Today we received a blanket of snow in Armonk.  Snow looks great but wouldn't be nice if it weren't on the roads.  Take a look!The roof tops of the shops in Armonk Town Square have a nice cover of snow.The trees have a nice clean coat of white snow.Have a great Day! 12/11/2019

I am sure that everyone knows the song, Frosty the Snowman. "Frosty the Snowman” was written by Steve Nelson, who had just bought land in Armonk, NY and by Jack Rollins, a then-resident of  nearby White Plains, NY.Every year for the last 10 years there has been a Frosty parade in Armonk.  It happens rain, sleet, snow or shine.  This year, Sunday, December 1st promised snow but it turned out being sleet.This year the lady that inspired the song came from Ohio to be in the Parade.  Here is the story:When she was a child living in White Plains, NY there was an early snowfall.  She went out to play and her Grandpa Rollins went with her.  They built a snowman.  Because it was an early snow the next day the snowman had melted away.  She was upset.  Grandpa Rollins comforted her by saying, "Do... 12/03/2019

In your real estate brokerage or any other organization you need management and leadership. While management organizes and controls, leadership charts the way, innovates, and inspires the organization to new heights.  As a leader your role is to navigate your organization or your team through the uncertainties. Sometimes the good and necessary management skills such as planning, directing and controlling create roadblocks because they are missing the inspirational leadership.Sometimes heads of organizations spend too much of the time on controls.  When this happens inspiration and innovation falters.  For example, a newer person with new ideas might be answered with,  "that probably won't work, we tried that before, or this is the way we have to do it."You may be a great manager, but yo... 11/18/2019

Just like the song I started off all alone but I am grateful for all of the friends that I have acquired along the way.  Before I was married more than 41 years I had friends but my dear wife multiplied the friends we have many times over.  I am so fortunate that my wife is such giver and a loved person that we have always many friends.For years my wife was pitcher for a women's softball team and that group of friends is still together.  In a few weeks, they will be baking Christmas cookies together.  Yum!  She also had many work friends.  Every Christmas we threw a big catered party for her work friends.People with children have a great opportunity to build friendships through their children.  From the time our daughters were in nursery school we were developing those relationships.We ... 11/12/2019

According to records Halloween is one of the biggest holidays for commerce. Yes, trick or treating has become big business.Christmas is the biggest holiday for commerce.  It includes all of the house decorations.  But did you know that some areas go all out for Halloween.Here in Armonk we have two streets that are house to house decoration.  In fact the police close off the streets and ride around on bikes.  People come from all over.  Phyllis and I will be at a party at one of these houses.  Here is some more.Have a safe and happy Halloween! 10/31/2019

This is a fun challenge for me to show off my home town.  Actually I have two of them but I will start with my home town for the last 31 years, Armonk, NY  10504.We have fun in Armonk all year--Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.  Just three weeks ago the Lions Club hosted our Annual Fol de Rol.  This is a fun fair with rides, exhibits and events, and live entertainment.  Everyone stops by for a good time and the proceeds collected by the Lions help fund great projects in Armonk.And here is this year live group Kidgoldie - Sage  Next up is the Armonk Concert Series.  These concerts are heard in the beautiful Wampus Park near the center of town.  In the past we have had local artists perform including veteran New York Yankees player Bernie Williams.  Bernie lives in Armonk.   The Wampus Br... 07/03/2019

Would you like to reach your true potential? Then do something that may sound counterproductive. Stop worrying about your weaknesses. Although it is foolish to try to improve your weakness you have been told the opposite since you were in grade school. Even if you attempt correct your weaknesses you will never be fully satisfied, and you will be in a constant state of stress. But isn’t that what many of us try to do?   When your child comes home from school with his or her report card and it shows, for example, an A in math, B’s in history and science, and a C in English, what is your response?That’s right. Most people will talk to their child about raising the grade in English. But what if your child might have a real talent in math? He or she might become a great math genius. But it m... 03/04/2019

Halloween is upon us again.  Did you know that this holiday is commercially as big as Christmas.  The evidence is all of our neighborhoods.  I sneaked out tonight just to take pictures.  These streets really are lit up like Christmas.Come tomorrow night it will look like this.  Have a safe and Happy Halloween Everyone! 10/30/2018

When I facilitate leadership development groups I always start by asking what makes a good leader. Some feel that there are traits that make good leaders. But when I speak with my Westchester County NY business leaders about traits that make a good leader no one can agree. The only trait that is agreed upon is having empathy. Well then, what do have successful leaders have if they don’t have similar traits? All successful leaders have the ability to set goals and inspire achievement of results.This really what is meant by “management by objectives.”    Start with a clear strategic vision—a strategic plan that inspires. Then create goals that support that vision. Next, what are the desired results from your team members? Define them. Align your people and your processes and make sure tha... 10/15/2018

Why did you decide to get into real estate sales?  I suspect that many of you wanted to have more control over your own destiny.  That is to say that you wanted more out of life.  At the time they made the decision had they should have decided what they would be willing to sacrifice--what risks they were willing to take?  When you have decided to go for it you are will to spend what is required, including money, to have success.  When you take that risk and step out of your comfort zone you begin to see real progress. Recently, a Westchester County NY business executive told me that he wants to advance in his career.  He has been working hard but playing it safe and wondering when he is going to get his “turn.”  Why does he feel he has to wait for a turn?  Why doesn’t he just seize it? ... 08/27/2018

This is Memorial Day weekend.  People see this as the beginning of summer and many have back yard barbecues. On a more somber note we should pause to remember our fallen soldiers.  Many towns around the country will be commemorating and having parades and services on Monday which is the observed holiday.  However, some will observe it on Tuesday, May 30th which is the official day.Our town of North Castle NY is one of those observing always on May 30th.  Our local American Legion Post runs the commemorations which begin 6pm.  It is the American Legion Post's feeling that this should be a set aside time and not mixed with the long weekend.In years past both of our daughters played patriotic music for the festivities when they were in the high school band.Regardless of what day, let's rem... 05/27/2018

Goal achievement is the most important key to achieving your dreams. The most successful people are the ones who have specific, written goals. Unfortunately, there are many people without written goals. If you were to ask them why they are likely to respond that they have them in their head. But ask the same people if they have plans for their next vacation and they will produce elaborate written plans.   There is so much more to goal setting than just writing it down. That is just a wish. Just wishing and hoping for something isn't going to make it happen. Setting a goal involves having target and an action plan to hit the target.When planning your goals, choose which categories you would like for your goals. Establish the time frame. They could be lifetime goals, 10 year, 5 year, 1 ye... 04/30/2018

Are you laser focused or are you a multi-tasker? Being a multi-tasker in running your business may create problems.  However, if you stay focused and stay sharp on the things necessary to grow and change you will achieve the best results. Sometimes we get lazy and in a rut. We stop seeing the big picture. Maybe our business has had years of successful sales and profits. Since the business is still making money and continuing to operate the reasoning is, if it’s not broke don’t fix it. Eventually, the business could reach a stage on leveling off or declining sales or profits. Maybe there are changes in the industry or in the economy. To remain successful, the business owner must refocus. Here are five essentials for refocusing.1. Make sure you know what business you are in. If you make c... 04/09/2018

If you want the best real estate team you can have you know that you will have to do some training and development.  It certainly is a rapidly changing landscape.  On the other hand competition requires that we may have to do more with less.  That is certainly a good thing if we learn to work smart. We can start by engaging in smart development of our team--that is focusing on needs and outcomes. One of the problems I have noticed in many organizations is their lack of clear training and development objectives. Furthermore, many do not tie training and development initiatives to measurable outcomes. Here is an example.I recently had a credit union call me. They had found me online and saw that I was doing leadership development sessions. They asked if I could do the same thing at their ... 03/26/2018

 Do you always listen to what what your clients are saying?  How about your agents and your staff?You might be surprised that some organizations that never ask how they (management) are doing. But fear of hearing bad news will not make the bad news go away. Ignorance is not bliss although it appears to that many owners are just not comfortable asking the ultimate question, “How are we doing?”It is easier for groups with retention problems, for example, to focus on compensation issues. But, according to Gallup around 30% of employees are engaged at work. That means that 70% are not engaged in their jobs at your company.Recently Gallup released a new survey on staff engagement. When we read the commentary, we can see that engagement is not static.  It moves with organizational dynamics, c... 02/26/2018

September 9, 1978 was a day that changed my life.  I am so thankful for my wife Phyllis.  We met at Sears when I was a store personnel manager and were married a year later.  I am so thankful that Sears sent me to that store in White Plains NY.Our years together have been filled with happiness including the joy of raising two beautiful daughters.I am thankful for my parther in life, Phyllis. 11/21/2017

The Byram Hills Parent Student Teachers Association will hold it's 31st Annual Halloween Window Painting on Saturday, October 21, 2017.This is open to kids from Kindergarten to 5th grade (no preschoolers) This event is open to current Byram Hills Parent Teacher Student Association members at $20 per child and to non-BHPTSA members at $30 per child. Here are the details:When:   Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 9:30am to 11:30amWhere:  Participating Storefronts throughout ArmonkSpace is limited.  Click here to register. Information provided by Grant Schneider, Performance Development Strategies Would you like to know how to make your local business thrive? Contact us  10/18/2017

 What could I possibly mean by saying you need to be a real estate doctor?  To answer that question just think about your last visit to your doctor.  Maybe you had a physical but maybe you had some ache or health issue.  So, for example, lets say you have a pain in your knee.First our doctor does a thorough examination. She asks us questions such as, where does it hurt? How long has it hurt? She may then suggest some of the causes of such pain such as a torn tendon. Then she asks if you have experienced unusual activity that might be related to our knee pain. She is helping us discover the root cause of our pain so that we will understand the need a medication or for surgery, if necessary.  Now if we are in sales, if we manage a team, or if we teach wouldn’t the doctor’s approach create... 10/02/2017

Praful Thakkar has asked us to write about our network and how it affects our success.My network includes my strategic partners.  They supply support and guidance and also complement my services.My first network are my fellow affiliate coaches and consultants at my affiliate organization, Resource Associates.  We meet three to four times per year in Pennsylvania.  I go to get my battery recharged and to learn best practices from others.  Occasionally, I am asked to share some that I have done which will benefit the group.Nine of us have established a breakout group called Success Builders Mastermind.  We meet by phone and most recently by Zoom video.  We follow an agenda once a month for 1 1/2 hours and a different one of us takes a turn spotlighting our issues and we also act as each o... 07/29/2017

The Small Town Theater Company in Armonk is offering another summer concert on Saturday, July 22, 2017.The Hamlet of Armonk is fortunate to have the presence of the Small theatre Compnay with was founded in 2008 with the vision of producing high quality performing arts programs.Some of their works include theatrical plays, staged play readings, variety showcases, theatre and file festivals, and also summer concerts in the park.The Saturday Evening Concert in the Wampus Brook Park will feature Jazz and Soul with Charlie Lagond.Charlie Lagond is the Co-Founder of Lagond Music School.  He has worked as a professional musician for over 35 years, performing around the world with many well known artists.North Castle Parks and Recreation along with a number of Armonk small business sponsors ha... 07/20/2017