WOW, what a year!

Things are going great around here.  I almost hate to even write that down, but it is true.  We are growing; expanding in both our services and our team member base.  It seems that smart businesses realize that to come out strong in a bad economy, and to do it with fewer people, they need programs that will help distinguish them from their competition, and that is Galactic has done in 2011.

So as we launch into a new year, full of optimism and hope, I just want to say thank you to our vendor partners, our client partners and to our team members, who I truly believe are the best in the business.

You all make me proud of who we are and where we can go.  A very personal thank you to each of you for all that you do. 

To sum things up, this post is really just about wishing everyone a fantastic 2012.  So if you are reading this, I wish you “all the best."

Take care of yourself, and go see the world.

I haven’t written a blog in way too long, so I thought I would force myself to take some time to do just that.  Things are really busy around here right now and that is SUCH a good thing, but it does take time away from the little things like blogging and catching up on details that do indeed need to be handled. 

I recently attended a couple of trade events for the Incentive Industry and I was shocked at how many people I didn’t know, came up to me and started talking about the company, or my family, or who I am as a person, all because they had read the blog or an article about me and the company.  It really was rewarding and refreshing.

Upon my return from Las Vegas I had the opportunity to spend a little one on one time with each of my sons.  There is nothing in my life that energizes, and re-charges me like my family.  My 18 year old is away at college right now and I miss her more than I could ever put into words.  My 6 year old is getting to the point where we can hang out as “guys” together, and he is starting to confide in me about what is going on inside of his new world of school and sports and social activities.  There is no better feeling than to feel as if your child views you as someone that can be trusted absolutely and completely with anything.  The two year old is still finding his way and his place in the family.  He is the comedian.  And he is the one who just throws himself into any situation; literally.  He seems to be growing up faster than my other two did at his age, and I think that is because he is close in age to his big brother and wants to do and be everything that his big brother is. 

Anyway, as I was standing in the kitchen making a snack for the 6 year old, I felt a tug on my shorts and looked down.  It was the two year old looking up and he just said, “I luu you daddeee”, then he hugged my leg and walked away to go play.  I of course pulled him to me, hugged him back and told him that I loved him too.  And as he toddled off to go put together a puzzle or play with a car or something. I stood there and realized that it was the first time that he told me that he loved me FIRST.  And that made me realize that we had taught him what love meant and how to feel it.  Talk about grabbing you right in a moment.  If a situation like that doesn’t incent you to be a better person; more than you could be without them in your life, nothing will. 

Different things incent and inspire different people in different ways.  My incentive to do more and to be more is my family.  My wife, kids, mother, brother, sister, and the loved ones who don’t share blood with me, but who I love just as much as if they did.  What inspires you?  Whether personally, in business, or in any way? 

I am proud to be a part of a company that helps people be more than they are.  And I am thankful that my family inspires me to not only be a better person, but to do a better job helping those who need inspiration, whether that is through incentives, or training, or loyalty.   Find your inspiration and if you need help setting that direction for your company, we are here for you.

Please have a great day, and go see the world.

Were you shaped by your childhood, or early years?  Of course you were, even if you don’t realize how. 

As my children grow and move through different phases of their lives, I am seeing more and more how my experiences at their age shaped not only who I am, but how I am trying to help them navigate through the early stages of their lives.  It’s an amazing journey.  And every step of the way I wonder if I am doing the right thing, saying the right thing, feeling the right thing, or reacting the right way.  At the end of the day, I think we will figure it out and end up in a great place.  I hope that someday they realize I wasn’t just being “Dad” when I said or did certain things.  I actually had a reason or a method to my madness and it was always with their best interest at heart. 

It’s funny how your perspective on things changes as you age.  And how what you think you know now, isn’t really what you will know 10 years from now.  I think that is true at ANY age.  A little over 10 years ago, for example, I didn’t really know what an incentive was.  And when it was described to me, I actually thought it was the dumbest idea I had ever heard of.  You see, I owned a trucking company at the time and I was of the school of thought that I shouldn’t give someone something for doing the job I was already paying them to do.  Well, I was educated by a couple of very smart men, in that, we weren’t giving anyone anything.  We paid them a salary to do their job; plain and simple.  But if we wanted the best out of our employees, we would need to incent them to go above and beyond what their salary was motivating them to do.  It all made sense and I have seen it work time and time again.  As a matter of fact I have seen how effectively using different kinds of incentives will get you a greater return on your investment than if you had simply increased an employee’s salary by that same amount. 

The first step though, was getting past those "old school" values and realizing, as well as admitting to myself, that I was wrong, so that I could move forward.  I’ve tried those same philosophies with my children as well, and let me tell you, it works!!!  A little positive reinforcement, coupled with the negative reinforcement that fathers sometimes have to employ, has helped shape and mold a family that my wife and I can be proud of.  My 17 year old and I don’t always see eye to eye, but the reality of the matter is that she makes me proud to be her father.  I hope someday she sees why I am the way I am.  I hope that she can someday be to her children what I have tried to be for her and her brothers, whether I am successful in her eyes right now or not.  I realize that I am not always right.  Lord knows my daughter Brooke would agree with that statement as well.  But I have learned to be the kind of person who can admit when I am wrong and learn to move forward. 

So if you are from the "old school" and think that incentives are a waste of time and or money, give me a call.  I would be happy to let you in on a few secrets.  It will vastly improve your life, and the lives of those around you.

Have a great day, and go see the world.

I didn’t realize it until recently, but I am spoiled.  I flew on a short hop not too long ago on a Southwest Airlines flight, which is a GREAT airline by the way.  But they are not the airline I typically fly.  I am an American Airlines guy, for many reasons.  The biggest of which is that DFW is a major hub for American so the flights are plentiful and the schedules are usually pretty good.  I live 15 minutes from the airport so it is easy to get in and out when I need to, as well.  The majority of my travel is on American for those reasons, but another, the MOST important reason I tend to stay on AA, is because of their frequent flyer program, AAdvantage.  Because of the program and my loyalty to them, I have accumulated status and enjoy all the perks that go along with it.  I board the plane first.  I have my choice of seats usually with no extra charge.  My bags are free.  I have a greater chance of receiving upgrades to first class if I decide to attempt that, which I usually don’t.  I said I was spoiled.  I didn’t say I was rotten. 

Anyway, when I was on Southwest and then on Continental, who both by the way have great frequent flyer programs themselves, I was a fish out of water.  I had no status.  I had to pay for my bags to be on the flight.  I had to get on last.  And in the case of Southwest, because I was among the last to get on, I had to ask permission to sit in a middle seat on the back of the plane.  I am actually laughing at myself right now for even typing that last sentence, but it is true and was somewhat traumatic.   

There is a lot to be said for loyalty programs in general.  I preach this concept constantly, but it really hits home hard when you come face to face with it and see that the concept really does work.  I don’t travel as much as many of our employees at Galactic, but I typically travel more than the general public.  I’m in Grand Cayman right now (spoiled) and when I leave here, instead of going home, I go straight to Louisville, Kentucky, but I am not stressing because I am on my carrier of choice the whole way and will get to board the plane first!  Viva la loyalty programs!!!  It's easy to see how the American Airlines loyalty program has influenced my decision about which airline I fly.  If at all possible, I will book on AA before another airline simply because I want those miles. 

These types of progams aren't just for the major airlines, though.  You can find them at bookstores, grocery stores, coffee shops, gas stations, the list goes on.  We have created customized loyalty programs for many of our clients.  Contact us if you would like Galactic to help set up a loyalty program for you and your customer base.  As you can see, we truly understand their value.

I’m sitting on a balcony at the Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar Resort in Los Cabos Mexico as I type this.  It’s a beautiful morning.  The whales are EVERYWHERE!!!  I am on vacation this week with my wife and two dear friends, and we are having a wonderful time.  For a long time now, Mexico has been one of my favorite destinations, but I seem to have turned my back on it due to some of the issues in the press over the last couple of years.  We used to come here once a year, but haven’t been back, other than an incentive program, since 2007.  Well, I shouldn’t have waited so long.  We have had a great experience ever since we arrived. 

The reason for the trip is an early birthday getaway for my wife.  She is having a "milestone" birthday this year.  For the sake of this blog, we will say she is turning 29.  For this "milestone" birthday she wanted to come and see the whales so we decided to come about a month earlier to experience peak whale season in Mexico.  We made a good decision.  I bet we have seen 100 or more whales in 3 days.  You don’t even have to go out in a boat.  Sit on the shore, or look out the window of your room and you will get quite a show. 

The picture of the whale tail below was taken by on of our friends with us, Harry Gonzalez.  It is unedited and was taken on a regular digital camera.  Talk about being in the right place at the right time.  It is an amazing shot. 

I don’t want to ignore the criminal issues going on here in Mexico right now, but there are still places that are relatively untouched.  Cabo is definitely one of those places.  Because of where Cabo is located, it is almost like an island even though it is on a peninsula.  There is one way in, and one way out.  So it is virtually untouched by the violence associated with Mexico. 

The prices are favorable here now and you get a great value for your money.  And IF mid February to mid March works for your travel incentive program, the whales are an added value that can be throw in for free.  If the timing doesn’t work for a program you have.  Just come here for a long weekend and enjoy the hospitality the whales offer.

Have a great day, and go see the world.