About two weeks ago, I booked two client meetings in New York City. On the way in, I had a lot of calls that needed to be done, so I decided to take an Uber. It was a big process day: interviews, logistics, offer discussions, a lot moving parts. I wanted to stay close and be available. Since I gave up my NYC drop-office a couple of years ago, my plan was to sit at a little coffee shop I often frequent, check messages, and make some calls. My client meetings were confirmed and were at the end of the day. All was going along well until…I realized a few minutes too late that I had left my mobile phone behind in the Uber!!!!!!!!! To make things worse, I had no laptop. I had made the decision before leaving home that all of the day’s activities could be handled by my mobile device. WOW, THIS WAS NOT HAPPENING TO ME! But it was!!!!!
As I contemplated my carelessness and self-inflicted stupidity, I reconned the entire Grand Central area for a pay phone. I could only could find one in Grand Central Station, and it did not work. I can’t recall ever having such a sense of helplessness, bewilderment and loss of control. I then came up with an idea to go over to my barber shop; I needed a haircut and they would certainly let me borrow a phone. The shop was closed—a Jewish holiday—one of a few days a year they close, what luck. I then turned around to head to the coffee shop, thinking perhaps they would let me borrow a phone and I noticed a TD Bank across the street. I happen to do business with TD. I went into the bank with my debit card to see if I could borrow a phone. (And to think, I was about ready to purchase one of those big wallets that hold your phone-just think, no phone, no wallet, no laptop) TD was very accommodating. I was able to get my daughter on the phone and after a few phone calls she was able to track down my Uber and make arrangements to have to phone returned back to Connecticut. In addition, I was able to have my daughter get in touch with relevant NPAworldwide partners to notify them that I was out of pocket. I then left the bank and had 3 hours to kill before my meetings, no real-time Internet connectivity or phone. What to do next?
I decided to go the library and just chill out. All was out of my hands. I then had a thought! All of my mission-critical delivery matters that day were in partnership with NPAworldwide partners; members such as Laura LaBine, Tim Lane, Pam Inglis and Pat Sisti and his team at PFP. Often, my client-side NPAworldwide deals empower my partners to submit direct to the client and they have relevant process and logistic discussions. My clients know their names and the role they play in assuring best practices, thought leadership and subject matter delivery excellence. While sitting in the NYC Public Library reading a newspaper, I was put at ease. My back was covered that day by my NPAworldwide partners. As a practice they were cc’d on all relevant logistics, thus they would intervene accordingly. In fact, everything that day went smooth, but it was good to know I was covered. In fact as I write this note, I sit at my desk under the weather, with no voice and have just asked a partner to pick up the ball on some matters till I get my voice back.
Yes, NPAworldwide is a great organization to grow and diversify your business. More importantly, it is a great place to make friends. The NPAworldwide friend factor is priceless. Of course, great relationships are developed over time and are centered in trust, transparency and inclusion. I can go on and on about the NPAworldwide friendship factor and how it has played an invaluable role in my life and in the lives of many members. In fact, as your Chair I reach out to every new member. Part of my new member infomercial is around the NPAworldwide friendship factor. I am not suggesting you have to be best friends with every member you come into contact with, but I am sure you can agree that it is easier to do business with someone you have friendly relationship with. So my friends, I am very grateful to have recovered my phone. During the course of that complicated day, the knowledge that my partners had my back, is a classic example of The NPAworldwide Friend Factor and The Essence of NPAworldwide.
This week's shout-out goes to Ross Wolfson with JRA Consulting Services. Through NPAworldwide he was able to take on a job from a new client in an area outside his niche. He successfully partnered with a new member, Tom Birdsell from H2 Technology & Financial Solutions, Inc. for a senior software engineer. Congratulations!
Happy Hunting.
P.S. Watch your inboxes soon for more information on some of our 2023 meetings - the Global Conference in Atlanta (May 4-6) and also Connection Sicily (June 1-3). Of course, I hope to see as many of you as possible in NYC on December 8th - we have a hard max of 40 attendees, so don't wait to sign up!