powernetworking

Taking Pride in Something

2011-11-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

When eight year old Olivia Wen was asked who her favorite tennis player is on stadium court immediately prior to the ladies semifinal match she was speechless. She wasn’t the only one speechless, as many of the hundreds who were watching the display of talent and ability of the 8 & under tennis players could only marvel at what they were seeing. Olivia Wen has a love for tennis. She trains at Weston Racquet Club at least three times per week with her fraternal twin sister Vivian and hits with her family on their home tennis court when she is not at the club.
But tennis isn’t her only passion. She plays the piano and ice skates. She is a well rounded individual who excels at everything she does. Just when the Wens thought it couldn’t get any better (they helped their club win the 8 & under state championship earlier this summer), it did. Not only was Olivia invited to participate in the first annual 8 & under invitational at the New Haven Open but also was invited to a 10 & under tennis demonstration at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, New York as part of the USTA National Teacher’s Conference.

It doesn’t come without hard work, dedication and discipline. “Olivia rarely misses a lesson, is always on time, but more importantly has a genuine love for the game and is a true example of sportsmanship,” stated Angelo A. Rossetti, her tennis coach and director of tennis at Ivan Lendl’s Weston Racquet Club. He likes to think that Weston is the capital of 8 & under tennis. A future goal for Olivia would be to make her high school tennis team, a team that has posted five straight class S titles and has a nationally ranked player playing in the number one spot. Some have said that high school tennis passes through Weston. Rossetti likes to think that 8 & under tennis goes through Weston as well. The new format of teaching and competing for children 10 years old and younger involves lower compression balls, smaller racquets and a smaller court. 10 and Under Tennis is a revolutionary change in the way kids learn and play tennis, as well as compete. Tennis is following the formula that the majority of youth sports have used for years - tailoring equipment and courts to a child’s size and age so that they develop skills and have fun right from the start. 10 and Under Tennis is structured for kids to learn tennis and rally and play quickly in a way that is both enjoyable and rewarding.

Tailoring equipment and courts so they are sized appropriately for kids makes the game more accessible—and more fun—by allowing kids to get involved right from the start. 10 and Under Tennis eliminates waiting in long lines to hit the ball and the frustration kids feel at not being able to rally. Kids will enjoy playing the game right away and will keep coming back for more, developing a lifelong passion and appreciation for tennis – also helping to grow tennis programs.

The invitational event included a flight of matches held indoors at the Yale Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center. The top six total game winners advanced to play a singles and doubles match on stadium court side by side. These matches were announced by Wayne Bryan, the father of the #1 doubles team on the ATP Tour, Bob and Mike Bryan. He adds color commentary during matches each year at the New Haven Open. Olivia Wen won the finals 7-3, 7-6 against Audrey Magnusen, who played for Norwalk Stars during the winter for USTA Junior Team Tennis. Wen had two service aces enabling her to clinch the first set. She ended up winning the sudden death point at 6-6 to clinch a straight set victory.

“She was actually physically shivering with all the excitement, and perhaps nervousness,” stated Warren Wen, Olivia’s father. She didn’t go to bed until past midnight that evening as she still was so amazed at her experience.

Wen wasn’t the only player from the Weston area to have success at the New Haven Open. Prem Dave, a seven year old from Norwalk, was also undefeated en route to playing a doubles final on stadium court as well. They have built a good friendship and enjoy training together at Weston Racquet Club. The Club fully adopted tennis with the Quickstart format about three years ago when it was first being launched across the country.

Probably the most special moment came after Wen won the competition and completed her undefeated experience at the New Haven Open. She was with her family and coach when a young girl asked for her autograph. She was stunned as she signed a large fuzzy yellow tennis ball. When asked how she felt signing her first autograph Wen said, "I was there getting autographs from Caroline Wozniacki. Never thought I would be signing one. It was so cool!"

“The quality of play this year was excellent and many from Yale attended to cheer on Caroline Wozniacki, Li Na and other top players. The tournament showcases New Haven at its best and we look forward to its growth in 2012 and beyond,” said Yale University President Rick Levin. You can now add Olivia Wen as one of those top players.

John Pirtel, the director of New Haven Youth Tennis and Education, who served as the tournament director for the 8 & Under Invitational commented on the Quickstart format. “It’s really important. Kids are able to get strokes down quicker and to pick it up easier. On bigger courts that was impossible.” Matt Fraenza, Tennis Industry Marketing Manager for the New Haven Open at Yale, played a key role in not only selecting the players for the invitational but also helping run smoothly in synch with the New Haven Open professional tournament itself – and the timing had to be perfect. Since the semifinal match between Caroline Wozniacki and Francesca Schiavone was nationally televised, the window to have the 8 and under finals played on stadium court was extremely small. All in all it was a huge success, leaving a few minutes to spare, just enough time to clean up the stadium court for the televised match.

“This is all with an eye toward helping kids feel more successful quicker on the tennis court: Immediate gratification,” New Haven Open tournament director Anne Worcester. “More kids are enrolling in lessons and staying in lessons and moving on to competitive opportunities.”

“In the history of USTA, this is the largest investment we’ve made in youth tennis,” said Sue Hunt, managing director of marketing for USTA National. “With the changes, we think kids are going to fall in love with sport and develop the skills to play.” And fall in love with the sport is what the Wens have done.
For now Olivia will continue her pursuit of tennis, with her eyes set on her second state championship in the 10 & under division for Weston Racquet Club. More information about 10 & under tennis can be found online at www.10andundertennis.com while specific tennis programs local to the Weston area can be found online at www.WestonRacquet.com.

Photo Captions:
Photo 1: Weston Racquet Club’s Olivia Wen, 8 years old, hitting a forehand during her victory on stadium court at the New Haven Open.
Photo 2: Olivia Wen signs her first autograph ever for a young fan in the stands while her mother, Jing Ping, proudly looks on.
Photo 3: Olivia Wen, 8 years old, on the left, Angelo A. Rossetti, Director of Tennis at Weston Racquet Club, and Prem Dave, 7 years old, at the 1st Annual 8 & Under Invitational at the New Haven Open.

Putting Life into Perspective

2011-08-14T15:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my brother Ettore for keeping me updated on the global events that put my life into perspective. Please take a moment to read my brother's blog post below:

Fast-A-Thon for Save the Children

"Experiencing Vicarious Empathy"

Ettore Rossetti, Director, Internet Communications & Marketing

Westport, CT

August 8, 2011

I work for Save the Children in the Westport, CT office. The situation caused by the droughts in East Africa is dire for children especially. Though I serve the mission of children professionally, I thought to myself ‘what can

I do personally to help even more.’ So last month during the heat wave here in the U.S., I was voluntarily working through lunch and I started to feel a late afternoon hunger pain. So, I walked downstairs to the lunchroom at about 2:45 pm in the afternoon. The door was closed, so I missed a meal. I pulled a dollar out of my pocket and tried to buy a snack from the vending machine…but it only takes exact change and I did not have 90¢, so I skipped a snack. Feeling thirsty, I walked back upstairs to the nearest coffee station but the coffee ran out, so I settled for water. I settled for water.

That’s how easy it is in Westport, CT or Washington D.C. or in much of America to find food when we are hungry or water when we are thirsty: Walking a few yards inside an air-conditioned building. But these children in East Africa walk for miles under the desert sun to get to food or water.

Every week, six year-old Sofia, carries her two-year old sister, Suada, on her back for miles to a Save the Children feeding center in Kenya. I am a parent like many of you and even if you are not a parent, we were all children once.

Imagine a child having to endure this…imagine if Sofia was your child? It is unimaginable. And in that moment I realized that there is something I could do about it. I could voluntarily fast to feel empathy. We could all fast to feel empathy and then tell our friends about it. We can be sympathetic to the plight of those children but we cannot feel empathy unless we experience some of their pain. The hunger pain around the lunch hour is a very small glimpse of their pain. And so Save the Children’s Fast-A-Thon was born in that moment of inspiration.

Some of my colleagues in the field can experience empathy directly. But through the power of the Internet, we can all experience empathy vicariously. And it is this vicarious empathy that connects us all. As I was just about to close my laptop at about 3 a.m. last night, I received a chat message on Facebook from a woman in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia thanking me for all we were doing for her country.

Some people say that social networking demonstrates the theory of “six degrees of separation” -- the idea that everyone is on average six steps away from any other person on Earth. I believe that these friend-to-friend networks do not separate us but rather connect us. Perhaps we should rename this theory to the “six degrees of connection." If we all ask 10 of our friends to donate $10 – the price of a meal – that’s $100. $100 can help us feed 1 child for 100 days, until the rains come back. That’s the power of social networking.

Thank you to all of you who are participating in Fast-A-Thon by fasting, friendraising or fundraising. But most importantly, I would like to recognize those children in East Africa who are fasting involuntarily.

____________
About Fast-A-Thon: Fast-A-Thon is a voluntary, 24-hour fasting marathon organized by Save the Children to show solidarity and to demonstrate empathy for the millions of children suffering from hunger and thirst in East Africa due to the food crisis.

About Save the Children: Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The ABC's of Life

2011-06-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

I just received a gift of a plaque from a friend that I wanted to share. I added my thoughts at the end of each phrase.

Accept differences (because everyone is unique)
Be kind (because you appreciate more when others are kind to you)
Count your blessings (because life is a gift and you never know how long you'll be around)
Dream (because it makes life all the more amazing)
Express thanks (because the phrase "thank you" is one of the most powerful yet under-used phrases in the English language)
Forgive (because you never know when you'll need to be forgiven)
Give freely (because generosity builds character and bridges between us)
Harm no one (as nothing is gained)
Imagine more (because the world is our oyster)
Jettison anger (because smiles look much nicer than frowns)
Keep confidences (because that's what they are meant for)
Love truly (because it enriches peoples lives including our own)
Master something (as it's much better than be ok at everything)
Nurture hope (because it gives people things to strive for)
Open your mind (as you can never stop learning)
Pack lightly (as you'll never know who you'll need to carry)
Quell rumors (since most are never positive or accurate)
Reciprocate (because it's the right thing to do)
Seek wisdom (as it's the best way to grow and learn from other's mistakes)
Touch hearts (because life is too superficial)
Understand (as listening is a skill worth nurturing)
Value truth (as it builds trust)
Win graciously (as you'll build friends not competitors)
Xeriscape (as it helps preserve the earth's resources)
Yearn for peace (since it's a way to unify the world)
Zealously support a worthy cause (as it puts others in need first)

The ABC's of Life by R. Stewart 2005

Believe in Yourself

2011-04-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

It was Friday afternoon about two weeks ago and my cell rang while I was at home with my family. I stepped into the bathroom to grab the call as it was from one of my tennis students who was trying out for her high school tennis team as a freshman. Through the sound of fighting off tears she exclaimed "I made the team!"

Through a teary-eyed response I said "Congratulations, I am SO proud of you!"

You have to understand the backdrop of this story in order to appreciate the significance. A few weeks prior she came for our weekly lesson being down on herself. She had told me she went to a clinic and a pro told her that she didn't have enough topspin on her forehand and because of that it wouldn't be likely that she would make her high school team.

I asked her to observe me hitting a forehand. She fed me a ball and I cranked it across the net, fairly low, flat and hard. It was in for a winner. I asked her "Now did THAT have enough topspin?!" She responded, yes because it was in.

"Exactly!" You only need enough spin to keep it in. Everyone has their own amount of topspin I explained. After a confidence boosting lesson I sat down with her afterwards and asked a simple question, "Do you think you will make the team?"

Her answer was something like "I'm not sure, maybe."

In a tone similar to grabbing someone by the shoulders and staring them down, with a look of confidence glaring right through her soul I said "You will make the team." Tell me that as if you mean it. She said "I will make the team," more because I was asking her to rather than from the heart of someone who believed it.

Ok, here's the deal. For your homework please go home and write down by next week "I will make the high school team" one hundred times on a sheet of paper. Can you do that? She said she could. Then I instructed her to do one other thing. Write a press release and post date it as if it already has happened. I explained to her that I did the same thing when I was preparing to set the world record for the longest rally with my brother. "But I've never written a press release." I told her not to worry. I helped her with what it could say but it had to state that she made her high school team. She gave me her word that she would complete her assignments and I knew that she would as she committed to me with sincerity.

Having her buy-in was the key to starting the process of getting her to believe in her goal.

The next week she presented me with her completed assignments, both the sheet of 100 times saying she will make the team and the press release. I was so impressed that her hand writing was so neat. She obviously was meticulous in doing her homework as making the team meant a lot to her. The press release was short and sweet but mainly covered all that it needed to. So then I asked her the million dollar question "Do you NOW believe you'll make the team?" She said, well yes. But do you BELIEVE you will make the team? The hesitation was enough to tell me she didn't believe it yet. You need to keep reading what you wrote until you believe it. That's your last assignment before try outs.

She was definitely an underdog in my opinion in making the team since there is a lot of tennis talent in her city and it was her first time trying out. With that said, my goal with her wasn't to have her make the team....it was to get her to believe that she would make the team.

Everyone has different goals in life. Coaches and teachers should first believe in their student's goals then get them to believe in them themselves. Her making the team was just important to her as me setting a world record for charity.

Remember that BELIEVING in your goals is just as important as setting them.

Suggested Reading:
"What It Takes To Be NUMBER ONE" by Vince Lombardi & Vince Lombardi, Jr.

What makes a moment in life special?

2011-02-18T18:03:00.000-08:00

When you expect one thing something else usually happens. I was teaching a lesson on "topspin" yesterday. Topspin is the art of striking a tennis ball and making it roll forward rapidly without going out but clearing the net. One of the women in my clinic has been trying to master this difficult concept for over a year. It never has really "clicked" for her.

I was trying every angle, expression, rhyme and saying until finally it "clicked!" I knew it clicked, not because of what I saw but what we felt. Sometimes in life you have those "moments." Yesterday's lesson was one of those for me. I had so much enjoyment and satisfaction that I had during the lesson after we had break through after break through.

Although I received wonderful thank you emails from both players in my clinic I owe thanks to them for making me realize that I am truly blessed to be pursuing my passion of teaching tennis and directing others to do the same. I give my best lessons to those who I really admire as people not just as players. We have mutual trust and admiration so we can try different ways to learn and to teach so that we get to the end result together.

I would have paid the players for the happiness that my lesson brought me.

When you get down on yourself in life or feel down on your luck just remember to count your blessings and perhaps your negative feelings will become distant memories.

The photo above shows Nicolas Mahut, my twin brother Ettore and me at the International Tennis Hall of Fame last summer after Mahut's longest match in the history of tennis at Wimbledon. We are honored to be asked back to coach and inspire tennis children this summer for the 3rd year in a row. I'm sure the experience will provide another moment for me.

Suggested Viewing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaXVk5GBx-s (inspirationl sports moment)

Having a Positive Attitude is Contagious

2010-12-19T12:47:00.001-08:00

When I compete I always try to be positive with my doubles partner. Enjoying the process and not focusing on the result of winning or losing is so key to success in any sport and in life, since you don't have a direct affect on the outcome.

They say when you lose sometimes you win. Although we earned 3rd place in the Pro-am and lost the tournament, we found something more important - friendship.

I received a compelling email from my partner of which this was my response:

I am humbled by your kind words. You have so much potential in tennis. I only wish I was as good of a player as you are when I was your age.

I have learned to enjoy the process because life is short. Everyone seems to focus on the result - which is something you have no control over. You can control your level of effort, sportsmanship and positive energy.

I sincerely hope that you can take what we learned tonight and apply it to your college tennis career. Playing D1 tennis at UCONN, making the team as a walk on, earning the best record my final season and representing my school and the comradery with all my teammates was one of the best memories and experiences in my life.

So.....please enjoy the process, never get down on yourself and forget the past and focus on being present in tennis and in life - and you'll be a huge success.

But here's the thing - you already are.

Now strive for being undefeated in your position by giving it your best effort for every practice and every match and cheer on your teammates like I support you during our matches and you'll graduate knowing that you can take that experience and build upon it in life.

One day you'll be the pro and your am will be thanking you for encouraging him to victory.

Thank you again for your sincere appreciation, something that is all too often neglected in life.

Your friend,

Remember, stay focused on the process and keeping things in perspective will change the entire meaning of winning and losing.

Suggested Viewing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaXVk5GBx-s (Inspirational sportsmanship sports video)

The True Meaning of Giving

2010-11-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

My 4 year old daughter and I helped with the Basket Brigade today. I want to teach my daughter at an early age that giving to others in need is something that we need to do as people. Not everyone can afford a Thanksgiving dinner and good people aren't defined by the tough times they go through. I first got involved to be a volunteer a few years ago when I was studying to become a Dale Carnegie instructor after graduating from a few classes. That is where I met two wonderful people; Victor and Cristina.

So we set out to help assemble the Turkey baskets, which had more than just a turkey in them. They included food donated from stores including a turkey, a metal bin to cook it in, a bag of potatoes, 2 cans of peas, 2 cans of green beans, a pumpkin, some other food items and a toy all packaged in a laundry basket. We were set out as a team to deliver 650 baskets. I brought some of my co-workers and their families to help out as a team-building exercise.

On the ride there I explained to my daughter that we were going to pick out a toy at the store so that we can add it to one of the baskets. She immediately started to cry like one of those downpours of rain that comes fast and unexpectedly. I consoled her by saying that we weren't giving away one of her toys but rather buying one for someone who couldn't afford one. When I told her that these people didn't have any money she exclaimed "but I don't have any money." I told her that the parents of these children don't have money and that we would buy the same toy that she already had.

It was my way of getting her to not only understand the purpose of our journey on a Saturday but also to get her excited for what we were set out to do. Needless to say she embraced the idea, ran into the store and down the aisles until she found the dinosaur toy.

Upon arriving at the warehouse in Milford we were greeted with the exciting and energy of hundreds of volunteers packing baskets, singing and dancing. Girl scouts, boy scouts, adults and children alike. What a warm, wonderful feeling of giving. It was an organized assembly line when we walked in. Different foods organized along large tables with volunteers on each table end placing each of the food items in as other volunteers carried the baskets from table to table.

After a couple of hours of assembling now came the really rewarding part - where we drive the baskets to the homes. Our first home we had to deliver 2 baskets. The turkey was too heavy for my daughter to lift so I had her bring the toys and pumpkin pies that were in each basket. We were greeted by a family, the father answering the door, with their two children coming down the stairs and the mother coming to the door from their kitchen. It was a very small house with a front door that was more like a small side door.

I encouraged my daughter to give the stuffed animals to the two children, which she did. One of the children warmingly took the toy and thanked Madison but the other, younger sister, was shy and didn't know what to make of this unexpected act of kindness. Finally, with her parents' encouragement, she extended her hand and took the gift. Our next delivery found us knocking on a door that wasn't answered. Just before we left, the resident from the apartment upstairs came down to get her mail so I asked if anyone was home in the downstairs apartment. We didn't realize we were knocking on the back door. She onto the front we went and sure enough, we met three African American adults, it looked like a mother and her two grown sons. They remarked on how my daughter should go into modeling since she looks like Shirley Temple.

Finally, we met the last woman outside of Walmart since when I called her she said she wasn't home but to meet her there. I certainly hope that she wasn't homeless but it didn't look like she was living out of her Ford. She passed us by once, I think making sure that we were legitimate, or to assemble enough courage to accept such a donation. She stopped the second time next to our car and greeted us with a huge smile. She is a nursery school teacher in New Haven for 3-year-olds. This hit home with me since my daughter just turned 4 and currently attends nursery school.

Paying it forward is something that we all need to do when we are able. Anthony Robbins once said "Everyone has the need to contribute. It is one of the six human needs. The need to give from your heart, it will come back to you tenfold."

In every basket we had a piece of paper with a neatly typed message which read 'This comes from someone who cares about you. All that we ask is that you take care of yourself and hopefully someday you repay the favor to someone who needs it.'

Suggested Reading/Watching

Anthony Robbins on the Basket Brigade
http://www.anthonyrobbinsfoundation.org/video/ar_on_bb_player.html

Expressing Gratitude

2010-11-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

We held a member appreciation party at the Weston Racquet Club last night, which included a ribbon cutting ceremony for our new website, www.WestonRacquet.com. Over 50 people supported our event. During one of my brief speeches during the evening I said that the act of expressing gratitude is so important yet done too infrequently in this world. If we didn't have loyal customers we wouldn't have jobs. Although I jokingly said that some feel the operative word is "party" in a Member Appreciation Party, I said that the would "appreciation" is the more important word.

This world would become a better place if more people take a moment to thank someone for something that they appreciate rather than complain about something that they aren't happy with.

As we approach Thanksgiving let us truly be thankful for the things that bring peace, happiness and joy to our lives.

Suggested Reading/Watching:

The Pursuit of Happyness, SONY Pictures

Quality & Professionalism

2010-10-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

Ivan Lendl, the owner of Weston Racquet Club, where I work as the Director of Tennis, strikes me as being a consumate professional in every sense of the word. He commands respect, not only because he is an eight-time Grand Slam tennis champion and formerly the world's #1 player, but that he pays attention to the little things. He is making a comeback in the tennis world and he meticulously prepares for his matches by arranging pratice sessions with other players. Another words, he takes his image seriously. When he played on the tour he always wore professional attire, was well prepared and was known as the fittest player in the game.

This all reflects on his professionalism and dedication to a quality outcome. They have a saying in accounting: GIGO - which stands for "garbage in, garbage out." You get what you put into life. If you give your best you will get a quality outcome, if not, you will receive something sub-par.

Suggested Reading:
Ivan Lendl's Wikipedia Page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Lendl
Hitting Hot: Ivan Lendl's 14-Day Tennis Clinic by George Mendoza & Ivan Lendl

The Little Things in Life

2010-10-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the best things in life are the ones that are free. I took my daughter to have our car washed for the first time. (Well, actually, the first time for her not the car.) I asked if we could stay in the car because I wanted Madison to experience the fun of driving through the wash. It's funny because the attendant said, 'yeah, that's what you normally do.' I guess I haven't been to a car wash in a while.

So anyway, the look of amazement on her face was priceless as the cold jets of water shot along the car and the cloud-like foam of soap coated the car. The large rubber strips that hang down from the sky to clean the car seemed like a giant octopus engulfing our vehicle. It was great to see my daughter's reaction to what was happening. When it was all said and done I gave Madison some money to tip the attendant, who was drying the car at the time. When I rolled down the back window the attendant didn't know that it was down and went to clean the window. To his surprise, and ours, the cloth flew into my daughter's face! At least she got her face washed as well. (She recently had her very first hair cut so she's used to getting wet by a stranger.)

I had my daughter give him the tip as I want to teach her at a young age how important everyone's job is, no matter how big or small and to teach her to have gratitude.

Suffice is to say that whenever I go get a car wash I will bring my daughter along for the ride.

Suggested Reading:

Game. Set. Life. Peak Performance for Sports and Life. Ed Tseng

Inspiring Others

2010-07-04T04:48:00.000-07:00

Being at the Tennis Hall of Fame yesterday was an inspiring experience, both from me being inspired to me inspiring others. You see my twin brother and I were brought in to share our story of our Guinness World record rally to inspire kids to go for their goals during family weekend in Newport, Rhode Island on 4th of July weekend. Although I could be with my family having a barbecue or watching fireworks, inspiring the youth who will build our future is just as important to me. My intention was to make a person's day better, one person at a time, one autograph at a time and one tennis game at a time.

In the end, I wasn't the only person inspiring others but so was someone who wasn't even from this country but was a welcome addition to the weekend: Nicolas Mahut, a professional tennis player from France. He recently accomplished something extraordinary in having the longest tennis match in history against John Isner. When asked how many shirts he went through in the 3-day marathon, with the final set ending 70-68 in games he said "I went through 2 shirts the first day, 2 shirts the second day and 1 shirt the final day." I am so impressed by his humbleness and genuine happiness for the exposure this will give the game of tennis. He was informed that more than 170 thousand people Googled his name the other day and when asked what he thought of that he exclaimed in a heavy French accent "That's a lot!"

My brother and I were fortunate to get the chance to meet him and share autographs since we are all world record holders. He asked me when we started our 15 hour rally and I told him the first year at about 4:30pm until past 5:00am but in our second year we planned better, starting at 9:00am and ending at 12:01am. "That's a record that I can't break" stated Mahut when he found it was a continuous rally with one ball almost 15 hours. I told Nicolas that "we only set one world record whereas you set 12 of them."

Serena Williams understands the importance to make a difference. When interviewed after winning Wimbledon for the fourth time and her 13th Grand Slam she said "At the end of the day, I would love to open more schools in Africa or the United States. I would like to be remembered, OK, she was a tennis player but, wow, she really did a lot to inspire and help other people. That's what I think about. Not Serena Williams won X amount of Grand Slams."

I asked about his mental toughness and what it took to serve so many times being only one game away from losing the match and he said he didn't think about that but rather he focused on each point as they came to try to find a way to beat John. In the end he said he couldn't find a way to win. But I know that there were no losers in that marathon match. Both John Isner and Nicolas Mahut have created history which may never be re-written so long as tennis doesn't have a tiebreak for the final set at tournaments such as Wimbledon. Considering the fact that John Isner had to hit two consecutive clean winners to rise to victory that match wasn't lost at all: Tennis History was made and a lot people were inspired in the process, including me.

Suggested Viewing:
Nicolas Mahut donates memorabilia from the longest match

Anything is Possible

2010-05-29T06:42:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I had the priveledge of presenting the winners of the womens and mens singles US Open qualifier tournament at Yale their trophies and conduct post-match interviews. I was not only impressed with the ability and composure of the champions but the fact that they were only both still in high school. The mens winner is a sophomore and the womens winner a senior.

Seeing their matches made me realize that anything is possible. Watching others achieve their dreams makes you closer to yours.

Suggested Reading:

A Fighter's Mind by Sam Sheridan

Making a Winning Impression

2010-02-26T08:07:00.000-08:00

Sometimes in life it's not about "winning" but about making a "winning impression." I just played a tennis pro-am (where a tennis professional like me partners with an amateur player) last Saturday evening. I was matched up with a high school senior who plays #1 on his high school team.

Although we never met we had good karma. When I first met him that night I noticed we both play with the same racquet - a Prince Exo Rebel is what it's called. Told him right away that we had good karma and were destined to win.

We won four matches going into the finals, where we lost 6 games to 4 games. This was a very close and competitive final since there was only one service break.

My goal going into the tournament was to win it but something more important happened. I made a winning impression on my partner, the high school senior. You see, I noticed that on some shots he would get a bit down on himself so my focus became more on keeping everything positive and inspiring each other to play solid tennis. We played well the whole evening but were just outplayed on the big points in the finals.

To my surprise I received an email the next day that was worth more to me than winning in the finals.

"Mr. Rossetti i wanted to thank you again for your time on Saturday night. Playing doubles with you gave me an experience that was unbelievable and i would hope to be able to do it again in the future. I felt lucky standing aside you on a tennis court and exchanging words with you. It was by far the most enjoyable time i have ever had playing tennis with someone, and i know I could only say that about playing with you. Your love for the game and passion for what you do gives me motivation in playing tennis. I have never met someone in my life that has the same enthusiasm for tennis as you do, and i cannot thank you enough for taking your time to play with me. Thanks again for an awesome night of tennis and hope to see you again soon."

Sometimes when you lose you win....

I hope that you receive an email like this after "losing" like the fans that the Canadian ice skater won over when she won a silver medal only 4 days after her mother died.

Suggested Reading
Winning with Integrity by Leigh Steinberg

2009 Highlights in Photos

2009-12-31T11:06:00.000-08:00

Never Judge a Book by Its Cover

2009-12-23T22:18:00.001-08:00

Recently, I was told about Susan Boyle and her performance on Britains Got Talent, a show co-produced by Simon Cowell of American Idol. For those of you who haven't heard of her, she was an unemployed 47-year-old woman who didn't have image but had all substance. What she was going to do was sing "I Have a Dream" from Les Miserables, a tough song. And while she got herself ready, the audience was chuckling, laughing and definitely against her. She made the performance of a lifetime. And although she didn't win first place, she got second place in the competition. She landed an album produced by Simon Cowell, which has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide, and her YouTube video has been watched over 50 million times since her performance in April of this year. That goes to show that people like to be inspired and have an ear for talent. She certainly is all substance and no image.

So, in this day and age where time is precious and first impressions are ways to judge who people are, the Susan Boyle story will hopefully have people take that extra minute to look beyond what's superficial and into what's inside. Susan has true passion and talent for what she does and that is really where it's at.

As we saw with Andre Agassi's new book, Open, that image wasn't everything for him. He was about finding himself, exploring who he was, because he really didn't know who he was. In the book the Open, it comes out that he made some mistakes in life but ultimately, he now understands how everything fits together, and he knows that substance is more important than image. Case in point, he ended up marrying Steffi Graf rather than Brooke Shields. That goes to show that he chose substance over image.

So when you are thinking about gifts for this holiday season, make sure to choose substance over image. Choose substance over image, and focus on a meaningful gift rather than something that is superficial. Happy Holidays!

Suggested Viewing:

Britains Got Talent - Susan Boyle’s 1st Performance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Suggested Reading:

Open by Andre Agassi

The photo above is one I took of the two rarest books on tennis: Tratto del Givoco della Palla (on the left), Antonio Scaino, 1555. This is the first book written about tennis, published in Italian in 1555. The second book, Emblemata et Aliquot Nummi AntiqueOperis, by Johannes Sambucus, 1566, which is the first book that had drawings of the court.

Playing Against the former #1 in the World

2009-11-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun playing against Jared Palmer in doubles considering the fact that we has formerly the #1 men's doubles player in the world on the ATP Tour and has won 4 grand slams, including Wimbledon and the Australian Open. We lost 6-4, which wasn't bad. It was a good experience for Dre as she gets ready for college tennis.

Overcoming Obstacles

2009-10-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

How can you be in two places during the same weekend in different states nearly 350 miles apart (and not have your twin brother involved)?

These are the obstacles that I overcame to be able to coach both USTA woman’s tennis teams in the same weekend:

• Having one flight oversold from Phoenix to California and being on standby

• A change flight fee of $1,300.00

• Not having a major credit card handy for the car rental.

• One of our teammates not having a driver's license for the car rental.

• Renting the car successfully with 6 minutes to spare

• A seven-hour drive, overnight mind you

• No sleep during the drive (well, about 1 hour and 45 minutes in a lot)

• No phone or Navigation – limited use because of low cell phone battery

• Locating the actual court used for the Tucson, Arizona championships

These are a few of the obstacles I have overcome in order to accomplish my goal of being able to support both teams from our club that went to nationals. But when you achieve your goal, it makes it that much more rewarding knowing that you had many obstacles in your path. You don't focus on the obstacles. You focus on the solutions. Jim Lefebvre, a professional baseball coach and player, was quoted as saying "Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal." You see what you focus your mind on.

See, when you are sufficiently motivated and inspired, you can accomplish anything. You can overcome any obstacles. Life is worth living and all the more rewarding when there are challenges and we certainly had our share of challenges this weekend.

Our 2.5 team was playing in Indian Wells, California, and our 3.0 team was playing in Tucson, Arizona, and the drive is close to seven hours. I know because at 11:00 PM on Saturday night, I rented a car and drove to Tucson to support our team and was able to arrive just when they were announcing the lineups to everyone – surprise, excitement and astonishment consumed the players. If that gave them encouragement and a little boost to place third in the country, then it was all worth it.

Ironically, it took a team effort for me to get me there because I didn't have my credit card with me because I'd recently lost it and the rental car company doesn't accept any other payment form when renting the car. Your credit card has to match your photo ID. One of our teammates went to the airport with me to help me rent the car with her credit card and her driver's license and me as secondary driver, and with six minutes left before the rental company closed at 11:00 PM that night, I was able to successfully rent the car. Now I had an address of one of the hotels and the only way to get there was with my navigation system, which is on my cell phone, and the battery was extremely low. So for about three hours, I would turn off my phone, drive the distance and direction that I remembered, turn it back on, tediously doing this throughout the night. I couldn't make it the whole night without stopping to sleep, so I pulled over into a restaurant parking lot and slept for just under two hours, from about 2:15 to about 4:00. When I awoke, I finished the journey. It was absolutely amazing considering the fact that the same road that I was following had no street lights! It was so difficult to stay awake at the wheel. To add insult to injury, my low gas light went on and there was no gas station within miles. When I finally found one just outside of Tucson I was driving on fumes.

I changed my flight by canceling the first leg of my flight so that I can fly out of Phoenix, Arizona, rather than having to make the drive back to California to catch a flight, because I wanted to make sure to be able to cheer on the team all the way through the final match and not be in a rush to leave the team. What is really encouraging to me is that everyone on the team prioritized the team and made sacrifices and came together as a team to accomplish something great.

The bigger the barriers, the larger the obstacles, the greater the reward, and seldom do we have great accomplishments in life without barriers. I stayed focused on my goal – which was to coach the 2.5 team until completion and then to support the 3.0 team in whatever way I could. I was fortunate enough to have the support of both teams to be able to do both.

It was a weekend I will never forget, and it was certainly an overnight drive I will never forget. I know that each and every team member was happy that I made the effort and touched by the fact that I was able to make it happen despite so many obstacles which they weren't even aware of.

My proudest moment was when our number two doubles team, who I helped with some mental toughness exercises prior to their final match, won 11-9 in the third set tiebreak to capture third place instead of fourth place, and experiencing the genuine joy of them winning. I proceeded to run out and give them both a bear hug as soon as the match ended. So the moral of the story is pressure is privilege and never let obstacles get in the way of your dreams.

Suggested Reading:
Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence - Gary Mack with David Casstevens

A conversation with Billie Jean King

2009-09-05T02:47:00.000-07:00

Here I was, meeting Billie Jean King at the U.S. Open tennis teacher's conference. Over 450 of the world's top tennis coaches attended to learn from the best coaches and teachers in the world. When I presented Billie Jean King with a gift from my brother and I of a commemorative poster from our world record she was not only impressed but wanted me to write the number of strokes, 25,944, on the poster. It was interesting because she was genuinely interested in our accomplishment and wanted to learn more about it.

Pat Etcheberry was another speaker, who was the fitness coach for Justin Henin when she was #1 in the world on the WTA Tour.

All in all what I realize is that it is much more powerful from a self-development standpoint to be open-minded and absorb ideas and reflect upon them than it is to either agree or disagree.

Photos from the conference at the US Open:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=118666&id=613586276&ref=nf

Saying Thank you. Who Packs Your Parachutes?

2009-07-17T03:58:00.000-07:00

It was about 6am yesterday morning and I was driving back from Rhode Island over the bridge in New London. The gas tank was on empty (well, actually way below empty) so I was debating as to which exit to get off of to get gas when all of a sudden I heard this loud noise coming from my SUV. I thought it was just the sound the car running on fumes but in actuality I had gotten a flat tire.

Here I was, continuing to try to drive because I thought that I had to get to the gas station or I had a long walk ahead. But then, when I was pulling off to the side of the highway, I realized I had a flat tire. But this wasn't your ordinary flat tire, this was a blow out.

As luck would have it my car pulled to a grinding stop on the corner of the exit ramp in New London. After I called our insurance to assist I proceeded to dig out the spare tire from the back of my car, and dig is to put it mildly. Bare in mind that I had hoppers of tennis balls and boxes of prizes as we had just did a large event at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. So it looked like I was having a tag sale on the side of the highway.

When the tow truck came to fix the tire I was so thankful because now I could actually start my day by going to see my family and then set off to work. One of those orange trucks was directed by a police officer to stay behind us so that no one would hit us. It then hit me that people like these, who help others in distress in just doing their job, usually perform a thankless job in often times hazardous conditions. So I sincerely thanked Steve with a tennis hat from my "tag sale" and off I went to get gas.

Surviving this ordeal reminded me of a story that was shared to me by a friend....

Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam.

After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands.

He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison.

He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience!

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!"

"How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb.

"I packed your parachute," the man replied.

Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!" Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today."

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man.

Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he had looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat; a bib in the back; and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said 'Good morning, how are you?' or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor."

Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent at a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.

Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?" Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day.

He also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory - he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute.

He called on all these supports before reaching safety. Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important.

We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason. As you go through this week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachutes.

Thank you for your part in packing my parachute.

Suggested Reading:

Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier
(Hardcover, 2007) Author: Robert A. Emmons

Tennis Begins With Love

2009-07-12T02:17:00.000-07:00

“TENNIS BEGINS WITH LOVE: THE WORLD’S LONGEST TENNIS RALLY” - A TRUE STORY

Tennis can be a metaphor for life. Tennis, as life, begins with love. This is the true story of identical twin brothers who used love to overcome adversity, to honor legacy and to benefit charity. This is our story.

On August 12, 2006, we set a goal to break the Guinness World Record™ for the world’s longest tennis rally to raise awareness and donations for charity. It took us three attempts, two years and one new can of tennis balls. On August 9-10, 2008, we set the new Guinness World Record™ for the longest tennis rally consisting of 25,944 strokes in 14 hours, 31 minutes. We donated the record balls to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI USA and the exhibit will be on display starting July 2009.

More than 25,000 children die from preventable or treatable causes under the age of 5 in the developing world…every day. {Source: Save the Children}
Our symbolic goal was to hit more than 25,000 consecutive strokes without missing in one day.
We failed at our first attempt after 2,745 strokes in 1 hour and 32 minutes.
We failed at our second attempt after 19,490 strokes in 10 hours and 38 minutes.
But then – after 14 hours and 31 minutes – we succeeded at our third attempt of 25,944 strokes. Lesson learned: the secret to success is failure – a lesson that took 26 hours, 41 minutes and 48,179 strokes to learn!

We need your help to accomplish a more significant goal: our pledge to raise $25,944 for charity.
4 Ways You Can Support Rally4Charity:
Watch our video on YouTube. www.YouTube/RossettiBrosTennis > Help us reach 25,944 views.
Friend us on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rossetti-Rally-4-Charity/47968308132 > Help us reach 25,944 friends.
Follow us on Twitter. http://Twitter.com/Rally4Charity > Help us find 25,944 followers.
Donate to charity online at www.Rally4Charity.org/movie > Help us raise 25,944 dollars.

“Our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” – Christopher Reeve

Thanks to everyone who made our dreams possible: our families, friends, donors, sponsors and volunteers.

We hope that our story inspires you to be the best in the world at something you love.
Angelo & Ettore
The Rossetti Brothers

P.S. Rally4Charity is dedicated to the late Tim Gullikson and Scott B. Wilson and to all the victims and survivors of ALS, cancer and more than 25,000 children who die of preventable or treatable causes around the world. The rally continues for them.

Family Weekend at the Tennis Hall of Fame

2009-07-06T03:56:00.000-07:00

Tennis Balls used to achieve the Guinness World Record™ for Longest Rally

This worn down ball (right) was hit 25,944 consecutive times over 14 hours, 31 minutes by identical twin brothers, Angelo and Ettore Rossetti, who achieved the Guinness World Record on August 10, 2008.

In 2007, the Rossetti Brothers made their first attempt at the world record. The ball from that event (middle) fell short of the world record. However, with 19,490 consecutive hits over 10 hours, 38 minutes, they achieved the American record. The following year, they continued to pursue their dream and through extensive training and preparation, ultimately succeeded.

A new, unused tennis ball (left) allows us to compare how much wear and tear a tennis balls experiences. The achievements of the Rossetti Brothers replicate - though more labor intensive - the research and testing undertaken by the ITF Technical Centre. Located in London, the ITF Technical Centre is the world's preeminent facility for tennis-specific research and testing. A key activity undertaken by the ITF Technical Centre is the testing and approving of tennis balls for durability, consistency, rebound and deformation. For more information on the technical advances being made in the sport visit www.itftennis.com/technical.

Gift of Angelo & Ettore Rossetti, Rossetti Brothers Tennis Foundation, 2008

In memory of Tim Gullikson & Scott B. Wilson

2008.61.1, 2008.61.2, and 2008.61.3

Suggested Visiting:

International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF)

Rally 4 Charity on Facebook

Rally 4 Charity on Twitter

Inspirational Tennis World Record Movie

Letting Go

2009-05-10T01:51:00.000-07:00

On Friday I made a significant donation for my brother and I. I gifted 3 tennis balls. It doesn’t sound too impressive but the key was that they weren’t just any three tennis balls and they weren’t donated to any old place.

I donated our world record tennis balls to the International Tennis Hall of Fame for their museum in Newport, Rhode Island. It’s one of those times where you have mixed feelings but we did the right thing. Two years ago, when we cracked open the USPTA ProPenn 1 tennis balls to try to break the Guinness Book of Worlds Records™ for the longest tennis rally. In so doing, when knew we had some special tennis balls. When you compare the ball that has been rallied continuously for almost 15 hours and 26,000 strokes to an unused ball it is not only completely worn of all of its yellow fuzz but it is much smaller, more like a racquetball.

I know that the balls are in very good hands. Not just the fact that they are in a historic museum with other items from many tennis greats but that they aren’t around my house any longer where my almost 3-year old daughter Madison can play with them or lose them. You see, I had kept the world record balls in my Prince racquet bag for a while now and just the other day I noticed Madison playing with a USPTA ball that looked awfully similar to the unused ball from the original can we opened for the record. Come to find out…it was!

I swiftly took the ball away from her although I felt badly because she got upset so I tried to give her one of the hundred other random tennis balls lying around the house of a full-time tennis teaching professional. But why is it that children display random acts of stubbornness? It’s not that she knew it was a special ball or anything it’s just that she knew she wanted that ball and not the one that I replaced it with.

Suffice is to say that I distracted enough to calm her down (and myself knowing that that ball has its place in tennis history). That prompted me to load my tennis bag in the trunk of my car for my journey to the tennis hall of fame Friday.

It was a unique experience. I had to sign a gift agreement from which transferred ownership to the hall of fame of the three tennis balls. The original ball, the US record of 19,490 strokes that we set in August of 2007 and the world record ball of 25,944 strokes that we set in August of 2008.

I didn’t have much resistance being mindful of what had just happened with my wrestling match with Madison. So out of my hands and into the history of tennis.

If you have never been to the International Tennis Hall of Fame it is a must see for anyone interested in tennis or just history and sports. Monica Seles’ display is up now since she is being inducted this July. My brother and I are running tennis clinics during the July 4th holiday as part of family weekend. Our goal is to attract more than 1,000 kids to experience tennis that weekend. We will have the kids do Quickstart clinics, games, face painting, watch our 9-minute commemorative tennis movie and hear our goal setting inspirational presentation followed by an autograph session.

It should be a ton of fun!

Suggested Visiting:
http://www.tennisfame.org/
http://www.rally4charity.org/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rossetti-Rally-4-Charity/47968308132?ref=ts (Rally 4 Charity world record fan page on Facebook - Aug 15th you can win $1M)

It's Not About Tennis

2009-04-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

ROSSETTI BROTHERS ARE SMASH HIT AT ROTON MIDDLE SCHOOL’S HEALTH FAIR
Over 250 kids are inspired to stay fit, dream and set and get goals

NORWALK, CT - Identical twin brothers and USPTA certified tennis teaching professionals, Angelo A. and Ettore Rossetti inspired Roton Middle School students on Friday, April 3rd in Norwalk by giving their keynote presentation in the gymnasium in the center of the health fair while conducting a live rally to simulate their Guinness World Record™ for the longest tennis rally set on August 9th of last year.

“We are so excited to have the Rossetti Brothers appear at our fair this year. Not only their world record but their message is inspiring to us all”, stated Lois Snelson, Health Educator for Roton Middle School, who also is a high school girls tennis coach. Roton’s Principal, Joseph Vellucci, was on hand to take part in the activities as well amidst the exercise and autographs.

The live ball rally was done in several segments, where each grade of students would come to the gymnasium and sit and watch the rally while the Rossettis inspired them in and interactive, story-telling manner. They asked the audience what dreams and goals they had. Some responses were unique, such as being ‘the best zoologist in the world’ and ‘discovering new marine life.’ Ettore quoted Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech, sharing that now we have a new African American president and that dreams are not only possible but inevitable if you put your mind to them.
“Working at Save the Children full time makes fund raising a part of me on and off the court,” stated Ettore Rossetti, who is the Associate Director of Internet Communications and Marketing in Westport in addition to being a tennis teaching professional. The Rossettis are still shooting for another goal: to match their world record of 25,944 with the same amount in money for charity To continue on their quest for this goal they are holding their 3rd Annual Rally4Charity event at Milford Indoor Tennis August 15.

“Inspiring people to go for their goals is part of the fabric of who I am,” proclaimed Angelo.

The theme of Roton’s 3rd Annual Health & Wellness Fair, held Friday, April 3, was “Commit to be Fit!” The fair included exhibits from American Diabetes, Family & Children Agency, American Heart Association, DVCC/Peace Works, Dynamic Martial Arts and Stamford Hospital. Also, represented were Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk Community College, as well as other Norwalk programs such as River Rowing, the Health Department, Your Services, Smiles Program, the Police Department and Norwalk Dermatology.

A free tennis lesson at Kings Highway Tennis Club in Darien was given to all of the children who attended.

To learn more about Roton Middle School please visit http://www.norwalk.k12.ct.us/roton. To follow the Rossetti’s Rally 4 Charity visit http://www.Rally4Charity.org, where you can click on any one of the charity logos to donate online. The four charity beneficiaries are: ALS Association, Save the Children, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Tim & Tom Gullikson Family Support Fund at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
###

Suggested Links:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rossetti-Rally-4-Charity/47968308132?ref=ts (Rally 4 Charity world record fan page on Facebook)

http://www.rally4charity.org

Finding Your Flow

2009-01-09T20:01:00.000-08:00

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”John Quincy Adams (American 6th US President (1825-29), eldest son of John Adams, 2nd US president. 1767-1848).

Happy New Year 2009!

2008-12-31T04:35:00.000-08:00

Seasons Greetings from the Rossetti Family

2008-12-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

Taking the Higher Ground

2008-11-22T22:25:00.000-08:00

Sometimes in life it is more noble, worthwhile and productive if you swallow your pride and take the higher ground, rather than be petty, negative or try to show everyone that you are right.

Every day there are stresses, pressure and unfairness in our lives but those who are able to stay positive and focus on their goals are life's true champions. In order to attain your goals you need to have the ability to distinguish between what's right and what's wrong. There are no shortcuts to success and achieving your goals is not always easy.

Doing the right thing takes courage, strength and resolve, traits that are not always easy to execute on a day-in, day-out basis. However, having principles and acting on them can lead to greatness. Principles truly mean something when exercised when inconvenient and sometimes through enduring personal sacrifices. At the end of the day you have to be able to live with yourself and sleep at night.

However, life's heroes, people who inspire others, are those who are able to do the right thing, stand up for principles and maintain integrity throughout scrutiny to create a better world for us all.

Remember that when you feel you have sacrificed something for the greater good just know that others have sacrificed a lot more for a lot less.

Suggested Reading/Viewing:

Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes by Billie Jean King

The Contender by Dreamworks (2000)

Change Is Here...The Future Is Now

2008-11-04T20:52:00.000-08:00

Finding Your Niche While Giving Back

2008-10-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, my brother and I keynoted a presentation at Harborside Middle School to the entire sixth grade class. It was about 200 students. The unique thing about this presentation was that we rallied a tennis ball continuously for about an hour while we spoke, polled the audience with questions and answers, without missing the ball mind you. It was certainly an exciting experience for us and the kids.

What was most inspirational for me was when I first asked the audience what types of dreams or goals they have because I had said, "Don't ever let someone say you can't accomplish something." There was one girl, this sixth grader named Caitlyn, who was the first to raise her hand. She proclaimed that she was raising money for an animal shelter with her friend. She has raised $120.00 so far and needed $80.00 more. Her goal was $200.00.

So, I told everyone, "Let's give Caitlyn a round of applause!" I shook her hand and introduced myself again and said to her, "Well, Caitlyn, because you had the courage to share with everyone your goal, I bet that you'll be able to raise that extra $80.00 for that shelter. Matter of fact, I will commit $80.00 to you if you commit to me that you will continue to raise money for the shelter." We shook on it and made a deal and all of the teachers and students applauded.

That's how the next fifteen minutes went, where everyone was sharing their goals and dreams about a Nobel Peace prize or a writers' awards or getting into Harvard or Yale or developing a cure for cancer. So, it was just an exciting day to see some of the minds of our future thinking about others before themselves and also having the courage to announce their dreams and goals, sometimes just as they were formulating them. They say that there's nothing wrong with reaching for the stars, worse case scenario, you bring down a piece of the moon. My brother and I would like to take this keynote on a road trip to a lot of schools to really encourage children to have goals and to accomplish them.

I encouraged the sixth grade teachers at Harborside Middle School to put up some type of dream board or goal board for their students so that they can follow-up on the next steps of their goal. I define "goals" as G: Grand, O: Optimistic, A: Achievable, L: Long term and S: Short term.

They say that life is not worth living if you don't allow yourself to dream. Keep your dreams high, keep shooting for the stars and you will find success.

Rossetti Brothers on CNN

2008-10-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

Save the Children

Rally for the Cure

ALS Association

Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation

Carrying A Sharpie

2008-10-04T23:57:00.000-07:00

Here I was, heading to the Manchester Athletic Club in Manchester, MA for a USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) continuing education certification on Developing Junior Tennis Players. Right before I left I pocketed a black sharpie marker because it was going to be the first time I met Nick Bollettieri. Now for those of you who don't follow tennis, Nick has trained 10 professional tennis players who have reached the pinnacle of #1 in the world (Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Venus and Serena Williams for example). He has been awarded his honorary doctorate and Arthur Ashe humanitarian award, two accomplishments he is most proud of.

Ironically, right before Nick gave his presentation they introduced a "special guest" in the audience......me! I recently broke the world record for the longest tennis rally back in August. My twin brother Ettore and I rallied a tennis ball for 25,944 strokes over 14 hours and 31 minutes without missing. I brought the ball that we used since the felt is worn off and it is much smaller than a normal ball (it looks more like a racquetball than a tennis ball) to show tennis friends of mine. Little did I know that they wanted me to make a presentation to the group of USPTA pros, parents and junior tennis players alike.

Luckily, I don't mind impromptu public speaking and I did my thing. Right after my presentation, when I went to go find my spot to listen to Nick, I put my sharpie to use. Not how I had intended to, which was to have Nick sign a book I had that he wrote, My Aces, My Faults, but they wanted my autograph! One boy even had me sign twice for him - on his tennis bag and on his tennis shirt along his belly. I asked him, 'are you sure that's what you want because this is a permanent marker and it might leak through.' Needless to say he didn't care.

To see the joy of the children when I signed autographs for them made me put things into perspective. I realize that the sacrifices that my brother and I made to capture the world record pale in comparison to the sacrifices of the children and adults globally who suffer from starvation, brain cancer, breast cancer and ALS.

If my small accomplishment can help shine a light of awareness onto the four charities (ALS Association, Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation, Save the Children and Rally for the Cure) that our rally supported and add joy to a child's life then it was well worth the effort.

Guinness World Record!

2008-08-29T23:15:00.000-07:00

World's Longest Tennis Rally

Finding Inspiration

2008-08-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

An email letter that is so inspirational to me that I wanted to share with you...

Angelo and Ettore,

First and foremost, Congratulations on your success in the smashing of the former Guinness Book of World Records by more then 1000 strokes! Way to go on the new record of 25,944 consecutive strokes; this seems unfathomable!

As a Rally staff member I am proud that Rally For The Cure was associated with such a tremendous accomplishment. As a US citizen, I applaud you for bring this record back to the United States to hold high as the standard for all in the international tennis community to admire! You both are inspirational in your dedication to the sport of tennis, your focus on striving to push yourselves to set goals, pushing limits to the extreme and most of all for doing this for the purpose of helping others by partnering with worthy charitable causes.

Our hats are off to you and kudos on your success!

Thank you 25,944 times, over and over.

We did it!

2008-08-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

We want to sincerely thank all of you who supported and believed in us. It was truly a team effort in every sense of the word. Always know that you share our record and our accomplishment.

We realized Christopher Reeve's quote: "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."

"You have given us your shoulders to stand on to reach our dreams", paraphrasing Andre Agassi's retirement speech in 2006.

The Rossetti Brothers ~ Angelo & Ettore

Getting Fired Up to Break the World Record

2008-08-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

Find the Joy in Your Life

2008-06-22T11:42:00.001-07:00

There is an expression that you don't fully appreciate something until you don't have it anymore. My baby daughter recently got into an accident and she'll be okay but it really made me think about what's really important in my life and what brings ultimate joy. When we prioritize our day and create our daily task list or to-do list, we should really be listing the things that bring joy to our lives on the top of the list, not at the bottom of the list. But unfortunately, a lot of people don't know how to separate things that are urgent from things that are important. And there are things that are time sensitive; and therefore, urgent, but they're not really important. So when you are prioritizing your day, you really need to understand the difference between something that is important and something that is urgent, and how important that is in your life.

My family brings me the most joy, especially my 23-month-old daughter. The simplest things put me in the best mood and I forget all of the stresses of the day. When she was born, I made a commitment to be the best father that I could possibly be for her; and when she got in this accident, I remained very calm. I was able to think clearly of exactly what needed to get done; and for that, I'm proud of myself and how I conducted myself as a father. However, it makes me realize that spending time with her and being a good father to her brings me so much joy; and for those fathers and mothers, you would understand.

I remember before my wife and I had Madison I was trying to figure out what it would be like to have kids and how much you could love your son or daughter. My twin brother, Ettore, had already had his first child, and he told me that it was different than the love you have for your pets. My wife and I love animals and have three cats, so I told my brother, "Isn't it just like loving your pets but just a bit more?" He said, "Oh no, there's no comparison." And it is true because your kids are part of you and they are reflection of you, and I believe that they are the best of both of you.

In watching the movie The Bucket List, it really hit home for me that you need to pursue the things in life that make you happy. And for me, having balance in my life and spending time with my family makes me happy. And I want to leave a legacy on this planet for my family and for my daughter so that she can remember me for the type of person that I am and that she will carry on my legacy throughout her life.

So remember, when you're prioritizing your day, make sure that you identify the things that make you happy and strive for those things every day. If your list does not have something on there that makes you happy...re-write it!

Suggested Viewing:

The Bucket List by Warner Bros. Pictures

Trying is not Doing

2008-06-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

In teaching tennis full time, I realize there is a parallel between teaching someone to give effort versus trying. The people who would excel in life, in business, and in tennis always give 100% effort. Telling them to "try their best" would be an insult since that goes without saying. In addition, successful people actually know the distinction between effort and trying. There is an expression or quote that John, a friend of mine said, which is, "Do or do not, try and you will not." For example, there is a difference when someone says "Lift the hammer or try to lift the hammer." If you say "lift the hammer," the person will lift the hammer. If you say "don't, lift the hammer" the person won't lift the hammer; but if you tell someone to "try to lift the hammer," nothing will happen because if you try to lift the hammer, "try" is the action right before the lifting, the stored energy or ability to lift, which is really no action. So if you say, "try to hit the ball, try to get to work on time, try to swing the baseball bat, try to make a good presentation," all of those are really doing nothing.

So I am making a conscious effort to work on my phraseology when coaching tennis players. Tell them to give 100% effort at all times and to decide whether to do something or don't do something but not to be in the middle of the road with trying, because trying really doesn't mean anything.

Now, when I try, the only way that I try is if I want to lower someone else's expectations on what I do if I want to surprise him or her. For example, a friend of mine asked me to see her speak; but I knew I was going to attend, so I just want to surprise her, so I downplayed the fact that I was actually planning on being there to support her. In that context, trying is okay, in my opinion. But when you coach yourself in your mind to try something, you really want to say that you're going to do it. For example, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, the No. 1 golfer in the world and the No. 1 tennis player in the world respectively, say to themselves, "I'm going to win the tournament," and then they win the tournament. They have a better chance of winning than if they say to themselves, "I'm going to try to win the tournament," and the same with everything we do in life.

One time I was telling a student while teaching tennis, "Don't try so much, you're trying too hard and nothing is happening," so he gave little effort as a result. With that I said, "No. I mean, give 100% effort, but don't continue to consciously try." I meant continue to give 100% effort rather than trying too hard.

According to Timothy Gallwey in his book, The Inner Game of Tennis, he said that he needs to try less and than just let it happen, "Don't try, let it happen"; and that's really what you want to do in life. Just let things happen and it will be easy. The same for relationships, for example, just let them happen and they seem easy. To try too hard in a relationship that is not meant to be is futile. And there is the expression, you don't have to really work harder but work smarter. It's the same type of thing. Being smart is letting it happen; you know how to do something, so let your mind direct your body to do it the way you've done it in the past and you will succeed.

So ultimately, in order to understand this concept of trying or not trying, what you want to do is you want to learn the distinction between effort and trying. And we don't mean try as in sampling, for example, trying an ice cream flavor, that's not the same concept as giving effort. We mean trying as far as it relates to effort, like doing. So remember the quote, "Do or do not, try and you will not" and you will be well on your way to achieving your goals in athletics, business, academics and life.

It's about building better people, not just better players.

2008-05-08T23:36:00.000-07:00

That is the theme that I ended my keynote presentation with at Tomlinson Middle School in Fairfield, Connecticut last week. You see, even though I teach tennis to children and adults alike for a living, I firmly believe that all good teachers not only educate their students on a specific skill but on the broad skill of being a better person; and being a better person, a direct by-product of that, would be a better improvement and success in that specific skill. For example, the world's #1 male tennis player currently, Roger Federer, had a breakthrough at Wimbledon against Pete Sampras in 2001. And he has said in an interview that at that moment, he had a breakthrough on his attitude; i.e. he was a better person, and therefore, had the best result he has ever had and then became the world's #1 player shortly thereafter. Federer stated that "The big turn around came around ... when I beat Sampras at Wimbledon...I got my attitude right and I've been on an incredible run since. I had a very tough temper." It is not a coincidence that he was able to focus on having a better attitude and then had better result. I believe that having a better attitude and being a good sportsman directly impact our success and our performance.

Ultimately, we want to combine having a good attitude with winning. And although winning is not everything, it certainly feels good when you win by winning the right way. So when I was speaking to this classroom full of students and teachers, I realized that I am an educator of personal betterment not just a tennis instructor. And don't get me wrong, I have a passion for tennis and I have a vested interest in each of my students performing better at the game, but I would much rather be associated with a top human being or person that has good manners, good sportsmanship, good follow up, good eye contact, and in general, good human being, than someone who is a top tennis performer, however, lacks the basic human relations skills that help people succeed in whatever they do. This reminds me of when I was still a Dale Carnegie student and aspiring as instructor, and winning friends and influencing people was the mantra that we focused our studies around.

The theme of my goal setting workshop is my world record attempt for the longest contrived tennis rally. Our second world record attempt is scheduled for August 9th, and my keynote presentation was focused on goal setting and achieving your goals and dreams. I know that having goals makes me focus everyday on achieving success. So August 9th will be a big chapter in that success because we are set out to not only break the world record of 24,696 strokes but to surpass the symbolic number of 27,000 strokes, a tribute to Save the Children, which is going to be one of our charities supported and benefited. My brother and I both have children that are under the age of 5, and 27,000 represents the number of children that die every day as a result of preventable and curable diseases. They did not get mosquito netting to prevent them from getting malaria or a warm, wool cap to keep their head warm when they were born. Stay tuned for our world record attempt. If you want help in anyway, please e-mail me at angeloarossetti@gmail.com.!

Something to Remember...

2008-03-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

Attending the Sampras/Federer exhibition match at Madison Square Garden was something truly very special. Beyond the name of the venue bearing my daughter's name, it was a historic match.

Being a teaching tennis professional having played exhibitions myself I know that the biggest driver behind performance is pride. Granted even though Federer was paid $1M to play and Sampras $200k to play does not diminish the magnitude of the event.

The big debate is whether or not the match result was pre-planned. I can tell you that the outcome was not scripted as they both were genuinely nervous in the beginning at the spectacle of the event and that it just came down to the basics - Federer ended up winning the bigger points at the end. I know that Sampras wanted to win for his US crowd of 19,690 as evidenced by the genuine disappointment on his face when his match point backhand passing shot landed just wide.

If it was scripted for Federer to win they would not risk Sampras going up both 5-2 in the final set and 5-2 in the breaker. They gave their best effort under the circumstances to provide tennis entertainment to millions. We should be lucky to have seen two of the best in tennis players of all time compete against each other in the closest match you will get to date of determining who the best ever is.

Tennis won that evening.

Giving Back....

2008-02-03T06:39:00.000-08:00

After achieving the #1 ranking in doubles in New England my first thought was to help others with similar goals. My friend Jeff asked me to keynote a USTA High Performance tennis program at my tennis club and I said "yes!" without hesitation.

I ended up speaking to parents and 14 and 16 and under aspiring young tennis players. The topic was goal setting and how to achieve your goals. I spoke about two goals that I accomplished in 2007; being #1 and setting a world record.

I broke down the word GOALS into words that can help people achieve them in a formula that I developed to help remember how to stay on track.

G stands for "grand." You have to make your goals large enough to be motivated to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve your goals, and there are many sacrifices and temptations not to stay focused on something that hasn't happened yet.

O is for "optimistic." You have to believe that you can surpass your goals or else don't try. You will be the only thing that holds you back. Others don't hold you back but you enable others to hold you back if you don't have a positive attitude.

A stands for "achievable." All goals must be realistic. I used the example of setting the goal to win Wimbledon. Me being #1 in New England with a new born baby was much more realistic in being a new Dad than winning Wimbledon (since it is very tough to travel with a newborn at home). Aim high but be realistic. {Winning Wimbledon is more of a long term goal. :-) }

L is for "long term." You have to set goals that take time to achieve. A long term goal is a combination of short term goals, put together and performed in a continuous action, to show an achievable outcome. (achieving the #1 ranking)

S is for "short term." Your short term goals should support your long term goals (winning one tournament). Single tasks that are frequently arranged in a sequence of increasing difficulty. Added together your short term goals form your long term goals.

Good luck with achieving your goals for 2008.

Suggested Readings

Unstoppable - Discover the Spirit in You! by Cynthia Kersey

Goals make life worth living....

2007-12-26T16:56:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of sharing things that are important to me, my identical twin brother Ettore' and I have accomplished one of our goals, which is becoming #1 in New England in Men's Open Doubles. Three years ago we were #4; 2 years ago #3, last year "life" happened, as Madison, my daughter, was born so we didn't play enough tournaments to receive a ranking.....

But in the same year as the Bryan Brothers (Mike on the left and Bob on the right) earn the world's #1 doubles team and Team USA win the Davis Cup over Russia we earned the top spot. "I couldn't be more proud of not only our accomplishments on court this year but the obstacles off court that we had to overcome to even play in tournaments," stated Angelo. Ettore' works 7 days per week and Angelo teaches tennis close to 50 hours a week so playing tournaments, never mind winning them, is an accomplishment in and of itself. "The tennis-life balance is what is so special here, especially considering that we never have time to practice," added Ettore.

Our last tournament win came Thanksgiving weekend where Angelo was sick but refused to pull out of the draw as the Rossetti Brothers won the final 6-2, 6-4 against the former #1 team from last year (see photo above with Angelo on the left and Ettore' on the right). And when receiving autographed posters from Bob and Mike Bryan stating "To the Rossetti Brothers, You're #1 too!" was extra special.

Life is worth living when you set goals and then surpass them. We hope that this holiday season brings you and your family pleasure and happiness and that the New Year is filled with goals that you will achieve yourselves in 2008.

Suggested Reading:

Raising Your Child To Be A Champion In Athletics, Arts and Academics by Wayne Bryan
The Heart of the Team - Life Lessons on and off the Court by Bill Resler
The Encyclopedia of Sports Parenting by Dan Doyle

Sometimes when you lose, you win....

2007-10-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

When my last shot clipped the top of the net chord and fell back on my side I had two divergent feelings overwhelm me: relief and despair. You see, my brother, Ettore, and I were attempting to break the World Record for the longest contrived tennis rally and that shot was the 19,491st shot after 10 hours and 38 minutes of hitting non-stop, which ended at 5:08 am on Sunday morning.

After giving my brother a hug, about the only thing I had energy to do at that point, I laid down on the tennis court. If my friend and tennis colleague Paul hadn't gotten me up I would have slept right there for a few hours.

The World Record was 24,696 strokes so we came short on strokes but broke the US record and broke the world record on time since ours was the longest. However, our intention was to break the stroke record as that is how Guinness recognizes the longest tennis rally record.

Now in life there is something called a silver lining. I remember the next morning at my keynote presentation at the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament my topic was integrating the Internet into your marketing mix. However, it was the first keynote that I did from a chair. I had spoken to upwards of 3,000 people in Gampel Pavilion at the podium, a place I am most comfortable with to inspire people to take action. I have spoken at hundreds of events but I asked permission from the attendees if I could make this presentation sitting down since my feet were still swollen and aching.

That's when my friend Jeff, who owns Milford Indoor Tennis, said "why don't you tell them why you are sitting." So, I had to let the cat out of the bag (not that I minded). I showed everyone (tennis club owners from CT) the tennis ball from the rally. It was much smaller than a new tennis ball and had such little fuzz it looked more like peach fuzz than tennis ball fuzz.

But seeing the front page of the New Haven Register with an article about us and me sprawled out on the tennis court I realized that we accomplished something special. Anne, the tournament chairman of the event, congratulated me on what we had done but that was only the beginning. The rest of the day at the event I felt like a celebrity. People were handing me checks for the charities that we were raising money for. It was truly a special few days.

In talking with James Blake (top 10 ATP Tour professional tennis player), Thomas Blake (James' brother and former pro) and Brian Barker (James' coach) at Milford Indoor Tennis where I am the head tennis professional, I was excited by their utter astonishment of what we had done.

It was funny because the first thing James asked was "do you get bathroom breaks," the answer being no of course (thus the Depends - thankfully gone unused). His second question was "well who missed." At that point I had to share in a chuckle with them because Brian was reading the article intently and exclaimed...'you know, after spending over 10 hours on the court hitting 20,000 balls and raising money for charity everyone asks ... "who missed"'.

I took it in stride since I knew that I was the one who missed but confidently stated that we will break the record next year. We have scheduled it for Saturday August 9th, but this time starting at 9 am rather than 4:30 pm.

It was such a unique bonding experience for our family, who came throughout the evening, counters, who stayed with us the entire night and supporters who pledged money for charity. My 4-year old nephew, Adam, even was inspired to do his first tennis drawing of my brother and me.

The Hartford Courant newspaper mentioned our record on the blog and a old college friend of mine, Matt, read the story and commented about it and said that we are "good guys." It ended up being a way to keep in touch with past friends and business colleagues.

To top it off we had a radio interview on WELI that was awesome. They were so pumped about our record attempt that they said they want to broadcast it next year. Who knows, perhaps we will have on blue tooth headsets and give followers of the story a play-by-play. After all, it's tough to watch something for over 10 hours!

I had the honor of presenting the checks for the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation to Tom himself at the US Open this year thanks to my good friend Todd. His first words were "better you than me." Tom is such a quality person in every way. He is involved in tennis and has an identical twin so we have a lot in common. Tim, his twin, was Pete Sampras' coach and passed away of Brain cancer. The other charity we raised money for was the ALS Association in honor of Scott Wilson who passed away of Lou Gherig's disease. He was one of my tennis mentors who I learned a lot of my teaching techniques from. In catching up with a mutual friend Betsy, she said she was proud to have known Scott and so glad that my brother and I kept his legacy alive with remembering him through this event.

Suffice is to say that sometimes when you think you've lost it's just a matter of perspective to recognize that you haven't lost at all.

Inspirational song by my good friend Linda:
The Way It is

World Record Press
New Haven Register
CT Post

Event Photos

WELI Radio interview

Rossetti Tennis Rally World Record Photos

2007-08-20T20:59:00.001-07:00

The Little Things in Life….

2007-08-07T15:56:00.000-07:00

Why is it that when you have children time seems to go by so much faster? My first year of being a father has gone by in the blink of an eye, or shall I say as quickly as my daughter Madison can crawl down the hallway.

Madison had her 1^st birthday party last week (technically her first party but 2^nd birthday if you include the day that she was born). We brought out all the stops with even a visit from the one and only Elmo, her favorite cartoon character (at least at the moment for those with children). She wasn’t scared at all but never really did relax. I think she isn’t used to having a large, red furry creature walking around her home never mind over 50 people, most of whom she is encountering for the first time.

Needless to say our day went very well. Her only cry was when we all sang happy birthday and then stopped to have her blow out the candles. I think she was stunned with the silence following the singing. But I never thought something, or someone, so small could be the center of your attention. I remember when Madison was less than 2 months old and we brought her for her routine check up. The doctor said to make sure you don’t close doors on her fingers or toes because they were so small. I stated emphatically and confidently, in the same manner I used to when closing a deal, “that just won’t happen.” And it hasn’t, not even close.

You see, for someone like me, who was so focused on business and productivity, perhaps hyper-focused, (I typically paid my bills in the car at red lights as I didn’t want to allow that kind of dead time to enter my schedule) having someone to spend my energy and time on gets me to relax and take each day as it comes. It sounds strange, but I don’t feel rushed to do anything. I remember my wife telling me early on when Madison was born ‘don’t worry, just be a good Dad and everything else will just fall into place.’ And it really has. I am following my passion teaching tennis full time now, enjoying competing more often on the tennis court again with my brother, doing more reading than I have in the past, watching more DVDs than ever but above all being the best father that I can be for Madison.

It’s so interesting how much you can learn from someone so young. The small, simple things in life seem to mean the most. Of all of the toys that Madison has, she seems to be infatuated with my tennis shoes. Go figure as they cost a lot less than the ones strewn about the living room. Yet perhaps it’s that she smells her Dad (should I really be saying that) or that they aren’t always there. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me. They make her happy, that makes me happy.

So, bottom line, if you have children, let them play with your shoes….and if you don’t…cherish the small, less urgent things in life as they seem to end up being the most important.

“The worst thing that happened to me all day was that I lost a tennis match,” James Blake from his book Breaking Back.

Suggested Reading:

Breaking Back by James Blake

Effort and Concentration ... Make Life Worthwhile

2007-05-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

I just saw the movie "The World's Fastest Indian" starring Anthony Hopkins the other evening as suggested by Keri, a friend of mine. What a wonderful against all odds account of Burt Munro, pictured above, who set the under-1000 cc world motorcycle land speed record, which still stands, in 1967 at Bonneville Salt Flats with a self-modified Indian motorcycle.

In the special features part of the DVD Burt was quoted as saying that "it is effort and concentration that makes life worthwhile" and that "if a thing's worth doing, it's worth finishing." This past weekend my brother and I entered a tennis tournament in Waterbury. Considering that we had a 2 hour window to complete the match it took a lot of focus and effort. Recently we have been playing tournaments on the weekends...but what's the most stressful and challenging is that due to our respective work schedules and family situations we have very small windows of playing time. And thanks to several fortunate set of circumstances, not only were we able to play in the tournaments but won both of them.

It goes to show that sometimes when you focus on the task at hand, while blocking out everything else, you can perform at a high level. This is exactly what Burt Munro was able to do when he set his world record. He had so much against him - his finances, his countrymen, the officials - but with determination, a friendly and enthusiastic attitude and a high level of concentration he was able to achieve his dreams.

Life is like a breaking a world record or winning a tennis tournament - effort and concentration make it more rewarding and worth reliving.

Suggested Reading/Watching:

The World's Fastest Indian 2005 Magnolia Pictures
One Good Run - The Legend of Burt Munro by Tim Hanna

Being Present: Live your life as if it can't be recorded.

2007-05-07T06:39:00.000-07:00

Driving home one evening, just past midnight, after a snowstorm, I went to the passenger side of my SUV, only to realize it had been broken into. After getting over the initial shock and that sunken feeling of being violated, I realized that my camcorder was gone.

Now, what I quickly came to realize was that what was most important wasn't the camcorder itself, but the memories I lost that were on the tapes inside. You see, I kept my camcorder in its original box, with one tape inside the camera and two tapes in the box. I was planning to tape a tennis match the evening prior. Now, of all the tapes that could have been stolen, these three were the most special ones.

Two of them were of doubles tennis matches, where I played against Tom Gullikson in one, whose twin brother Tim worked with tennis great Pete Sampras, during our grand opening at our tennis club, and the other against Tim Mayotte, a former Olympic silver medalist.

Not only were the matches closely contested, but I found myself playing my best tennis in front of an audience. However the one that meant the most was the tape that was in the camcorder, the one of our baby Madison's "firsts." Her first crawl, her first cry (although she doesn't do that much), her first meal, her first smile.

Now that she has just turned nine months, it hit home with me that we will never be able to relive those "firsts," those moments of utter joy that make life worth reliving.

Then I came to the realization that if I lived life in the moment, being present and aware of all of its beauty, and being in balance and at peace with myself, knowing that there is no better time than the present, I would have no regrets.

Live your life as if it can't being recorded, but only enjoy it to its fullest, being present, with the only recording being in your heart, mind and soul.

Suggested Reading/Viewing:

TENNIS and the Meaning of Life Edited by Jay Jennings
The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner
The Pursuit of HAPPYness by Sony Pictures

Links:

http://www.chrisgardnermedia.com/main/biography.htm

When I was on the front page of the Hartford Courant

2007-04-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

The "moments" that make life worth living.

2007-03-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

It was 6-2, 4-1, 15-all and it looked as though we were down and out as I was serving in the finals of USTA men’s open doubles tennis tournament. We had lost the first set and were down in the second when we experienced one of the best tennis points we’ve ever played. 11 shots, including a lob, overhead forehand – turning defense to offense, charging, some rapid volleys and a cross court forehand winner capped off by a perfectly timed chest bump that would even make the Bryan Brothers proud was …. one of the moments.

I have tried to figure out and prove that the adage it’s not if you win but how you compete that’s most important is not just cliché but a reality and last night we accomplished that, at least for a moment. Our opponents are very highly accomplished international tennis players. We knew we were in for a grueling match and they were “on” and played almost flawlessly. With that being said, we had our opportunities. We held several break points throughout the first set and in the second that could have shifted the momentum and perhaps the outcome.

Ultimately, though, at that moment, in a state of confidence of performing well, winning a big point we had no business winning with friends watching and cheering us on was one of the best feelings. I keep my 7-month old daughter’s pink blanket in my tennis racquet bag to make sure to stay humble and keep things in perspective. That point put a lot about why you compete into perspective.

Although we didn’t win the finals last night we achieved several things en route. We avenged our loss in the finals a few weeks prior with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 semifinal against the opponents we had lost to in 3 sets. That was a big monkey off of our backs so to speak, nothing against monkeys. Coming into the final we were relaxed, rested and confident. The tennis was very high quality, as evidenced by most points ending in winners or forced errors.

As we do with all of our matches, we savor the experience and learn from it for the next time. But whether we won or lost last night it didn’t really matter – we had won one of those moments. That point followed by an equally emotional one a few points later allowed us to win that game and stay in the match. Whether in tennis or in life we should all take the time to be present in the moment and cherish the little things that make life so rewarding.

Thanks again to all of our fans who have shown their support in many ways.

(The photos, by the way, are of the Bryan Brothers' chest bump as well as a screen shot of our chest bump - although very hard to see we are in blue on the left side.)

What is far more inspiring is the wheelchair tennis exhibition that I helped organize which took place yesterday as well. We had Tadeusz Kruszelnicki of Poland (#7 in the world in singles) defeat Jon Rydberg of the US (#13 in the world in singles) 6-1, 6-1. It truly shows that not only is tennis a sport for everyone but that you can achieve anything you put your mind to (see photo above with me, Taddy Kruszelnicki, Taddy’s coach, Magic Lincer and Jon Rydberg).

What was so powerful was not only the tennis talent of these players but their dexterity of maneuvering a wheelchair. I have trouble when I teach tennis getting the tennis ball cart around the net without catching it in the curtain and these guys could whiz to the other side of the net on changeovers like it was nothing. Even though in wheelchair tennis two bounces are allowed the players rarely let it bounce twice and even got a lot of balls out of the air. The player from Poland even has one leg. If you have never had a chance to view wheelchair sporting events I would strongly encourage you to do so. It is truly inspiring for both young and old. It reminds me of when I helped run the tennis venue for the 1995 Special Olympics World Games, an experience I will truly never forget.

The Dilemma: Success and winning – Winning is not everything

2007-02-25T21:25:00.000-08:00

What is it about winning and losing?

You can’t control the outcome of any competition – you can only control the process; how you play and how you conduct yourself. Winning is a by product of playing well and demonstrating sportsmanship (or winning the “attitude battle” my brother and I say). The funny thing is that people say to themselves or their teammates “just win this one” or “let’s win” or let’s take this.” However, in essence you are coaching yourselves on something that you ultimately can influence but can’t control.

Case in point is the doubles tennis match I just played with my brother Ettore this evening. It was the finals of a men’s open tennis match. Not only were we up 6-4, 4-2 and ended up losing 4-6, 7-6 (10-8), 7-6 (7-5) but we had about 10 match points throughout the contest.

Yet I have a feeling of being numb. I would have been surprised if we won but even more surprised if we lost considering the circumstances. We were literally diving all over the court, fist pumping and chest bumping like usual – which is why we have been called The Flyin’ Rossetti Brothers.

We even had on our matching Italian World Cup uniforms straight from Italy to commemorate Italy’s World Cup win and our heritage. The chemistry was there and so were the fans. I would say about 15-20 people came out to see us play and a bunch lasted the full 3 hours.

But bigger picture I feel at peace knowing that I am doing what I want to be doing with the people whom I want to be doing it with. Another words, as Agassi said in his last match, “The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found.” And I really feel the same way. To our opponents credit all of the match points were winners and not unforced errors, making for an epic, high quality match reminiscent of the Bryan Brother’s winning the Australian Open in 2006.

It was quite an amazing match to be a part of - I am just glad to have the support of so many friends, be able to be a role model and coach, have the support of my family and above all play with someone I truly respect and love - my identical twin brother Ettore.

Although we all tend to replay the key points of a match in our heads a thousand times in hopes that it may change the outcome, I am beginning to realize that you can only play well and with integrity to put yourself in a position to win a match but the actual winning depends on both teams and not just you.

With that said, at one point this evening I told my brother “let’s just relax and play solid points….and from there good things should happen.” Good things did happen as we fought ‘til the very end, coming back from 6-5 down in the second set to bring it to a tie break and down 2-0 in the third set to go up 5-4 to almost close out the match, all after dwindling a large lead.

Bigger things are at stake than winning though: as a winner can be defined in many ways.

One definition of winning is succeeding with great difficulty; "winning is not everything"

After the Bryan Brothers won the Master's Cup in Shanghai in 2005 for the 3rd year in a row the ATP Chairman was quoted as saying:

"This could not happen to a more deserving pair. They represent all we seek in great sportsmen: they are talented, dedicated and passionate; and they know how to win. And in addition, they are approachable, charismatic and highly promotable athletes and role models. We hope they will continue to play an integral and highly valued role in professional tennis. " ATP Chairman Etienne de Villiers

I can only wish to be thought of in this manner in my lifetime. With that said, we’ll get ‘em next time!

Suggested watching:

DVD Bryan Brothers’ Greatest Hits Volume 2

Andre Agassi's on-court speech to the crowd after the final match of his pro career, a loss to Benjamin Becker in the third round of the U.S. Open on Sunday, September 3, 2006:

"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found.

"And over the last 21 years, I have found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I've found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed sometimes even in my lowest moments.

"And I've found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams, dreams I could have never reached without you.

"Over the last 21 years, I have found you. And I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life.

"Thank you."

-- The Associated Press

"From what we get, we can make a living: what we give, however makes a life."

2007-02-08T22:55:00.000-08:00

This quote is from Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. (July 10, 1943 - February 6, 1993), a prominent African American tennis player and an AIDS activist.

I was compelled and moved by just reading his wife's book "Daddy and Me" - a photo story of Arthur and his beautiful daughter Camera.

What a truly wonderful story, and, more importantly an inspiring man and father.

"Drummed into me, above all, by my dad, by the whole family, was that without your good name, you would be nothing." -Arthur Ashe

That delicate balance of enjoying every day with an eye of leaving a legacy. Savoring the little picture while being mindful of the big picture. Something truly challenging to do.

However, when I have a difficult decision to make or find myself becoming stressed out I sit back and think of baby Madison - then, all of a sudden everything becomes clear and is OK.

At my 37th birthday party I am pictured holding my daughter Madison with my good tennis friend, Lou Gloria (former #174 ATP Tour player mind you) with his cute son Brett. Two tennis Dads with their children. The funny thing was that Madison is wearing one of her gifts - a shirt that says "You're no match for my Dad." (I wish!)

Although I am proud to be a tennis player I am more proud of the people whom I have met through tennis. I certainly hope that Madison picks up the sport of a lifetime and that I can be pictured in Sports Illustrated showing her how to hit the forehand.

Suggested Reading:

Daddy and Me by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe
Days of Grace: A Memoir by Arthur Ashe and Arnold Rampersad
Sports Illustrated Feb. 15, 1993

Executive Athletes: Work Hard, Play Even Harder

2007-01-24T20:29:00.000-08:00

Angelo Rossetti (right) with tennis player James Blake.

When there's a will, there's a way when it comes to career and sports

Business New Haven
12/25/2006

by Melissa Nicefaro

It takes drive, determination and passion to become and stay a successful executive. It takes focus and an ideal combination of smarts and leadership. Some throw all they've got into a career, but some have a bit left over to devote to play. And then there are some who leave the executive life to follow their dreams.

The Net Worker

For Angelo Rossetti, the passion for the sport won out over executive life. He still keeps his feet in business as a marketing coach and consultant, but most days you can find him teaching tennis on the courts of Milford Indoor Tennis.

In the mid-1990s, Rossetti was running an Internet marketing company called NetMarketing with his twin brother. The business lasted for six years and grew to 20 employees before the dot.com crash. Just before September 11, 2001 the Rossettis were preparing to sell the company, but instead, the deal and the company fizzled.

So Rossetti launched another company, a networking firm known as Contact Advocate.

He ran that business successfully for three years, but when he learned he was going to be a father, he made a dramatic lifestyle change.

"I needed to do something in the afternoons while my wife teaches math in Milford," Rossetti explains. "Being an entrepreneur gave me the guts to make the lifestyle change. Most people make a career shift, but I ended my career."

Rossetti sold his Contact Advocate shares back to his partner and in August of this year transitioned himself out of the business entirely.

"It was scary and my wife was a bit curious about expenses with the new baby coming, but I knew I was doing the right thing," says the 37-year-old. "Some people multi-task, but I mega-task."

And "mega" is a pretty good description of Rossetti's prowess on the court as well. He and his brother Ettore are the No. 3 doubles team in the New England's Men's Open Division. The Rossetti brothers started playing tennis together when they were three years old on a platform built by their grandfather.

Rossetti also honors the sport he loves: Last year he earned the U.S. Tennis Association's Adult Male Sportsmanship Award for New England.

"Tennis is very competitive and in amateur tennis, unlike professional tennis, you have to call your own lines. It behooves you to cheat and [cheating] does go on, so you have to have a balance of competitiveness and integrity.

"Playing fair is the most important thing, not necessarily winning," Rossetti adds. "The idea is if you can play with integrity and win, then you've got it.

"There are over 4,000 male tennis players in New England, and winning that award for competing fairly among my peers means more than anything else."

Business and sports have a great many similarities even beyond competition, according to many who are involved in both.

"If you are healthy and perform athletically, you can take that same focus into business," says Rossetti. "Many business executives have been accomplished in athletics. Make a lot of contacts and keep up with them, because you never know what's going to happen.

"When I was in business, I kept up with tennis," he adds. "Now that I'm in tennis mode, I still keep up with business."

In 2007 he plans to start a corporate tennis league and inaugurate a series of "Tennis After Hours" events for business people to network on both sides of the net. For now, he's working six days a week teaching tennis.

More of Baby Madison

2007-01-24T20:21:00.000-08:00

The photos say it all....thank you Steve!

Being Thankful for What You Have

2006-12-23T03:50:00.001-08:00

I have so much to be thankful for in 2006. It really hits you when you are sending out your holiday cards and come up with a never ending list of people who are special to you. It helps me reflect on what is truly important and who has helped get me to where I am. It's funny because once you become a parent the holiday cards take on a whole new meaning. Case in point is the fact that not only do our holiday cards highlight our little gift, baby Madison, but also that we aren't in it. Which is more than fine with me since Madison is much cuter than I'll ever be!

Wishing you and yours a peaceful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Madison's First Christmas
A Christmas Poem by Angelo A. Rossetti
For Baby Madison and Wife Pamela.

She awakes in the morning
stretching, blinking and yawning.
To the warmth of the lights with glee
so special to be with her family.
Strewn around the tree are presents galore
red and green paper and bows around the floor.
Although she won't know the details for sure
she may remember the soft touch of fur or the sound of purrs.
We are so blessed to have a child so pleasant
more than a gift or any other present.
These precious moments of her first Christmas we cherish
stored with our camera so they won't perish.
The holidays are about giving
every moment worth re-living.
But one thing is for sure
this day in time so pure.
So as Christmas day comes to close,
we all know something so precious has arose.
One thing we know is true
with all of our hearts we love YOU!

Merry Christmas Madison - We Love You Now and Forever.
12-26-06

Camaraderie and Winning

2006-10-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

(From left to right, Ettore Rossetti, Alex Piguet, Mike McManus, John Rubrich (holding banner), Mike Case & captain Angelo A. Rossetti - and for those who don't know I am now the new head tennis professional at Milford Indoor Tennis along with my marketing coaching and consulting.)

There I was on Saturday in Las Vegas at the new Darling Tennis Center warming up on the same court with Jared Palmer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Palmer). (Keep in mind he won Wimbledon doubles and was ranked #1 in the world in Men’s doubles in 2000). The irony was that his team didn’t make the finals! (The 2 teams in our bracket did.)

My men's open tennis team advanced to the national competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was truly inspirational since the lion share of participants had some type of world tennis ranking either currently or at one time. The competition was fierce although we did win at least one match. We started modestly. We first won one game, one point and then one match. But the final day, there was something different. I gave a pep talk to the team reminiscing of the clip in the “Friday Night Lights,” the movie, saying that, in essence, it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you compete and that all of us need to have positive energy and support one another; show camaraderie. And that was the most important thing in my book for success over the weekend and that's exactly what we did. We were cheering each other on being on three paralleled courts. I think, we're even cheering each other on during the warm ups. It was such a great feeling to be a part of team chemistry like that. The irony was that we pulled these people together last minute to fill a team from around the country and represent USTA’s New England division. Mike McManus from San Diego, California, Mike Case from Michigan, myself and my twin brother, Ettore, John Rubrich and Alex Piguet, also from Connecticut.

…Being perfect is not about the scoreboard out there. It is not about winning. It is about you and your relationship to yourself and your family and your friends. Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you did not let them down because you told them the truth. And that truth is that you did everything you could; there wasn’t one more thing you could have done. Can you live in that moment? The best that you can. With clear eyes and love in your heart. With joy in your heart. If you can do that gentlemen, then you are perfect… “Being Perfect” Halftime Speech by Coach Gary Gaines, Friday Night Lights

The competition has been the best I've seen and the best I've been personally involved in. Players at that level just don't miss. They just don't miss so you have to win each point and you have to win each point with several shots that would be normally winners against other teams. You feel like you have to be perfect. It was such an amazing experience. We had the toughest bracket in the country for Men's Open. There were three flights of 4 teams, 12 teams in total. The first round we ended up playing Florida, who finished #2 in the country and the second round, Southern California, who won the National Championships. So, we have everything to be proud of for how we competed against these teams but the core of the weekend was when we're in our final match cheering on Mike and John for their victory in the doubles and one of the guys said, "I'm playing against three people". He was remarking that not only was he competing against the two opponents but the “fan” element as well.

It was such a great weekend. Everyone made a lot of sacrifices to be there, not only prior to going out to Vegas but also on the casino floor. I am still learning the intricacies of Black Jack and when to double down. But overall I have been dwelling on how tennis relates to business and life when it finally hit me. Being perfect involves being a perfect sportsman, demonstrating camaraderie and living in the moment in perfect balance. Contrary to popular belief, while winning can be an element of being perfect, it is not a requisite.

Suggested Reading/Viewing:

Winning Ugly by Brad Gilbert
Friday Night Lights by Universal Studios

Baby Madison

2006-09-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

2006-08-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Balance

2006-08-05T01:05:00.000-07:00

As I sit here, tears of joy crawling down my tired but very happy face, I cuddle my newborn baby daughter Madison. She is just over a week old now and I am doing the night shift. I have just finished reading one of her baby books Love You Forever.

You see, people who know me as a dedicated, driven business man know that my life will change with the birth of my first child. I don’t multitask a business colleague put it, I mega-task. I always have my blackberry and laptop with me.

But something happened to me – once Madison was born my mega-tasking slowed to a screeching halt. Although I had my laptop in my car at the hospital and my Blackberry with me the laptop remained stagnant for several days. It’s one of the first times that I can ever remember that my cell phone message box was full!

In my daily journey to become a better person, especially considering the fact that I pride myself in relationship marketing strategies, of being a person of integrity and trust, I have looked for vehicles to improve myself. With Madison I now have taken a huge step in being just that.

In playing Sarano Kelley’s The Game I developed a personal/professional mission statement to assist people to achieve success through a work-life balance through becoming balanced myself.

Here I am going from entrepreneur to intrapreneur, from husband to father, the last step being the most life changing and powerful. I realize that the more my life is balanced the more I can help others achieve their goals and their balance.

We work to live not live to work. I sometimes feel as though my life has just begun.

A good friend told me that I wouldn’t know life without my daughter – and that person is so right. I can't imagine my life without my precious baby girl.

Many friends and colleagues have told me that life will never be the same again……and I am certainly glad of that fact.

I have had hundreds of business projects over the years but none have been more important than my “Project Madison.”

I love baby Madison with all of my heart and am dedicated to create the best life for her that I can. I have always wanted to be the best at something that I am uniquely qualified to do. I am Inspired to be the best Dad for Madison that I can possibly be.

Suggested Reading:

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Inspiration by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Following Up

2006-06-04T01:39:00.000-07:00

So there I was, two days before the big real estate event with Donald Trump’s right hand man – George Ross. You see, I am a big fan of the TV show The Apprentice. It teaches practical business skills and even helps me with fine tuning my business acumen.

When I originally received the invitation I didn’t follow up, but rather just carried it with me for a week or so. Then when I looked at the date again it was only two days away! I immediately registered to reserve my spot and was committed to meet with George.

Suffice is to say that we spent close to an hour together and I learned so much more about him, Donald Trump and the behind the scenes of The Apprentice (which was just as interesting as finding out more about George and Mr. Trump) than I had ever known previously.

So, I made sure I followed up with George. I actually took a drastic approach. I had my laptop with Wi-Fi with me at the event – so when he went on to speak I emailed him a follow up – right while he was speaking! (I was fortunate that it was in a hotel that had Wi-Fi.)

Following up does something more than getting you closer to your agenda. It builds relationships on two levels. Following up builds trust and furthers a relationship, even with the small, very basic things. Doing the small things first allows you to handle the big things and one of the very important small things is following up in any manner. You see, following up is very important in the process of relationship marketing because it gives you an excuse to contact someone on multiple occasions. Following up is critical when you're prospecting and trying to build a relationship with someone you don’t know or don’t know well.

So, if you say you're going to send someone an email, send that person an email. If you say you're going to call that person, call. If you say you're going to mail brochures by a certain day then do that, even earlier if possible. Subconsciously, following up creates a perception of consistency. Ever work with a prospective customer who emailed or called you back within 5 minutes? How about one minute? Your left thinking something like “imagine if I become a client how much attention I would receive.”

Consistent follow up is so important, just like hydrating with water. A finely tuned athlete needs to hydrate consistently everyday on a regular basis, not just all at once when he/she has time. So if you make following up part of your repertoire, you’ll create healthier relationships.

Follow ups are like tactics. Some people have the best intentions, or strategies, but lack in the area of execution or follow up. I was once told that I can handle the big tasks once I complete the small tasks. If we follow up we earn the right to further the relationship – if we don’t follow up we don’t earn that right.

Suffice is to say that you can have the strategies laid out but if you don’t implement or follow through you won't reach your objectives.

Do what you say and say what you do and you’ll build trust and credibility. If you follow up you will not only build credibility and confidence with your contacts but further your relationships with them on several levels.

Suggested reading

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger

The Sword & The Spirit by Andre Bello

Quality AND Quantity

2006-04-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

Not only is life about balance but so is networking. In the financial industry it’s called diversifying your portfolio. The key is that you want to make contacts to manifest short-term successes but at the same time have a blend of longer term strategic deals. For example, I deal with decision makers who are marketing directors at mid-sized companies. Direct, or shall we say “quality” connections for me would be the marketing titles at the companies themselves, or shall we say “quality.” Quality can be defined in many ways as it refers to networking and referrals. Either the quality of the person you are meeting, whether it be the CEO, CMO or DOM, or the quality of the company, such as a brand name Lexus. The ideal world is a decision maker who represents a company that you would want to do business with.

With regard to the quantity aspect of networking, I best define this as the number of alliances you build. I firmly believe alliances, not solo effort, create success. In a keynote presentation for a business technology organization I explained the concept of farming, meaning creating relationships with companies directly for nearer-term accounts and relationships with ad agencies and creative firms for longer-term clients. You have to balance your relationship between both areas.

In sales there is the saying of “keeping the pipeline full.” A way to do this is to list the “titles” that you typically sell to. If, for example, you are with an Internet marketing agency then your list would include the CEO (where there isn’t someone directly in marketing, usually for a small company), Chief Marketing Officer, Marketing Director, Marketing Manager and Marketing Executive. Once you have identified these titles you need to find out what companies sell to these titles. In my case it would be ad agencies, creative firms, PR agencies and email and web marketing companies.

It reminds me of a baseball player’s batting statistics. He wants to have a high batting average, hitting singles and doubles, but, at the same time, hit some home runs to improve upon his slugging percentage. The same thing in business. You want to shoot for the stars as well as have enough smaller deals in the pipeline to bring results for you when you need them.

Too many contacts may cause lack of follow up. And the “fortune is in the follow up” was a quote I heard recently. So having many contacts but no follow up won’t work. The flip side would be few contacts, constant follow up. So when you get up to bat, remember that you need to have a balance of swinging for singles and doubles as well as home runs.

Before you can create that ideal balance of quality connections and enough of them to sustain your revenue goals, you are going to have make sure that you have fully defined who your customers are and what other companies sell to them.

George Washington once stated “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.” “It’s not enough to be busy … the question is: What are we busy about?” proclaimed Henry David Thoreau.

Please feel free to post comments on my blog at http://powernetworking.blogspot.com/

Suggested reading

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger

Asking to Help

2006-02-18T06:57:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen the movie Pay it Forward? (Dare I admit that it’s one of my favorite movies). The underlying message that is behind that movie is powerful. I pride myself and live my life by the “pay it forward” or “give to get” philosophy. Now, here’s the thing – in order to be “ready to receive” (as my friend Kim says) or make “an ask” or call on a favor you would have already had your seeds planted – farmers know just when to harvest. If you harvest too soon then chances are that you won’t have the ripest fruit.

So you need to plant before you harvest or give before you get. One of the best forms of giving is asking to help, which prepares you for asking for help. Now, here’s the thing – you earn the right to ask to help only if you 1. Really mean it and 2. Want to help that person. In other words, be genuine.

I coined the term “power networking” about 5 years ago or so when I created a situation during networking events similar to the one minute dating concept. People line up facing one another holding their business cards in one hand in order to meet and greet with the other. It’s been loosely called “line dancing”. I would coach people on the most effective way to get the most value in the quickest amount of time. Ask the person how you can help as far as whom he or she would want to meet and, vice versa, be able to articulate concisely whom you are looking to meet. The challenge here is that if you both ask to help then there is no one to actually help!

I remember reading something that I have never forgotten – always be the last person to hang up the phone, especially when you had initiated the call. Subliminally it indicates to that person that you got what you wanted and then just left if you hang up first. It’s a powerful concept – try it sometime. Listen to the phone line click before you hang up. The only thing is this – when secrets of success like this get out it could cause a problem – no one would ever hang up the phone!

A specific example of giving to get came about 8-10 years ago or so. The online marketing agency that my identical twin brother and I ran was growing rapidly right before the dot com crash. At one point we were either looking to take the company public, be acquired or get outside venture capital.

Along came a prospective tenant for our building. He was a genius in my opinion (he accompanied me to my first nomination for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year awards dinner). In any event, he gave me a list of references to contact before we had him rent space from us. Low and behold I noticed a venture capitalist on his list. So I strategically called him first. After gathering the reference information that I needed, the person asked me if I could do him a favor. He said something like – I hear that you are extremely well connected and perhaps you can help my daughter get a job. I agreed right away and had her send me her resume. Not only did I give her feedback on it I sent it to some key people on Wall Street. He later said to me he was so impressed by the fact that I helped his daughter without asking for anything up front or in return. There were no strings attached.

Then, when the timing was right, my brother and I asked him for something back – investing in our company.

The point being, you become ready to receive only when you have planted the seeds of giving. Your return on your thoughtfulness, assistance and genuine helping will be more fruitful than any advertising dollar you can ever spend.

One wise entrepreneur once told me that although it is very important to have the right attorney and the right accountant (in owning your own business), the best investment you will ever make is being nice to people. I consider giving to get a strategic way of being nice.

Please feel free to post comments.

Suggested reading/watching

Pay it Forward (2000 Warner Bros.):

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Soul Proprietor: 100 Lessons from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur by Jane Pollak

Asking Open-ended Questions.

2006-01-07T03:38:00.000-08:00

The best conversationalists are good listeners. But in order to be a good listener you have to have something to listen to. Therefore asking open-ended questions is critical for fostering a conversation that builds rapport. Just remember questions that begin with who, what, where, when, why and how. The answers to these questions aren’t yes or no.

The answers require further dialogue and responses with greater detail. From here you will find plenty of queues to continue the conversation. In Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People he references one of the great listeners of modern times, Sigmund Freud. Freud has been described as listening with “concentrated attention.” The attention that he gives when listening, his appreciation of what was said, even when said poorly, was “extraordinary.” “You’ve no idea what it meant to be listened to like that.”

I am second generation Italian, which means I gesticulate when I talk, and I can hold my own in conversation. Although I really enjoy sharing stories to make people feel good and public speaking as it is a forum to inspire people, I remember having people tell me of others that they don’t admire - “he likes to hear himself talk.” When hearing that I made a commitment to myself to never have someone say that about me. So what I do is “hyper-focus” when people are speaking – I quickly try to relate it to something that I have experienced in order to experience, not just listen, to what others are saying. I reiterate sentences like “you mean you accomplished that in one month?” or get someone to repeat something I didn’t fully follow “what was that again?”

The key, however, is that I am not disingenuous in my questions. I sincerely did want further clarification or wanted to know more about something specific.

I remember that one of my defining moments in this regard happened in college. One of my dorm mates was extremely sensitive when listening to others – and when a sad story was related to her she actually cried while listening. At that moment I said to myself that I would strive to really “experience” people’s conversations rather than just listening to them. I equate experiencing the conversation to attaching process to listening. You hear the data and then you process what it would be like if it happened to you. You simply put yourself in the shoes of the person who is talking.

If you have difficulty listening, asking questions to stimulate further dialogue or want to interrupt someone because you don’t want to lose your thought then try these things.

Number one. Ask questions of clarification to show that you are not only listening but processing. With repetition this will become not only natural for you but sincere. Number two. If you have key points that you want to make without interrupting then repeat them to yourself during the conversation (not out loud of course). That way you can make sure to make them when the timing is right.

For a salesperson, for example, a powerful question to ask when negotiating with a prospective client or partner is “how can we work together?” This establishes that you are trying to create a win-win relationship while determining whether there exists a basis to do business.

Ask open-ended questions and not only will your listening skills improve but so will your rapport with others.

Please feel free to post comments.

Suggested reading:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

blink by Malcolm Gladwell

The Game by Sarano Kelley

Listening.

2005-12-14T05:45:00.000-08:00

In going through my Dale Carnegie course over this past year and pursuing moving from a coach to an instructor, I’ve come to realize that the most powerful communicators listen well – it’s not what they say but it’s what they allow others to say. They steer the conversation with pertinent questions to elicit responses to achieve a mutual goal or a win-win outcome. It’s not what you say it’s what you hear. I’ve been in too many business presentations where the presenter primarily talked about his or her company, its background, track record and the clients that he or she has. The more effective approach is to talk about specific applications of your product or service to the company that you are presenting to and then ask open ended questions in order to stimulate thought and conversation around working together. Remember that people use the WIFM philosophy – What’s in it for me?

I recently had a business situation where I was explaining a service to someone who would find a lot of value in it. At one point he said he just couldn’t sign on at this time. Rather than ending the conversation, taking it personally or continuing to justify why he needed the service (continuing to talk like I used to) I asked a simple yet powerful question. Why? After some hesitation, a silence that seemed to go on forever, he admitted that he had many financial obligations after the summer months and with the kids going back to school and preparing for the holidays. So, it wasn’t that he wasn’t interested in the service; he just wasn’t in the financial position at the present time to move forward with it.

I came back with another question, since asking him one in the first place worked. What could you afford if I created a special pay schedule for you? After hesitating again he gave me some parameters. I then ask a third and final question. IF I were to allow you to pay along that timeline would you join the service? His answer – YES!

Amazing! We had a deal simply because I asked questions, listened to his responses and devised a solution based on his responses.

Now keep in mind that listening for the sake of listening is not what I mean here. Another words, you have to process what the person is saying and formulate your next response or reaction to what that person just said. Otherwise listening is ineffective. Just having someone to listen to you, like a shoulder to cry on, does provide some remedy but is not the point of this. I mean actionable listening – where you take action to what you are hearing. Ever hear the expression – You are listenin to me but you aren’t hearin me. What the person means who says that is that you aren’t processing what I just told you – you are not thinking in my best interest – or you just care about yourself and what you think and how you feel.

Dale Carnegie has a principle from his book How to Win Friends and Influence People about enhancing relationships. "Arouse in the other person an eager want. We are constantly selling our ideas as business professionals. People do things for their reasons, not ours. If we tell them why our ideas will benefit them, we will be surprised how much cooperation develops in our organization. "

Remember that there is a reason why you have two ears and only one mouth – listen more talk less!

Please feel free to post comments on my blog at

Goal Setting

2005-11-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

By definition, a goal is the purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective. Now typically goals are measurable. But in a networking environment how could you set goals? And why?

Here are some goals that I have created, depending upon what you want to accomplish, when you find yourself in a networking situation, whether it be a business breakfast, after hours or networking social.

Meet everyone in the room. Not always the most productive, unless you are building your business card rolodex or email list for your newsletter.

Create one productive relationship. Here is where you focus on the right person who typifies your target audience.

Meet those whom you don’t know. This is the art of engaging in conversation with those whom you don’t know already. Counter intuitive to what our parents taught us of not talking to strangers.

Identify people whom you may want to hire. Ideally in this situation these people are available and looking. (I don’t believe in poaching other company’s talent.)

Meet people who could become strategic partners. Here you want to meet the people who sell to the same person or company. Think of the concept of companion services, where you can co-pitch products or services because they are synergistic yet purchased by the same person. (i.e. CIO, CEO, Director of Marketing)

Meet your competitors. For some this may be the most challenging and way out of the comfort zone. I am a firm believer in the abundance philosophy rather than the shortage philosophy. There is plenty of business to go around. We just need to focus on our niche and what we are the best at. Nine times out of ten, just by having enough courage to talk to a possible competitor and the trust to share some of your ideas, methodologies or success stories, you actually end up subcontracting work to each other, creating a referral source or even collaborating on projects.

Meet the event organizers or producers. If the event was productive for you chances are the organization that produced the event has other events that you might be interested in. Perhaps you can become a sponsor, member or attain the registration list.

Meet the cutest women or men. (Just kidding, we are going to keep this strictly professional.)

Meet those with similar interests. In the events that I run I typically include introductions, where we introduce ourselves and include something personal, like a favorite book or movie, pastime or sport, hobby or general interests. This allows the ability to identify those who have similar interests, making it not only easier to initiate a dialogue but also build stronger relationships by finding commonalities. (i.e. finding golf or tennis partners – I know a thing or two about tennis but only have been golfing once in my life – it wasn’t a pretty site!)

These are some of the things I think about when goal setting for networking events. But keep in mind that goals should be created for ANY activity where you will interact with people. It can be board meetings, church groups, charitable causes, sporting events, picking up your children at daycare. Another words, always be on guard when you can make a favorable impression and have someone ask you the magical question “So what do you do?”

All of the goal setting in the world will be of little value if the results are not tracked. Remember the spreadsheet system I suggested with tracking your Centers of Influence? You should be tracking what comes of the contacts that you make. OR, if you haven’t been tracking them, the best way to salvage the tracking process is to start from the end – your clients and partners. Go through each client or partner and ask yourself where you met that person to begin with.

Treat networking just as you would your business – in order for it to be successful you’ll need to create goals and track your results.

Please feel free to post comments on my blog at http://powernetworking.blogspot.com/

Suggested reading:

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

Miracles at Work: Building your Business from the Soul Up by John Adams

The Game by Sarano Kelley

Becoming a Resource.

2005-10-28T15:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had the feeling that you were being “sold?” It’s not a nice feeling is it?

Well I strive to be of utility for someone just by that person knowing me. I try to help someone no matter what it is that he or she needs. The key, however, is not doing everything yourself. If I don’t have the skill set or time to assist I’ll identify someone else who can help. Now, what have I done? I have become a resource for that person.

I recently read a study that concluded that referring a contact to someone else won’t decrease the likelihood that that person would come back to you again. In other words, you won’t lose your future contact with that person just because you’ve referred them to someone else. As a matter of fact, you actually increase the likelihood that someone will come back and ask you for assistance in the future. Here’s a story that happened to me that will demonstrate this example. We were hosting a business networking event at a regional Marriott. There ended up being a booking conflict of conference rooms and we had to be bumped. Rather than just giving us the bad news, my contact called another hotel (a semi-competitor mind you) and made the same arrangement for our needs and then called me. I was informed that we were bumped but that someone else at another hotel had the same availability and was awaiting my call. Now talk about service! We ended up having a successful event even though we had to make the adjustment. I still connect with this contact on a regular basis when I have various needs because this person went above and beyond to make sure that my need was satisfied and that I had a good experience.

Keeping an eye out in the media is important for being resourceful as well. I try to take every email newsletter, press release or news article that I receive and put it to good use. I typically scan it for information for myself while also thinking about people who I know. Forwarding articles or newsletters to contacts of yours will strengthen your connection with them. You always want to keep them in mind so that when they come across something that would be of interest to you that they would forward it back to you.

It goes along the lines of “giver’s gain” or “give to get” or “pay it forward.” You do something nice for someone; someone will do something nice for you. It’s like creating good karma for you.

Remember, being a resource for others will strengthen your own resources as well as deepen relationships with your contacts.

Please feel free to post comments on my blog at http://powernetworking.blogspot.com/

Suggested reading:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Miracles at Work: Building your Business from the Soul Up by John Adams

The Game by Sarano Kelley

Gaining Trust

2005-10-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

You have heard that business is not done between businesses but between people within those businesses. When executives shift to a different company they tend to bring along their clients, contacts, partners – another words – their relationships. The key to fostering a relationship is through trust. Gaining trust can happen in several ways. I usually say that it starts with the smallest of steps that often go overlooked. The most important thing that you can do in gaining someone’s trust is to do what you say you are going to do.

This may sound easy but can come in several forms that go overlooked. For example, meeting confirmations, thank you notes, referrals and follow through are all forms of building trust.

I always like to encourage making and keeping promises. That way it gives you ways to foster an atmosphere of trust. Then, when you build up this “trust bank account” you can tap into it down the line when you really need it.

Keeping in communication with your key contacts and building a high level of trust and credibility is so important in business. Take for example, the financial services industry. I just had breakfast this morning with two business colleagues and clients of mine that are part of a referral or business contact network. Financial services referrals are based on a high level of trust since financial information is sensitive and confidential. Other industries include attorneys and accountants, since they too are dealing with sensitive material.

All the more, gaining and building trust in critical in growing one’s business. You’ve seen attorneys who start out at a firm and then eventually start their own practice. That is because they have gained a level of trust personally – trust wasn’t necessarily built directly from the company but from the individual at the company first.

Large brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, AFLAC and Disney realize this fact. They build trust through a consistent brand image, quality products and customer service. But ultimately trust isn't bought it’s earned. Take for example the slogan: “Good to the last drop” from Maxwell House Coffee. This implies consistency of quality until the very last drop.

It is one of those things in life that’s hard to get and easy to lose.

You can find out more articles, blogs and comments at www.jaffejuice.com searching under “trust.”

I remember my first job out of college I made a mistake on a marketing letter. I addressed the person correctly but included the wrong company in the letter – not to mention that that company was a competitor! Needless to say it took me a while to build back the trust with that person.

Trust is not a commodity – it is something that is earned and slowly garnered over time – like a fine wine. Build trust and the business will come!

Please feel free to post comments on my blog at http://powernetworking.blogspot.com/

Suggested reading:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie’s Course: Effective Communications and Human Relations

Life After the 30-Second Spot by Joseph Jaffe

blink by Malcolm Gladwell

Elevator Presentation

2005-09-22T06:49:00.000-07:00

Part of branding yourself is how you introduce yourself to others. This includes how you dress, speak and what you say. You want your elevator presentation to be to the point and have the end in mind. This means that you want to clearly state your business objective of ideally who you need to meet, both from a direct client perspective and from strategic alliance perspective. Meaning that it is more important for people who meet you to find out the people you need to meet over what you do. Most people in networking situations are conditioned to ask “so what do you do?” Rather than “so who do you need to meet?” Or, even better, “so who do I know that you need to meet?,” which is really what you are after.

Every day there are situations that require you to provide an elevator presentation of what you do or who you need to meet. Talking to someone in an elevator or waiting room, playing golf or tennis, attending a business networking breakfast, business meeting or just speaking with your neighbor are examples. In these situations you need to confidently state who you are looking to meet and what you do. Specifically, your elevator presentation is used in an open environment where there are many business executives introducing themselves to the entire group. This is the forum where you must shine. The key now, according to Dale Carnegie and others, is HOW you say it not so much WHAT you say. The three elements in making a presentations or introductions are visual, vocal and content. A recent statistic shows that 55% is visual, 38% vocal and 7% the actual content.

Speak clearly, confidently, emphasize keywords and enunciate clearly. It takes at least 3 seconds for the people in the audience to tune in to what you are saying. So don’t start with your name and company name. Start with a factoid about your industry, a powerful quote or something of humor. Then move to your name and company name, who you are looking to meet and what your company does. Regarding the length, create 3-second, 10-second and 1-minute elevator presentations for the various scenarios described above. Examples of a good introduction can be: “Did you know that one of the most cost effective ways to market your business is through email marketing?” or “Most people fear making a presentation in front of a lot of people more than almost anything else in life.”

I am a recent graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course Effective Communications and Human Relations. There I learned his philosophy behind “Making Our Ideas Clear.” It is called the LIONS approach. L = Language easily understood; I = Illustrations; O = Organize Thoughts; N = Narrow Subject to key points and finally; S = Summarize. Now keep in mind that in presentations under one minute you might not be able to cover each point but at least this provides guidelines for you.

Recently I attended a black tie charity dinner. Sitting at my table was the owner of a gym. In conversation I mentioned that I focus on connecting business executives to one another. Because of what he did one of my clients would be a good fit with him so I asked permission to connect them, of which he said yes. In that circumstance I was positioning myself, branding myself and introducing myself all at the same time. However, I was focusing more on what connections I had that could help him.

Ultimately you will be welcomed into almost any environment if you keep others’ interests in mind through focusing on how you can help them. From there they will want to help you. So, make sure you when they ask "so what do you do?", that you include the people who you need to meet.

Please feel free to post comments on my blog at http://powernetworking.blogspot.com/

Suggested reading:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie’s Course: Effective Communications and Human Relations

The Fast Forward MBA in Selling by Joy J. D. Baldridge

How to Become a Marketing Superstar by Jeffrey J. Fox

Branding Yourself.

2005-08-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

You always want to put yourself in a position to be asked the question “So... what do you do?”

They say that the most profitable customers come from them coming to you rather than you going to them. How, then, do you have prospective clients come to you? Branding.

Branding yourself is key to building your network of influence. When you volunteer for positions, help with fund-raisers or help with organizing committees make sure that what you do is fairly high profile. Another words, have your efforts be seen and recognized with others. Take for example my support of a recent celebrity golf event to support the charity Cystic Fibrosis. Our company promoted the event to raise money, increase attendance and generate awareness and support for this charity. At the event I made sure to be seen with some of the celebrities as well as network with those who I knew and didn’t know. It has nothing to do with ego and has everything to do with building your personal and professional brand. One of the sports celebrities who I met was Mike Eruzione. He is an American hero in my mind. It was a pleasure speaking with him. He was extremely humble and down to earth, despite what one may think.

Me associating my brand with him and with the “miracle on ice” twenty-five years ago was certainly an honor. That evening he received the Lifetime Legend Award being the captain and Olympic Gold Medalist on the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team who won the Gold Medal at Lake Placid. He scored the winning goal against the Soviet Union in the game that stunned the world. Miracle is one of my favorite sports movies of all time. These are certainly not bad credentials to be associated with in any way.

In addition, I met a Special Olympic athlete. He played softball and was just as pleasurable to meet. He had all the energy in the world and was just as happy to meet me and my business colleague James, as I was to meet the other celebrities. It reminded me of the days when I ran PR/Marketing for the Tennis venue for the 1995 Special Olympics World Games. I was both grateful and humbled by the experience.

Regarding associating my personal brand with the US Olympics or the Special Olympics, or even the charity of the golf event Cystic Fibrosis, I know that I am building into the fabric of my brand noteworthy causes that have inspired others nationally and globally.

Keep in mind that who you associate yourself with helps define who you are – especially when you are building out your Centers of Influence.

Please feel free to post comments on my blog at http://powernetworking.blogspot.com/

Suggested reading:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker

All Marketers Are Liars – The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World by Seth Godin

Understanding Spheres of Influence

2005-06-30T05:50:00.000-07:00

Once you have developed your list of key contacts (i.e. centers of influence) it is important to understand the concept of “Spheres of Influence.” This simply means that people influence others in many ways, not just in business circles. For example, people are involved on volunteer committees, church groups, sports team, activities for their children, on boards or committees for their company, non-profit activities, fund raising committees and special interest groups.

Understanding this concept is important in two ways. We can uncover people who we know or come into contact with who might have gone unrecognized. Secondly, asking probing questions of your key contacts or “connection agents” or centers of influence (COI) will uncover more people who they know. What I suggest is arranging getting together with each of your COIs to discover and discuss their spheres of influence as well as to discuss yours to better understand them.

Here is a relevant example. I was driving up to a meeting in Boston with my business partner. We were just dialoguing on a personal level when it came up that I went to the same school and worked with the head of marketing at the Basketball Hall of Fame. He said to me kiddingly “why have you been holding out on me?” Since he works with marketing decision makers in his business this is a strong referral for him. Point being, you need to think of ALL of the people who you know in every context, not just your business world. Once you have identified the key areas that you know people in, then you need to ask the simplest, yet most important question in networking: “who do you know, who knows …” One statistic shared with me is that 20% of clients give out referrals without being prompted, 20% never do and the balance of the 60% would give you a referral but are never asked!

I call it “peeling the onion.” You need to peel the onion in two ways when meeting on this topic. Firstly, you need to fully understand what type of contacts would be valuable to the person you are meeting with. Keep in mind good contacts are not just prospective customers but strategic partners, employees and media contacts to name a few. One of Dale Carnegie’s principles in his book How to Win Friends and Influence People is the concept of talking in terms of the other person’s interests. Our natural tendency is to talk about ourselves and what we need. If you shift the paradigm and think in terms of what benefits the other person you will increase your business opportunities drastically. Secondly, once you understand their target audience then you can peel the onion on your side across your spheres of influence. Who do you know who knows someone that person needs to meet and what sphere do you know them in.

Ultimately, whether directly or indirectly, you know many more people than you actually realize. Understanding this is so important to both growing your business and helping others grow theirs.

2005-05-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

Angelo A. Rossetti, President, Contact Advocate, Inc.

Identifying Centers of Influence

2005-05-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

Ever ask someone what the most effective way to get new clients is? Nine times out of ten that person would say “word of mouth.” Why, then, do most business executives leave word of mouth to chance?

Word of mouth marketing can be the most important and most cost effective way to generate new business. This also is known as “whispering” or creating a “buzz.” In the public relations world it is always more important what others say of you rather than what you say of yourself.

From a strategic standpoint, you need to fully understand this concept before embarking down the networking path. Get people to talk about you. Generate a buzz. Create a stir. This can be known as “disruptive marketing.”

From a tactical standpoint create a spreadsheet. Start with a list your current clients, prospects and strategic partners. Next to them identify the person who referred you. Then select the top 10 people who have sent you the most referrals (or as close to 10 as possible).

You have now identified your centers of influence. Here is where the work begins. Keep a list of these people in your palm, blackberry, cell phone, laptop or simply an index card. In the notes column make sure to identify what industry, who they sell to and who they partner well with. If you don’t know this information call each person and get it.

Then you need to continually keep in contact with them. Update their contact information regularly, just like you would your personal and professional references. Whenever you network be thinking about if that person would be a good match or referral for one of your 10. Keeping these people top of mind is one of the most important and cost effective ways to grow your business. Forward them relevant industry articles, refer them to blogs that might be resourceful, send them emails at least once a month checking in with them and if you can help them.

Identifying and maintaining your centers of influence will empower you to control your word-of-mouth marketing efforts. Don’t let the most important marketing vehicle happen by chance!