The Wisdom of Grey Hair.

Growing older is mandatory, while becoming old is optional. And that depends almost entirely on your attitude.

If your attitude is positive, and you are staying on your growing edge, setting some wholesome and adventurous goals, trying to be a blessing to family and friends, striving to accomplish God's plan for your life - life can be a ball.

I'm rather quite enjoying (and having a lot of fun) being a senior citizen!

How Old are YOU ??

Welcome The AGING Brain In Business

Write Trevor:

Roy and I have some interesting banter on the subject of 'memory loss' - is it real or is it a crutch?

Can't remember what I wanted to write about, but here's an interesting comment from - Senior Times: The aging brain has staying power - that tallies with my gut-feel view: "To many elderly people, the fear of dementia is stronger than the fear of death, itself." - Mark Williams, M.D., author of the "American Geriatrics Society's Complete Guide to Aging and Health".

To me this suggests that you may have nothing to fear but 'fear' itself. It reminds me of Zig Ziglar's definition of FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real.

The article suggests: '..the degeneration of our brain is far from inevitable during our lifespan. There is no reason to expect it to dramatically change with advancing age, even though many of us are living longer and more productive lives.'

'The latest research shows mounting evidence that we can take greater control of our lives by making a genuine effort to keep our brains agile and fit. Activity seems to be the key.'

"Some people perform tasks effectively all their life," said Dr. Judith Saxton, a psychologist at the University of Michigan Medical Center, who analyzed data from a two-year study of 700 men and women from 65 to 92 years of age.'

I love Ellen Weber's blog on the brain in business:

Read Ellen Weber's great post on aging and the brain... - Her conclusion seems to corroborate mine, which is to just go with the flow and enjoy your life - your brain will look after you - just do it - even if others think you're a little 'crazy' - as long as it brings a smile to your face.

This was Ellen's conclusion: 'The key to living a magic age is to focus on learning something new daily… give…risk … laugh … love … play …think …and forgive. Focus on what you do well… or will learn to do… and you’ll create dendrite brain cell connectors to your brain … that bring magic to your business.'

Ellen also writes in Good News For Those Who Like Their Work and Want an Extension: 'A new study is... dispelling myths about the aging brain ... and offering hope for those who'd like to work longer. '

I love the concluding paragraphs of the Senior Times: The aging brain has staying power:

'If possible, take control of your life and reduce stress. The more you are in control of your own destiny, the better your brain will age over time.

'Socialize, stay involved and keep your mind active. Studies show that friendships and support groups prevent stress and isolation, build confidence and stimulate the mind. Activities like adult education and volunteer work enhance your social life and mental dexterity.

'It is important to understand that knowledge and vocabulary can grow as we age, even though our speed of retrieval slows a bit. We should never fall victim to societal myths that suggest that cognitive decline and dementia are part of the aging process and should be expected in old age.'

So, don't fear your age, thank God for the years of experience that you have gained that you can help apply to any business challenge put in front of you. That's what makes YOU valuable in business - being a wise elder!

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - www.innercircleforum.com
trevor@innercircleforum.com

What EXPERIENCE Teaches: 6 Valuable Lessons

Writes Roy:

The six valuable lessons mentioned in the last post (ex. 1995) are...

1. Stick to the knitting - Keep focused and stick to the business you know best. 'I burnt my fingers after going into the hard floor industry thinking it would enhance my core business: it very nearly cost me my cleaning business as I didn't have the expertise for that industry.' says Roy.

The decision to go into the bath-mending business was made on the grounds that it was an established business and the industry expertise was being provided by the franchise holder.

2. Cash Flow - The secret of a successful business is cash management - to monitor your cash balance daily and to get your business on a COD basis.

3. Be realistic - 'Unfortunately, not everyone is honest, and you have to keep a tight check,' says Maureen. She has some interesting tales to tell, like the home executive who went shopping to return only after her carpets had been done and the workers had long given up hope of getting the money, and the flat tenants who moved out overnight never to be seen again.

4. Spending discipline - 'Keep your overheads low until you can afford more,' says Maureen. The Sumptions started off in their garage, then moved into a one-room office, then into a two-room office and today own a house in Bordeaux.

5. Perseverance - 'I've been ready to throw in the towel many times,' says Roy. 'You have to expect the bad times and plan for them.'

The carpet-cleaning business is particularly seasonal, being busy in spring and quiet in winter. Special offers are used to encourage turnover in the slower months.

6. Customer service - 'I believe in added value, in giving the customer more than he expects,' says Roy, citing the example of giving a free bag of spot remover after a carpet clean.

'I've read a lot about customer service and it's the little things that count, and for which people remember you for,' adds Roy.

God Bless
Roy - 011 - 7822616

What I Know About ROY... & MAUREEN

Writes Trevor:

I still have a newspaper clipping from 1995 about Roy & Maureen Sumption, it reads:

Family business cleans up thanks to some cardinal rules

After 25 years of running their own small business, Roy & Maureen Sumption have a lot of wisdom to share with other entrepreneurs.

The Sumptions are in the cleaning business. Their first enterprise, International Cleaning Machines, supplies carpet-cleaning materials for sale to the industry. Their second enterprise, The Carpet Caretaker, provides a carpet-cleaning service... and their third business, started eight years ago, is a franchise of Mend-a-Bath, a process of re-enamelling old baths, basins and tiles.

The Sumptions' business is a family affair: Roy oversees, Maureen runs the carpet-cleaning service, and youngest son Gavin, manages Mend-a-Bath. The other two sons keep the books and provide financial advice on a part-time basis.

'Luckily we're a close-knit family which is why it works so well,' says Maureen. Roy adds that while some fathers insist their sons join them in the family business, he ever did. 'I didn't force any one of them, I believe that each person must find his own niche in life.'

The Sumptions readily admit that their business has been good to them. However they stress that it hasn't always been plain sailing and many mistakes were made on their journey to success. But as Roy says, making mistakes and learning from them is what running your business is all about.

In the next post they share their six most valuable lessons learnt in business.

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - www.innercircleforum.com
trevor@innercircleforum.com

About ROY

Writes Roy:

When I left school some 50 years ago I didn't have a clue as to what direction my life was going to take.

My Dad managed to get me a job as a medical lab assistant which led me into becoming a medical rep. calling on hospitals and doctors. This was a very interesting and stimulating job as I learnt a lot about the human body.

After about 8 years a friend and I heard about this very new and unique carpet cleaning system that was operating in the U.S. and we decided to 'go now - pay later' to Phoenix, Arizona to investigate this new system.

We were so impressed that we arranged for an exclusive agency for South Africa and started importing the machines on our return.

Our goal was to help people start up their own cleaning businesses and become independent entrepreneurs.

Over the years we have set up about 60 independent operators around the country.

As I was drawing near to retirement age I decided to sell off the business so that I could concentrate on Network Marketing... and today I am still actively in various Networking Marketing businesses.

Why Network Marketing in my retirement years?

Quite simply, so that I could generate revenue for my business promotion and people development activities, whilst operating a low overhead business from home.

What is this blog about?

Here's what I'd like to see develop from it.

At my age - 71 - I'd like to see more like-minded, mature and experienced people (probably over-50's, 60's, 70's and older) getting together to share their years of wisdom and experience in business to create more revenue-generating opportunities for all.

As we get older it is important to keep the mind stimulated and nothing does that like a great business challenge. And, of course, nothing gets cheaper, and the income generated always helps meet the unexpected expenses. More important, the esteem and recognition that comes from a job well done at our age is good for the soul.

If you have a great business idea, are looking for quality inputs from mature and experienced business people, give us a call... and we'll come running... slowly, but surely.

Blessings to all
Roy

Roy Sumption - Prestbury Marketing - 011 - 782-2616
grace@micron.co.za

What Value AGE & Experience?

This blog is designed to celebrate the exceptional business skill that comes with years of age and experience.

The world is changing. People are living longer and longer... and quality business entrepreneurs are ready to enter into their third, fourth and even fifth careers.

Like good wine, these people mature with age... they have been there, done that, got all the T-shirts... they've seen it all before... and they can save you a fortune by sharing their expertise in your business.

Take a look at: 'Greybeards' valued by Silicon Valley employers

From the above article posted in 2002, and given that we generally seem to lag developments in the US by a few years - Is this going to happen in South Africa soon?

'Suddenly, it is fab to be a forty- or fifty-year-old in Silicon Valley as the economic downturn has put a premium on experience over raw youth.'

Says Jan Gullet: 'What I am finding quite frankly is that dozens, literally dozens of young engineers are coming to me and putting me on their advisory boards to help them because they recognise they simply don't have the experience or credibility with investors by themselves.'

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - www.innercircleforum.com
trevor@innercircleforum.com