I’ve been thinking about cheetahs and hippos recently. My friend Kyle Wilson is a cheetah in his thinking, and I am at best a hippo. I don’t like change and prefer things to stay the same. Kyle, however, is always thinking and challenging the status quo. Recently, I joined Kyle’s mastermind group called “the inner circle.” Little did I know that when I said “yes” that I would be introduced to cheetah-like thinkers. After spending a full day at Kyle’s house surrounded by thirty other individuals, I realized that it was time to evolve in my thinking.

February 1st is a special for me. Every day on the right side of the ground is a brilliant day. Anytime you can wake up not pushing up daises is a great day. Twenty years ago I walked away from a daily free cup of coffee, a check, and a chair in cubicle farm to spark brilliance. Well, it still feels like day one and I am smiling bigger than a new baby. In a world of uncertainty, I’ve witnessed the power of holistic connectedness, human centeredness, and hope infusing individuals from all walks of life. Here are a few memorable moments that have been painted on the canvas in my mind that I just had to share with you. In this pictorial album of my soul, I hope you feel the energy, and exuberance of living without any regrets.

In life, you’ll have moments of bitter defeat. I invite you to review one of the five key takeaways: Leave it all on the field. When I was 15 years old growing up in Buffalo, I almost gave up. According to society, I am supposed to be dead, in jail, or on drugs, etc. Nevertheless, I am still here.I am a proud fan of the Buffalo Bills. They represent the spirit and pride of amazing people. Even though I haven’t lived in Buffalo for thirty years, I still bleed blue, red, and white. It’s our time, and it’s your time.

What’s there to learn about the mindset, skill set and willpower that allows them to achieve in any economy? How do they bounce back after a setback? What are the rituals, routines and revelations that allow them to flourish despite challenges? In a world where customers can buy anytime and in any way they like, sales professionals are moving faster, operating with more flexibility and putting significant emphasis on their mental health. Here are four tangible ways for you to have your best year ever:

What comes to mind when you hear Strawberries & Cream Bundtlet, Red Velvet Bundtlet, or Key Lime Bundtlet? Better yet, how do you feel when you hear 10,000 bites of joy?  Well, if you have a sweet tooth like me, then you probably know that I am talking about the pure joy of biting into a moist Nothing Bundt Cake (NBC).As much as I went to serve, I walked away with a new appreciation for a brand whose competitive edge is Joy!  Here are some of my key takeaways that you can explore in your own business:

Research says that the average worker will spend one-third of their lives in a place of business. I believe that if you are going to work, you might as well make it a fantastic experience.  Here are 13 lessons I've learned in my professional journey.

After 20 years of studying and working with best-in-class brands in multiple industries, I can tell you in a nano-second which companies are a cut above the rest. Take 5 is the bucket leader in the car wash industry. As a result of a series of acquisitions and mergers, they currently have 400 locations and are expanding quickly.  Let's see why this is the best place to work!

Thank goodness I’ve been able to experience another year around the sun. As a result, I’ve been reflecting on what I would tell my 40-year-old self about life, based on failure, successes, sadness, and joy.  

As a student of hospitality for the past 35 years, I am always excited to see how the best in class inspire their workforce. Recently, John Hart, a global senior director with Marriott Meetings & Events, invited me to share with the heart of the house. These 250 people managers are the magic behind Marriott’s Meetings & Events around the world.  

As I look back over the couple of decades since leaving Disney, I am convinced now more than ever before that being intentional about cultivating relationships is priceless.

The hardest person to manage is the person in the mirror. Always hold yourself to a higher standard of excellence.  Here's a few lessons I learned about how to manage transformation effectively.

I submitted one of my success guides to an international company for distribution. A few weeks later, a “Dear John” email arrived in my mailbox. It stated: “After careful review of the information submitted, it has been decided that our distribution enterprise WILL NOT be accepting your success guide.” The letter closed with, “All the best wishes for your success!”That email arrived not long after I received a rejection email from another major international distributor. The email said in part, “Simon, we will not pursue carrying your success book. It is not strong enough. Thank you for sharing it with us. Continued success!” Why was my book rejected?

As a person who has traveled all over the world and grown up in the hospitality industry, I know brilliant customer service when I feel it in my bones. Well, that’s what I experienced in Key West, Florida, with my bride. Everyone went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed our visit, and it didn’t take the jaws of life to pry open our wallets to spend money. They Sparked Customer Love. Let me tell you a story about Karl... 

Wells Enterprises’ purpose is to Bring JOY to Everyday Life. I love that a company is focused on spreading happiness to all of its customers. It’s at the heart of every decision they make. Joy is not something that is manufactured like synthetic diamonds. Joy comes from the heart. It’s emotional. It’s real and it’s a vibe that lifts the heaviest heart on a sad day. 

Contrary to what many seem to think, vulnerability is not a sign of weakness. Instead, it is indicative of courage and strength. Think back to any act of courage in the past, and you will be surprised to see an aspect of vulnerability showing through. All great leaders have this quality instilled within them...

Being at your best as often as possible is the surest way to guarantee professional growth and personal fulfillment. How do you create that consistency when we struggle to get it right? Let's find out here.

Being at your best as often as possible is the surest way to guarantee professional growth and personal fulfillment. How do you create that consistency when we struggle to get it right? Let's find out here.

When I look at these key flourishing indicators that are important to employees, I can’t help but think about the virtual interview with Simon Sinek during the SAP’s Sapphire Now Event. Simon said something that still reverberates today: “The job of a leader is to no longer care about results. The job of a leader is to care about the people that care about the results. The job of the leader is to no longer care about the customer. The job of a leader is to care about the people who care about the customer.” -Simon Sinek

Did you know that the average person in their lifetime will spend 90,000-plus hours working? That’s almost one-third of their life. Why not love your work and life at the same time?!? I had an amazing time with Slalom Consulting as I got to understand that their vision is more than just returning shareholder value and being the most profitable company in the world. It’s about developing people in their core competencies and coaching them to be their very best. 

Customer Service is a department. Customer Love is a mindset. Businesses that will thrive in what some experts call the ‘Next Normal’ must focus their attention on winning the hearts and minds of their customers.