Archive for category: My Writing on Another Platform

Thanks for the Wonderful Support of Pete

Thanks for all of the wonderful support of my friend Pete.  Since the article in the Star Tribune on Monday, there have been dozens of emails, phone calls, and donations.  Some of you asked how to donate (the online version of the article cut off the URL).  You can donate at Pete’s video blog or directly to Pete via PayPal.

I also received a some business-related inquiries related to the book offer.  To answer at large:

 

 

• If you make a donation of $1,000 or more, I’ll send 100 copies of my book (a $1,000 value)
• If you make a donation of $2,500 or more, I’ll deliver a 1.5 hour webinar on leadership, sales, or entrepreneurship (and include 100 copies of my book)

While I’m a past instructor the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business Management Center and sometimes conference/corporate/sales meeting presenter, with two toddlers, my priorities have changed and I’ve semi-retired.

That said, if you make a donation of $10,000 or more, I’ll travel to your location, within the Continental U.S., and deliver a talk on a topic TBD but within my areas of expertise (with expenses and 100 copies of my book included).

Thanks again.

Remembering What Matters, One Step at a Time

Peter Quinn is my best friend.  We met at the University of St. Thomas during a karate class.  From day one, he was a joker.   He’d line up next to me in karate and do a funny sounding kiya (the sound you make as you finish a punch or kick).  I’d laugh.  The instructor would stop class to ask me what was so funny.  That was the start of a 25-year friendship.

After graduation, Pete moved to Chicago, got married and had three kids.  I remained in Minnesota, also got married, and adopted two kids.  Though in different cities, we’ve stayed close.  We talk most days usually to share a funny story or chat about our kids (we’re each godparents to the other’s youngest child).

Something happened a year and a half ago that fundamentally changed his life (and, obviously, the lives of his family).  While training for a marathon, Pete was struck by a driver who ran a red light.  It left Pete paralyzed.  His commitment to walk again is inspiring and, given he was a runner and the Twin Cities Marathon is less than a week away, I wrote an article the Star Tribune was kind enough to print in on its business OpEd page.  You can read The power of Pete here.

For me, as I shared in the Star Tribune article, I’ve gained tremendous perspective on what matters in life and what’s a real problem vs. just a nuisance.  If, after reading the article, you feel fortunate, I’d encourage you to visit his video blog and make a donation to offset his medical expenses. (As my article explains, Pete was between employers when he was struck, leaving him without a job, without disability insurance, and healthcare insurance limited to the COBRA required time limit).

As thanks for anyone who makes a donation, I’ll mail you a copy of my book Building a Winning Business: 70 Takeaways for Creating a Strong Company during Good and Bad Economic Times.  Just fire me an email at: tsalonek @ intertech.com with your address.