1. Stress Reliever – Sure, traveling with 3 young daughters can be seen by some as stressful, but, to me, it is a great time away from the courier service office. It’s a change of pace, a new scenery and the opportunity to take a deep breath and go with the flow. People often underestimate the importance of this time away and put it off until it is too late. The stress can pile up and with no release, you begin to jeopardize your health.

2. Physical Health – Getting outside, breathing the fresh air, soaking up some Vitamin D and moving around for a few days is going to be better than being hunched over behind a big monitor that is probably too close to your eyes. Juggling deadlines, customer service, human resource issues and the many areas related to running a business is a mental and physical drain on your body. You need to hit the reset button every few months.

3. Economic Health – Not only for the tourist economy, but for your own pocketbook. Sounds odd to some I’m sure, but there is proof behind this concept. Often, when taking the time to get away, you actually free your brain from being bogged down by the daily operations of your business and get back to the free-flowing ideas of the vacationing right side of your brain. You also take the time to read new articles or books and get in to discussions about business ideas without worrying about missing a deadline or dealing with a daily crisis. Some of my most profitable ideas have come when fishing with my dad in the middle of nowhere. You can’t always get that type of brainstorming in a room full of whiteboards and suits.

4. Family Time – I know that you are busy in your own life, but combine that with the lives of your spouse and your kids. My family alone is bouncing back and forth between schools, dancing, day care and tons of other extracurricular activities. I’m lucky to get dedicated time with one of my daughters at a time, much less all three and my wife. However, on a vacation, there is nothing else to do but spend time together. These are the memories that your children will have and think fondly of as they age. This should be a huge priority for you, if you want to maintain the sanity and love within your tight knit group.

The Beauty of A Vacation

5. Fun – Not much to explain here. Getting away is fun. Trying new things, re-doing old things, catching up with friends, making new friends… whatever. Get out there and do it.

As I close, I think of the fond memories from my short trip to Galveston, fishing trips with my dad, our recent trip to Disney and the many more that are in our future. Be sure to cherish this time with your family and don’t deny yourself the chance to unwind, relax and recharge. You will thank yourself later.

Until Next Time,

Eric

5 Ways to Blow An Interview

1. Gossipers – We have all worked for bad bosses and bad companies in the past, but there is no reason to run down a laundry list of flaws to your new potential employer. My natural response to this is “If they talk like this about their old boss, how will they talk about me?” If you are asked about the details, which you most likely will be, you should have a factual, dignifed answer prepared and leave it at that. Getting in to the he-said, she-said dirty details is not going to help you get the job.

2. Unprofessionalism – I tend to conduct interviews in a relaxed format. I don’t want to add to the nervous-factor, if I can avoid it. I want people to feel comfortable so I can get a feel for who they really are and how they will fit in with the family-atmosphere of Hot Shot Delivery. That being said, an interview is never the time to talk to me about personal problems, political ranting or any explicit information. I don’t care how comfortable you are with me, this is still an interview and we are still strangers. Stay professional and remember what you are here to do.

3. Arriving Unprepared - In this ‘age of the internet’, it is absolutely unacceptable to arrive to an interview without an idea of who the company is, what they do, how long they have been in business, etc… If I take the time to read through your history, education, accomplishments and references, you should be fully prepared as well. You would be surprised at how many people come to an interview completely unprepared and one of their questions to me is “What does Hot Shot do?”.

4. Dress The Part – If you want to be treated as a professional, show up like one. Clean, pressed clothing that is not missing buttons, has holes or stains is the way to arrive. Respect the role you are applying for by dressing for success. I’m not asking for a 3 piece suit – but I am asking for a little consideration when dressing for the interview that could become your new paycheck or lifelong career.

5. Don’t Know Yourself – Some of the most frustrating interviews to me are the ones where the candidate can’t tell me about themselves. Strengths, weaknesses, insight, opinions…anything. Why they want to work at this company and how it is the right fit for them seems to be something they should run through before walking in. Many people do not. So, be sure to practice these answers and come prepared to speak intelligently about yourself.

Interviewing is an art and some people are very good at it and others need some help. Just because you are not the best at interviewing does not mean you are not an extreme asset to an organization. If you take the extra time to practice, follow the do-s and don’t-s of interviewing and arrive with a smile, you are already ahead of the pack. Have faith, have confidence and knock em dead.

Till Next Time,

Eric

When I was in college I took an Economics class and learned a valuable lesson that has helped me throughout the years. It’s helped me in both my business and in my personal life. It is a simple concept, but one that some people seem to be forgetting these days.

What I’m referring to is Opportunity Cost. Let me explain what I mean… Often, the cost of something is considered in terms of money. The opportunity cost of something is based on what must be given up as a result of my choice. Any decision I make that offers me a choice between options has an opportunity cost.

Here is an example that I often refer to when thinking of this theory. For almost 9 months of the year (the beauty of living in Houston), the yard at my home needs to be mowed once a week. I see that I’m given two options – Either spend my weekend mowing, edging and bagging my yard or spend time with my family.

To Mow or Not To Mow...

So, what do I do? What choice do I make? This brings me to Price vs. Cost…

In my opinion, both options need to be done. I must have a well-kept yard and I must spend time with my family. However, I’m the only one that can spend time with my family – I can not hire that out. I can hire out the yard work – but at what cost? Or should I say – at what Price? My opportunity cost for doing my own yard work is foregoing time with my family. There is no price associated with this. My opportunity cost for spending time with my family is the yard work. There is a price associated with this.

So, I’m presented with the choice. Spend about $100 per month for someone else to do my yard work and use the time I would have spent doing the yard with my family. Bringing the girls to the park, creating memories with them, spending time with my wife, etc… is far more important to me than the $100 per month in yard fees.

The way I look at it is this – the cost of doing my own yard is much more than the price (but don’t tell my yard guy or my rates will surely go up).

Price = $100
Cost = Not spending time with my family and missing out on the really important things in life.

Where am I going with all of this?

Lately, the economy has been suffering and this often means that people will evaluate spending and find places to save money. My advice is to be sure that the money you are saving by “doing it yourself” makes sense. What are you giving up in Opportunity Costs just so you can save a few dollars?

Understand the difference between price and cost and make smart decisions with your time and your money.

Till Next Time,

Eric