Tampa Bay Rays 9=8 Theme; Dow's Ink; Turnaround Specialist Keys in Volatile Times; FSB Makeover

"...keeping you great" Ten Minutes with the Growth Guy

HEADLINES:

Tom Peters' VIDEO webcast Tuesday, Oct 21, 8am - noon EST - here's the link to sign-up -- spots still left!!  OK, there's always spots left on a webcast.

David Dow "Controls the Ink" In His Industry - co-founder of TrenchSafety, with his wife Melissa, they just published a book entitled How to Make More Money with Construction Machine Control.  They also have video clips on a special page on their website that further highlights ways customers can make money that aligns with the book.  And David includes a note about the book at the bottom of his email signature.  This is the way to become the default "expert" in your industry!!

Customers "Blown Away" -- notes David Dow "we're selling the book for $29.95 but have given almost 500 copies to customers.  Initial response has been excellent.  We're doing something that no one has ever done in our industry.  Most people are blown away when we tell them we've written a book on this subject."  BTW, he followed Steve Manning's techniques for writing a book (just Google Manning), whom I've mentioned in previous emails.  And we have several ghost writers able to help as well - let me know if you're interested in contacting one of them.

Bodyguard to the Stars - FSB Needs Your "Ink".  Dana Picore owns a growing security firm in L.A. that provides protection for small businesses and for events like the Academy Awards.  In this latest "Makeover" article, FORTUNE  Small Business magazine could use your input on how Dana can get out of her "low margin swamp."  Grab some ink yourself and lend a comment or two.  Here's a link to the article and where you can help out a fellow entrepreneur!

Tampa Bay Rays "9 = 8" Theme - the baseball playoffs are in full swing in the U.S.  Red Sox fan Dave Kurlan, author of Baseline Selling, sent me a note this week "when I was watching the Red Sox-Rays playoffs, Joe Buck began to talk about the Rays' worst to first turnaround - the most games ever won by a team that went from worst to first.  He talked about Joe Madden, the Rays' manager, and his theme "9 = 8."   

9 players playing hard on every play for 9 innings.

And that would lead to:

9 additional games won by their defense
9 additional games won by their offense
9 additional games won by their pitching

And if they did that they would be one of the

8 teams to be in the playoffs

Just goes to prove that ALL teams need a theme!

Additional Ink in Gulf News -- "Playbook of Turnaround Specialists" -- Gulf News, the largest English newspaper in the Middle East, just yesterday started publishing my monthly "Growth Guy" column in the same spot they feature Jack Welch's regular column.  Take three minutes and scan lessons from turnaround specialists in managing volatile economic times.  Here's a link to the article