"We can't help it..."

I attend lots of events and hear many speakers but last week Henry Kaestner from Bandwidth made an impression on me that I will not forget. While he did talk about business, he focused the Bandwidth prorities of faith, family, work, and fitness in that order. For example, everyone gets kicked out of the office at 12 noon to engage in some type of physical activity.

Perhaps the most poignant point Henry drove home was his faith. One attendee asked, "In a world that attempts to ban National Day of Prayer, how do you speak so openly about faith?" Henry responded, "We can't help it." It was not only the words he spoke but the way he said it. I could feel his conviction and it touched me deeply.

How many of us hesitate to share our deeply held beliefs? Even though I served a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have been known to share my beliefs with those around me, I still left with a renewed desire to stand for what I believe.

Thanks Henry.

Country Club Conversations

When we meet with business owners who are interested in selling their company, one fear is that the news will get out that they are selling their company. Ironically enough the news usually does not leak through the potential buyers or professionals who are hired to assist. It's through the company itself. Documents may be left on the desk of the business owner, faxes will be read by employees, etc that will trigger the employees discussing it amongst themselves and then vendors, brothers, cousins, tennis partners, beauticians, etc.

One funny (sad) story was told to me recently from a friend who was sitting on an airplane. His seat companion was speaking loudly on his cell phone and said, "This is very confidential information..." He proceeded to share with the entire airplane details that should not be shared.

When we discuss this with our clients we guide them on how to answer the question. This will happen almost 100% of the time. The client will be at the country club and someone will say, "I heard you are selling your company?" Too often the response is a very surprised look followed by, "Where did you hear that?! No one is suppose to know!" Instead the response should always be, "Hey, I'm always willing to sell for the right price!"

What's on my iPod?

Door to door it's about 15 minutes (13 miles) from my house in Hillsborough to my office in DiamondView II at the American Tobacco District of Downtown Durham. I don't mind the commute mainly because I can unwind with podcasts on the iPhone.

Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders from Stanford University - I've enjoy these very successful entrepreneurs tell their stories. Perhaps what's most interesting is to go back to the ones from 2005 and listen to what Mark Zuckerburg was saying about Facebook then.

2. Dave Ramsey Show - I've been a fan the last couple years and enjoy callers telling their story. Are you living like no one else so you can eventually live like no one else?

3. Stuff you Missed in History Class - This one is one my wife and I both enjoy when we are traveling.

4. Harvard Business Ideacast - The one from Stanford has replaced this one as my favorite but I will still occasionally listen to one of these if I see something interesting.

Internet Summit Quotes

The Internet Summit (held in Raleigh, NC earlier this month) was productive and fun. Here's some quotes that resonated with me.

"The iPhone has improved my life"
John Kosner, Senior VP, ESPN Digital Media


"Raise a bunch of money then act like you don't have any"
Douglas R. Lebda, CEO, Tree.com

"..(smart phones) are really computers that happen to make phone calls.."
As stated in the Mobile Strategies session

Durham Bulls + Inc 5000 companies

I always look forward to receiving the Inc. magazine that lists the fastest growing companies in America. Instead of just reading about these companies this month I proposed to our CEO that we celebrate by inviting these companies to a Durham Bulls baseball game (since our building is in the outfield).

He liked the idea so I jumped in the car and personally visited about 30 companies in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area in about 72 hours. The energy that was felt inside these companies emphasized my belief that our current economic environment is filled with opportunity for those willing to be flexible.



One company I've really enjoyed following is Bronto Software (we are actually a client of theirs). Not only does their culture promote productivity but their leadership is in tune with the market. I met Joe and Chaz at the recent CED event and was impressed. I asked them what they would do when email was not the primary form of business communication. (I had mistakenly thought they just sent out emails for companies.) Their answer was simple. "We're not an email company. We are a marketing analytics company. Email just happens to be the medium right now."

$48 million Punch

Since I am in investment banking I tend to attach a monetary value to most things. My latest thought is on Mr. Blount from the Oregon Football team. He threw a punch that cost him approximately $48 million by my calculation (since his NFL draft position went from 1st Round to 3rd or 4th).

Watch the video below. One question Mr. Blount, "Was it worth it?"

Why the title, "In the Outfield?"

I really enjoy working in investment banking and at KeySource Bank. While the location of the office has little to do with that I must admit that being in the outfield of the Durham Bulls baseball stadium does have it's perks. Occassionally balls will hit our window in the lobby during batting practice. We collect those balls and will give them to customers.

The picture at the top of the blog is from our conference room and we make that available to the customers of the bank. If you are in the downtown Durham area, feel free to stop by and see me.