Want to Change the World? Take off your shirt!

A few events over the past few months have given me cause for pause as they say. The recent departure of our industry’s dear friends Ron Ball and Fran Ford have left a painful scar on me, but mostly on the industry. I knew both very well, they were my friends – and to a large extent my mentors. Reflecting further, I thought back to my beginnings to 1982 (wow!), when Mike Rodin, Rodin Industries, and his dad Sid, took a chance and gave me open credit on my first order of five-hundred dollars of balloons. Didn’t have to, who I was I anyway? And that was the beginning! Thank you, Mike and Sid.

As my career progressed, I became more and more involved, and began to meet hundreds of folks that would help change MY world. Many of the names will be foreign to many of you, however the message will hopefully resonate.

I had the pleasure of running into Carl Rosenfeld at a PPAI trade show, when PPAI was in Dallas and was known as SAAI (Specialty Advertising Association International); I remember sheepishly walking up and introducing myself and mentioned that I needed to meet him. Thinking for sure he’d give me a courteous, ‘Hello, nice to meet you’, and then off again, it was completely the opposite, he sat his bag down, looked me in the eye and chatted with me - LISTENED to me,  and gave me what I came to realize was sage advice – “just love what you do”. At subsequent shows, I would run into Carl and we built a nice friendship.

ASI invited me up to their headquarters in Pennsylvania for a site visit and to meet with a few of the staff. It was there I met Marvin Spike, I’ll never forget the words he spoke to me over 35 years ago, “Cliff, PROFIT is not a four-letter word”. For those of you who know me, know I am a Prophet for Profit, I speak about profitability in every one of my presentations – Marvin’s words were the catalyst of my continual mantra and thought process.

Two more folks at ASI have had a dramatic impact on me (and they probably have no idea) Norman Cohen and Michele Bell. I was at an ASI Show in Orlando, I believe the first year of that show, I remember watching Norman walk around outside the show floor, shaking hands, thanking people for attending and making them feel GOOD about themselves. These were not BIG names, huge producers, these were average folks – folks that obviously mattered. Norman, thank you for teaching me in your own subtle way, about humility and you’re NEVER too big or important to make people feel good and to appreciate others. A big thank you!

Then there’s my dear friend Michele Bell, who is a hoot! Michele has always been there, always willing to LISTEN and give advice when asked, but most importantly, Michele has given me the gift of laughter, knowing that life is indeed too short to get caught up in things that just don’t matter. She always makes me smile. I so appreciate you!

One of the most endearing people that I had the pleasure of getting to know, was Glen Holt. While at an ASI Show in Dallas, I asked Glen if I could pay him for an hour of his time, I wanted his advice on the best way to be the best consultant in our industry. Glen sat down with me for nearly and hour and a half, never charged me a dime, and shared a ton of his trade secrets. I remember him sharing with me, “…never milk someone for money, charge your fee of course, but if you can give them the answer they need in an hour, give it to them, you’ll reap the rewards one-hundredfold if you treat people fairly…”  He was one of the kindest, gentlest human beings I ever met. I miss our chats!

Most recently, we lost two amazing gentleman, Ron Ball and Fran Ford. I can see Ron Ball walking the show floor, smiling only the way Ron could. He would stop, look you in the eye, listen, give advice, and if he said he would do something, you could count on him to follow through.

And Fran Ford, WOW, an amazing, amazing man – Fran was NEVER too busy to stop and chat, he remembered your name, he listened, always positive, always ready to extend himself. I can hear his voice as if he were sitting right here with me, “Hey Cliffy, (he was one of only a few who could call me Cliffy) how is everything, how are your kids…” – he really truly cared. Genuine, caring, open, an amazing mentor - I miss you both.

I could write one-hundred pages on the industry professionals (my friends) who have dramatically effective my life. To Paul Bellantone, Steve Slagle, Chuck Chelstrom, George Matteson, Bob Waldorf, Paul Lage, Marc Held, David Woods, Martin Varley, Nikki Stella, and so many, many others, thank you for always making yourselves available and giving me the platform to pursue my dream – selflessly!

To the editors of the various magazines, Michele Bell, Tina Filipski, Bruce Sachenski, Bill Petrie, Richard Hollis, Aiden Goldstraw, thank you for your patience with my poor spelling and punctuation, late deadlines; thank you for the guidance, thanks for challenging me, you’ve all made me better.

To the folks that believed enough in me to allow me to share my experiences on the speaking platform, for all your encouragement and selfless coaching: Paul Keiwiet, Jeff Tobe, Natalie Townes, Jody Mello, Michele Bell, Stacy Riddler, Kerry Boderman, Kirby Hasseman– I appreciate each of you.

Thanks to Ross Silverstein, who allows me to serve the Affiliates at iPROMOTEu, and provide for my family. Thanks to my dear friend Rick Badiner for ALL your guidance and patience. Thanks to the hundreds of Affiliates at iPROMOTEu, who trust me we with very intimate details of your personal and business lives – the list is too lengthy, thanks for that trust, you’re a blessing.

To my beautiful and AMAZING wife Maria, and children Caitlin and Alexander – proud to be your husband and dad, you make me proud. Love you!

Through all the connections and travels, I realize I could have NEVER become the person I am today without others; those that have moved on and those still here. Those that have passed, know your words have made a profound difference in my life, and will continue to do so.

To each of you, THANK you for your willingness to take the shirt off your back, and for changing my world!

Cliff