Relationships

Lloyd's Council by Snowdon - Met a couple of these guys - They didn't stay in touch

Association of Lloyd's Brokers: Me, H. and Jon - We've kept in touch

Nice letterhead

Geez, I'm guessing that's a 40 Reg I'm wearing. And it's all because of beer. Mostly consumed in a business that operates on relationships. Not that I ever profited from them but, more importantly, I cherish the friendships I've managed to keep. Any money made was pissed away years ago.

I still look to do business with people I like, respect and can laugh with. Actually, the laugh part should come first. I've turned down job offers because I knew the only thing I had in common with the boss was breathing air and drinking water. 'Pick the boss -- not the job.' Good advice given to me many years ago.

I was talking to an old friend last week about The Trad and what I was planning. I worked with him years ago and he was a great mentor and coach. I told him I was surprised by the success of the blog. He said it made perfect sense, "How could you screw it up when you're just being yourself." That beats a commission check.

Danny Meyer Dictionary

NY Times Metropolitan Section (25 April 2010)

When I was 14, I asked my father why we didn't go to church. His sister was a nun and his parents were very religious. So much so, I remember whenever my grandparents visited the three of them would go to Mass leaving me, my sisters and mother at home. I wasn't complaining but we were living in the deep south at the time where everybody went to church and I was feeling like a sinner.

My father took me outside and pointed at the night sky. He told me it was hard for him to believe there was not a God when he looked at the stars (I was confused). I remember he put his hand on my shoulder (even more confused) and still looking at the sky told me if I ever wanted to go to church he would take me.

And then he said, "I'm not sure people need church as much as they need the Golden Rule." "What's that?" I asked. He looked down at me, "That's where you treat other people the way you want to be treated." Not long after this conversation I found myself running around my neighborhood late at night with some friends. A car was parked on the street and the driver's window was down. It was trash night and a garbage can temptingly sat next to the car.

Someone said, "Let's dump that trash can in this idiot's car." It sounded like a great idea. But then the Golden Rule hit me. I objected. Someone said, "Why not?" "Because," I said, "I wouldn't want someone to dump a can of trash in my car."

I'm not sure you need all of Mr Meyer's acronyms up there but they can't hurt.