June 2020
THE FLOWERS WILL BLOOM AGAIN Keeping Faith Through a Pandemic
Flowers from the Tester Farm
I’ve never been one to stop and smell the roses.
I’m reminded of Jesus’ story in the Bible about the different kinds of soil. Some soil will dry up and crack. The birds will get some of the seeds that we plant. Some soil will produce smothering thorns, and other soil and seeds will simply blow away. Please don’t forget in this time of uncertainty, however, that some of the seeds and soil will also produce a bounty like no other. They will go on to produce a fruitful harvest of immense beauty. I want to remind you to keep pushing forward, reset life where necessary, be an innovator, and use this time to set new goals. Reach out and ask these questions to clients and prospects: “How are you doing? How do you see this playing out in your business?” and “What can I do to help you navigate the COVID-19 pandemic?” Our mission is to help enough people hang on and wait for the flowers to bloom again. That’s when we really will be able to stop and smell the roses. As my daughter reminds me in difficult times, “Diamonds are made under pressure.” This is your time to shine by seeding the ground, watering the land, and patiently waiting in faith. Take heart; the flowers will bloom again.
I often encourage others to do so, but I tend to focus more on planting the seeds than on watching them grow. Those of you who have worked with me probably aren’t too surprised to hear this. During the pandemic, however, I have noticed that Mother Nature, at least in terms of the flowers, has not slowed down one bit. In fact, her artwork in the fields and gardens across the country has been as amazing as ever. As I draw a correlation between Mother Nature and what is going on with the pandemic, I am truly reminding myself, and hopefully you as well, to stop and smell the roses. As these photos from my small farm remind us, remember that the flowers will bloom. I assume we will have the usual combination of sunshine and rain in June. I believe the flowers will bloom. I’m not sure what the message is for all of us from our collective experience with COVID-19, but I keep going back to the fact that the flowers will bloom again this summer. Perhaps it’s an unwritten law of nature, but it reminds us to keep seeding the soil and the land for tomorrow, regardless of what’s happening today.
-Dave Tester
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UNSURE OF HOW TO LEAD YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH A CRISIS?
When business coach and scholar Helio Fred Garcia published “The Agony of Decision: Mental Readiness and Leadership in a Crisis” back in 2017, he had no way of knowing that a pandemic would break out just three years later. Now, his book about how to make tough calls under pressure is more relevant than ever for entrepreneurs. “The Agony of Decision” teaches that when your company is on the line, it’s quick thinking — more than smooth communication, effective execution, or even expertise — that can save it. The book offers a framework to guide you through the decision-making process, helping you identify and weigh each outcome, then choose the right one. Answer that first big question, Garcia teaches, and the rest of the tumblers will click into place, allowing you to lead your company forward. To prove it, he weaves his personal experiences and decision-making scaffolding with notable stories of past business failures and successes. As one Amazon reviewer writes, “Helio Fred Garcia provides a thorough discussion of the do’s and don’ts of crisis response with both current and historical events (remember Exxon Valdez or Tylenol?) that clearly demonstrate the right way to respond … and the gateway to disaster.” With more than 30 years of experience mentoring massive international companies and nurturing business leaders at top American universities under his belt, Garcia is the perfect person to give voice to these tough lessons. His prose is self-assured, knowledgeable, and easy to read, which makes “The ‘THE AGONY OF DECISION’ HAS ANSWERS
Agony of Decision” a surprisingly comforting book for an entrepreneur going through hardship. There’s a reason BookAuthority named it one of their best crisis management books of all time! In the last few months, the coronavirus has proven to be the ultimate test of crisis management. If you’re in the process of figuring out how to lead your business effectively through the turbulence and could use a decision-making toolkit to help you when the phone rings with bad news, “The Agony of Decision” might be your ideal summer read.
TESTER-
MONIAL
Are you ready to better yourself and your business? Have Dave secret-shop your front desk today! Call 208-707-9807 or visit GoDaveTester.com for more details.
“You invested in me, and I appreciate that. I have been able to implement the training in a lot of different ways, and it has made me a better salesperson. Thank you, Dave!”
Justin Jacobs Marketing Coach Hudson Ink, Montgomery, Alabama
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FOLLOW OUR SYSTEM TO GET A 5-STAR GOOGLE REVIEW EVERY TIME
“Tom, would you be willing to give us a five-star Google review?”
This excerpt from Dave’s new book “Fearless Communication: How to Energize Your Team for Success on the Phone” provides a snapshot of Dave’s no- nonsense, practical tips for your team’s success! Watch for the book this summer! If only restaurant managers at high-end eating establishments asked the same questions! Instead, they come out and ask something bland like “How was everything?” That question is way too easy to answer with a “fine” or an “okay.” If they asked what you liked best or what the most memorable part of your meal was, I guarantee it would lead to more five-star reviews. Furthermore, if anything was not perfect, they could solve the issue on the spot.
The customer can choose to go a couple of different directions at this point. The best option is a simple, “Yes, I will.” However, it’s not always quite that easy. The second option for the customer usually goes something like this: “I don’t know how to do that,” or “My computer is too cumbersome to do that.”
In these cases, ask for the customer’s email address very quickly. Here is the script for asking for the email:
“Can you remind me of your email, Tom? It’s Tom@Gmail.com?” I use their first name with Gmail.com. I do this for two reasons: First, I would like a Gmail account because it is tied into Google and makes giving a five-star review easier. Second, of course their email is not Tom@Gmail.com — I’m well aware of that. However, they will correct me with their actual email address. They’ll willingly share it once I have started the conversation with my lead-in. I suggest you have one of two links to send out. One link should be a Google link if the customer has Gmail, and the other should be a home webpage review.
When they tell you what they would tell others, it is important to record the conversation or take notes. In your tone of voice, assume they are ready to give you a five-star review. Your next statement should be, “Would you be willing to recommend us to others?” I always use the customer’s name in this statement: “Tom, it sounds like you would be willing to recommend Tester Broadcast to others.” After they say yes, I’ve already laid the groundwork for the next step.
Summer Chicken Salad GG Gretchen’s Kitchen (My mom’s secret recipes)
Take a
BREAK
Ingredients
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1 small package pasta rings or shells, cooked 2 cups Miracle Whip
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1 medium head lettuce 4 chicken breasts, cooked and chunked
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2 tbsp ReaLemon 1/2 cup soy sauce
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2 cups snow peas, blanched and cut
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1 cup celery
1/3 cup dill pickle juice Dash of Tabasco sauce 2 cups chow mein noodles, cooked
1/2 cup green onions 1/3 cup green pepper
Directions 1. Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces. In large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. 2. In a second bowl, mix together the Miracle Whip, ReaLemon, soy sauce, pickle juice, and Tabasco. 3. When ready to serve, pour the dressing over the vegetable and chicken mixture. Top with chow mein noodles and serve. Serves 13.
Corner Post MINISTRY
If you would like to listen to Dave’s spiritual podcast, visitCornerPostMinistry.com
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6
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The Flowers Will Bloom Again
The Secret to Leading in a Crisis
Tester-monial
How to Get a 5-Star Google Review Every Time Help Local Nonprofits in Challenging Times
THE BEST WAYS TO HELP LOCAL NONPROFITS IN CHALLENGING TIMES
nonprofits need different things. A monetary donation can often go a long way, but never feel obligated to give money, especially when your budget may be tight. Instead, consider cleaning out your closet. What clothes, shoes, or other accessories can you part with? What about dishware or small appliances? When you clean out your home and donate unused items, you benefit those in the community who need them most. VOLUNTEER In a time of social distancing, volunteering may be discouraged, but nonprofits still need volunteers to operate. The good news is that many nonprofits need volunteers for positions that maintain social distance, such as driving. Food banks and kitchens need drivers to pick up donations or ingredients from donors and to deliver food to people in need, such as the elderly or those with disabilities. ADVOCATE Even if you don’t have time or resources to give, you can become an advocate for important causes around your community. While it might not seem like much, sharing information about local nonprofits on social media can make a genuine difference. Nonprofits need exposure, which is greatly boosted through community support. Sharing useful information about nonprofits — or sharing their posts — increases their visibility so more people will take action.
Over the past several months, families, businesses, and nonprofits have had to navigate life in this challenging “new normal,” and it can be hard to support your favorite nonprofits when times are tough. Here are a few ways you can help these important entities, even when you don’t have resources to spare right now. DONATE While many people donate generously during the holiday season, remember that nonprofits need donations throughout the year, and different
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