Being Positive

Two lessons were learnt this week, both on the theme of being positive. It’s so easy, especially in the UK as the summer ends, to be all “doom and gloom” and not see every day as an opportunity to connect with our fellow human-beings. I was guilty of this last Thursday at 5:00 a.m. when I was on the way to Gatwick Airport to catch a flight to Marseilles on a buying trip, courtesy of an organization in the UK working on behalf of the FRIAA. To be honest, it had been too long-winded in the planning and I didn’t really want to be there.  Madness had hit our office and warehouse, both of which are currently deluged with pre-Christmas orders and I felt I should stay behind to help out–and not leave the office (and country)–after all, they always seem to think if I am not in the office I am not working!

However, soon after arriving in the South of France, my mood changed.  The autumn warmth helped, as did the amazing organization that had gone into an event for just 4 UK buyers, myself being one of them. I was quite overwhelmed–even astonished–at so much effort having gone in on our behalf–after all, even I am not that important!  Anyway, when I remembered my grumpy mood in the morning, I was humbled. How often is life like this? Generally we tend to under-expect, which means that we can under-achieve, and therefore not maximize every opportunity.  I think I did pull this one back in the end with some help from the enthusiastic support of the marketing manager at the FRIAA.

Secondly, I have experienced the opposite of someone being positive towards me and my business this week, indeed “negative” and “destructive” might be more appropriate words to use!   I am a great believer in maintaining positive relationships with all those you run across in business, yes even competitors and those that you may have fallen out with in the past!   Life really is too short to hold grudges or not maintain positive relationships and this industry is certainly too small.  Imagine then my surprise this week to hear that a former supplier has on at least three occasions been very negative about me and my company with no good reason at all - in my humble opinion!  Quite simply we gave his products a fair crack of the whip, investing money in getting them into retailers, but they simply didn’t sell off the shelves. After 18 months, we looked at the sales and decided we couldn’t continue. An e-mail was written outlining the decision at the time. But this person has, on at least three occasions, been very negative to people I know - he didn’t know that they knew me. What does this actually achieve?  You can’t live your life like that!   I have written him a cordial e-mail asking him to stop. I wonder whether I will get a reply?

Have a good–and very POSITIVE week!