Top Five Things I Learned From Sales Summit 2015

Each year our Sales team comes together for our annual Sales Summit.  The last two years it has been held in the great city of Louisville which is always fun times for me.  It's great as a hometown girl to show off my city to people who are fascinated by our southern/midwestern town.  Our 2015 meeting occurred last week and while it's still fresh on my mind, I'd like to bring you the top five things I learned from this year's Summit.....

5.  Some Uber drivers are directionally challenged. - After the first day of meetings, the management team ate at the lovely restaurant, Corbett's.  It's located in an odd, but very obvious spot, right near the only Costco in town.  When we finished, my boss and I were heading home while the other four managers took an Uber to the hotel.  They ordered their ride, but somehow their Uber ended up at the nearby Kosair Hospital.  Then found himself circling the area like a scene from National Lampoon's European Vacation.  He finally got to the pick up spot after one of the managers basically waved him down in the middle of the road.  Let's just say he knows where Corbett's is now.  

4.  Event planning from a distance can be less than desirable - Our corporate office handles all the planning of this event every year.  Note to readers: Our corporate office is in Silicon Valley.  They do their best, but not being a native or living in the area, they lack in some of the knowledge to make sure things are in order.  One of those things was shuttles for the team when leaving for the airport.  The hotel was located on Hurstbourne Lane and all the departures were to happen during rush hour.  The time for pickup to get to the airport was only an hour and a half before the flight took off.  All you Louisvillians are going, "WHAT?!"  You know what rush hour is like on I-64 and I-264.  Non-residents don't.  A last minute change the day before departure saved many a flight from being missed.

3.  Presentations on a bus ride are challenging - This year's group activity was for teams to come up with a product using a Solo Cup that had nothing to do with drinking.  It was decided that we would present these ideas on the bus ride to Frankfort for our outing to Buffalo Trace Distillery.  Though the idea was great, the execution was a bit flawed.  The bus was loud, the driver was surely named Mr. Toad, and thus the humor and wit intertwined in these presentations was lost.  The coolest moment was when a team used a Star Wars theme and cut out the logo in their cup and then shined their iPhone flashlight through it to display the image on the roof of the bus.  No sound needed and that got my vote.  

2.  Not all food served is identifiable by foreigners - Our buffet dinner after our outing was absolutely delicious.  A veritable smorgasbord of Kentucky delights.  Mini Hot Browns for appetizers, BBQ Beef Brisket that melted in your mouth, and homemade pies, including Derby Pie.  Along with those delectables was a southern dish called corn pudding.  As I went thru the line, one of the California Sales Reps asked, "Rose, is this dessert?"  I said, "No child, that's how we eat vegetables in Kentucky."  (Ok, I didn't say "child" but wish I did)  It was a huge hit and people were going back for seconds and thirds of that stuff.  People live such a sheltered life outside of the Bluegrass.  

1.  You can meet some of the most amazing people in the most unique places - Our tour guide at Buffalo Trace was Freddie Johnson.  He is a third generation employee at the distillery.  And he was the most fascinating, interesting tour guide I've ever had for any tour.  After our event, my boss found an article telling more about Freddie and it made me love him even more.  Every time we'd move from place to place, he'd say "Life's a journey, let's go!"  Yes, sometimes that's a good reminder for more than just a distillery tour. 

Table Topics: Journaling

A few weeks ago I was having a conversation with my friend, Matthew, prior to his European Summer Extravaganza.  Somehow the topic of journaling came up and he indicated he journals, pretty regularly.  I was shocked.  A man journaling?  Get outta here!  He said, "How else will my grandchildren know about me?" which was a brilliant reason.  Given Matthew is somewhat of a unique soul, I challenged him to find two other men that journal...and we did.  Wow.  Revelation!  

This caused me to take this to the men that are my Facebook friends and survey the audience.  Again, I was surprised at the number of men that did journal regularly or had in the past and wanted to resume that practice.  Fascinating.  I found that more men have or do journal than I imagined, and I find that very endearing.  If you are a man who journals, Brava!!  

Now that I've fininshed my MBA, one of the items on my MBA Bucket List is to start journaling again.  I have done it during certain seasons in my past, but with school added to the mix of my busy life, journaling was far from my radar to continue.  I've ordered a nice composition notebook that should arrive Friday and I'll be on my way.  I may never have grandchildren, but someone might like to read them one day.  

That brings us to today's Table Topic.  

Do you journal?  If so, why?  

Get your pen and paper ready....or your fingers nimble...and discuss.