7 DAYS OF MONDAY
Back Porch Basics
By Jay Taylor
CEO LALO Tactical
jay@lalotactical.com
September 2015
They tell me it’s about the journey, not the destination and wherever you go…that's where you are.
About one month before my grandfather passed away, we were sitting on the back deck of the house my grandparents shared with my family. It was an old boarding home in a small farming town in the interior of British Columbia, and it housed workers during harvest seasons. The house had undergone many renovations in its 100-year history and was finally converted into two separate residences. My grandparents needed some assistance day to day and apparently I needed some guidance – so it was a perfect arrangement.
Little did I know at the time, but on the back deck of that house my grandfather bestowed on me a few words of wisdom that continue to resonate with me today. Being 17 years old at the time, the conversation registered, but I truly didn't appreciate the gravity of it until much later in life. I believe my grandfather knew his days were numbered, and this was a time to pound some sense into my thick skull.
The first of which came during a conversation (it turned a little philosophical) after a fairly major screw up on my behalf….(I was 17, what can I say?). Once the verbal dressing down for being a jackass was over and he clarified the necessity for me to understand the overall importance of being a respectable human being, he explained that my major goal in life should be to make the greatest contribution to society I could.
The greatest contribution to society I could make? Whatever, Grandfather. At the time it didn't really equate. My journey to this point in life included playing every single competitive sport I could play within the high school I attended, and ski racing to fill in the gaps. Summer breaks were filled with work on a local farm or two and as much time on the lakes as I could manage. Clearly the message was lost on me at this point in my life.
Before I was released from the back deck, a few other words of wisdom were dispensed. “Work like you don't need the money and put in a full days worth of effort at 100% of your capabilities for the person or company that hired you; it will not go unnoticed and it will pay off in the long run.”
Lastly, you meet people twice in life. The first time you meet, one of you will need assistance and the other will be in a position to offer it up. His advice was to trust that if I was to help someone unconditionally, the favor will be returned when the roles are reversed. If I were to take advantage of the situation when I needed a hand it would likely be the last time someone would ever offer me assistance when I needed it.
In fact the opposite would happen, I would be on my own in a world that was growing ever complex.
So how does all of this advice relate to a small startup company?
As a company, I believe we have a responsibility to every individual we engage with. They deserve our very best at every single interaction. If we deliver our very best then the brand will evolve along with the “society” that has chosen to interact with it. It’s important to remember, people can choose to leave as quickly as they come.
Startups are tough. The young companies get bumped and bruised a little as they grow. If they survive they have to work like they don't need the money. The customers of the company essentially own it; they are the employers of the people operating it. LALO has to give its all, work hard, efficiently, and effectively to keep its employers engaged. We respect them immensely and it is painful to all of us when we don't deliver in a way we should.
Like people, you meet a brand twice in life. The first time is when you learn about it and decide if it has the same values as you do personally. Does it fit with your lifestyle and does it represent you well? At the core of each brand are people, and they are responsible for ensuring your time is well spent. Large companies spend an inordinate about of time chasing new customers and measuring the cost of customer acquisition. I often wonder if they focused more on retention how different there business would be. You have our commitment at LALO that we will be laser focused on retaining our community, as I am not keen on meeting you when you stop interacting with us. We want to meet you on the way up and foster a dedicated, long-term relationship that stands the test of time.
Maybe the lessons learned on the back porch from a wiser older man are managing to make a difference to this young business. I think he would be proud to see his message sinking in and being absorbed by a group of people that aren’t afraid to make a contribution, work hard and respect those they interact with.
V/r
Jay
About LALO Tactical:
LALO was founded to serve the needs of Special Forces Operators. LALO uses top tier materials to create some of the best and hardest working tactical boots and athletic footwear for those that rise to the toughest occasions. The LALO Shadow, the ultimate Special Forces tactical boot, features a unique patent including a drainage system, a composite forefoot plate, a fast-dry component and the lightest weight materials on the market. The LALO Athletic line is a direct result of briefings received from Special Forces Operators. The need was to build a lightweight, packable, breathable shoe they could cross train and run in – a shoe they could count on, whether training or deployed. LALO’s designs put an emphasis on noise reduction, support and game day performance; gear that hits the mark time after time. Whether your path leads you to a career in the military, competing in an adventure race, cross training, tackling an urban athletic workout, or running a 5K, LALO has the shoe for you. www.lalotactical.com
LALO TACTICAL is a privately held wholly by LALO LLC, a California LLC
CEO LALO Tactical
jay@lalotactical.com
September 2015
They tell me it’s about the journey, not the destination and wherever you go…that's where you are.
About one month before my grandfather passed away, we were sitting on the back deck of the house my grandparents shared with my family. It was an old boarding home in a small farming town in the interior of British Columbia, and it housed workers during harvest seasons. The house had undergone many renovations in its 100-year history and was finally converted into two separate residences. My grandparents needed some assistance day to day and apparently I needed some guidance – so it was a perfect arrangement.
Little did I know at the time, but on the back deck of that house my grandfather bestowed on me a few words of wisdom that continue to resonate with me today. Being 17 years old at the time, the conversation registered, but I truly didn't appreciate the gravity of it until much later in life. I believe my grandfather knew his days were numbered, and this was a time to pound some sense into my thick skull.
The first of which came during a conversation (it turned a little philosophical) after a fairly major screw up on my behalf….(I was 17, what can I say?). Once the verbal dressing down for being a jackass was over and he clarified the necessity for me to understand the overall importance of being a respectable human being, he explained that my major goal in life should be to make the greatest contribution to society I could.
The greatest contribution to society I could make? Whatever, Grandfather. At the time it didn't really equate. My journey to this point in life included playing every single competitive sport I could play within the high school I attended, and ski racing to fill in the gaps. Summer breaks were filled with work on a local farm or two and as much time on the lakes as I could manage. Clearly the message was lost on me at this point in my life.
Before I was released from the back deck, a few other words of wisdom were dispensed. “Work like you don't need the money and put in a full days worth of effort at 100% of your capabilities for the person or company that hired you; it will not go unnoticed and it will pay off in the long run.”
Lastly, you meet people twice in life. The first time you meet, one of you will need assistance and the other will be in a position to offer it up. His advice was to trust that if I was to help someone unconditionally, the favor will be returned when the roles are reversed. If I were to take advantage of the situation when I needed a hand it would likely be the last time someone would ever offer me assistance when I needed it.
In fact the opposite would happen, I would be on my own in a world that was growing ever complex.
So how does all of this advice relate to a small startup company?
As a company, I believe we have a responsibility to every individual we engage with. They deserve our very best at every single interaction. If we deliver our very best then the brand will evolve along with the “society” that has chosen to interact with it. It’s important to remember, people can choose to leave as quickly as they come.
Startups are tough. The young companies get bumped and bruised a little as they grow. If they survive they have to work like they don't need the money. The customers of the company essentially own it; they are the employers of the people operating it. LALO has to give its all, work hard, efficiently, and effectively to keep its employers engaged. We respect them immensely and it is painful to all of us when we don't deliver in a way we should.
Like people, you meet a brand twice in life. The first time is when you learn about it and decide if it has the same values as you do personally. Does it fit with your lifestyle and does it represent you well? At the core of each brand are people, and they are responsible for ensuring your time is well spent. Large companies spend an inordinate about of time chasing new customers and measuring the cost of customer acquisition. I often wonder if they focused more on retention how different there business would be. You have our commitment at LALO that we will be laser focused on retaining our community, as I am not keen on meeting you when you stop interacting with us. We want to meet you on the way up and foster a dedicated, long-term relationship that stands the test of time.
Maybe the lessons learned on the back porch from a wiser older man are managing to make a difference to this young business. I think he would be proud to see his message sinking in and being absorbed by a group of people that aren’t afraid to make a contribution, work hard and respect those they interact with.
V/r
Jay
About LALO Tactical:
LALO was founded to serve the needs of Special Forces Operators. LALO uses top tier materials to create some of the best and hardest working tactical boots and athletic footwear for those that rise to the toughest occasions. The LALO Shadow, the ultimate Special Forces tactical boot, features a unique patent including a drainage system, a composite forefoot plate, a fast-dry component and the lightest weight materials on the market. The LALO Athletic line is a direct result of briefings received from Special Forces Operators. The need was to build a lightweight, packable, breathable shoe they could cross train and run in – a shoe they could count on, whether training or deployed. LALO’s designs put an emphasis on noise reduction, support and game day performance; gear that hits the mark time after time. Whether your path leads you to a career in the military, competing in an adventure race, cross training, tackling an urban athletic workout, or running a 5K, LALO has the shoe for you. www.lalotactical.com
LALO TACTICAL is a privately held wholly by LALO LLC, a California LLC