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The Not Enough Cake or Pie Mindset

On this busy day, I was in a bit of a rush.  I felt there was  more to do than I had time to do it.  In the moment I felt busy, I received a call from my counselor. The call from the firm stated I needed to be in court that day.  This shift would have  changed everything.  All my plans for productivity would be shot.  This moment was a time to make a quick decision.  I let the counselor know I wouldn’t make court and they would handle it for me.  They said, they would make some phone calls and get back to me.  I moved forward to get things done.

This morning was a day with a plan.  It was as if there was a pie with 24 slices and not enough plates.  As the funny strange character, Milton Waddams from would say  ”The ratio of people to cake is too big.” In the context of the movie, I will give your background of the conversation. In the movie for which I have an Amazon Affiliate Link Here HERE, Milton was worried he wouldn’t get cake.  He put his energy and focus to the point of the following conversation:

“Nina: Now Milton, don’t be greedy, let’s pass it along and make sure everyone gets a piece.
Milton Waddams: Yeah, but last time I didn’t receive a piece. And I was told…
Nina: Just pass.
[while the cake passes Milton mutters - eventually everybody but Milton gets a piece]
Milton Waddams: [muttering] I could set the building on fire.”

Office Space is an awesome movie.  Buy it.  Don’t just rent it.  Buy it.  It has symbolism and metaphors that can be expound upon in life by many a college professor. As an affiliate I get paid a commission if you do buy,  so feel free to enjoy the classic comedy through me:-D

How to Get A Bigger Pie Mindset

But I digress; with a plan of action for the day  I moved on with purpose.  Chief of my aim’s was attending a “Brand Management Seminar.” My teachability index is high.  I felt good and lived to learn something new today.  The opportunity was presented to me to learn about branding from a college professor.

So I attended with glee.  I loved college and enjoy every aspect of marketing.  Its always a pleasure to learn something knew from an industry authority.  Bob Graham, CEO of Bigger Pie Strategies is a marketing business authority with years of experience.  More than just marketing, Bod Graham helps you manage your business brand to get a bigger pie.

Mr. Graham brought us in to a perspective on how to operate the business with passion and consistency.  He covered topics from personal dress, to brand consistency.  Mr. Graham even approached one of my personal pet peeves; having a “*@gmail” address for your primary business email.  I have always thought it made your business look part time to have a “gmail” email on the card.  I’ve always mentioned to clients they should use Godaddy to set up a website and domain.  In both cases you operate at the bare minimum standard of professionalism to have the website and email match.  Feel free to clink on my affiliate Godaddy Link.  If you have question or need help understanding how to work with Godaddy to set up your e-mail, reach out to me and I will help you.

 Professor Graham stated licitly “Customers want to help us reinforce their decision to make / have made the purchase.”  Mr. Graham spoke to how inconsistent branding impacted his business.  He also stated how inconsistent branding may impact your business cash flow.  Professor Graham gave real life real world examples and his challenges. He demonstrated how he recognized  inconsistent branding and is changing for the better.  The professor also spoke to how consistency of messaging works to get new clients whom want to do business with you because they trust you.  He also spoke to how people judge a book by its cover and sometimes choose not to work with you on looks alone.

Professor Graham gave wonderful tips, tidbits and tricks.  He worked to the point where I could find no fault.  My colleague was surprised.  I even said “his presentation was very effective“.  High praise from a hyper critical virgo.  Learning from Bob with its high energy presentation was a blessing for me.  He showed me how to treat every client with the same energy and enthusiasm.  Even the 10 year old young man was impacted.  The young man whom listened well had the most brilliant comment of anyone in attendance.

Professor Graham impacted me to the point, where I added my business logo to my email signature.  I have come to realize the professional impact that has on brand consistency.  I learned and implemented Bob Graham’s tip immediately.  I truly was blessed by this brand management seminar.

How to Change My Mindset 

The meeting ended and I evaluated the day, so far.  I had ten of ten items off of my checklist done.  It was now 2 PM and I was on the road.  I had to be complete all ten things by 7 pm and be prepared to give a gift my team hadn’t finished.  I felt stressed all over again.  I changed my mindset.  I focused on the new clear decisions I need to make.

I follow-up with those whom were with me as a team.  I made phone calls which took 3 items off my list.  I  arrived at a facility and got 2 more things completed.  Time was ticking fast.  I had 3 things left to complete.  By the 7 pm deadline, I had all ten things knocked out.  As I set back to evaluate the day, in my best Homer Simpson voice I said “D’oh!”; I realized I forgot about number eleven.  Number eleven was one items that slipped my mind and needed to be completed by 3 PM. It was now 7 pm.  No chance to fulfill that initiative.  I felt bad for a moment.  Then I sat back and appreciated the day.  I also made certain to help others have at least that good of a day.

So I appreciate the day and the challenges and opportunities presented.  According to Bill Creech’s The Five Pillars of TQM Six Steps to Six Sigma are:

1. Determine what your product is.
2. Determine who the customer is for that product.
3. Identify the supplier you need for your product.
4. Map out the process you must use in putting it together.
5. Examine the process to eliminate errors and wasted steps.
6. Establish measurement means to feed continues improvement.

I learned today with a focus on element 5 (Examine the Process).  I examined my process of operating on this day.  The court, meetings, the seminar all went well.  I did make and error in time management.  I didn’t plan for the event that I should have seen coming.  But the day still worked well.  Now that I am aware of the time management challenge, I can work to improve it (element 6).  But I felt good about the success of that day, and I look forward to working in progress toward tomorrow.

Sources:  

1) Office Space . Dir. Mike Judge. 2005. DVD. 20th Century Fox, 1999

2)  Graham, Bob. Bigger Pie Strategies:”What Your Personal Brand Says About You” 16 Aug. 2012

3) Creech, Bill, The Five Pillars of TQM, Truman Talley Books/ Dutton, New York 1994