisk until the sugar and salt is completely dissolved, remove from heat, and allow to cool to room temperature.
  2. Pour the sauce into a jar or squeeze bottle and let rest in the refrigerator one day before using.

Kansas City Rib Sauce

BBQ types 2This is a rich, thick, tomato based barbecue sauce recipe often associated these days as Kansas City Style. You get that traditional combination of sweet with a touch of heat in a dark and thick tomato sauce. Adjust the heat by changing the amount of cayenne.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup/240 mL ketchup
  • 1/4 cup/60 mL water
  • 1/4 cup/60 mL cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup/60 mL brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons/45 mL olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons/30 mL paprika
  • 1 tablespoon/15 mL chili powder
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon/5 mL cayenne

Directions

Heat oil in a saucepan. Add garlic and sauté until brown. Add remaining ingredients and reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Adjust the heat by changing the amount of cayenne.

General Kansas BBQ Sauce

In my humble Kansas City opinion, this really is the best homemade BBQ sauce recipe! It’s sweet, it’s tangy, it’s smoky, and it’s perfect on just about everything. It is also naturally vegan and gluten-free

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 3 Tbsp. worcestershire*
  • 2 tsp. liquid smoke**
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • (optional: a few pinches of cayenne powder for extra heat, which I recommend)

Directions

Whisk all ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer (uncovered) for 20 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened.

Use the sauce immediately, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week.

Carolina Style BBQ Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 cup/240 mL prepared yellow mustard
  • 1/2 cup/120 mL sugar
  • 1/4 cup/60 mL light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup/180 mL cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup/60 mL water
  • 2 tablespoons/30 mL chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon/5 mL black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon/5 mL white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon/2.5 mL cayenne
  • 1/2 teaspoon/2.5 mL soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons/30 mL butter
  • 1 tablespoon/15 mL liquid smoke (hickory flavoring)

Directions

Mix all ingredients except soy, butter and smoke. Simmer 30 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer for 10 more minutes.

St.Louis BBQ Sauce

St. Louis Barbecue Sauce is thinner and has more of a tangy flavor than its Kansas City cousin. Being at the crossroads St. Louis style barbecue has many influences, so there are a number of ways of making this style sauce.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups/475 mL ketchup
  • 1/2 cup/120 mL water
  • 1/3 cup/80 mL apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup/80 mL brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons/30 mL yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon/15 mL onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon/15 mL garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon/2.5 mL cayenne

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over a low heat. Stirring occasionally and simmer for 20 minutes. Sauce should be thin, but not watery. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Sauce is better if allow to sit for a day.

Classic Rib Sauce

There is a flavor that is great BBQ Ribs. This sauce helps you get there, whether you smoked your ribs low and slow for hours, or baked them in the oven. This BBQ Rib Sauce has a touch of heat, a touch of smoke, and a lot of flavor.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups/475 ketchup
  • 1/3 cup/80 mL brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup/60 mL minced onion
  • 2 tablespoons/30 mL olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons/30 mL water
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 tablespoon/15 mL apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon/15 mL tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon/15 mL Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon/5 mL liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon/5 mL dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon/2.5 mL cayenne
  • fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions

Blend onion and water into a puree. Heat a medium sauce pan over a medium heat. Add olive oil. When oil is warm, pour in onion puree. Simmer until slightly browned. Add remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly and simmer for about 20 minutes.