A few months ago, I broached the subject of expanding our business into Nebraska with my CEO.
Truth be told, my underlying motives for doing this were self-serving in nature. Expanding my territory to include Nebraska would allow me to attend a few more Husker football games each fall, and would also allow me to visit my family more often.
I cover Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana for the firm, which leaves me stretched pretty thin as it is (example: in the past 12 months, I've put 104,000 miles on my car
). For comparison sake, all of our other reps cover one state only.
CEO's main concern was that I couldn't cover more territory, but after relentless prodding from me, he bought the Nebraska territory for me a month ago and then bought Iowa for me last week.
I'll still spend 75% of my time in Louisiana and Mississippi (due to the nature of our business, these two states are our 'sweet spot'), but adding NE and IA allows me to buy Husker season ducats and spend more time in God's Country (Nebraska).
Spent the past week in Nebraska kicking the tires on my new territory and made the following random observations:
1.) the 75 mph speed limits on Nebraska interstate highways and 65 mph speed limits on state highways are top-flight. Also, mucho props to Nebraska State Police for their very loose enforcement of these speed limits.
I love the state of Mississippi, but Mississippi state troopers blow dick in comparison. Fact./
2.) Nebraska beef has no equal. None, nada, zilch. I spent all week stuffing my gullet with Nebraska burgers and steaks. The taste and texture of Nebraska beef is exquisite - this is a fact that cannot be refuted.
3.) Nebraska is often celebrated as having one of the strongest economies of any state in the U.S. IMHO, much of this is due to the strong business acumen that most NE business owners possess. I had 19 meetings with prospects this week, and was blown away by the clarity and focus that most of these folks had for their businesses. Trust me when I say this: I do not see that same level of focus and clarity when I meet with CEOs in places like Louisiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky. It's very noticeable. When I'm working with cogent business people, it makes my job much more easier and enjoyable.
4.) On the downside, I often see studies that represent Mississippi as the "most overweight state in the nation." After spending this week in Nebraska, I'd seriously question that. I loathe to bash my home state, but...
5.) WTF is the deal with Iowans driving 55-60 mph in the left lane of the Interstate? Seriously. As a road warrior, nothing annoys me more than slow drivers jamming up traffic by camping out in the left lane. It seems to be an Iowa trademark.
6.) When will Nebraskans finally wise-up and approve casino gambling? My mom lives in Iowa and is always cackling about the fact that Nebraskans flood Iowa's tax coffers because the "holier than thou" idiots oppose casinos in Nebraska. Wise-up, Nebraska.
Truth be told, my underlying motives for doing this were self-serving in nature. Expanding my territory to include Nebraska would allow me to attend a few more Husker football games each fall, and would also allow me to visit my family more often.
I cover Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana for the firm, which leaves me stretched pretty thin as it is (example: in the past 12 months, I've put 104,000 miles on my car
CEO's main concern was that I couldn't cover more territory, but after relentless prodding from me, he bought the Nebraska territory for me a month ago and then bought Iowa for me last week.
I'll still spend 75% of my time in Louisiana and Mississippi (due to the nature of our business, these two states are our 'sweet spot'), but adding NE and IA allows me to buy Husker season ducats and spend more time in God's Country (Nebraska).
Spent the past week in Nebraska kicking the tires on my new territory and made the following random observations:
1.) the 75 mph speed limits on Nebraska interstate highways and 65 mph speed limits on state highways are top-flight. Also, mucho props to Nebraska State Police for their very loose enforcement of these speed limits.
2.) Nebraska beef has no equal. None, nada, zilch. I spent all week stuffing my gullet with Nebraska burgers and steaks. The taste and texture of Nebraska beef is exquisite - this is a fact that cannot be refuted.
3.) Nebraska is often celebrated as having one of the strongest economies of any state in the U.S. IMHO, much of this is due to the strong business acumen that most NE business owners possess. I had 19 meetings with prospects this week, and was blown away by the clarity and focus that most of these folks had for their businesses. Trust me when I say this: I do not see that same level of focus and clarity when I meet with CEOs in places like Louisiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky. It's very noticeable. When I'm working with cogent business people, it makes my job much more easier and enjoyable.
4.) On the downside, I often see studies that represent Mississippi as the "most overweight state in the nation." After spending this week in Nebraska, I'd seriously question that. I loathe to bash my home state, but...
5.) WTF is the deal with Iowans driving 55-60 mph in the left lane of the Interstate? Seriously. As a road warrior, nothing annoys me more than slow drivers jamming up traffic by camping out in the left lane. It seems to be an Iowa trademark.
6.) When will Nebraskans finally wise-up and approve casino gambling? My mom lives in Iowa and is always cackling about the fact that Nebraskans flood Iowa's tax coffers because the "holier than thou" idiots oppose casinos in Nebraska. Wise-up, Nebraska.
