Inspire ME Friday ==> 8 Ways To Keep Your Boss Happy

"Regardless of what it says on your job description, your real job is to make your boss successful. There are no exceptions to this rule. None. And,by the way: Your boss's real job is to make you more successful. The reversal of these priorities is the source of almost all organizational problems."

Good Morning Folks,

Welcome to Friday the 13th!

From Geoffrey James (The Sales Guy), here are the rules for keeping your boss happy:

1. Be true to your word.

Your boss wants to trust you. Really.  Therefore, whenever you accept an assignment, follow through religiously, even fanatically. Do what you say you're going to do. Never over commit, and avoid hedging your bets with vague statements like "I'll try" and "maybe." Instead, make your word carry real weight.

2. No surprises, ever.

The secret fear of every boss is that employees are screwing up but are not saying anything about it.  So even if you're afraid some bad news might upset your boss, make sure he's informed. Note: If your boss consistently "shoots the messenger," you can ignore this rule-because his behavior shows he doesn't really want to be in the know.

3. Be prepared on the details.

Your boss wants to believe you're competent and on top of things.  That's why she sometimes picks an aspect of your job and begins randomly asking penetrating questions. Therefore, whenever you're meeting with the boss, have the details ready so you can answer these queries with grace and aplomb.

4. Take your job seriously.

Bosses appreciate individuals who truly care about what they do and willing to take the time to achieve a deep understanding of their craft. Bosses need people who have unique expertise. You don't have to be a pro at everything, but you should definitely have a specific area of knowledge that your boss values.

5. Have your boss's back.

When you see your boss about to make a foolish decision, it's your responsibility to attempt to convince him to make a different one. Make your best case, and express yourself clearly. However, once the decision is actually made, do your best to make it work-regardless of whether you think it was the right one.

6. Provide solutions, not complaints.

Complainers are the bane of your boss's existence. Nothing is more irritating or more boring than listening to somebody kvetch about things that they're not willing to change.  So never bring up a problem unless you've got a solution to propose-or are willing to take the advice the boss gives you.

7. Communicate in plain language.

Bosses are busy people and have neither the time nor the inclination to wade through piles of biz-blab, jargon and weasel words. When dealing with your boss, speak and write in short sentences, use the fewest words possible to make a point, and make that point clear and easily understandable.

8. Know your real job.

Regardless of what it says on your job description, your real job is to make your boss successful. There are no exceptions to this rule. None.

And,by the way: Your boss's real job is to make you more successful. The reversal of these priorities is the source of almost all organizational problems.

Have a GREAT day and enjoy this beautiful fall weekend!

Be great and (re)IMAGINE!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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"To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself." 

~~ Soren Kierkegaard

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InspireME Friday: Joe Ades, Million-Dollar Plus Earning Street Salesman in New York City Shows You Secret of Sevilla Chips & TIGHT Sales Skill

"Buy one of my gifts for $10 and they're not got going to be offended because you only gave them a peeler, they'll be delighted that you gave them the best peeler in the world, made ins Switzerland where a damn knife costs $100, but even if they want ed one, you won't find out peelers in any stores. No one else has anything like this. Only me. Take two now and I will trow in the second peeler for the single convenient $10 price. They're made of stainless steel they CANNOT RUST"

Good Morning Folks,

To end  another strong and exciting week at FSO, and in salute toil own sales superstars who give it their best each and every day (Bari Klein, David Furst, Jill Kort, Ron Kelly, Juan Santa, Taylor  Miller and Gill Shapira), I present one of the best salesman in New York City...probably the best, in the world period. Over a million folks have watched this video on Youtube, countless more on the street. And there's tons one can learn. You can get the peeler here http://astore.amazon.com/konyh-20 

So he makes around $21,000 a week...
52 weeks in a year: $1,092,000
he made $70 in 6 mins -
that averages to $700 an hour

If you want a new peeler, or want become a better salesman, then take a look at this guy 
Whatever you do, be passionate.



HERE ARE SOME COMMENTS FROM VIEWERS

"I bought mine from him in 2002 and 12 years later it's as sharp as the day I bought it.

"I'm Swiss and ours is surely 20 years old. great pieces"

"Peel a carrot - Like a boss! 
Cut potato - like a boss
Sell a peeler - like a boss!
Earn some money - Like a  boss!"

"He makes me wanna buy a peeler."

"I don't have a need for a peeler at the moment, but I am still throwing money at the screen."

I'd definitely buy a couple!

Take my money
I'm sure calling this the best peeler in the world is an exaggeration, but with a sales pitch like that how can you refuse this man?  Not to mention, I'd rather give my money to someone working hard like this than another big box store.his from any dollar store, but I'd go out of my way to buy one from him given the chance.

He's a millionaire now

im pretty sure there are better peelers out there.....but i want his!

He's not just selling the product, he's selling an experience, a promise and his personality.

I would buy this just for his sheer performance!

This guy became a millionaire and lived on Park Avenue because of his peeler hustling skills.
Search for 'peeler millionaire' on Youtube.

This guy is such a good salesman he managed to sell me one from the grave and across the pond to where I live in London, I'm getting one from amazon!

I would buy this product. Smart person and great demonstration 

The wolf of wall street asked this guy to sell him a pen. The wolf ended up buying 5 peelers.

You can buy these things in Europe, but i would still buy one just because of how awesome the skills of his sales techniques are.

What a great guy!  I would buy anything he sold, just because he's awesome.

Everybody in Europe has this peeler, not kidding.

Well, you completely missed the point of the video being about him being a salesman and not the peeler being amazing. 

Great salesman, lots to learn from!

Five and a half years later and we experience this beautiful moment in the benign milieu of human interaction. Bless him and his enthusiasm and perspective; it isn't life and death nor is it (seemingly) make or break. Perhaps what is so appealing and inviting is that he seems already comfortable with where he is? How many times have we been dissuaded from interacting with people on the street (be them vendors or pitchmen) because we perceive them as less than us or less well-off than us in our current situations?  I'm just smitten with this man and this moment. 

Well said, he was a charming and classy gentleman. He spoke to everyone on the street rich or poor. He was the street.

Great salesman!

Get this man on QVC, he'll make a killing

He's already making a killing. He's a millionaire.  

The American Dream.

That is one great salesman.  Where can I buy a salesman like that?  Is he for sale?

You'd have to ante up a lot of money. Apparently, he lives on Park avenue and is a millionaire. 

Excellent salesmen. I'd probably buy one but tip him an extra couple dollars for his superb selling=
To anyone who says salesmanship isn't an art, how's it feel to be proven so wrong?
this guy is awesome

wow sold 16peelers just in 5mins

An inspirational salesperson and a great device.  ]

I am totally getting one of those!ago
le reddit army has touched down!

"You only want one? You got no friends like me." Lol

Joe Ades: the potato peeling millionaire in  #nyc  -- your not from New York unless you know who Joe Ades is!

I hope he used all the example shavings. That's a lot of food!

I'd get one, and I don't even cook

Defines a salesman.  I walk up totally disinterested honestly I never even cook.  I walk away with 5 of the darn things.  Get home realize I'll never use said items exclaim, "How the hell did he do that?"

The problem is not because he's a great salesman... but the item hes selling is convincing anyway... sure this guy have great way to show the usefulness of the item... but if you got no interest in the item i don't think it's gonna sell..

Great to see this. Long time since I saw something as genuine as this, New York is just too invaded with hipsters 

All I learned from this video is that this guy is really good at peeling potatoes. 

He makes me want to go travel to NY just to get my hands on one of those peelers.

I too dont cook and i want one!! He really is the greatest salesmen ever! I wonder if this is what salesmen where like back in the 50s 60s thats the vibe im getting from this guy

Im never cook in my life. Im gonna need 10 of those slicer.

wow what a great salesman, I don't think I'd be able to resist buying a peeler from him lol

I just spent my time watching a guy sell peelers and I wasn't bored 
Joe Ades , Greatest Salesman in New York City His…: http://youtu.be/HCUct4NlxE0

I remember this guy. I used to watch him just talk and talk and people would buy and buy.

love this vid. awesome, human. there's something... magical... about someone who is good at what they do. & who enjoys it. / even veggie-peeling becomes a delight.


I had never heard of this gent, but last spring I was serving jury duty in Brooklyn and saw him across the street from the courthouse.  I *had* to buy from him -- his bit hearkens to another time and age.  I can't use the peeler without thinking of him, and regretting I didn't buy some as gifts if only to but from him and reward him for the memory he's given me, and apparently many others.

when i found out he died i genuinely cried. me and my friend loved this guy so much we always impersonated him and had laughs. we miss him so much. he had his routine down to a word. my fav line is "they're made of stainless steel they CANNOT RUST"

wow he makes so much money in just 5 minutes.

Forbes wrote… "For any investor assessing innovation, creative destruction and disruptive technologies it’s a must to find the outliers. The standouts are not the technologies themselves but the zealous missionary people who conjure up the big new ideas and champion them to everyone else." 

At FSO, our ability to (re)IMAGINE a future very different than exists today and surround ourselves with passionate, open minded people who always have our client's future success at heart, make FSO the Apple of its industry. The disruptor. The innovator. The better alternative.

Less than 48 months ago, hundreds of FSO clients ALL relied on someone else who let them down. Now they have made the switch to us. That's no match forJoe's enthusiasm and peeler sales, but today we are just getting started and Joe, you lit our pants on fire with new found optimism and passion for what we do every day  Thanks.

Thanks to our employees for all you do for us, and to our clients for awarding us the privilege of serving you.

Have a GREAT day!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."

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A Big Thank You To These Notable Readers of MitchWeiner.com:

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Throwback Thursday: Selling Like A Mad Man: Being Don Draper

"You can't sell something you don't believe in yourself, and you can't sell it to someone who doesn't buy into your process. You have to want it to get it, and you have to have absolute confidence in what you're pitching."

Good Morning Folks,

Mad Men's Don Draper is a "get its, get it". Thanks to Oren Klaff's brilliant book, Pitch Anything, I am now a bigger fan. If you have not yet read Pitch Anything, I highly recommend you do so.

What follows, inspired by Pitch Anything, is an excellent illustration of not only how to play to win, but how to avoid the “Slow No”.  Sales people tend to forget that one of the most important attributes to their trade is not to sell, but to first qualify and disqualify prospects. Not everyone is meant to be a fit. Listening, understanding, and then eventually selling are the keys to a mutually rewarding customer partnership. 

As a fan of Mad Men, I realize Don Draper’s style is harsh, but if you are not bold and willing to have a deliberate “adult conversation” with your prospects and customers, then you are wasting precious time that should be directed toward believers.

==> The traits that make Don Draper successful include:

• An insatiable desire to win.

• Solid business acumen.

• Ability to take action.

• A rare ability to see what others will never see. 

I have met many "Don Drapers" in my career. Companies with ten to twenty salespeople are lucky if they have one on their sales team.

I thought I'd ask other top sales executives I know what they think are the top qualities one should look for when interviewing candidates for a sales position. Here they told me in no particular order.

• Aptitude: The one not often mentioned  is aptitude. After all we all want someone who can understand the product mix. Their aptitude needs also to extend to comprehending the various types of businesses/situations your customers are in, or how else will they be able to properly uncover needs.

• Listening: God created us with 2 ears and one mouth, to listen with as much as we talk. Qualifying and disqualifying the client are important. As a sales rep, the top priority is get more possible background situation of customer at very beginning, so he who is not good at listening and only preaches the specs, the company and/or  the price to a potential customer mostly will end their chances right there. Because, we are not led in our selling by selling "products and services" but more around the experience of what we offer, understanding the client and what story they are telling to their clients. Then how we can help them with that specifically. 

• Determination: You can't sell something you don't believe in yourself, and you can't sell it to someone who doesn't buy into your process. You have to want it to get it, and you have to have absolute confidence in what you're pitching. Your attitude has to be "We know what we offer is top shelf, and if you can't see that, then it's you that's missing out" rather than getting desperate for a sale---clients can smell that from a mile away. The successful sales person takes the word no as the beginning of the sales cycle and is even more determined each time they hit an obstacle 

• Resilient: A successful professional sales person can only have success if they are resilient. There are far more No's than Yes's out there. Every time you don't get the sale, you have to keep the positive attitude to move on.

• Cultural Fit: As a first step, I'm always looking for fit rather than skill set. Can they thrive in an environment like ours… high activity and direct feedback? You can train an employee to have the desired/necessary skill set - you can not train an employee to fit into the culture of your organization.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: I look for someone who will take ownership. I look for a "fit as well" in my last hire I did this and it has been a great success. Passion. 

• Adaptability: In today's competitive environment of rapid innovation, flexibility is essential. Aptitude and attitude are also key trait

• Likeable: What comes to mind is someone who is "likable". Likeable is someone who relates, listens, identifies needs and can speak in the language of the client. Someone who is funny and has a great spirit

Don Draper had those qualities suggested as well. He looked the part and you could trust that.

There was always something in his eyes-- when he got inspired you could feel that and you knew you were on good hands no matter what he was selling.

Some of those traits are hard to discover in interviews. You must get the interviewee to tell stories. You can't determine that just by asking them to sell you a pen. Because, in sales, if you have all of the other qualities but can't listen, can't understand the customers pains before running your mouth, you will always put your foot in it.

Here are a few clips of Don Draper in action. Have a look at magical works of wisdom from the godfather of closing:

==> Don Draper Sales Pitch

==> Don Draper wants: All of it

==> Position Yourself. Nothing Is Free.

==> Mad Men - Jantzen Meeting

I love these clips. They really do work in a Sun Tzu "Art of War" kind of shorthand for summing up the essence of Don Draper.

Don is confident in his ability, vision, and capacity. Professionally, Don is strictly take-no-prisoners. He can clearly see where his clients need to go and how he will get them there. Don is a storyteller. 

Thanks to Chris Young Founder and Thought Leader, The Rainmaker Group, Inc for inspiring this post with his. Says Chris: "The Rainmaker Group uses an advanced "Moneyball Approach" to help Clients select "wolf class" salespeople that scare the hell out of the competition." Now that's exactly what Don Draper would say if he was pitching Chris' business. lol

I want take this opportunity to thank you for what you do every day to make FSO GREAT!

If know of someone who would enjoy working for or with FSO please do not keep us a secret.


Have a Personal, Passionate & Productive Day!

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

Learn more about what DIFFERENTIATES FSO here

And The Winners Are...

Meet our JUST HIRED (Lucky Seven) 2014-Winners-to-be
(L to R)Pat Mustico, Chad Wold, Nick Williams, Kim Padnes,
Nicole Smith, Kristin Kee  and Michael Fuscaldo

“FSO truly cares for their employees and this event was proof of that. I’m truly grateful knowing that I work for a company where I have an unlimited career path. FSO indeed is the Happiest Place to Work.”  

Good Morning Folks,

Following up on yesterday's post about our awards celebration last week, 2013 was a banner year for FSO, and there were several top performers who proved to be critical to our success this past year. This event was all them – the great people who make up FSO.


What really made the evening so unforgettable was seeing and hearing everyone’s stories of success and inspiration. We are in the business of fulfilling dreams, and it was clear to see that on Thursday night.

The evening commenced with a heartfelt "thank you" from meand went straight into the announcement of nominees and winners that spanned over 15 different award categories. The winner/s for each category included: 

==> Associate in Leading Role:

Joann Manigo (NY Magazine)

• Started with FSO as the Informationalist at New York Magazine
• Promoted to assistant manager at DKMS last October
• Because of Joann’s exceptional work at both sites she was promoted again to EM and returned back to New York Magazine
• Worked very hard to ensure the client and the team experience is impacted everyday
• Joann is on the fast track with FSO and has her sights on becoming a director in the future

Roger Rios (Capco)

• Taken initiative to create tracking systems and spreadsheets for all inventory managed by fso 
• Gone above l and beyond the clients expectations
• Does not have to be told to do certain items
• Takes the initiative and pro activity needed
• Has worked after hours to ensure client deadlines are met

Henry Azcona (PwC)

• Transitioned from his 5 yr employment at PwC to his new Lead role at FSO seamlessly
• Henry leads the Facilities team @ 300 Madison (the mothership) to a level of HOSPITALITY worth its weight in GOLD
• Supports not only our PwC leadership and staff, but our own team with ease! 
• Clients and leaders all love him

==> Best Fire, Skip, Twinkle:

Lissette Umpierre, North East Regional Director

• Perfect example of FLP - personally hand-picked and recognised by mitch for their leadership abilities and potential
• So much kool-aid that this person just needs a handle
• Amazing hyper communications that reflects our culture and has singlehandedly "infected" all their multiple sites to have the same fire, skip and twinkle
• Exudes hospitality. The perfect host, attention to detail, smile, personal and high high standards and work ethic
• Continues to build revenue opportunities and expanding sites due to delivering promise to practice. 

==> Leader in the Field:

Joseph Yap, Associate Experience Director 

• Instrumental in relocating Societe General to new space
• Most FLP members 
• Successfully launched new Lobby/Concierge Services – French speaking
• PPP Monthly Award Winner – Qualifier for PPP of Year Award
• Secured contract increase and renewal – 2015
• Instrumental to implementation and openings in 2013 – specifically Y&R
• Field Analysis SME

==> Promise to Practice:

Shawn Curwen, Experience Director 

• Shawn has done an outstanding job delivering the perfect client and employee experience through operational excellence
• A positive attitude towards work responsibilities, a commitment to quality in carrying out those responsibilities
• Since joining FSO this person has supported Operations, Sales, (re)Imagination Team
• Shawn exemplifies FSO’s 3P’s and they are even featured in the company video saying “you can’t fake passion”

==> Hospitality (re)IMAGINED:

Ben Rydell (Y&R)

• Our Master Concierge
• Leads the Hospitality Mission at Y&R
• From shoe shines, manicures, to dry cleaning to local discounts – Ben is the Go To For Everything 
• Perfect example of customer service/satisfaction
• Personal Service and Vision executed – Global CEO of Y&R David Sable – Bens biggest fan

Freddy Feliz (Grove Pointe)

• Concierge afficianado
• Delivers perfect customer satisfaction and white glove service
• Owns the stakeholder relationships – treats every guest like gold

Ian Rampaul (PwC)

• Communicates with all levels of our client’s leadership daily, to move 7000 visitors and clients around in 300 Madison seamlessly.
• Works with our entire FSO team to ensure every Hoteling client is ready to their job in a clean workspace and is getting the highest quality service every day.
• He has just enough personality and patience to be loved by all 7000 folks who walk through the doors of 300 Madison every day.

==> Best Experience Director:

Aida Hibbert, Experience Director

• From the moment this person arrived – the words being of service has resonated through our company 
• Has significantly impacted every account under their watch
• Has impacted the employee experience and client experience
• Has reImagined solutions and  thinking outside the box on how we help our clients
• Has secured new headcount, services and contract renewals and increases across every client
• Inspires their teams and sites to achieve greatness and deliver outstanding Hospitality and White Glove Service
• eams have received the most Kudos in 2013
• Is a leader for us today – due solely to her desire to provide outstanding service and leadership
• Sees the future and drives the vision of FSO – Inspiring a Nation and Fulfilling Dreams

==> Excellence in Execution for Headquarters:

Jonathan Shulman, Sr. System Administrator  

• Led the FSO site cut over for HR and Payroll in the Paychex cutover as if he was part of their departments
• Spoke to almost every FSO employee in the field supporting them in using the Paychex time entered system
• Hosted training meetings for the ED, EM etc… on multiple occasions
• Constantly developing professionally and taking advantage of the challenges FSO throws his way through its hyper growth
• Going to be an important part of managing our FSO IT accounts/staff as we grow this line of services, allowing me to go outbound to make it rain. 
• Always ready to lend a helping hand IT related or not, the staff loves him!

==> (re)Imagine Excellence:

Christine Rainey, North East Regional Director

• Solely built our Jersey Market
• 100% Client Retention
• Grew market through perfect process and operational execution - perfecting best practices
• Expanded business from 6 to 20+ locations
• FLP leader - hiring, training, promoting teams
•  Obvious choice for promotion
• Leading our largest region
• A focused. results drive, and dynamic leader 

==> Rookie of the Year:

Taylor Miller, Business Development

• She is young enough to be our child so we would like to think we “raised her”
• She has secretly volunteered to play on every corporate soccer team in exchange for meetings and business - she is their ace in the hole!
• She navigates technology better than any of us “old folks” and finds unheard of accounts 
• She drinks a lot of milk and therefore has a great large smile that makes everyone want to give her business….
• Billed the largest amount of revenue in her first year with a FSO as a rookie

==> Top Revenue Performance:

PWC Team (Jim Caton, Denise Ngeow, Bari Klein, Christine Rainey, Clark Duverger & Ben Rydell)

• All played an integral role in closing the largest deal in outsourcing history 
• A 57-city service agreement with multiple service lines
• Changed the face of our company forever
• Level of commitment to this deal could not have been stronger or more personal
• RFI and first meeting - presenting to 30+ people (we thought it was the wrong room!!) 
• Site tours, cupcakes & every detail in between
• Thank you for (re)IMAGINING!! We did it! FSO in the USA

==> Believe it, Deliver it Award:

Missy Adriazola, Experience Director & John DeSena, VP & GM North America

• Relentless commitment and tireless efforts to successfully deliver one of the largest transitions in the history of the industry
• Coordinated placement of over 300 staff across 57 cities over 6 weeks!

==> Passionate Power House of the Year
Societe General 

• Expanded services and lead the charge in reImagining mail services
• Site leads with most FLP 
• Awarded reception services which expanded to lobby/concierge and French speaking 
• Completed Massive HR scanning and data validation project - Team of 4 for 4 months
• (re) Imagined and supported the move to 245 Park - all services 
• Joe, Phil and team have ensured a solid and perfect Referencable client 
• Expanding into more services as we speak
• Team lead the way with a fire,skip and step - leading the best client and employee experience and inspiring a nation 

==> Carpe Diem 
Denise Negow, Chief of Staff

• Promoted to Chief of Staff 
• Has made the greatest impact in supporting the company and innovation of solutions that surpass the industry
• There from day one, Denise has done whatever is needed to drive the goals of the company 
• Recognized by her peers as someone who ALWAYS goes above and beyond to make a difference for the greater good of the company
• Continually supports Mitch’s vision
• Side-by-side with Mitch, lighting up the nation and laying the foundation for future growth across the country, one plane ride at a time!
• Gives 101% effort in all that she does

The top performers listed above received monetary awards and Academy Award like trophies to showcase their accomplishments. FSO's Passionate Powerhouse of the Year will be celebrated at a social event later this month. 

To further inspire and drive FSO employees to deliver exceptional service with positive attitudes, Jim Caton, Chief Chaos Officer & President, gave a shout out to the "up and comers"/"ones to watch" of 2014. 

The event concluded with a raffle of cash prizes, Paid Time Off days, and a brand new LED Smart TV. 

If there's one thing that FSO lives and breathes every day, it's the Employee Experience. We believe that people can make or break the success of an organization. As a result, we remain laser beam focused on rewarding our hard-working, dedicated employees. 

Photos from FSO's 2013 Awards & Recognition Ceremony can be viewed on FSO's Facebook page and will be featured in the next issue of FSO's monthly e-newsletter, FSO Connect. In addition, a slide show from the event is featured on FSO’s YouTube channel. 

Big HUG.. this morning to all.. have a terrific day.. make it count and lets rock it out there and INSPIRE THE NATION and give the zillions of prospects out there that are using our competitor what they rightfully deserve.. US

To our present and future stars, it doesn't get any better than this!

Love Life!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision.
The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives.
It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." 
~~ Don Adams (Locked and loaded!)

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