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What was Dan Gilbert thinking?

Back in my 20’s and perhaps 30’s, I would have rattled off something similar. But experience teaches you that when you open your mouth under stress, bad things can happen.

Whatever Dan Gilbert was thinking, it certainly wasn’t Big Picture Thinking.

Coincidentally, both Gilbert and I experienced similar events. Gilbert was loyal to James to a fault building a new area, new training area, new this and new that. In the end, there was no loyalty.

For me as you know, we were loyal to TIGI to a fault in everything we did. Like James, TIGI bolted, there was no loyalty.

But that’s business, that’s life, and that’s why Big Picture Thinking is so critical not only in these trying times, but at all times.

Experience has taught me in my 40’s and now 50’s that strategic thinking and competitive intuition are much more powerful weapons than opening your mouth. On Monday, we will be making a very important announcement that has me giddy all over. That is what Big Picture Thinking will do to you.

So what is Big Picture Thinking anyway? It’s not in any textbook I know of but I have learned the context from our illustrious and very strategic GM, Kym Riffel. Only because it’s Friday and I am pre-giddy for Monday am I sharing her thoughts on Big Picture Thinking. Here goes:

“In changing times we need to step back and think about the BIG Picture – it brings perspective.

It’s like using your magnifying icon on your computer expanding what you can see and what you’re able to do!!!!

If you’re a Big Picture Thinker:

· You’re never satisfied with what you already know – you’re a lifelong learner!!!!

· Listen to someone who has experience in an area where you don’t!!!

· Make an effort to get outside of themselves and see other people’s worlds through their eyes!!!

· See many components involved in any given situation:  issues, people, relationships, timing, and values!!!

BIG PICTURE THINKING:

· Allows YOU to Lead

· See the VISION before your competition does

· Size up situations, taking into account many variables

· Connect your Future with your Past to make your journey more meaningful

· ALLOWS YOU TO ENJOY MORE SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!

Finally,

Big Picture Thinkers Learn from every experience and give themselves permission to grow!!!!

I can say I learned from our experience and I’m fired up to MOVE FORWARD!!!!

I can’t wait for you to hear the announcement on Monday!!!!”

Happy Friday!

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It’s so hot.

It’s so hot that:

• After running 6 miles and jumping into the pool, steam comes out
• Speaking of swimming, it’s like swimming in a whirlpool. In Florida, some resorts actually add ice cubes to cool down the pool
• Baskin-Robbins dropped ice cream cones and now sells milkshake cones
• A/C no matter how high you set it doesn’t get your bedroom below 70
• You don’t need a fire to roast marshmallows
• Dogs no longer stick their heads out of car windows
• You have to add ice cubes to beer to keep it cold
• You can cook hot dogs on your grill without firing it up
• LeBron James can’t take the heat. No bull. BTW: who is going to watch ESPN tonight? Brrrr.
• A cold winter January day in Detroit sounds good. Well, it’s not that hot.
• Happy Thursday!

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I remember Andy Grove when Silicon Valley was where we thought WD-40 was made. Him and Warren Buffett were contemporaries back in the day and it was one of Buffett’s biggest mistakes not to invest in Grove’s new company, Intel.

With a $3 Million start-up investment, Intel became a powerhouse company and along with Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, HP and others, led America to its greatest business innovation path in history.

But alas, even when virtually every computer has your product inside and you have world domination, Grove found out it’s not enough. His story in the latest issue of Businessweek is compelling, frightening and one in which politicians need to heed. The consequences will be severe if not.

You will learn that one company in China builds virtually all the components and finished goods for Apple, Dell, HP, Cisco and on and on. You will learn that this one company employs more than triple the employees all the U.S. companies it supplies combined. You will learn this one company employees nearly 1 million people. To put that in perspective, the entire population of Detroit is less than 800,000.

America needs jobs. And fast. The salon industry as tiny as it is needs people to get back to work so they can get back to making appointments. Shopping center vacancies hit a new record last month, over 10%. Have you seen so many “For Lease” signs in your life?

Read the article in your free time. It’s long, it’s complex, it’s worth your time. When you are done reading it, ask yourself one question: “How and why did Asia become so relevant?”

Before you answer that, look at the fiscal status of Illinois, California, Michigan, Florida and countries such as Greece, Spain and Portugal. And think about why these states and for the most part, the federal government, is in dire straits. When you come to the obvious conclusion, you will know the answer to the question.

Andy Grove makes sense. Whether you like it or not, it’s American businesses that will need to turn America around and politicians will either need to get on our side or jump in the ocean and see how far they can swim to China.

Happy Wednesday!

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It started with a Stick and ended with a Stick.

On June 24 at 11AM, Vince Davis, Senior VP TIGI and our area manager, Tom Buffano, came into my office and after less than 30 seconds of idle conversation, handed me a letter of termination.

Effective date was July 1. We took the brand from $200,000 in sales to over $6 Million in sales. We had the largest TIGI Art Team. We were distributor of the year for education.

First they took our chain business away. Then they opened BSG’s stores in Michigan.

And now this. TIGI is going direct. They can do it better than us and after 12 years, we are yesterday’s news. No compensation, and not even a thank you. It’s the global way.

Ten minutes after the meeting started, it was over. We did manage to get a store contract much like we did when L’Oreal said good-bye to us.

Am I bitter? Not at all. I have come to understand the global assault on our once proud entrepreneurially-driven industry and that we are just a by-product of it. The bigger guns always win. Global is about numbers, not people and sorry to say, I’m not global.

Salons know we have fought TIGI every step of the way in regards to diversion, discounting, ULTA and so forth. Many stayed with TIGI because of us. I feel for them, the Art Team and those that drank the TIGI Kool-Aid.

They too have to make a decision how to move their business forward. And it sucks because they don’t know what’s next. They don’t know if there is any loyalty left. Who can blame them?

Here is what I do know. We are a privately-held company focused on the business of people who work for us and with us. We will never be a BSG or Beauty Alliance with 10-20 “big” brands. We are now a “boutique” distributor of hair care products and proud of it. This was destiny. For the Mascolo Brothers, they took a Stick and evolved into a company that sold for more than $400 Million to Unilever.

And for us, it ends with a Stick and it hurts. That’s OK. While we may not have the bigger guns, we have something more valuable and it’s something money can’t buy.

Happy Tuesday!

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How come the period between Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July weekend seems like two weeks? Is there a faster period during the year? I think it’s even faster than the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Why do we love to eat out of bags and boxes? Snack items, candy (no wonder M&M’s are #1), popcorn, Chinese take-out, McDonald’s French Fries while driving, and so forth. We can take a snack size bag of Oreo’s and dump it on a plate or napkin but it’s much more fun to grab out of the bag. Why?

Are you staying home or traveling? With only three summer weekends, I love to stay home but heading out to Chicago like a million others to see my oldest son and daughter-in-law (no grandkids yet).

Thebeautybook Fall 2010 edition is in the mail along with The Industry Source July/August magazine. WOW is all I can say. I’m sure you will say the same when you get your copies (that is if you are a customer).

Young love is true love. When was the last time you made out in a parking lot during the day?

I have no idea why, but I haven’t seen or heard anything about the BP oil spill all week.

June consumer confidence hit a skid and so did the stock market. Not a good omen for the next six months. But hey, Jimmy Buffett is live this weekend and thank god it’s 5:00 somewhere and that Larry King retired.

J.J. CND’s infamous VP of Sales ensured me Shellac Base Coat is on the way. Between that and the iPhone 4, not sure which is hotter.

Can you eat 20# of steak in 4 days?

Have a terrific holiday, Labor Day is around the corner.

Happy Thursday!

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I don’t get this soccer thing. A bunch of guys running around a field that is 120 yards long at full speed for 90 minutes chasing a ball and they can only use their feet, body or hands to touch it. Only the goalie inside the box can use his hands.

And most games end in scores like 1-0, 2-1, and zzzzzz, you know what I mean.

But FIFA has accomplished something not even the NFL (the most powerful USA sports organization) has: Created the most watched game in the world. Heck, a small stadium in S. Africa holds 200,000 fans. So much for the Big House.

I have to admit I found myself watching TEAM USA this past Saturday and my interest piqued when they tied the score. But it was more than that.

World Cup Soccer is really no different than the Olympics. It galvanizes countries and takes their best athletes to represent them. You can see the expressions on coaches when their team scores a goal or allows a goal. You sense that same expression is found on the country’s leaders.

Team USA represents the USA. They won more medals in the last Olympics than any other country. Ratings for NBC were the highest. Ratings for soccer in the USA have been the highest ever.

Bottom line is that national sports teams competing against other countries is an amazing thing when you stop to think about it. Who in the USA doesn’t want TEAM USA to win? Who in Brazil doesn’t want TEAM BRAZIL to win?

And here’s the other thing: Competition is fierce but teams play against each other regardless of politics, business, allies, enemies, religion or skin color. Everyone is equal, everyone is the same, and everyone plays by the same rules.

Here’s what I propose for the G20 countries: Bring in FIFA and the Olympic Committee and have them figure out how we can use their models to help eliminate all the hatred and animosity that seems to never end, both within each country’s residents and their neighbors.

Now that would be using their heads wisely.

Happy Wednesday!

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In one conclusive study, a group of 100 adults were asked if their driving skills were below average, average or above average. Nearly 80% of the adults responded above average.

This study mirrors hundreds and thousands just like it. As a driver we know first hand that 80% of adult drivers are not above average.

The point is that most people think they are above average in everything they do. But that is impossible since the law of averages would be unfounded and it never will be. In any group, there is an average (median) where half the group is above and half the group is below.

Schools and colleges understand the law of averages when it comes to scoring exams. Sometime teachers/professors curve the averages or else more than half the class would fail. And we surely notice at graduation only a mere percentage are wearing special caps and gowns.

All of which brings me to my point that people do the damnest things. “The grass is greener on the other side” is an expression that is more true than not. People think that what other people do is easy, simple and no big deal. They think they can do it better and faster. Consequently, people move from one field to another only to fail miserly not understanding why. That is because they don’t know about the law of averages and they are not above average in everything they do.

Personal, family and business relationships all run into this on a daily basis. Carnival games play off this mentality by making their games look easy with big stuffed animals given away to the suckers. Above average people think they can sink the basketball or get the ring around the Coke bottles. Carnies know better.

Families test this law out each and every holiday when they get together. Invariably there are games, contests, and/or statements that are made that others disagree with or will compete against to make a point. No wonder there are more heated times at family events than good times.

And in business, the same is true. There are those that think I come into work each day, sit at my desk, stare at my computer, make a few calls, email and then go home. They think there is nothing to running a business and they can do it themselves and do it better.

Hey, I got nothing wrong with that thinking. Who knows how many people have left Google to start their own businesses. But in the world where law of averages always wins and small-minded people think they are above average, those people always lose. And lose hard.

What makes a great company isn’t the CEO/founder, it’s the people. When you have the best people, it doesn’t matter who leaves the company, there is always someone or some team to step in to get the job done. I have always said that if the President dropped dead at 3:00PM, Washington D.C. restaurants would still be packed at 6:00PM with people sipping martinis and eating steaks. The world goes on with or without you.

Luckily, the law of averages works at TNG. Most people leave on good terms, give two weeks or more notice, and move on to the next part of their life. That’s the way it should be. We respect that. But it’s those few that think the law of averages doesn’t apply to them and step out without respect and think the world owes them something.

Truth it, no one is owed anything.

Happy Tuesday!

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July 1 begins a new era at TNG. And I have never been more excited.

TNG Hospitality takes the company full circle by filling in the missing link thus allowing all its customers (referred to as guests) to get everything they need from one source. Our business strategy for Hospitality is simple: To be the official concierge of Hospitality.

While Hospitality is all-encompassing, what’s most telling about this industry is that it’s based on guest satisfaction and the ability to deliver services over and above expectations. The Ritz-Carlton figured this out long ago and remains the only hotel chain that has won not one, but two Malcolm Baldrige awards for quality.

The Ritz understands their guest’s needs and documents their best guests relentlessly. Properties such as The Peninsula, Four Seasons, Wynn, and Montage live and breathe this credo as well. But there are thousands others, mostly independent, that strive to be the best.

That’s where we come in. If our guest’s can dream it, we can make it. From custom filling to custom manufacturing to custom packaging, TNG Hospitality is all-encompassing. It debuts officially with the launch of thebeautybook Fall 2010 edition coming out early July. It was quite the undertaking.

I’ll give you a hint of what is up our sleeves and in some instances, it truly is magic. One area that upscale properties are focused on is in-room refillable amenities. Instead of offering bottles of shower items, lotions and such, they provide refillable containers that are both earth-friendly and  “green.” Not only did we develop a complete system for properties, but we went a step further and designed a tamper-resistant bracket to prevent theft of the bottles.

It’s amazing the things you get excited about when you launch something new. Organza bags is another one of those things. Organza bags are shear and have a pull-string top that closes the bag to create the perfect gift presentation. They come in many colors and sizes. As the official concierge of Hospitality, organza bags are a big deal to properties. For this reason alone, we now stock the largest assortment of organza bags in the USA.

Yes, this is exciting and truly is a leap forward to begin our next 25 years. Stay tuned for more such news.

Happy Tuesday!

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I love summer. Here are some reasons why:

• Morning sunshine at 5:30AM
• Evening sunshine at 9:30PM
• No more school busses
• No more 16 year olds driving Jeeps to school
• 60 degree mornings
• T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops on weekends
• Cooking and eating outside
• Outdoor activities beat indoor anytime
• No more school busses
• Sun dresses
• Jimmy Buffett at DTE
• thebeautybook Fall edition debuts July 1
• Not one, not two, but three holiday weekends
• Driving with the top down

Alas, there are a few reasons why summer can be a bummer:

• Days start getting shorter
• No time to watch True Blood or Kitchen Nightmares
• Going to bed when it’s still light outside
• Never cool off after running
• Mosquitoes, vols and geese
• Orange barrels and more orange barrels

All in all though, summer is still the best!

Happy first day of summer!

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This is a funny story. Gilberto (there are thousands of “Gilberto’s” out there but for this story, the name works) got inspired to take on running from a co-worker who got inspired by another co-worker.

Gilberto was amazed that his co-worker out of nowhere could run a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and then run the Chicago marathon this fall all in the matter of a few short years.

This inspired him to try out running. Like all new runners, the first mile was treacherous. But Gilberto didn’t give up and persevered. No way did he want to give up and let his co-worker make fun of him.

Through a lot of courage, he signed up for his first 5K and climbed his way from jogger status to runner status. He beat his goal of 30 minutes and felt wonderful. Gilberto was so excited, so happy, so elated, so he was ready to take it to the next level.

But one thing that continued to nag on him was his weight. Being 15-20 pounds over his ideal running weight, he really didn’t pay much attention to it all these years. Now, the weight became a factor and he couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t losing any of it since he took up running.

Now comes the funny story.

So I’m working with Gilberto on a small project and he tells me the story about his weight. I ask him what he eats, what time he eats and other simple questions. Gilberto answers innocently enough that he eats 6 times a day and eats plenty of fruit and veggies.

I said that was perfect but you must be eating something more than fruit and veggies. That’s when he told me his fifth meal was dinner which was at 8:00PM (after working out). I asked, “Are you eating bread, potatoes, and pasta?” His eyes opened wide and said “I eat lots of bread, potatoes, pasta and everything else.” Not good Gilberto.

Now what about your sixth meal? “Right before bed at around 10:30PM, I have a bowl of ice cream (he shows me the size of the bowl with his two hands making a large oval circle) and a banana (I think he omitted the whipped cream).” I shudder. Mind you, not low fat ice cream either. I said, “Gilberto, do you realize you are eating 500 calories every night and over a period of one year that equals 180,000 added calories?” He was shaken. He had no idea. No more ice cream at 10:30PM.

The next morning I see Gilberto to find out if he gave up his ice cream the night before. He says sheepishly, “Yes, but I am starving.” And what is he doing while I ask him this? Chowing down on a foot long sub made with white bread, and stuffed with ham, cheese and oozing with mayo.

Gilberto took a large bite and then calmly looked at the sandwich and then me and said, “I guess this is my last ham and cheese sandwich.”

Right on Gilberto. Now you can make plans for that 10K.

Happy Thursday!