"Why did you choose June 6th as your announcement day?" "Because without D-Day, there would be no ArcDrive."
I mean it.
D-Day turned the tide. From that day till the end of the war, the Nazi's were in retreat, receding across Europe, all the way back to the heart of Germany.
Easy Company, Eagle's Nest.
If Hitler had defeated US and allied forces, the world would have gone off the rails into a completely different direction - we wouldn't be who we are today.
To some, 75 years seems so far away. Times change, technology marches, but people never really change - good and bad.
Remember configuring the first #copier, late at night for a morning delivery? Staying up past midnight, attaching the finisher, paper drawers, ADF, and large capacity paper tray?
Remember the first time you forgot to order a stair climber or tile protection? How about the time you used the forklift to deliver an Oce up to the second floor?
Did your heart sink when that toner spilled out on the floor during your demo?
You fell in love with it, all of it. You fell in love with watching your employees and customers evolve. Memories of the small office Christmas parties, new babies, and hiring your nephew, still warms your heart.
Your vision, your idea, your business. Partnering with hardware vendors who worked with and valued your relationship.
It's easy to say those days are long gone - one time partners are wily competitors, rivals have turned into arch enemies and the elusive client doesn't fall for stunts, techniques or bloated copier deals.
It's tough.
"The first rule of flying? Love. Love keeps her in the air when she outta fall down..."
Love what you do, again. Love bringing your customers something new, shiny, again.
It's called #ArcDrive and it's new, fun, easy, familiar, sophisticated and for you.
There is this place, a special place, a man-made nexus in Southern California called The Wedge.
Locals know. Tourists rarely get there. A point where waves come in two directions and converge with outgoing flows to create large waves very close to shore.
Bodyboards are the safest, but surfer dudes can't pass up storm-induced sets. People have died here. For a summer, I lived on Balboa, the Wedge was within walking distance away. #Turbulance and #Convergence are natural and man-influenced phenomena. At the time, I didn't realize the significance; only today do I recognize the simile:
The dealer channel is in the middle of the maelstrom and has always surfed the Wedge. 55-degree saltwater, ears full of sand, and the possibility of ultimate elimination do not stop you.
You hit the sets every, single morning. Who is there with you? Does your body-board manufacturer tell you how to set up for a wave? Are your board shorts too tight or heaven forbid, too loose?
I'd never heard of Keap.com but the video caught my eye.
Whoever produced this hit the nail on the head for the SMB. The Keap offering is a #Converged solution stack of services on one platform. Designed to help businesses stay in business, the accompanying script is full of doubter cliches.
QUOTES WE'VE ALL HEARD:
"Hey, listen. Maybe owning a business is too much to handle right now."
"You gave up a steady paycheck to chase this dream. Maybe it's not worth it."
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to find new clients these days?"
"It's great that you took the risk but it's time to admit it's not working."
"I know you're passionate about this...I know you gave it your best shot but maybe it's time...to get a real job."
