Introduction to Jim's Business Report

If you are new to this Blog/Report then I hope that you will take the time to read this introduction. I say this as I believe it is important for you (the reader) to know a bit about myself and about where I am coming from.

First off;
I was born and raised in a place called Calgary, Alberta Canada.
I am happily married to my wife of over 30 years and together we raised a family of three children and now very much enjoy our grandchildren!

I have experienced work in commercial and residential construction, the criminal justice system having retired (first retirement) after close to 30 years as a General Duty responder, Major Crimes Investigator and Manager.

For many years I owned a business in motor sports which started as a hobby in the early 1970's as a Race Car Driver. This hobby grew into a business and we eventually found ourselves with a second full time job on the go as we climbed the ranks into Pro Motor Sports.

Besides racing cars we also developed a business as a Racing School for the public and for experienced race car drivers to improve on their skills at the track.

I worked on contract for several of the largest automobile manufacturers. The job here was showing the public the manufacturer's product's on a performance level at race tracks and courses.

Through all this I was learning how to build, deliver and execute marketing programs for both on and off the track.

During my racing career I had the fortune of working with several large corporations who became marketing partners with us. They included a major automotive manufacturer (General Motors), a restaurant chain, international car rental agency, major tool manufacturer and retailer and many others. You would recognize every one of their corporate names.

During this time I found a passion for studying and activating marketing programs. We were very successful on the race track with several national and regional championships. Records that still hold to this day.
I found the marketing end of the business to be challenging, addictive and exciting. This experience proved that it was what we did on the marketing level Monday to Friday for consumers that really mattered.

I have owned a total of 3 successful businesses and was also the Founder of the Calgary Business Network. Seven years later I sold the business network while planning my second retirement.

I came out of my 2nd retirement due to a position offered to me as VP of Marketing for a professional level NASCAR Race Team in the USA. I simply could not say no to this opportunity.

After that project I planned my 3rd retirement. A year later I was then offered another position which I hold today as the Business Development Manager at Royal LePage Integrity. We are a well known real estate firm based in the Cochrane & Calgary areas of Alberta, next to the beautiful Rocky Mountains!

As you can see I do not do well with retirement.
I call it "bored" and my wife wonders if I have some form of A.D.D! The truth is I love challenge and my passion lies in both marketing and coaching others, helping them to be successful in business.

My background of being an Instructor with the Police Service, Owning the business network and in running a Race Car School business helped me to realize another passion and that was teaching.

In the late 90's and early 2000's I worked at two other businesses doing their marketing. All the while being a full time police officer. What really was happening in the background was I was learning about marketing & understanding real-life business issues. Along with that, I was learning about activating viable and successful solutions to our partner's corporate needs.

I also learned a lot about the value of sleep during those years!

In 2004 I obtained my Real Estate License and spent close to ten years in the real estate business along with almost 5400 local competitors!

I enjoyed this career and especially enjoyed the marketing, advertising and people part of sales. I was able to activate many of the things I had previously learned into this real estate business. I also tested some other strategies too.

At the same time I hired an awesome "Business Coach" from the east coast of the USA and attended many seminars, training sessions and courses all centered on the very areas of business that I had come to love.

All in all, over the past 40 years I have gained a fair amount of experience in marketing, teaching, business, negotiation and the management of people & business. Most importantly I enjoyed working with and learning from a lot of great people along the way.

I also had my fair share of mishaps, stumbles and what some might call failures along the way. I choose to call these failures "learning opportunities" not only for myself but for others that I get to share my stories with.

I learned that being positive, open to new ideas and thinking in the right ways can carry one to a complete new level in business and in life.

One of my first lessons learned was that you do not have to re-invent the wheel. Many have gone before us and want to share what they too learned along the way.

Why waste a ton of money and years trying to experiment with what has already been done or has failed? Your time is better spent with what has worked.

Other well learned lessons included how to separate oneself from the clutter of the competition while at the same time serving the client's best interests and needs.

At one point it was suggested that I should write a book about my experiences as a major crimes investigator, race car driver and all my other experiences including business. At this point in my life I am still much too busy to sit down long enough for writing that book.

So this Blog is the next best thing and my hope is, that it will help you too.

My belief in setting and attaining goals worked well enough for my wife and I that we have enjoyed early retirement three times while travelling each and every winter. I have been blessed in this regard and now I can do the work I love from almost anywhere. In fact we still travel while working.

I will be sharing why Goals and Action Plans are important in building for your life and business. This is a basic requirement and a foundation for your success. 

This Blog is my Book.
In it I share ideas, some of them very random. Some of them come to me in the early morning hours or in the middle of the night. So they are not in any specific order. Add to that I am not an editor or publisher so please bear with me!

Many stories, strategies, articles and links are from people who have excelled in their lines of work. Some of them are at the TOP of their game. Some are famous and some sit quietly in the background while building the life they want with the strategies they have learned from others or devised themselves after a lot of trials, errors and hard work.

I could spend half an hour on the "why" you should follow this Blog.

I won't bother doing that. I say that because for some it won't matter how much I prove that these strategies work, they still won't follow this. I hope you see and understand the value and the concepts. If not, I encourage you to take the chance!

I started to learn about negotiating in the early 1980's as a police officer dealing with people and finding solutions to their problems. A few of these times it was with a weapon in my face! That tends to get your attention and help you to learn a little bit faster.

I have received excellent training and have enjoyed many courses on different subjects over the years.

I am a strong believer in lifelong learning.
Let that be one of the lessons, if you want to be successful in life, sales or business.

I hope that you find these ideas, tips and proven strategies of help to you in both your personal life and in business. If applied I know they will help!

While I primarily write this for and refer to Realtors in their businesses the majority of this can be applied to most any business. 

Due to the fact this Blog is in the "public domain" any one has access to it and everyone in business can find value in it. So, whether you own a bakery, a retail outlet or are in any form of sales, many of the principals will apply for you too.

I will stick my neck out here with a statement and say;

Whether you know it or not, you are in sales with any business that you own! 

If you do not realize that now, then change that thought!
If you are not willing to learn sales & marketing you are in trouble right out of the gate!

Even if you do not sell to the public, don't have a store-front or a brick and mortar location you are still in sales one way or another!

Many of the things you will find here are from other authors, coaches or people with successful experiences. So don't be afraid. This is not all coming from me!

Much of it comes from experts in their fields and people with proven backgrounds.

Think of this Blog as a "One Stop" location for all of this learning.
I know you will save yourself a lot of valuable time.
Time which we all know can not be replaced!

Again, I hope you enjoy this Blog!
Feel free to leave your comments or email me.

You can either sign up for updates or check back often for new posts.

Sincerely,

Jim Messner

PLEASE NOTE:
In the areas such as but not limited to legalities, accounting and taxes I am not recommending or advising on any of this.
These authors, strategies or general areas of expertise are mainly shared for informational purposes to stimulate your thought and perhaps action.

I am merely sharing information.
It is solely up to you to determine the legality and permissibility on both a civil and criminal basis for your geographical area and/or jurisdiction. 

If you are not clear about something be sure to get proper civil, legal, tax, real estate and/or accounting advice. Always ensure the advice you seek is from a true, verified, legal and licensed professional in that area of expertise. A person that you know you can trust!