I did not ask to meet these people/company - but my investor thinks that maybe naseba and this company can do something together in the future.

I was scheduled to be in Abu Dhabi in the morning - so I had to reorganize my schedule to ensure I was in Dubai for this meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was essentially to introduce me, Sophie and Fabien to the ceo and his marketing/business development person, a lebanese women.

As I was introducing naseba, our histoy, what we do, etc. I noticed the woman was playing with her mobile phone and trying to make us all understand that she is not interested in what I had to say.  She played with her mobile phone the entire 90 minute meeting.

I want to reitterate:  I did not ask to meet these people…I was not trying to sell them naseba…..I was not trying to convince them of anything…. I rescheduled my morning to accomodate their visit and throughout the meeting both these people were very unfriendly - and they both made it clear they did not have an interest in meeting us.

After the meeting, I was told that the woman was playing a video game on her mobile.

A complete waste of my time.

On the drive to dinner last night, Sophie commented on a few other meetings or dinners that she and I have had over the year with people that are on a completely different level ….

just a few examples….

Recently, I got to have a private lunch with one of the top 5 richest men in the UAE.  Throughout our meeting and follow up lunch, this mega wealthy and powerful sheikh was very friendly and positive - he seemed as excited to meet me as I was to meet him. 

Because President Mubarak of Egypt is opening our Avex airshow in Egypt, I got to have lunch with several powerful and wealthy egyptian business men and government officials in cairo … all of these men were friendly, one of the chairmen in particular, probably the most powerful was the most friendly. 

Sophie has a good friend in Monaco who is an old money, multi-billionare from one of the richest families in Europe….he drives a scooter around monaco, and he is very accessible and friendly.  The times that I have had lunch with him, of course he never played with his mobile and he never showed or acted as powerful and rich as he really is.  In fact, Sophie and I knew this man for over a year before we discovered that he is as rich as he is.

One my biggest investors - has become a good friend and mentor -although he is worth many hundreds of million euros, he is always super respectful and friendly.  Each time Sophie and I have had dinner with him and his wife or gone to his home in Amsterdam or Monaco (both shockingly impressive) he was exceptionally humble — you would have no idea he is as wealthy as he is.

Surely, these two people that came to our office yesterday wanted Sophie and I to know that they are too big; too busy to concern themselves with meeting us…

However, from my experience, if they were really as big and powerful as they acted….they would have been much more friendly.

games people play….

Many critics are gushing that Heath should win an acadamy award for his performance as “the joker.”

Jan 2008, Heath Ledger overdosed on 6 different prescription drugs….a combination of pain killers and anti-anxity medicine. 

Heath was 28 years old when he died…. He was handsome.  He was a successful actor.  He was rich.  He had a beautiful 2 year old daughter…..

Yet Heath needed to take 6 different forms of prescription drugs to cope with all the stress in his life.

A soldier in Iraq who has only a few nickles to rub together, who has been forced to do 4 tours and does not know when he is going home – A single mother in Alabama whose 25 year old husband has recently been killed in afganistan – A 40 year old worker at GM with 3 kids who just got layed off and no longer has an income — the thousands of families that recently lost their homes (lost everything) due to massive flooding in the midwest….  (just to name a few)

In my opinion, the above are examples of people experiencing stressful situations.

The world we live in today … we constantly shadow true greatness because we are so busy trying to lift up mediocrity.

How can the media in america suggest that someone who accidentally dies of a drug overdose because he mixed 6 prescription drugs is worthy of being nominated for something that celebrates greatness?

Where is John Galt?

Competition….

At my previous company when I worked in Tokyo - the boss of Asia Pacific did a challenge between Jack Murphy, one of the best sales people in Asia and another sales guy based in Sydney who was one of the best at sales in the company. 

Jack is hyper competitive, thus he seized the chance to compete and prove he was the best.

… after two weeks, Jack was selling double what this guy was…..and shockingly, the guy in Sydney gave up after less than a month, a few months later, once Jack was clearly the best in the region and one of the best in the company - the other guy was never the same.

Some people can not take the presure of competition….

Mike Tyson was unbeatable … until Buster Douglas stood up and competed with him … 

After that first loss, Tyson was never the same.

Throughout the 5 1/2 years naseba has existed … I have seen some exceptional sales talents.  One of the best I ever saw … wilted like an old flower when he faced competition from others. 

IQPC launched their office in Dubai by head hunting several sales staff from naseba   Although it was unfortunate at the time - upon reflection, this competition made naseba much stronger as an organization.

We had to change; adapt and improve in order to better compete.

I thrive on competition.

It goes without saying - competition forces one to become leaner; more dynamic; more flexible; more focused; etc, in a word: stronger. 

at the end of the day, competition is not just about “winning” … it is about taking action, striving to be the best you can be and climbing higher.

Never fear competition.

whether you win, come in 2nd, 3rd, etc …. competition allows you to bench mark yourself against others….so in the end you can challenge yourself to become stronger, faster…. and climb higher. 

9 months ago…. Although I had great sales teams that were leading the company in sales, I decided to make a strategic move and close our operationally expensive office in London and down size our Monaco office from 50 employees to 25 key people, and open another office in Dubai (soon to be opening an office in Abu Dhabi as well). 

The closing of London and down sizing of our Monaco office - just in employment social security taxes the company saves more than 70,000 euros a month. 

Two or three jimpee’s that once worked for me, via the comment section of this blog second guessed my move and suggested that naseba was failing…..oddly enough, each jimpee that left a negative comment is bumping around from job to job to job…

however….

Instead of investing more into western europe, i.e. London, Monaco/France, and Italy I chose to invest in the middle east; Russia; India and China …

Last month naseba had its biggest month ever both in sales and profitabilty, and this month we are on track to top last month.

The west, led by America and its “irrational exuberance” is entering into a period of challenging economic times, surely, if the price of oil can not be talked down, recession is coming.

Looking at things positively … challenging times always brings opportunity.

Normally, we have 3-5 people a week that apply to naseba via the blog – last week we had 21 people apply via the blog.

we had a sales director of a major competitor apply a few weeks ago - I met him in Monaco and was greatly impressed, so we hired him. 

We will be hiring at least 8 experienced people from his team and surely even more from other teams in this company.

Irronically, James Barber from IQPC tried to head hunt two of naseba’s top sales people last week - both told Fabien, Nic and I as soon as they were contacted on their mobiles and the jist of the phone interview… so I encouraged them to meet James face to face to hear/learn what else he had to say and waste his time. 

I have never met any senior managers at IQPC, however, I am impressed with the way senior management aggressively head hunts from the competition. 

Rick Worden and his senior level managers have created a great machine - although naseba is just 6 years old, in my opinion, Rick’s machine, a machine that he has developed over the past 30 years has become too big and bulky - it will be interesting to see how they maneuver in the storm that is surely coming.

Although IQPC’s relaxed casual corporate culture is something that I do not agree with, surely there are dynamic people making things happen in WBR and IQPC.

I look forward to some these dynamic people joining our team.

competition only makes one stronger.

The next 12-18 months, America and Europe will surely face severe economic challenges, potentially on a scale that none of us have ever witnessed …. however, with challenging times comes opportunities -

Make sure that you do not let fear of the unknown get in the way of you seeing whatever opportunity comes your way.

Not to make excuses, but I have been travelling between Dubai; Paris and Monaco for the past month which has taken a part of my focus from the blog.

Thank you Voice of Reason; Dubai Devil; Dagny; Larry; William Blake; and Ed for your constructive criticism.

The Voice of Reason gave me a topic to discuss (after my “Ode to the greatness in man” posting)

…. using fear as a tool to make things happen…

Many people in the world (in the past me included), fear the implication of failure in and itself - and do not see failure as a learning experience.  Instead, they let the fear of failure control the way they live their lives; and decisions they make.

I know someone very well that has a lot of talent and ability, but he does not take any risks, thus he is still doing the same job….although I have heard him talk about making something happen, most probably he will still be doing the same job a few years from now.

Fear of the unknown …

When I was younger, I wasted loads of talent … whether in sports or academia, I did not live up to my potential. 

For me, it is a fear of wasting talent; wasting opportunities that helps me focus –since we first launched naseba, even to this day, it is a strong “fear of failure” that keeps me focused.

There are many super talented people in the world that fail to live up to their talent.  How many of these people do not live up to their talent because the “what if…I fail…”  prevents them from even trying?

Do not let the fear of the unknown get in the way of where you want to go.

……………………………….

Later today I will post a new blog that Liam will surely like because it is just a bit ”aggressively controversial.”

We recently hired the production director from a company that head hunted a few of our sales staff over the past couple of years – funny enough, yesterday they even tried to head hunt our number one sales person in Dubai.  We are hiring 3-4 other producers from this same company, and most probably 2 of their european based sales managers.

We also recently hired the sales director from another major competitor based in Germany….he is bringing 3 people from his team with him.

Both of these major recruitments came via the blog. 

Today I will post a new blog:  “competition only makes one stronger…”

“You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do” — Henry Ford

Recently, one of our biggest clients complained to Fabien Faure because she read my blog and does not like my section where I aggressively state:  ”just f…ing sell.”  

Fabien told me that he got passionate with the client — explaining in detail the purpose and point of this section on my blog:  don’t just talk about what you are going to do ….just f…ing do it.

I can write for hours about all the great things that I am going to do … but at the end of the day, it comes down to how many of those things I was going to do, I actually did.

The American swimming Olympic trials just finished last night…. although 99% of the readers of this blog most probably have no interest in swimming, I want to point out something….

Michael Phelps qualified first in 8 different events - he is without arguement; without question the greatest “athlete” of recent times.  He has a great chance to win 8 gold medals in Beijing.

Dara Torres qualified first in two individual events, the 50 and 100 free style - Dara is 41 years old.

The headline news in america on CNN:  ”suicide bombing kills two; A-Rod is getting divorced; mine collapse in China; gun man kill UN official in Somalia; Quake panda gives birth…”

There is no mention of the extraordinary achievements of these two individuals on the main page of any international news sites …. but a baseball players wife filing for divorce is number two and three headline on three different news sites.

I understand that most people do not follow swimming…. nor do most people understand the incredible achievements of Phelps — winning 8 gold medals - and breaking several world records is impressive, but Dara Torres coming out of retirement at age 39 to race in the most competitve races in swimming (50 and the 100) and two years later winning the olympic trials at 41 is remarkable — in my opinion Darra and Phelps performance are the two all time greatest achievements of any amateur athlete in my life time.

However….our media (our world) focuses entirely on negative issues.

It is dispicable that 3 different news sites have A-Rod (a famous american baseball player) wife filing for divorce as a major headline - but no mention of the greatness of Dara or Phelps.

I guarantee if Phelps had failed at qualifying, or been arrested for something stupid he would have made front page news on all news sites…

Where is John Galt?

Oddly enough, the same hospital where my daughter was born 4 years ago…

But anyway…

We live in a world today where our television programs are completely interrupted by the biggest 24 hour news television channel in the world to inform us that a woman who has no impact whatsoever on the global economy nor geo-politics has checked into a hospital to have a child.

Although Angelina Jolie is gorgeous, this woman has achieved nothing in life other than being the daughter of someone famous, thus getting a short cut to the middle of the movie industry mountain….a mountain that she has successfully climbed to nearly the summit.

Personally, I am a fan of Angelina Jolie … and I can even brag to my friends that 6 years ago, or so, I sat in an empty restaurant in Beaulieu, France with just Brad Pitt sitting uncomfortably at the table directly in front of me (he was with a gorgeous woman who was not his wife at the time)

However…..

It is unfortunate that the world we live in today allows the media to focus, and some what control our attention and concerns ……

The birth of two movie star’s children …. Has become so important to us that it takes precedence over focusing on finding solutions to the mess in Iraq or all the problems associated with subprime crisis in America….just to name a couple major issues…

But to me what is much more discouraging is that for many, many, many, hearing about Jolie’s birth is more important to them than hearing about -brilliant achievement- performance of several exceptional athletes at the Olympic trials currently taking place this week in America. (Although several world records were broken, the Olympic trials was not even on the first page of CNN’s site)

Where is John Galt?

I got kicked out of high school my freshman year for fighting and having a bad attitude.  The day I discovered that I was kicked out - I instantly, reflected and told myself that if I had another chance …. I would not f… it up.

I looked at my bad moment as an opportunity - and I focused on the positive that I could gain by moving to a new school and new beginning.

When I joined my new high school - I ensured that I did not make the same mistake, and overall positive attitude at my new school was a much better fit and things worked out for the best.

In university - my freshman year, because I was completely drunk, I fell a bit more than 4 stories - broke my arm, hand, leg, multi-skull frastructures, was in a coma for many days - nearly died, but more amazingly did not break my neck.

I took a year off university to rehabilitate – and when I finally got back to school, I focused on learning from my mistake.  I quit drinking and focused on studying and making my life happen - I used my accident to help me become a better person.

When I got pushed out of M.E. … as stated many times throughout this blog, I could have spent my life feeling sorry for myself - however, I reflected on all the mistakes I made and changed my behavior to ensure that I did not make the same mistakes again.

The truth is that all the mistakes that I mention above all made me smarter; stronger; and more focused because I reflected on each mistake - and worked at not making the same mistake again …

The major difference in my life today compared to 6+ years ago is that I always focus on being positive - no matter what happens, I try and look at mistakes/negatives as learning experiences.

 … surely, we will make mistakes, but I sincerely believe the secret is learning from the mistake - NOT focusing on the negative, but working at changing the behavior or actions that led to the mistake.

….a good topic for the blog could be on the Pennine 100 that took place this weekend, and about the guys who reached their proverbial mountain facing challenges of 50mph winds, pouring rain and sleep deprivation….but still giving it all they had, including Paul McCloughlin, who would not be pulled out of the race, and spent almost 48 hours alone out on the track….he stuck to his pitch, what an inspiration…

As most readers know — after a disgraceful RAW Africa, I made serious changes to the management team of Ambition Events … terminating the entire previous team and promoted Terry Southam to General Manager and Gary Burrows to Business Development & Sales Director – and they completely relaunched Ambition Events.

It is impossible for me to put into a blog all the great, professional/instant changes that Terry and Gary made to the operational running of Ambition.  Terry Southam has worked with me for nearly 5 years and is one of the most professional, reliable senior managers that works at naseba.

On the commercial side — We will soon announce the signing of a major global sponsor of Ambition Events which Terry and Gary completely made happen….this sponsorship will improve all the races we do, thus add value to all participants.

After Ambition Events RAW Africa mess… Terry came to me and said he wanted to prove to all the people that no longer believed in Ambition — that Ambition Events was for real — so Terry kept the Pennine Challenge on the Ambition Events schedule.

Ambition’s ”Pennine Relentless Challenge” offered two ultra-challenges to our clients.  A 100 mile run/race as well as a duathalon – a marathon, 100 mile bike, and then another marathon in the hill country of England … The race sold out at 50 runners, but because of terrible weather 41 participted and 22 finished.

11 people attempted the duathalon, but only 2 finished.

Gary called me from the UK just to tell me about one of the runners who inspired him, Paul Mc Cloughlin …

Paul is someone I have never met, but someone who Gary said was so “tough and focused” that this man would not quit … and Paul continued to race well after all the others had either finished or dropped out.

This morning on my 1 hour run on my treadmill …. which is not even a spot of a challenge compared to the Pennine Challenge …. as I ran, I thought about Paul McCloughlin, a man who is 51 years old…but still taking on serious challenges, like running 100 miles nonstop … no matter how hard the elements might be….he did not quit. 

His achievement puts things into perspective for me…

I am not a “quitter…” like I imagine the 20 or so people who did not finish the Pennine are not “quitters…”

However, would I have had the guts to keep going … just to finish … all alone on the track after everyone had finished or dropped out?

To be perfectly, honest — probably not.

Because of Paul McCloughlin, I will be doing the next 100 mile race Ambition Events organizes.

I have “talked” and “talked” about doing an Ironman … and keep myself busy with excuses like “I can not train for the bike because I travel too much and spend a lot of time in Dubai where I can not ride….” but at the end of the day … it comes down to me pulling my finger out and doing the Ironman.

Congratulations to everyone that competed in the Pennine Challenge and especially congratulations to those that finished.

Paul McCloughlin’s achievement is a great personal success story for him … but he has, without knowing, inspired people like Gary, Terry and me to reflect on our own mental and physical toughness.

Gary commented that when Paul finally finished…Gary asked him “will we see you next year?”

Paul replied, “you will see me next year, and my goal will be to finish under 36 hours so I can attend the barbeque.”