The Page Family Influence

Those of use without vast resources for college must circumvent the Masters degree and MBA by finding a real "winner" to model. One can learn a lot by truly listening to the minute-by-minute conversations from a person we see or observe as "truly successful".

Some families breed success. One such family are the Pages, with four sons.

I work for one of the Page brothers, David Page, owner of Page Enterprises Printing Solutions. At 36 and 200 pounds of bodybuilding muscle, he is a good person.

According to him, he has no enemies. Who really says that?

I have seen him "...take the high road" too many times before to know less!-- David Page has great character.

I owe much of what I have become the past 6 months, since the Cotillion, to David Page. I was tired of being a follower. One day last summer, I awoke resolved to be a leader!

And what a better role model to follow---David was a brave individual, and a self-made man.

David has been very patient with me, and seems to like me "...without borders". My Life is better today because of his friendship. Thanks to David I have learned a whole new industry and am on my way to being a successful businessman as well.

In his Honor---and as a Token of Thanks, I offer the following poem to everyone who is in the middle of a career change:

The Litany Against Fear

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me and through me, like a reed on the wind.

And when it has gone past I will turn to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer...

(Taken from DUNE by Frank Herbert)

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*=Puck is often thought of as a mischievous nature spirit. However Puck is also a generalized personification of land spirits. Puck is known in throughout some lands and regions by other names and titles such as the Irish animal spirit.

Write a Letter to Your Staff

Perhaps you are challenged by the task of having to write a letter to your staff?

Recently I wrote the following letter to our law firm staff.

TIPS:

Be sincere.

Be Precise: Your written "voice" should be reflected in your words, to get your point across.

Mention the "painfully obvious" even though some staff members will not appreciate
it. Remember, if you don't say "Stop" people will keep going. We had parties in the
past where staffers got drunk, acted crazy, or disappeared during clean-up.
------------------------------------------Letter Follows----------------
Good morning All,

One week from today is the PERSILY & ASSOCIATES HOLIDAY PARTY. It is being held at The Four Seasons Building (Thursday, December 20th at 75 14th Street, from 7:30-9:30pm).

This is not a party for US, but a private function for our shared Client Portfolios. We are expecting 80 guests but it would not surprise me to see between 100-150 guests.

Therefore it is mandatory we help each other that evening as we greet our 2008 Persily Family of Business. This means arriving early for set-up and staying until the party ends to help with clean-up. Working as a team, this short party will be easy.

Every staff member is important. We have worked hard in 2007 to build relationships with our customers, and this night we will put a "face" and a smile to our company's reputation for quality. You are a testament to this.

I have included instructions below on how you can help. Thanks again for your hard work and support for marketing.

RRay
--------------
When you arrive: Please arrive by 6:35pm. The party is being held on the 50th floor.

Valet park your car and bring the ticket up to the party with you.
This gives us 55 minutes to go over last minute details. We will have guests arriving early, we always do.

Guests must check-in at a Persily table as they exit the elevator. There will be food areas, a dessert area, and a bar area. These areas will be catered and manned. So you won't have to do much, but help us keep the area clear of trash.

But you will have to "network". College professors call this "social capitalism" but it's basically "making money with your mouth open".

The time for us to chat with each other will come later. Please speak with our guests and "engage" them. People love to talk about themselves! "How's your company? What about this crazy market? Can we help your business somehow?"

These are all conversations business people have daily. Please show a genuine interest though, or do not engage. Nothing is worse than someone asking a question and then not listening to my answer. It gives a poor impression. We want our clients to trust us more and see how much we care for them. Showing this is easy for all of you, I know this. It just needed to be emphasized. Thank you for this.

When guests arrive, Lynn will greet them and make sure they either drop their business card or sign-in with Name, Company, email, & phone. EVERY GUEST SHOULD RECEIVE A GREETING. Folks let's make it different each time. "Hello" "How's it going?" "That's a great coat, welcome" "Long elevator ride to the top, eh?" "How is everybody tonight?" "Did anyone bring me a present?" Make 'em smile. Keep it jovial. All of these comments keep the "general effect" of the party warm from the moment of arrival.

Please dress-up for this event. Consider it a Black Tie Affair. Men are expected to wear suits and ties. Everyone should have their name tag. Bring your own business cards and hand them out. We are a boutique firm and have to work together this night. I would like to see everyone give me a short report the week afterward on who we might pursue for additional business in 2008.

You are my eyes and ears in four rooms next Thursday!

Thanks again for your support.

Ray Macon
Client Relations Manager

Write a Simple Effective Marketing Letter

I recently received a marketing letter from a good friend whose company specializes in computer cable organization. It's something everyone needs, but is hard to explain to the consumer or business owner that they need it.

His letter follows:

"How would you respond as a buyer to the service of Workstation Cable Organization?

Workstation Cable Organization as a service is the idea that Cable Systems Management, Inc, was founded on.

CSM specializes in the typical mess of cables attached to the PC, or docked laptop, or any other electronic devices creating a maze of cables.

ROI and CBA is spending less with IT professionals tracing cables to the source, creating a more ergonomic workspace by mounting the PC to the underside of the desktop, as well as correct orientation for the user with respect to the workspace."

---------
Now read my response to him:
---------
Hi Pal,

I hope you are well. Again, I apologize for not having my normal schedule flexibility last week so I could meet your beautiful wife.

I want you to succeed. Or I wouldn't give you this piece of light criticism relating to the marketing email from you below:

From a writer's perspective...spell out the acronyms you are presenting. When I read the third paragraph I got lost, and was perplexed at the meanings of the abbreviations because I am outside of your industry (and PC Stupid!).

Like I said I want you to make a lot of money at this, but to most people, it's something they only notice if the computer is NOT working.

Use this formula when sending marketing letters.

1.Present problem---2. offer a testimonial---3.then present your product---4.then your product facts.

Using that order, it's easier to build marketing sentences.

Example: "You innocently put your feet under the desk daily, but where are your toes resting? On the cables? The conduits carrying electricity to your computer are not foot rests. "I shocked myself one day," says Mable Ragsdale of Atlanta, "...my employer had to call the ambulance and check my heart." Then her employer came looking for us---a company which will eliminate the problem and the insurance concerns later. Our company specializes in the typical mess of cables attached to the PC, or docked laptop, or any other electronic devices creating a maze of cables...." etc.

On my blog, I give examples of "How to Write a..." offering advice on everything from Writing a Glowing Reference to how to write a professional letter with a "fuck you" impact (yes, we have to fire the clients who don't pay, right?)

Buddies for Life,

Rayray
Don't fear the Writing Process: http://www.raisemytownmylove.blogspot.com/

Throw a Company Party: the Persily VIP Pavilion

Last week we were working to complete our design for a corporate party, the Persily VIP Pride Pavilion along the Parade Route.

It was pretty--- and turned-out well as you will see in the photographs (coming next post).
Our company owner rented a beautiful and classy restaurant---Silk, on Peachtree.
His plan was to use the space for a lovely Pride gift to his friends and clients.

My intern Jessica Studstill and I went to work on the design and event plans.

The company colors are navy blue, silver & white...which made a tasteful color palette.

We worked for a week on the contents of the invitation. The design called for an olde-world "ticket" which we used with a "Broadway" font. I used the cutting board to make each ticket, and a directions for parking card as well.

Three weeks before the party, with invitations mailed, we had a guarantee of 250 people to give the restaurant..

We had to order banners (2 x 12 feet) and spec the site for the auto poles we would use to hang the banners.

Blowing balloons is fun, and obnoxious depending on how you hold the balloon filler nipple!

To get around the cost of glass bowls for centerpieces we chose navy & silver to-go rice paper containers. We then added contrasting papers, the Persily Ferris Wheel ad, blow horns, hats, rings, and 3-4 balloons.

We bought various hats, like police, fire, construction, pirate, and top hats. Women wanted the visors and princess hats.

I wore different hats throughout and saw others doing the same. It's the cost of promoting your own party maybe!

By the time it was over we had clients walking around the place as the Village People! What a fun afternoon!

Here's some tips for throwing your own chic affair.

1. Always secure venue FIRST.

2.Ask for extras BEFORE a contract* is determined with the venue.

3.Create two Excel spreadsheets: TO DO LIST and INVITE lists.

4.Make sure everyone's address is listed in your Outlook Contacts.

5.Merge list of contacts from INVITE list and print address labels.

6.TO DO LIST should list responsibilities for staff. Post for everyone to see duties.

7. Encourage creativity during the entire process. Know when to stop.

8. A dab of this, a dab of that...gives the illusion of more. Get some kid toys for adults.

9.Something's missing rule: How important is the item? Can you do without it? Minutes before the party remember to Let it Go.

10. Make sure the event is staffed. This will help you to relax and enjoy marketing to your invited guests for future business.

*An insurance rider is required for most venue rentals. Especially during charity events. See if someone can sponsor this cost. In our company's case, the insurance waiver was covered by our owner.

Welcome

This is a blog about writing and a premier writing ideascape. There is information about Leathers & Macon and the projects we have produced on the LEFT. In this column we will present new works of art. Presenting...

More on D.G.L. Concept...

The Dorothy Laboratory Dream

The experiment opens as a crowd gathers outside a club.

From the street it’s any other city place. Except this place is wide and narrow. And is hidden? Clearly it has a couple of foreboding towers reaching into the trees!

A single light shines in the tower above,

The audience gathers on the porch and into the parlor. The place looks like a set from a scary movie.

Tonight’s audience gathers in a beautifully decorated sitting room. It looks like any other funeral parlor. Except for the outline of lights--- which we later realize are bubbling beakers and test tubes. Strange.

This is the famed DOROTHY G. LABORATORY!

Suddenly with great noise and evil laughter---an elevator opens and a Grand Host (“Princess” Charles Kollock) appears!

PRINCESS

Welcome.
Don’t be afraid!
(gets an audience reaction)

I’m your Grand Host!
Welcome
(Says Welcome in many languages)

Our Grand Host interacts with the audience. There are many different gays and lesbians with their opposite counterparts and couples. Jokes are made. A sense of trust is established. Charles recognizes many people in the audience. Straight and gay (which is the general theme of this experiment), each stand in support of each other. The line moves quickly to keep under the sound of the Grand Host’s direction. He finally reclaims his serious composure.

PRINCESS

Let’s proceed to the next level!

Princess laughs an evil rap.

All lights fade. The elevator moves upwards very fast! Then eventually slow to a near stop.

As they go up the elevator, the wall panels reveal a story. Each story is short and lyrical. Our first story asks the audience to worry. (The preferred affect is an eventual build of “bridge of caring” extending to the audience, which all ends in the elevator bathed in RED.

PRINCESS
Red. The color of blood. We all Bleed Red My Darlings. Black to brown to cocoa to Whitey to yellow man and back to red man!
Our experiment starts with this commonality!
RED!
I’ll change and meet you later in the laboratory.

(Laughs)

When the lights come up, PRINCESS is gone!


Suddenly the elevator opens to reveal a seating area.


Scene 1
A Farm

The next scenes are told as if “Music Videos” with corny fonts in the corners.

SCENE 1 The Disturbance at the Farm
Produced by Leathers-Macon
Staring --------
Costumes/Sets by ---------

Setting: A farm in Oklahoma. The sky is purple green. The few treesWhich are growing are tossed about. A storm is coming.

CHORUS
Crows! They ride the Western Front!There goes…the corn and pumpkin!Damn crows!

FARMER
…wind ‘gonna blow…I hope I’m ready

CHORUS
Crows!

WIFE
…John, come inside the shelter!

FARMER
…just another minute…wind ‘gonna blowThere goes the dream

CHORUS
Wind Blows!Bring Crows!Devastation!

WIFE
Get inside, you fool.

FARMER
No, This time I’m ready.
The scene fades, revealing black curtains.

Lightning shakes room to reveal a screen with close-ups of Princess’s eyes, ears, lips? Forehead!

(OVERHEARD)
PRINCESS
How many storms?
That’s what I want to know Darlings!
Hard times, we know all about it don’t we Honies?
None of us are different when it comes to hard times.
How many hard times must I weather and keep my shit together?
This is the second of 3 experiments.
And I look fucking fabulous!

SCENE 2 The Flying Machine
Produced by Leathers-Macon
Staring Charles Kollock as Captiva-
Costumes/Sets by ---------

The entire proscenium becomes an airship, as we meet our heroine, CAPTIVA which is really Princess Charles! She is surrounded by uniformed soldiers. Occasionally, the vehicle is rocked by weather.

OFFICER

We’ve got to find a place to land. This front is too large to go above, or outrun.

CAPTIVA
Must be some place…

SOLDIER

Velocity increasing...

OFFICER

ome place close. We’re losing time to be picky.

SOLDIER

Wind speed has risen 5 knots

CAPTIVA

We’ll be over land soon. There’ll be a place.

OFFICER

If we don’t get pushed into the deep first!

CAPTIVA

Button your lip and fly this damn thing.

OFFICER

Yes Ma’am. (to soldiers) I want full reports!

CAPTIVA

(Looking confident, then privately worried)Wait for me. Wait for me storm…Let me get out of your wayAnd on to mineThat’s what I’ll doJust slip on byAnd watch you go flow above meOn the clouds I just gave back to youWait for me to reach the landAnd tell my grandkidsHow I escaped youThis storm of the centuryNot an air current occurrenceLike I’ve ever seen before…And I’ve been flying a whileI should know!

SOLDIER

Speed continues to increase

OFFICER

Madame, I’m taking us lower

CAPTIVAL

and is just aheadI can feel itYet the smell isn’t to us yetWe’ll hear the waves crashingThe daylight is ‘gonna wait on us, too.This ship has flown the skiesBefore, and knows howTo find a safe berthingWe’ve landed in the dark beforeSo that’s not an issueIt’s just a freak current occurrenceLike we’ve never seen beforeYou’ve been flying awhileYou should know.Wait for me. Wait for me storm…Let me get out of your wayAnd on to mineThat’s what I’ll doJust slip on byAnd watch you go flow above meOn the clouds I just gave back to youWait for me to reach the landAnd tell my grandkidsHow I escaped youDamn wind!

OFFICER

There…land!That’s Reef Crater beyond it.(to soldiers) Take us down into thatBowl

SOLDIER

Many trees below…It won’t be easy…

CAPTIVA

Make it so.Protect my ship from weatherWait for me. Wait for me storm…Let me get out of your wayAnd on to mineThat’s what I’ll doJust slip on byAnd watch you go flow above meOn clouds I just gave awayTemporarily give awayAnd don’t leave much damage in your wake.

OFFICER

That’s a wish! It can’t be so.(to soldiers)

Take us DOWN I say!

Lights fade.

(OVERHEARD)
PRINCESS
After this I felt all alone!
We have then our Third Assumption!
...The sons bon marché de tinter de cuivre et casser le verre !

...the cheap sounds of tinkling brass and breaking glass!
We all have to find a spot of dignity to land our pride. And our nerves!


SCENE 3

The Bone Cave
Produced by Leathers-Macon
Staring ---
Costumes/Sets by ---

The scene opens with MANNING, a runner, building a firein a cave made of tree roots. The beams stretch high to the ceiling, resembling the ribs of a huge, forgotten fish. However, they are real in that they live and breathe like ghost lungs, offering an omniscient and dogmatic chorus.

MANNING

Damn the rain, no dry wood.Hardly enough to last the night.But maybe if I can block theSideways rain! (he laughs)But this whole escape hasn’t been easySo what’s a little waterAnd what is that approaching sound?Maybe an engineYes a very LOUD engineAnd the screech of equipmentBut this is the deep endOf no whereSo what could it be?And what does it wantDoes it want me?Did it come to find me?Damn the rain, just small dry woodWhat’s with that sound?And whose engine?

FRENCH CHORUS
(repeat of same)Condamner la pluie, ne non sécher de bois.
A peine assez durer la nuit. Mais peut-être si je peux bloquer la pluie de travers !
Que est-ce mais cette évasion entière n'a pas été facile
Si quel est une petite eau Et qui approche le son ?
Que est-ce peut-être un moteur Oui un moteur
très BRUYANT Et le cri aigu d'équipement Mais ceci est la fin profonde
De non où Si ce pourrait être ? Et que veut-il le Fait me veut ?
Est-il venu me trouver ? Condamner la pluie, le juste petit bois sec
Quel Est avec que solide ? Et dont le moteur ?

MANNING

Damn the rain, no dry wood

CHORUS

Condamner la pluie, ne non sécher de bois.

MANNING

And what is that approaching sound?

CHORUS

Et qui approche le son ?

MANNING

Damn the rain, Damn that sound!

CHORUS

Que ce pourrait-il être ?

MANNING

Yes, what could it be?

CHORUS

C'est le son de danger! It is the sign of danger!

MANNING…of danger? I am ready!

CHORUS

C'est le son de tinter de cuivreIt is the sound of tinkling brassThat hollow sound of loss and life laid waste!

MANNING

Damn the rain, no dry woodDamn that sound, those sounds above!
CHORUSLe Sort dangereux, je suis prêt à faire face à.

MANNING

Dangerous Fate, I’m ready to face.

CHORUS
Le Sort dangereux, je suis prêt à faire face à.

MANNING
Dangerous Fate, I’m ready to face!

(A shadow covers the stage…)

GRAND HOST

(low laughter off stage, plus effects, then whispered)

Come Out...

Come Out

(The airship lands hard, near atop MANNING!)

Come Out and Play

Creatures of this world

this land!

SOLDIER

There seems to be a man, not one of ours...

SOLDIER 2

...Trapped...under our Gondola!

CAPTIVA

The luck, the luck!

(Laughter)

MANNING

Help!

CAPTIVA

The dirty rotten luck!

(laughter, subsiding to...)

Who the Hell are you?

MANNING

Help!

SOLDIER

Shim over the side with a rope and see.

SOLDIER 2

(To other soldiers)

You heard him! He wasn't talking to me idiots!

The other men scramble to tether and reach MANNING.

SOLDIER

Well..

SOLDIER 2

Well...

SOLDIER 3

We got 'em. He's uh...Dead!

(Continued...)

Write a "Save the Date" Reminder Letter

For our wonderful Kersey-Gladney team2 within the Atlanta Cotillion benefiting AID Atlanta, I was asked to send a letter reminding our friends of the dates where we may need their attendance or assistance.

I agonized over this for days until a real "business principal" occurred to me, which was "...clearly ask for what you want."

As you read the initial correspondence below, please keep in mind that I was trying to be gracious while also avoiding too many details about the event, which could confuse the contributor.
-----------------
Dear Friend,

Once again thanks for your support of me and our Atlanta Cotillion benefiting AID Atlanta. The actual event is September 15th, but we will be holding small fundraisers through the summer to reach our goal of $25K for the group's goal of $100K.

We need our foot in the door with corporate donations. The best part? 100% goes to AID Atlanta, and 100% is tax deductible. Please email me if you have contacts at a big company who might help our team. I need them!

Please save the following dates and we will send you invitations.

Thursday, June 14th "Greater Tuna" Play at Theater Decatur. 8pm. All proceeds go to the Atlanta Cotillion Benefiting AID Atlanta. Go to http://www.atlantacotillion.com/ and click on Events to buy tickets. Please remember to give my team credit. And thanks!

Saturday, June 16th "Visionaries" show at Buckhead's trendy Trinity Gallery courtesy of our friend Alan Avery. Includes wine, fusion apps, beautiful people, dueling DJs, and a fashion show by Bill Hallman Designs, Inc.

Saturday, July 7th (7/7/7) 7-10pm "Lucky" Private Party at the home of John West & Michael Lappin. Gambling for prizes, 2 Chefs, fusion apps, & a wine tasting.

Saturday, July 21st "Jocks Itch for Joes" 12noon-8pm ...an all-day sports party at Joe's on Juniper. Bottomless beers and a prize given every 5 minutes.

Your Friends,

Ray Macon AKA "Cammie" Beauchamps, Atlanta Cotillion benefiting AID Atlanta Deb 2007
J. Gladney & Bo Kersey Team Leaders