Golf has long been considered a great way to do business in a less formal environment.  If used properly, golf can be an opportunity to develop and enhance lasting business relationships.

I have been telling everyone that I am learning golf for business.  Although it is not the only reason, it is the main answer to “why now”.  When I began my career as a manufacturers’ representative in a male dominated industry, I made the joke that my competition was taking my clients golfing, what was I supposed to do, take them to dinner and a movie?

As more women make the climb up the corporate ladder golf can be a very strategic tool.   When networking, I find it is a reliable topic of conversation to turn to when meeting both men and women.  Suzanne Woo has written a wonderful book for women on enjoying golf for business.  “Get on Course for Business”

How about you? Have you taken a customer out on the course.  A good tip is to do a little research up front.  When planning to play golf with a client, make it a three-some and invite someone that would make a good prospect for your client.  It will be an irresistible invitation.

Here are some links to some other great tips when golfing for business. http://www.golf.com/golf/special/article/0,28136,1732622,00.html

Here are a few pictures from my second golf lesson, chipping.

I received a phone call from out of the blue that stirred so many good memories of my start in the door and hardware industry.

I owe my career to Pat Wright and the Pleasants Contract Hardware team.  I started as a temporary receptionist for the Tampa, Florida branch.  One day while very new to the job, I took a message from an upset customer and wanted to help.  The problem was I had no idea what the customer was asking for.  So, I made the fateful trip into Pat’s office and asked “what the heck is an astragal?”  Pat took that question as general interest in the industry and as they say, the rest is history.

I soon began typing up hardware schedules for our sales team, Dan Winter, Joe Harrell and Bob Gans.  Early in my employment with Pleasants, Pat asked if I would be willing to spend a couple of months training at Pleasants’ corporate branch.  Of course, I said yes and my then 3 year old daughter (now 19) and I spent two months living in a corporate apartment in Winston-Salem, NC.  I spent those two months learning to detail shop drawings and hardware schedules.

Training didn’t stop there.  I was encouraged to participate in DHI educational classes and through my years at Pleasants attended AH1, AH2 and AH3.  I am grateful to Pleasants for investing in my future.  It was a wonderful feeling knowing that my manager had trust and confidence in my abilities and a plan for me, even when I didn’t.   I held many positions during my 10 years there.

Pleasants Contract Hardware was an excellent company to work for.  Every year the Executive team, Ed Pleasants, Chuck Hummel, Sam Smoak and Ginny Cole, would travel to each branch for an annual presentation and review.  It made you truly feel like a member of a big team, all working together toward the same goal.  I will never forget the personal hand written note cards Ed Pleasants would send for birthdays and employment anniversaries.  It was especially nice to get one from Chuck Hummel for a job well done!  It was those cards that made you feel like the member of a family.  I still have all of them.

I also credit Pleasants with meeting my best friend, Ginny Powell.  But that is a blog post all on it’s own!

There are two specific events that I remember vividly.  The day Pat Wright notified us of his intention to transfer to another branch and the day we were all told Pleasants had been sold.  I stayed through the first two ownership changes, but am happy to say that I was not involved in the final demise of what was once a generous, successful and thriving family business.

Thank you Pat for calling me out of the blue just to say hey.   I enjoy reminiscing about what those of us who still keep in touch refer to as “the good old days”.

(see Ginny’s post on Pleasants @ http://acrackeddoor.blogspot.com/ )

May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Kentucky Derby, Memorial Day and I’m sure others I am forgetting.  This month is sure to fly by with so many reasons for parties.  It will fly by super fast for me because I have travels planned for every week this month.  If you are in my territory you are sure to get a visit.

We are already into our second month of the second quarter.  How are you fairing?  I know the projects available for bid have steadily increased but has any of it turned to backlog yet?  I will continue to forward project leads from Reed Connect, The Blue Book, LDI and other sources. If you are unfamiliar with LDI, they are a reprographics company that will send you a free daily newsletter of upcoming projects for bid.  Find out more here.

I am working with a couple of my customers on Social Media Marketing campaigns. Let me know if you are interested in any of the following:  blogging, twitter, facebook business page, linkedin , as well as mail and email campaigns.  I can help you set up these accounts and offer suggestions on how best to utilize them.

Here’s to a great month!