Friday, February 05, 2010 0 Comments
Category: Canada, Nutrilite, Amway, Nutrilite Canadian Championship, soccer

As you know, there were some technical difficulties yesterday with the live Web conference about the NUTRILITE Canadian Championship. I still am going to hold to the belief that this was caused by too many people clamouring to watch the feed and crashing the server. And I'm right until someone tells me otherwise!!!!

That said, only the first few minutes of the presser were broadcast -- the rest of the time we were just watching the wheels (or the chasing-its-tailesque buffering icon) go 'round and 'round.

I promised on the ARTISTRY Facebook page (check it out, be a fan!) and on the Amway Canada Twitter feed (@AmwayCanada -- I haven't yet exhausted my shameless plug quota) that I'd post the link as soon as it was available. Well, it's available.

Click here to watch the vid! And check out the pic of Amway Canada's Managing Director Jim Hunking with a dignitary from the CSA, the coaches of the three squads participating in the tourney, and -- of course -- the Voyageur's Cup.

*** UPDATE FROM JAY*** 

OK, as I've proven often over the years here, I'm a complete monkey when it comes to posting pics. So if you want to see the photo, you're going to have to do a little work for it! Sorry. Click here to be taken to the page with the photo. I'd love to bring the photo to you, but, well... 

Thursday, February 04, 2010 0 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, Nutrilite Canadian Championship, Toronto FC, soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact

Sure, the ground may be covered with snow, but the spring's not that far off -- and with it comes the third edition of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship!

There will be a press conference starting at 1 p.m. ET today, which will include our very own Managing Director Jim Hunking. Essentially, they'll be announcing the tournament schedule and the coaches of all three clubs: the Montreal Impact, Toronto FC, and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, will be there.

Click here to be taken directly to the site to watch the streaming feed of the press conference. You can also go to the Canadian Soccer Association Web site and click on the banner ad (which features the Nutrilite Canadian Championship logo!) to view the press conference.

The Nutrilite Canadian Championship is a round-robin soccer tournament that pits the top three Canadian professional clubs against each other. The winner receives the Voyageurs Cup and earns the Canadian bid into the CONCACAF regional tournament, which can lead to a spot in the national FIFA Club World Cup.

And feel free to share your thoughts on the Nutrilite Canadian Championship in the comments. What does this tournament mean to you? Have you seen increased interest/awareness in your business resulting from it? Or, as a customer, did this sponsorship impact your opinion of the Nutrilite or Amway Global brands?

Remember to tune in at 1 p.m. ET today as we kick off another exciting tournament!

Friday, January 22, 2010 0 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, speechwriting, images

My daughter loves dressing up. She loves playing with accents and doing impersonations. She loves playing different roles -- often spending tonnes of time in her room creating elaborate scenarios with her seemingly never-ending supply of Barbies (I'll admit it, she's spoiled..)

I don't think that this is a rare phenomenon. All of her friends love doing the same thing -- and when our house is overwhelmed by eight-year-olds, they tend to do so dressed up in all manner of costumes.

So what happens when we're older? Why do we stop? In my case, I'm not sure I ever have -- I just get to dress up in a different way now -- through writing. In fact, I'd argue that many of us still do dress up -- just in more subtle ways than we may realise. And it's probably something you already do in your business without being consciously aware of it.

I'm sure there's a psychological argument out there stating that by trying on different costumes and playing different characters, kids are exploring their own identity -- refining it through role play. As we get older and grow comfortable within our own skins, my thinking goes, there's less of a need to don other identities. Hallowe'en's a big deal for kids and they love the opportunity to dress up; for adults, the idea of a costume is more of an annoyance than anything else.

Yet, I still get a chance to be other people almost on a daily basis. Part of my role here is to craft speeches for others in the company. Even my on-line writing can change. For example, I'm pretty much true to myself on this blog (as I promised). Yes, there are more aspects to my personality that I don't feel appropriate in sharing on here (I'm a touch more acerbic and sarcastic in person. My humour [and language] can also run a little more vulgar at times.) But that's my old journalist training coming through about knowing your audience.

The @AmwayCanada Twitter account? Same thing. For the most part, I can be me -- but I hazard a guess that there are things that I would retweet to friends which I'd never dream of putting on a corporate account. After all, this isn't @JayMenard; it's @AmwayCanada and I'm aware of the difference.

Speechwriting, though, is where I get to play dress-up. When I write a speech for someone, I get to put myself in their shoes. I try to direct my text towards the person's style. A more serious person wouldn't be believable in a rah-rah, jovial setting. Nor would the reverse hold true. There are certain words or phrases that I know one person would use, while another would phrase it in a different way. I guess it's like an actor subjugating themselves into the role -- becoming a vessel through which the message is delivered.

We all have different faces we show to various audiences. You're likely different with your family than you are with your workmates. You probably act differently with your best friend than you do with your boss. That's a normal part of life. So I want to hear from you about how that applies to your business. 

Is there a role you take on when meeting with customers or prospects? How do your change your message or its delivery depending on your audience? Are there archetypes you emulate in your approach (i.e., business is supposed to be formal, so you take a stern, sombre tone)?

Essentially, tell me how you play dress up now. The Barbies may have been left far behind in the past, but I'm sure you still play the odd role now and again!

*And please don't forget our continuing efforts to support the Haitian relief efforts. Click here to read my previous request and to get the links for our on-line $10 and $25 donations.

Comments are open! All the best,

Jay

Friday, January 15, 2010 7 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, Haiti

I'm not one to say what's right or what's wrong when it comes to how you donate your money -- but I hope I can provide some frame of reference in terms of need.  

Before I offer another entreaty for your support of our Haitian relief efforts, I'd like to share some context. Sure, you've seen the sheer volume of fund-raising activities and on-line requests for support. And, yes, there are those who will argue that, "we have our own people in Canada [or the U.S.] who need our support too." It's a valid argument, but there's one thing that we enjoy in North America that's just not there in Haiti.

Hope.

No matter what happens here, we live in a society that can offer a modicum of support. Both our political and social networks are woven in a way that -- although they can become frayed at time -- they still offer some sort of coverage even at our lowest points.

That's not the case in Haiti. Hope is all they have -- and the recent earthquake has put tremendous strain on that thin thread. When that thread finally breaks, there is absolutely nothing left.

My father-in-law recently spent over a year in Haiti. Specifically in Jacmel. As a retired Canadian diplomat, he now spends his semi-retired years working with various NGOs travelling to some of the world's poorest nations, lending his expertise to efforts designed at creating more self-sustaining societies.

During his time, which included creating sources of potable water, getting support for public works efforts, and building affordable housing, he shared a number of stories about the situation there. Words really can't do it justice. From children picking through garbage dumps to find anything salvageable to children living more or less on the beach, without parents, it's a world that -- fortunately -- we really can't imagine.

If I could make a list of countries in this world that could least afford a tragedy like this, Haiti would take up at least four of the first five spots. A country that's already struggling with literacy; a country where over half the population is 15 or younger; a country that's average life expectancy is under 44 years (and this is the year 2010!!!); a country that's ranked at the very bottom of the Water Poverty Index -- now it's a country that has to add the emotional, physical, and infrastructure devastation left in the wake of the earthquake to the list.

My now-15-year-old son spent the holidays last year in Haiti with his grandfather. We thought it'd be a great opportunity to see what other parts of the world are like and maybe cure him of that cursed teenage-itis. We hoped his perspective of what's fair and what he should appreciate would be refocused when faced with people who don't have a hundredth of the advantages he had.

His eyes were opened (although teenage-itis still remains a tough nut to crack). Clothes that he rejected here as not being good enough anymore were eagerly received by the aforementioned beach kids. My father-in-law took him to a grocery store of sorts to buy a bunch of groceries, which they then donated to a few extremely needy families. For the first time, he started to understand what it's like to have nothing -- and how much even a little token can mean to someone with nothing to look forward to.

Even in our toughest times, we don't have it that bad. And I think that's why we have such a hard time relating to tragedies of this magnitude in nations like Haiti. I lived in Montreal during the ice storm. Many of our friends lost power for a long time. We were lucky. We never did lose power. We hosted friends and family alike during that period. But even at its worst, we knew we had options. We had a car, we had jobs, we had money in the bank. If things were truly bad, we could have packed up the car and driven to my parents. We had options.

What do you do when you have no options? What do you do when you don't have the option to pick up and leave? What do you do when you have no family? Or the family you have is dead or missing? What do you do when you have no options other than to face despair head on and only hope to come out alive?

I can't relate to it. But I can recognize my good fortune. Which is why I'm asking you to support Amway Global's relief efforts with the Canadian Red Cross. You can choose either a $10 (11-0698) or a $25 donation (11-0699). Alticor will match donations of up to $100,000. And your funds will truly go where they're needed most.

The one thing that comes through when talking about people in Haiti is the difference between children and adults. Kids really don't know any better. Haitian children have that same joyful gleam in their eyes that our kids do; they play and enjoy life, just as ours do. It's when they get older and the reality of perpetual oppressive poverty starts to chip away at that hope. Day-to-day struggle with the prospect of a payoff can be character forming; day-to-day struggle with no end in sight and no hope of improvement? That's soul-destroying.

Hope is already a precious commodity in Haiti. It's the one thing that keeps the people going. It's abundant in children and still present in those who take pride in their Haitian roots. However, this earthquake threatens to change all that.

The greatest aftershocks may not be measured on a Richter scale -- they may be felt in the destruction of hope for generations of Haitians. We can prevent that. Your funds may not solve all the world's problems, but they certainly will confirm that the very hope that Haitians cling to is not misplaced.

Amway Global is a business opportunity based on hope and helping others reach their dreams. Now, more than ever, that spirit of community is needed. Whatever you can do, no matter how large or small, will make a difference.

All the best,

Jay

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 1 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, Christmas

One of the greatest gifts I've received from my children is this: they've made me believe in Santa Claus again.

(Caveat: OK, now I've got the stereotypically sullen teenager who, at the moment, doesn't believe in anything but the fact that he's right -- all the time. But once he was where my eight-year-old daughter is: firmly holding on to the belief in Santa.)

As they age, it's harder to perpetuate that belief. Outside influences start to filter through. My daughter goes to a very multi-ethnic school with people from a variety of religions (it's a school for those who speak French as a first language). So in addition to learning about other culture's view of Santa/Sinterklass/Pere Noel, she's also hearing from kids for whom Santa doesn't exist.

Whether it's ultra-religious families that don't believe in teaching their kids about Santa to older kids who should know better, her faith in the man in red has been tested more than ever.

But when push comes to shove, she believes. And that's the greatest gift of all.

You see it in her eyes when we talk about Santa; you see it in her voice when she says, "I don't care what other people think, I believe,"; and -- most importantly -- you see it in her heart when she embraces the true nature of the holiday: the spirit of giving.

My daughter's generous to a fault: she's given toys (of her own volition) to charity, she believes in sharing, and she loves to put others first. She HAD to get both my wife and me a gift, despite our protests to the contrary. It wasn't about the cost to her; it was about finding the perfect gift to make us happy. She gets truly saddened by the fact that some in our community are unable to enjoy the holidays, and she actually appreciates what she has. It makes us proud as parents to know that.

And, in the end, isn't that what Santa truly is about? Sharing joy with those around us? Valuing the impact of the gesture as opposed to the cost of the gift? Isn't Santa dedicated to spreading happiness? It doesn't matter if you believe in the existence of the actual person, it's the belief in the spirit that really counts.

So that's why I believe in Santa. I see that spirit each and every day, when I look in my daughter's eyes. And that's the greatest gift of all.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you and yours the happiest of holidays. Please take some time to appreciate those around you and I look forward to seeing you all (so to speak) back here safely in the New Year!

All the best,

Jay

*As painful as it was, I used Céline's terrible rendition of this song as justification for the blog title. The things I'll do to keep the Canadian-song-titles-for-blog-posts streak going!!!!

Friday, December 11, 2009 0 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, London, food, London Food Bank, Business Cares

I just wanted to share something cool that we here at Canuck Central -- also known as Amway Canada -- are doing to support our fellow Londoners.

We've long been a strong supporter of the Business Cares Food Drive supporting the London Food Bank. This year, the brains behind the event here at AG Canada decided to make a game of it and foster a little friendly competition. The winner at the end? The people in London who count on the Food Bank just to get them through the tough times.

So what are we doing? Well, in the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas, the 90-odd (I mean that figuratively... and in some cases literally...) employees here have been split up into seven teams. Each day we're tasked with bringing in food items on a list provided by the team. The food items are related (in some cases distantly!!!) to each line of the song. For example, for the day that was Five Golden Rings, we had to bring in pineapple rings.

The event gurus asked the Food Bank what was needed and put together the list. In the end, our collection's ranging from toilet paper and diapers to juice to canned beans.

As of now, we've got over 2,200 items to donate to the Food Bank!!!!! That's not even including today's haul (pasta and pasta sauce) -- and we've got three more days to go after today!

90-something employees, 2,200 items. Not too shabby. So what does that look like? 

A little something like this and this...

The teams have thermometers on the board in the cafeteria tracking their progress. As you can see we're well on our way to obliterating our goals -- you could say our thermometers runneth over! Check it out here.

I'll be updating on the Amway Canada Twitter account, @AmwayCanada, so make sure you follow us there and see how the contest turns out. And feel free to steal it for your home, group, or office setting!

This is the season of giving. I know I'm very fortunate to have what I have... I also know many people who don't have the luxuries in life -- they're struggling to get by. Without getting preachy here, it's not all that hard to bring a can or two down to your local Food Bank or grocery store.

And, if you can't afford that, you can give the greatest gift of all -- one that's free! You can give your time and help support these organizations, like the London Food Bank, who spend all year doing what we take for granted. They should be applauded and we're humbled that we, at Amway Canada, can help in any small way.

All the best everyone! I'll update you soon.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009 3 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, advertising, advertisements, idols, communication, branding

"Tyger, tyger, burning bright/In the forests of the night/What immortal hand or eye/Could frame thy fearful symmetry?" Back in 1794, William Blake asked this question of his metaphorical tiger. The rest of the poem continues to delve into the nature of the tiger; what is it that makes the man and who is the one responsible for that creation?

Essentially, who are you?

Turn to 2009 and you're probably sick to death (or morbidly fascinated) by the saga of another Tiger. A private matter has exploded publicly, and the question that hangs above all the allegations, innuendo, and conjecture is, "Who is Tiger, really?"

Do we have the right to know? Normally, I'd say no, but Tiger Woods -- of his own volition -- is not just a man. He's a brand, to whom several companies have attached their name. He is a brand and an icon that has been set up to deliver a maximum return on his sponsors' investment -- and part of that is built upon the façade that Tiger created for the public.

Already vilified in the court of public opinion, Tiger's guilt or innocense will be proven in due time. The damage to his brand? That's instantaneous and long-standing.

A news report today said that Gatorade is dropping its Tiger Focus beverage. The timing's odd and the editor of the publication that reported it (Beverage Digest) said he knew of the decision long before Tiger's run-in with a tree. Maybe so. But if the allegations continue to grow against Tiger, don't be surprised if more and more companies pull out.

Sure, they won't say outright that it's because they're not pleased with Tiger's behaviour. Rather, they'll dredge up the whole "economy" excuse, or play the "we're going a different way in our sponsorships" card. But we know the truth. We're not dumb. If you hitch your wagons to a crazy horse, don't be surprised if it leads you astray. The Tiger brand is careening out of control right now and it could drag down the reputation of other companies in its plummet. 

Being in communications, we've had discussions about sponsorships/athletes, etc. off and on. A lot of times it's just fun, water-cooler talk, questioning who would be the best to represent our brand. Tiger's name always came up. Why? Because he's a global icon who, up until a week or so ago, was an ideal spokesman. Now? Who knows. (Personally, my vote's for Yao Ming -- global icon, big in China [uhm, no pun intended] which is a good market for us, well-known in North America. But that's just my two cents.)

Charles Barkley, the former NBA star and current TV talking head, has long argued that he is not a role model. In fact, his speech was the focus of a commercial by his sponsor, Nike. In essence, his argument was that thousands of guys in jail can dunk a basketball -- should they be role models because of their athletic prowess? 

He's absolutely right. And wrong. Yes, kids should look up to doctors, police, firemen -- any number of honourable professions that are filled with selfless everyday heroes who serve their communities and country. But the fact is that kids don't have posters of open-heart surgeons on their walls. They have hockey players, basketball stars, and gridiron greats. It's the way it is, and athletes (and celebrities as well) have to be cogniscent of that reality.

It's part of the game. You want the paycheque that comes with adulation, sponsorships, and licensing deals? Then you have to maintain your brand and image. That's your responsibility to your fans and your corporate partners.

So what's a company to do? Kobe Bryant was famously acquitted of rape and kept most of his sponsorships. But has that event stained his pristine reputation? You bet. There are many people who think he's guilty and refuse to support his sponsors. And thousands of number 8 jerseys probably found their way to the trash heap.

Should it matter? That choice is up to you. I've been a fan of Michael Jackson all my life. I like his music. Do I like the man? I didn't know him, nor do I know whether or not the assorted allegations against him were true. Should it matter? If you like a song or a movie, should that change because the singer turns out to be a murderer? Do we appreciate the art or the artist?

Personally, I think it's the former that matters. I love Van Gogh's The Starry Night. Does it matter that the painting's of the view from his sanitorium room? No. If it comes out that Van Gogh ritually beat little puppies would that change my impression? Of the man, maybe; of the art, no.

But if Van Gogh was representing the company I work for, then you're darn right that matters. (Can you imagine that? "Hi, I'm Vince. And I'd give my left ear for an XS Energy Drink right now!")

Advertising's a double-edged sword. You can ride the wave of popularity, but if it ever crests and crashes, your brand will go along with it. All those companies that wanted Tiger before and paid through the nose for it are now wondering if they should have been more carefull for what they wished.

At one point we had a relationship with Asafa Powell. And, after the Olympics, I wrote an Achieve article thanking our athletes for their efforts. Our partnership with Asafa wasn't all about a gold medal (sure that would have been nice), but it was about being your best and striving for greatness. An otherworldly performance by Usain Bolt doesn't change the pride we feel for Asafa being a Double X user. Since then, both parties have moved on, but at the time some criticised us for supporting a fourth-place finisher. And that's the danger of sponsoring athletes. Regardless of why you do it, external perceptions can run counter to what your intentions may have been.

Is there an alternative? I'm not sure. Would Pepsi start doing commercials like, "I'm Ben Agiter, molecular biologist. When I was researching a rare protein on milk peptides, an ice-cold Pepsi always kept me going!" I'm going to say no (unless the point of the commercial was self-referential humour, I guess... Sounds like a viral video). Stars sell -- especially to younger kids. Idol worship and the desire to emulate one's heroes will always be there.

In the end, people are people. A superstar is no less susceptible to lapses in judgement than the next person, nor should they necessarily be more scrutinized for them. But when that star decides to trade in on his or her brand identity, exploiting that trust for financial gain, then they lose that right. If you want to reap the financial benefits of a pristine brand then you have to stay pristine.

Your thoughts? Should companies attach their brand or their name to athletes? If so, whom do you feel would be the best to represent Amway/ARTISTRY/NUTRILITE/LEGACY OF CLEAN? If not, why? Feel free to speak up in the comments section below!

All the best,

Jay

Tuesday, December 01, 2009 2 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, music

Yesterday I tweeted (@AmwayCanada) that the first Christmas song was played on Canuck Central's musak -- Wham's "Last Christmas." It was one day too early, by my rules, but the song was appropriately cheesy and marked a good entry into the holiday season.

So my question to you is, what's on your holiday play list?

I'm a firm believer that there should be a moratorium on Christmas songs until Dec. 1st, and they should be promptly retired the second the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, not everyone shares my view. I've had the chance to wander quite a few different stores (buying a home does that to you) and some have been overzealous in their music choices -- starting the holiday tunes mid-way through November.

I'm not against Christmas music, per say. I'm against bad Christmas music. And I'm completely against terrible, overdrawn remakes of quality tunes (yes, Ms. Aguilera, I'm looking in your direction). 

There are some outstanding songs, though, that I never tire of hearing. Here's my list. As I said above, I'd love to hear yours. Here are my top 13 songs (with YouTube evidence, where applicable) to make the holidays holly and jolly:

• Little Drummer Boy -- Bing Crosby & David Bowie: Beyond the obviously strained fake conversation, to the contrasting styles of the classic crooner versus the Thin White Duke, this song just works. Crosby's voice meshes well with Ziggy Stardust's higher register, and the "in the round" style of the song, overlaying "Peace on Earth" make this a timeless classic.
• Baby It's Cold Outside -- Dean Martin: Sure, it's not really about Christmas. And, in looked at in a modern context, the song can be considered somewhat frightening. But can't you just envision Dino relaxing with a bourbon by the fire, with the snow falling outside. A swinging holiday standard, for sure!
• Feliz Navidad -- Jose Feliciano: Uptempo, bouncy, and eminently singable. A welcome break from ballady holiday standards.
• White Christmas -- Bing Crosby: Bing makes the list again with this amazing song. Originally from the movie Holiday Inn, this classic hasn't aged a day since Irving Berlin penned the tune in 1940. And let's not forget Bing's whistling!
• Christmas Wrapping -- The Waitresses: A fantastic modern song that captures the feeling of holidays during that time between being a kid and having a family of your own, when you're just trying to make it through the day to day. No video to speak of, so you'll forgive this Light-o-Rama version instead.
  
• Do They Know It's Christmas? -- Band Aid: The song that started it all. Before USA for Africa, before Northern Lights, there was Band Aid. Opening with Paul Young (who, at one time, I thought was the coolest guy out there), followed by Boy George, George Michael, Simon LeBon (who pairs with Sting!), and the dude from Spandau Ballet (Tony Hadley). Then comes Bono and his Divine Mullet. Fantastic song, although perhaps that's coloured by the fact that I grew up in the 80's. Also a great way to play two games: "Where are they now?" and "Who is that again?" (hint, it's Jody Watley, a totally disinterested Bananarama, and Kool and the Gang). Bob Geldof's entry into musical philanthropy.
• Jingle Bell Rock -- Hall & Oates: OK, the song's nothing to get excited about. A fairly standard version of the holday classic. It's the video that steals the show. Overacting, garish colours, and Oates' incredible mustache -- a true gift to the world.
• Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me -- Elvis Presley: Again, I don't have a video of this, but singing ornaments? One with sideburns? How can you go wrong. (Not to mention that I actually have a Christmas ornament shaped like Elvis that plays this song -- it's my daughter's favourite!)
  
• Please Come Home for Christmas -- Jon Bon Jovi: Another entry due to the video. I'm not a huge Bon Jovi fan, but I have always been a huge Cindy Crawford fan. Enough said.
• Linus & Lucy -- Vince Guaraldi: You may not know the song by name, but chances are you've had the song running through your head (not to mention the various dances). From A Charlie Brown Christmas -- and it stands as one of only two songs I can almost play on the piano. Plus I do a mean version of the dance performed by the twin red-shirted girls.
  
• Happy Christmas (War is Over) -- John Lennon & the Plastic Ono Band: Originally penned as an anti-Vietnam ballad, this song has been embraced as a holiday call for peace. We won't discuss Céline Dion's totally unnecessary cover of this incredible song.
• Last Christmas -- Wham: I'm sorry. My cheesiness comes out sometimes. Better song than the Hall & Oates' one mentioned earlier, but similar fromage-inspired production and video. This year, maybe George can buy Andrew Ridgely a career for Christmas!
• Christmas in Hollis -- RUN-DMC: Christmas + Rap Royalty = modern classic. That and the Simon game they used as the naughty/nice machine.

AND A SPECIAL, CANUCK CHRISTMAS BONUS SONG!

• 12 Days of Christmas -- Bob & Doug McKenzie: No Canadian songs in the list above, but this one should more than make up for my lack of Can-Con! Sure it's not the most politically correct song, but, uhm, well -- take off, eh! And remember, that's me on the organ...
  

You'll notice, hopefully to no one's disappointment, that there are no Jingle Cats, Mariah Careys, or Madonnas (with that painfully annoying Santa Baby) on the list. But maybe they're on yours. What songs make your holiday list? Christian carols? Secular songs? Hummable Hannukkah Hymns (I don't know if hymn is the right word, but it worked with the alliteration, OK?) Are there songs for Eid?

Maybe you're more of the anti-holiday song type. I'd love to hear from you too. After all, there are those days, after a few too many carols, that I'm in the mood to rage against the holiday machine!

Share your favourites in the comments below! Maybe we'll find some new additions or rediscover some forgotten favourites.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 3 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, Poppies, Remembrance Day, Veterans

I was all ready to get on my soapbox here and talk about how dismayed I wasby the lack of poppies appearing on my fellow Canucks' lapels, but somethingstopped me from going down my path. What stopped me? Well, simply the fact thatto do that would make me a hypocrite.

Personally, I strongly believe that people should wear a poppy inremembrance of those who have fallen in the service of our country. Yes, theyshould wear it, but only for the right reasons.

Should you wear a poppy? In my mind, the answer is yes. But that's what's right for me. It's what I believe. However, a poppy is just a symbol. Worn the right way, it's a reflection of what's in your heart and mind. It's a silent way to show our veterans your respect and appreciation for their efforts and the sacrifices they and their fallen comrades have suffered on our behalf.

In the end, it's just a symbol. Poppies aren't the be all and end all. At the base level, they're just a fund-raiser for organizations that support veterans. Can you be faulted for not supporting that? Not really. There are thousands upon thousands of worthwhile charities out there -- this is just another one. We all make our choices as to which organizations we lend our physical and financial support. There are no rights or wrongs in this. 

And when I say "wearing the poppy the right way," I don't mean in a certain direction, or on a certain lapel. A lot of times, I find that overt displays of fealty to a particularcause/creed/belief are done for the wrong reason -- they're designed to show otherpeople how loyal/pious they are to a cause. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but actions still speak louder than both image and word alike. I don't believe, like certain people do -- and will look down upon those who don't -- that you have to go to a church to show your faith. I believe you can find whatever god you're looking for anywhere in the world. If you want to go to church and share your faith with like-minded, go ahead. If you want to observe in your own way, quietly in your home, then that's great. There are no rights or wrongs when it comes to personal expression of faith.

Nov. 11th is not about wearing a poppy. It's about sharing -- sharing our memories, sharing the memories of our veterans whose own time to share their experiences may be running short, and sharing a wish for a world free from violence, so that we can stop adding fresh names to memorials and cenotaphs around the world.

Whether or not I wear a poppy, I'm still trying to walk the walk. All direct ties I have to war are gone -- my grandfather, my wife's grandfather. But still we try to keep their memories alive in our children. We can tell the stories I've heard about my grandfather, Charles J. Spencer, who served during WWII on the corvette HMCS Buctouche. We can talk about a different time where war was the dominant aspect of daily life.

Unfortunately, is it really that different? We're still losing soldiers to overseas wars. We've dedicated a stretch of highway as the Highway of Heroes, not out of remembrance, but out of necessity. This stretch of highway marks the route that the military processions take when bringing back Canadian bodies from Afghanistan. Our blood has been spilled on Afghani and Iraqi soil. It has fallen in numerous peacekeeping missions around the world, such as Cyprus -- peacekeeping missions in which we, as Canadians, have taken great pride. Every day we can turn on the news and see images of war. The scale may not be global, but the impact is just as great today as it was in the early 1900s.

When I was growing up, we used to receive poppies at school. They don't do it any longer (schools are probably afraid of the lawsuit they'd get if some kid poked himself with the pin). We'd slap them on our chests, without really knowing why. We wore them because we were told to. Is that respect? No. It's blind adherence. As I got older, I made the choice to wear a poppy, because I feel I understand more now, as an adult, than I did then. But it's my choice.

Poppy or no poppy, the best thing you can do today, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, is to take a moment to reflect upon those who have come before. Regardless of your stance on war, these people fought for their believes in OUR future -- that deserves respect.

It doesn't matter if you go to a cenotaph, watch the proceedings at home on TV, spend time at a veteran's hospital, or just take a moment at your office desk -- your actions will speak far louder than words -- or poppies can ever do.

Your thoughts, as always, are welcomed in the comments. 

All the best,

Jay 

Friday, October 30, 2009 0 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, Halloween

Before I start, let me preface this post with two questions: what costume are you wearing tomorrow and which costumes do you wear every other day?

Kids are great for a lot of reasons (keeping a room clean not generally one of them), but I think one of the greatest things about having children is their innate ability to help us look at things with a new perspective -- usually for the better.

Take, for example, Hallowe'en. I've got a 15 year old who is now too cool for trick or treating, but went to his high-school dance in his (minimal-effort-required) costume; my soon-to-be-eight-year-old daughter is at school today in her angel costume (complete with sacrificial wings -- the good ones stayed home for tomorrow, these ones may not survive a day a school).

I'm not a huge holiday guy, nor was I overly enamoured with special ocassions. I've always loved Christmas, but Hallowe'en, Valentine's, etc... I could take 'em or leave 'em. Birthdays? Forget it. I'm not a party-in-my-honour guy, nor do I really need any gifts. But it's hard not to get excited when you have kids because their enthusiasm is completely infectuous.

It also leads you to do things you otherwise wouldn't do -- especially, I think, guys who have daughters. I've sat through numerous tea parties, danced countless waltzes, and even had my hair and makeup done (it didn't help, trust me). They're all things 15-year-old me would have and protested as "never going to happen to me" things. Well, they did happen and I love every minute of it.

Starting last year, my daughter started the question, "What are you going to go out for Hallowe'en as, daddy?"  Logic, emotion, and reasoning goes out the window when faced with a 7/8-year-old girl. "Daddy doesn't dress up," doesn't work and she's already way too bright for the "Well, I want to ensure that Hallowe'en is all about you." I've avoided dressing up for years.

Last year she was Hannah Montana. I was her mustache-wearing, fedora-donning dad (again, 15-year-old me would have been lining up to kick 35-year-old me for even considering dressing up as Billy Ray Cyrus... think about it!). This year, she's an angel; I'm a vampire.

*** SIDE NOTE -- Actually, I had a great idea for a twist on the traditional vampire costume a couple of weeks ago. But the ol' memory ain't what it used to be -- and I haven't been able to remember what that great idea was ever since!!!! It'll come to me... probably by the time we return from trick-or-treating.****

A lot of adults are like me. They're not fond of dressing up (well, they may in some cases, and that's their prerogative). But why? From where does this reticence spring?

Maybe it's because we wear masks all the time. Kids are open and honest to a fault and Hallowe'en allows them one day where they can run around with others, pretend to be whomever they dream, and get rewarded for it.

Adults? We dress up every day. We don't need another excuse.

Think about it. How many costumes do you wear during the week? On a given day? Are you the same with everyone? I know Work Jay and Home Jay, while closely related, aren't the same person. Family & Friend Jay is someone altogether different, while Acquaintance Jay can be someone else. 

You see it with teens too. My son, unfortunately, is very much a follower of others. Like a lot of teams, standing out is anathema -- they prefer to blend, seamlessly, with the whole. Music, movie, and clothing tastes must match -- there's no room for originality. A 16-year-old boy may secretly love opera or Gilbert & Sullivan, but getting them to admit it, much less share their enthusiasm, is highly unlikely. Instead of enjoying what they love, they'll pop in Jay Z or Little Wayne on the iPod just to fit in.

University tends to be a time where people reinvent themselves -- throw on another cloak, as it may be -- and indulge in things they enjoy. Yet still, those costumes get refined. The Jay who is out with classmates on a weekend night is not the same Jay who presents before the professor.

And then Job Application Jay is someone totally different. You get the point.

I think it's important to strive to be as honest with yourself as you can. You're never going to strip away all the façades we create completely, but as long as some measure of Genuine You shines through, that's a good start. The Parent version of you will never match the Best Friend version, or the Weekend Warrior, or the Office Dweller, and that's normal. But donning a mask should never obscure the whole face when it comes to every day life.

What about you? What costumes do you wear? How about IBOs? When you approach new customers/prospects are you YOU? Or are you putting on an act? Which works better? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Enjoy the weekend everyone and make sure you watch the roads for little ones -- they're hopped up on sugar and looking both ways isn't exactly high on their list of things to do!

All the best,

Jay

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 2 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, Toronto, influenza, London, illness, flu

The recent, tragic, death of a young Toronto-area boy from complications caused by H1N1 has led to a lot of hang-wringing on hand-shaking. Motivated in part by the 13-year-old's death following a tournament here in London, organizers -- and governing bodies everywhere -- are looking at ways to reduce the risk of spreading the Swine Flu virus.

And one of the biggest recommendations? Forgo the ceremonial handshakes.

Yes, the handshake. The very gesture that's supposed to show trust by exposing our vulnerability is now making us vulnerable to the very virus that has the world on pandemic alert. The handshake, our North American business institution, is in danger but now the question is with what do we replace it?

I'm not a germaphobe by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I've never been a big fan of waterless hand santizer because I tend to think we oversanitize our lives. I don't want my kids so free from germs that they'll have developed no immunity to common viruses in the future. When I was a kid, I washed my hands before dinner -- but the intervening hours out playing in the park or at a friends' house were remarkably free of hygiene.

I survived. I caught a few colds, maybe a flu. Measles at eight, Chicken Pox at 18. No mumps (knock wood), nothing else major. And now I find that our social obsession with sanitation has pushed us to the other extreme. Will our kids be felled by the common cold in the future because they haven't had a chance to expose their immune systems? I don't know.

What I do know is that these days I can't pass a hand sanitizing station without using it. By the end of this pandemic, my hands will probably be worn down right to the bone from the alcohol (in the sanitizer!!!! I know what you're thinking...). I briefly considered investing in a old-style gunbelt and keeping a couple of bottles in the holsters. I still think there's money to be made with that idea.

I'm a hand-shaker by nature, but I'm all in favour of a new greeting tradition -- after all, I don't know where you've been. But what's the alternative? Minor hockey is talking about players lining up opposite each other and clapping, but that just seems kind of odd to me. I like applause as much as the nice guy, but that just seems forced and awkward.

Should we all go Howie Mandel and fist-bump our way through life? Again, maybe it's just me, but when I see guys my age and older fist bumping, it's usually a result of their subconcious drive to remain youthful. At a certain point, the fist bump should be retired. And while I'm willing to let it go for close friends, etc., I'm certainly not heading out to fist bump the mayor, or my lawyer.

Maybe the Japanese have the right idea. Bowing. I can get with the bowing deal. No physical contact (again, I'm not a germaphobe, nor am I opposed to interpersonal contact. I'm a selective hugger, but I'm not socially inept!!!) and you can do it from a safe distance.

Other options? I don't know.

• I refuse to clap at you. Unless you've pulled a rabbit out of a hat, or performed a medley of your greatest hits;
• Saluting? Only on Nov. 11th. And I don't think we should replace a gesture designed to show trust and vulnerability with one associated with the military;
• Elbow bump: Am I 12? Are you? No. Well maybe you are.
• "Praying Hands": In Cambodia, they put their hands together in front of them as a greeting. The higher your hands, the more respect you're giving the person you're greeting. Good, but is it too closely tied with religion?;
• Wooshay-ing: I like this one. I can get behind it. In Nigeria, some may greet you by raising their fist in the air and shouting "Wooshay, Wooshay," -- roughly Hello, Hello. No contact and fun to say! Sounds like a winner!

How about you? Are you changing your greetings to people? Have you stocked up on waterless hand sanitizer? Body Series antibacterial soap? Sulfuric Acid (I kid, I kid... don't try this at home kiddies)? How has a desire to not get sick impacted your business practices?

Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

And I don't forsee handshaking to be a problem for me in the future. After all, how many people would approach some guy standing in the middle of a room, fist in the air, yelling "Wooshay"???

All the best (from a respectable distance),

Jay

Friday, October 09, 2009 1 Comments
Category: Canada, Canadian, Amway, Thanksgiving

I'm a Christmas guy. I love that holiday far more than all others. I love all the pageantry, festivity, and societal warmth that it brings -- especially falling, as it does, in the depths of Canadian winter!

That said, we're approaching another one of my favourites -- Thanksgiving.

Yes, while the folks at the Ada-based Mothership will be plugging away on their Columbus Day, we Canucks will be sitting back, enjoying the fall weather, and giving thanks*.

It's Thanksgiving (this is a Canadian blog, so the "other" Thanksgiving will be known as American Thanksgiving around these parts!)! And while the origins of our celebrations stretch back to 1578 when Martin Frobisher (of Frobisher Bay) fame actually returned from searching for the Northwest Passage and had a ceremony to give thanks (a well-deserved gratitude, as Henry Hudson [of Hudson's Bay and Hudson River fame] and Sir John Franklin [of, uhm, well... NWT's District of Franklin fame] both perished trying to do the same thing? Survival or exposure, hypothermia, lead poisoning, scurvy, starvation, TB, and a little rumoured cannibalism? I'll take the former, with extra stuffing please!

And if you find that Canadian and U.S. Thanksgiving celebrations seem similar, you're right. Loyalists brought those traditions northward after the American Revolution. After bouncing around the calendar (at one point, it was celebrated with Remembrance Day), in 1957 Parliament proclaimed the second Monday of October as Thanksgiving's permanent home.

For many, though, this year seems different. Some are having trouble finding things for which to be thankful. After all, the economy's taken it on the chin, countless people are un- or underemployed, and belts are being cinched left, right, and centre. Driving into work today, I heard how demand at our local foodbank is up 30 per cent.

With that in mind, can we really blame people for having a hard time being thankful? I can tell you from experience, it's tough. Our nature is to lament the worst while marginalizing the good things in life. Seven years after a violent car accident that has left my wife and me with debilitating injuries, there are days when the band starts up for the Pity Party. Add to that the normal (and not-so-normal) family and life challenges, and things can add up.

But as I've grown older, I've learned to be more positive. Not annoyingly sappy, happy, flippy, and drippy -- I still think we, as a society, should be allowed to punch people like that in the teeth -- but at least not willing to focus on the negative to the exclusion of the positive. For example, this week some idiot shattered my rear-driver's side window. My first thought? At least no one was hurt and nothing was stolen. Sure, I'm not happy to shell out the cash for the repair, but the cost could have been so much greater.

I'm thankful for my family, bumped and bruised as it may be. I'm thankful for my extended and friends. And I'm thankful for having steady work that I enjoy. I'm thankful that, while that accident left my wife unable to return to work due to injuries, she was able to stay home and be there for our two kids. It was a huge positive that came out of a negative.

Most importantly, I'm thankful that I'm learning more and more each day to see the joy in simple things. Watching my daughter at dance class has been a revelation, because you can see the love and joy she has for dancing each and every minute of class. Whether it's a song on the radio, a book or Web site I'm reading, or just taking a walk, I'm finding there's a lot of happiness out there, if we just look for it.

So a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there. Please enjoy it safely and filled with family and friends. And turkey... lots and lots of turkey. (You can keep the cranberry sauce, though... I have issues with gelatenous fruit products).

And if you can stumble to your TV Sunday night after seconds or thirds, check out the CBC broadcast of ARTISTRY-sponsored Battle of the Blades. I'll be watching, probably in a tryptophan-induced haze, so I hope you can tune in too!

Enjoy your holiday everyone. All the best wishes to you and yours!

(* as a sidenote, I'd like to wish all of our Jewish readers a wonderful end to Sukkot. The image of Sukkah built on balconies in Outremont apartments is one that will stick with me. I love the rituals, histories, and community meanings involved with various religious and cultural observances...)

Thursday, October 01, 2009 0 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, Skate Canada, figure skating, Battle of the Blades, CBC

There are some uniquely Canadian combinations that, at first glance, seem odd, but end up being greater than the sum of their parts: cheese curds, gravy, and french fries; maple syrup and beans (I've come to the realisation that maple syrup and eggs is a strictly Menardian thing); the eclectic mix that is spruce beer...

Now, may I add another: hockey and figure skating.

Seriously, does it get any more Canadian than that? It's more Canadian than Anne Murray and Leonard Cohen's would be. It's more Canadian than publicly funded bad TV serial dramas about life in Prince Edward Island! So what do you get when you blend the worlds of toe picks and hockey pucks?

You get the Battle of the Blades -- a reality competition that pairs retired NHLers with Canadian figure skating elite. And, of course, we had to be part of that, so ARTISTRY is proud to be the official skin care and cosmetics sponsor of the event.

It's a seven-week competition, broadcast on the CBC. Every Sunday night you'll see the couples compete head-to-head in pairs skating competition. And every Monday night, someone goes home.

Who am I rooting for? Well, despite being an avid Habs' fan, I'm going to have to pledge my allegiance to a power that's far greater than even the exalted bleu, blanc, et rouge of mes Habitants! Yes, for the duration of this show I firmly stand in the corner of one of the greatest natural phenomenons the world has ever known -- Ron Duguay's hair.

Seriously. Look at it!   Duguay was, is, and always will be hockey hair. Sure, now he may be more of a latter-day Jon Bon Jovi, but the aura of hockey greatness remains.

So, other than Duguay who is paired with former world champion and five-time Canadian champion Barbara Underhill, who else is competing? Here's the rundown:

• Claude Lemieux, who claimed Lord Stanley's grail with three different squads over a career that included a brief comeback last season, and 2003 world champion and eight-time Canadian champion Shae-Lynn Bourne;
• Glenn Anderson, a multiple (6!) Cup-winning Hall of Famer who is fourth all-time in NHL playoff points scored, and former world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Isabelle Brasseur;
• Former 50-goal man and two-time Cup winner Stéphane Richer and two-time world silver medalist Marie-France Dubreuil;
• Three-time Stanley Cup champion Ken Daneyko and two-time Canadian bronze medalist Jodeyne Higgins;
  
• Former NHL tough guy Tie Domi and former Canadian champion Christine Hough-Sweeney;
• Another of the all-time rough-and-tumble greats, Bob Probert, and Kristina Lenko; and
  
• Craig Simpson, former 50-goal scorer and two-time Cup champion, and world and Olympic champion Jamie Salé.
  

Should we get the obligatory jokes out of the way? I'd like to think that I'm a better man than stooping so low as to say it would be nice for Domi to it all so that a Leaf can finally lay claim to winning something. Or I'd like to think I'm above stating that Lemieux chose the wrong show and should be joining Alexandre Despatie in a show called "Canada's Greatest Diver."

You're right, I am above saying those things!

Basically each week the pairs compete in a pairs routine. Canada votes and each week one team goes home. Now, admit it, you're dieing to see Lemieux in Spandex and sequins, right? Or whether Domi and Probert will perform their routines in the penalty box? It's like Dancing with the Stars on ice, and it should be good for a few laughs and a few surprises.

Surprises? I'm a big So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars fan (I admit it!) and one of the things I love about those shows is that someone always comes up and shocks you with their talent. Listen, switching from hockey skates to toe picks isn't easy, but I think we'll see some good routines.

So who's my favourite? Again, Duguay's hair. But realistically, I think Simpson and Salé will take it. Craig always could skate well (something that Domi and Probert can't really lay claim to...) and memories of the scandal that eventually led to Jamie and partner David Pelletier winning gold in 2002 are still fairly fresh. Isabelle Brasseur was phenomenally popular and could bring forth a lot of votes. And Duguay's partner, Barbara Underhill, stands to be the sentimental favourite for the event. Veteran figure skating fans may galvanize behind her (and, of course, Duguay's hair will weave its magic), while some of the younger skaters may split the vote.

Who won't? Well, I'm sure the CBC would love to see Domi take home the title, but I think the ol' ABT (AnyoneButToronto) bias will come to the fore. Ex-Oilers don't foster the same hate in fans of other teams like ex-Leafs, so sorry Tie. 

The pugilists will trade in chucking knuckles for lifts and lutzes; the goal scorers will lay down their sticks and pick up a BeDazzler; and fans across Canada will tune in to see it all happen. And the ARTISTRY brand is front and centre throughout it all -- both at the event and during the broadcasts.

We'll try to live-Tweet the event Sunday night. Make sure you follow @AmwayCanada for the latest scoop. As well, make sure you check back here (and the What's New section of amwayglobal.com) for updates and other news!

So who do you think will win? Who do you want to win? Are you going to be watching? Share your thoughts on the Battle of the Blades in the comments below -- I'd love to hear from you!

All the best,

Jay

Monday, September 14, 2009 0 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, hope, dreams

I don't know about you, but I had a great weekend. Why? Because I saw both dreams and joy embodied.

We're busy at Canuck Central. Like crazy busy. Well, at least I am. I've been feeling like Sisyphus on a daily basis (although my boulder is filled with French translations...) and it's easy to get frustrated and focus on the negative.

The thing is, when you do that, you completely miss out on the overwhelming greatness of this world. And sometimes it takes a seven-year-old girl to remind you.

As we age, we gain wisdom. We learn from our experiences, but that knowledge comes with a price -- the loss of innocence and wonder. We see things not as they are, but rather how they are in comparison. We contextualize and overanalyze almost everything we encounter. But how much better would life be if we could strip it all away and appreciate wonder in its purest form.

Saturday, we spend the morning checking out dance schools for my daughter. And the image that's burned in my mind is that of my daughter, sitting on her knees to see over a window, watching a group of girls practicing their pointes and rehearsing their choreography. Watching her face, you could literally see her dreams dancing through her mind, her hopes and wishes reflected in her eyes. It wasn't the false worship of some music idol, but rather honest reverence for the beauty of dance.

Needless to say, we signed her up. 

Sunday, we were off again to buy her an early birthday gift. Her grandfather wanted to buy her a bike, so we headed out to find the perfect one. A big girl bike. "But it has to have a basket and tassels..."  Of course. We went to a few stores, not finding anything that really worked out. My daughter, of course, liked everything in that "I just want to get ANY bike and get out there and ride it" kind of way.

Yes, she liked a handful of bikes -- but she only loved one. You know those movie scenes where the character sees an object of desire, and the screen lights up with the glow that's emitting from the object? Yeah, that's exactly what it was like. Her previously grinning face threatened to split courtesy of the huge smile that broke forth when she saw "The One."

Who cares how many gears it had? Heck, the wheels could have been made of wood -- it didn't matter. That was the one. Sure, there was no basket or tassels, but it was pink, proud, and perfect! Fortunately, she has good taste, and it was a pretty decent bike. But no feature can ever compare to that glow... It was pure, unabashed, wholehearted joy. 

I've bought plenty of things in my life and I don't remember the last time I felt that way. We're conditioned to wonder, "could I get a better deal somewhere else?" or find faults in what we have, "Oh, it's great. But..." Not Juliana. Not this weekend. If the bike cost $5 or $500 she couldn't have cared less -- she found the one.

So what makes you feel like that? Do you ever feel like that now? Or are you too caught up in reservations. You know that whole "Dance like no one's watching" philosophy? I don't see people do that. We want to show joy --- but not too much. We seem to restrict the amount of fun we allow ourselves to have, or the pleasure we take in everyday things. Are you aware you do it? Do you make a conscious effort to focus on the positive in life? In business?

Coming back, she looked at the rose bush in front of our house and said, "Oh how sad. That's the last rose bloom for the summer. It's pretty isn't it?" And, for the first time in ages, I stopped and smelled the roses.

Oh, and that bike? We ended up buying her the basket and tassels. And she hasn't stopped smiling since.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009 8 Comments
Category: Canada, Amway, New Year

Happy New Year!

No, I'm not jumping the gun. It's just that the beginning of September still feels like the real start of the year for me. Sure, I've been out of school for a long time now, but now I've got kids filling that role. My daughter's back in class tomorrow; my son's back to high school next week.

But there are so many things about early September that just scream New Year.

School's a big one, but junior hockey and NHL training camps are getting underway (NHL season starts Oct. 1), and for a lot of Canucks, that's the time of year that really matters.

Vacation time, for the most part, is over. The summer's an endless dance of people coming and going around here. One and two-week vacations overlap, with the result that you can go a month or more without seeing someone that you're used to seeing once a day.

The cooler weather is here. Not that it's saying much for this summer, as I think we had about a week and a half of true, oppressive heat. I'm not complaining. I'm not a heat guy, so bring on the cold! And September means nights getting darker, earlier, cooler more comfortable temperatures... NFL football and the best part of the CFL season (wait, am I back to sports here?)

The Housemartins have a song called "I Smell Winter." I always loved that imagery because, to me, fall and winter have a certain comforting smell about them. It's a heady mix of burning wood, pine needles, and crisp air that just can't be beat. And for those of you who don't get winter, I truly feel sorry for you, because there's just something so pure about taking a deep breath on a cold day, the crisp air biting your lungs, and being able to watch your breath rise and dissipate in the night.

Of course, September means preparation. Back-to-school supplies and clothes for the kids, planning of swimming lessons and dance class (again, for the kids -- although I do make a tutu look good!), and of course a birthday (my wife's, today, Happy Birthday!)

It's also the start of a new qualification year for Amway Global-affiliated IBOs. Whether you're looking to reach a new qualification level, or grow your business within your existing one, September marks the start of an exciting, year-long journey. And that means preparation. Over the past couple of months, many of you lay the foundations for success -- now you can start building it up, brick by brick.

So now I ask you, what preparations do you make for the new business year? Does it change the way you approach your business, or the manner in which you run it? And am I the only one who feels like September represents the real New Year? 

As always, the comments are open! Feel free to share your thoughts...