I was reflecting on this time of my life closing in on 50 years on this planet. I will hit the big 50 this week, which really is not a big deal for me. Hitting 40 really didn’t make an impact either. I think it has to do with perspective.

When I became a born again Christian at 21, I knew then as I know now, that my life here was temporary and better things await in Heaven. My faith has never wavered and is even stronger now. My biggest concern is to whether I have accomplished what I need to accomplish up to now and are there better things ahead in the next stage of my life? I believe there is.

After selling my Company last year, it has been a bit of a struggle trying to ” fit in”. What I mean by that is that is I know my strengths lie in Marketing and Sales, but is that where I should be? I am working now on some contract and consulting here in Calgary and I really enjoy being creative and helping clients with Web Marketing. I am good at it and have been very successful doing it. There still seems to be something missing if you know what I mean.

Being 50 reduces the already small time left here on the planet to accomplish all that God had intended for me. I want to make sure that I am where I need to be and doing what I need to be doing to conform to what the Lord has planned for me. I know it is natural for us to second guess whether we have accomplished or will accomplish all that is set out for us and I want to make sure I am open to whatever is set before me. I am ready!

I want to encourage you as well that we cannot change what we did or didn’t do last year or the years prior to that…we can only now be responsible for what we do with the years still ahead of us. Here’s to moving forward and completing the ‘good race’ set before us.

Kind Regards,

Larry J Clark

After over 20 years of being in Sales and Business, you learn allot. You also gain allot of wisdom and discernment as to what things to pursue and what things to let go of. After 7 months in my current contract position, I knew it was time to “let go’”.

The Company I was working with had gone through some changes in the last few months. Mostly personnel and Management. I would have to say that I was actually optimistic that the changes would be a move forward for the Company. My optimism soon waned when I saw some policies and changes being implemented, that effected the Sales Team and how we are being compensated for sales. A ‘NEW’ contract was presented to me that was explained as the best remuneration agreement in the Industry. I knew when I first viewed it, this was far from that.

As an Area Sales Manager, it is my responsibility to know what my competitors were up to and also how they were paid. My new presented contract was far below the others. Don’t get me wrong…I am not a greedy guy. I know my value and effort in my position and should be remunerated accordingly. At first this was an emotional response ..”How could they not see my experience and dedication and they are offering me this? After that, wisdom and experience kicks in and it becomes a logical response based on facts.

I know I am at the peak earning years of my life based on my experience and knowledge. I had to evaluate what would be the best use of my experience for this new decade and whether staying where I now, was the best use of that experience. It was not and the decision was easy.

My point in all this is to not to sell yourself short and actually be proud of what you have accomplished and your Industry value. I am confident that I can take my 20+ years of wisdom, experience, success and discernment to where it is needed and valued.

Onward and Upward!

Larry J Clark

First, let me say God Bless Haiti and the people there. I have been listening to radio reports on the Haiti devastation and the response by certain Countries and Agencies to the Earthquake.

I have to say that at this moment it makes me very proud to be a Canadian. The response from our Government was the fastest I ever seen to coordinate and deploy the Military as well as other Government Resources. Our Government has also pledged over 130 million dollars in monetary aid which makes Canada one of the top Countries for per capita relief today. A big thumbs up to our Prime Minister and other Aid Agencies that responded to this need so quickly. It is no secret that Canadians are great ‘Givers” when it comes to helping others in their time of need.

I heard that Canadian columnist, Heather Mallick , wrote a blog post in January stating She was ‘embarrassed’ to be Canadian. She stated many reasons, among them that the Oil Sands are a environmental disaster and that we live in a ‘corrupt petro-state’. What? Is Heather not looking around at the poverty and corrupt Governments outside of Canada and not thanking God she lives in Canada? Would she rather live in Haiti where there is adverse poverty and corruption beyond what we could imagine? Heather needs to keep her Liberal views to herself and should be embarrassed she even made those comments. Shame on you Heather.

This is a great Country to live in and we should take a few seconds and be thankful we are in the home of brave and the land of the free.

Kind Regards,

Larry J Clark

After over 24 years of raising 3 children, this is our first day as ‘Empty Nester’s’. Our eldest, Courtney, has moved up to Northern Alberta with her boyfriend to pursue job prospects there. Both or our son’s live in British Columbia and have made lives for themselves there. Our eldest son, Adam, was with us Christmas week and yesterday we drove him to the airport for his return home.

Well, there you have it. What do we do now? Personally, I have been looking forward to this “freedom” for a few years now and I am excited about spending more time with my wife and not having to include children in decisions. My wife on the other hand, is having a hard time letting go of the fact she has no kids at home. I am trying to understand her side and to be supportive. It will be  change in our life that I know in time we will both embrace. the kids need to make their own lives and futures with their parents cheering them on from the sidelines. I guess we can look forward to Grand Children now.

A week from today we are off to Mexico for our Vacation! I am really looking forward to getting away from winter and to work on a new business development plan. (more on that in a later blog). You want a hint? O.k, it has to do with marketing online using video. Here is a link to a web cam at the Akumal Mexico beach which is just north of our Resort, The Gran Bahia Principe Akumal. 

http://www.locogringo.com/Upload/akumal-beach-cam.html

I will be developing a daily blog from Mexico and will post the link on this blog starting next week as well.

Happy rest of your Holidays,

Larry J Clark

I kept getting calls on my cell phone from an Ontario area code, and when I went to answer it, they hang up. I thought this was some solicitation thing so I called the number to get them to stop.

Turns out it was American Express Canada and they had a problem with my account. Problem…?, I always pay my bill. Their so called “problem” was they were uncomfortable with my spending limits and froze my account (I had no idea) and wanted to let me know that my ‘unlimited’ Amex card was in fact now limited. What? ...when did this happen? Well according to their phone rep, now. I had purchased our Trip to Mexico on the card , which they approved, and now they are uncomfortable with me carrying the balance on my card.

Let me tell you what challenges I have been having with Amex for the past 6 months. First, I have had 2 American Express cards for over 6 years. Never had a problem. About 6 months ago or so, I started to see the card get declined for simple purchases like gas at Costco. I called them and they tell me I have a payment due. Wrong, payment was not due… their mistake. Payment was made they had not entered it. OOPS! Sorry. We book our trip..Travel Agency says the card needs verification and cannot go through? WHAT? I call Amex…they tell me I am carrying a $1200.00 balance and they would PREFER I pay that out so I can add the Vacation package. OK, I did that. They raised the limit and all is well. NOPE. Today they are uncomfortable with me carrying the balance which they gave me and yes, my card is frozen again.

Solution, I paid out my balance and canceled both the cards. Sorry to be a ‘uncomfortable’ client American Express. I hope you find better clients than me to deal with.

Good thing MasterCard and Visa are comfortable with me…

Larry J Clark

Officially Grey Cup Sunday here in Calgary and we are experiencing a “Chinook” from the West bringing some nice warm air to town. Currently 8 degrees Celsius so should be a pleasant day for Football. Now personally, I really don’t care who wins as I am a BC Lions fan. Most of Calgary seems to be siding with the Riders to keep the cup in the West. Should be a great game.

On the home front, I heard from my youngest Son the other day, Joshua, who informed us that we are going to be grandparents! Can you believe it?! Yes, our Josh and his wife Rebecca have confirmed she is pregnant and this will be our first Grandchild. Excited for both of them and of course Robin is beside herself with excitement. I will keep you posted on a due date.

Just finished booking our Winter Holiday on Friday. Going to Mexico for the first time and have chosen the Mayan Riviera and the Resort “Gran Bahia Principe Akumal”. Reviews seem good and we leave the first week of January for 7 days. Looking forward to some sun/beach time and just relaxing. Told Robin we would book a holiday once the business sold so the pressure was one. I bought a waterproof housing for my ‘FLIP’ camera so I can take some video and pictures while snorkeling…should be fun.  Plan on seeing some Mayan ruins down there but not much touristy stuff. Just sunning, eating and reading. Keep an eye oon this blog in January for videos and pictures while we are down there.

Above is the picture of the  Resort and beach from the website. Looks nice to me!

To your weekend and next holiday,

Larry

I am currently in Las Vegas for a short, 4 day “Get away”. My wife, Robin, and I have not had an opportunity in a while to get away especially after the big move.

I booked under the WestJet Vacations Site and the fee    was really reasonable. To the left is a picture of me in front of the fountains at the Mirage Resort Casino. I didn’t stay there but we were out walking the strip yesterday and took some pic’s.

We actually stayed at the MGM Grand in Vegas and it was fabulous. The room was modern and well equipped and the bed was very comfy. Had dinner at Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill last night and the food was spectacular!! I highly recommend it as it was casual and not too expensive.

We are taking in the Cirque Du Soleil Show tonight called “KA” and I am looking forward to it.

The weather has been very cool so no pool time but we kept busy today shopping at the Premium Outlets. This is therapy for my wife and I hang out at Starbucks and people watch. Heading back tomorrow but it was worth the time.

Vegas really isn’t the place for a quite get away but still a good destination for getting away from home and work and having some fun.

To your next Vacation,

Larry J Clark

Well we have come upon the Season in Calgary that I call “Fa-Winter’ as we have seemed to have skipped past Fall and have gone right in to Winter. Good grief….have I repressed my memories of living here 11 years ago that I forgot about what happens here in the weather scene. Have I conveniently forgot that Calgary has a record of snow falling EVERY month of the year?

Today, the temperature has hit 0 Celsius and there are snow flurries. I booked the G37 for snow tires next week thinking I was being proactive. Oh well. Break out the long johns it going to be a cold one.

I have inserted a picture from last week showing some fall colours looking at Cochrane Alberta (where I drive out to for work everyday) and now those same mountains have snow on them. Pretty but you won’t see me skiing down them anytime soon.

Off the topic but I was looking at my scar on my leg from the accident 2 1/2 years ago. Although noticeable, the scar is fading. It got me thinking of some decisions we have made or that we could have made that caused a permanent ‘scar’ in our life. Things we have to or may have to live with forever.

Scars are quite noticeable in the beginning but eventually the red tissue fades to regular skin tone shows up but  sometimes you tweak your knee and pain reminds you the scar still exists. Life is like that. Sometimes you are reminded of past wounds/scars even though they are not visible and you thought you have moved on. The best cure when making a decision in life is whether that decision will leave you with a lifetime reminder, and take it from me, it will remind you constantly. Make great and wise choices, especially character choices, and leave the scars of life behind.

Thanks for reading.

Larry J Clark

Anybody can sell on price. That’s easy. I can train any intelligent person to take orders on home sales just on price point. The real test of experience is selling homes on it’s value.

So where does value come from? Really, it comes from individuals and what they perceive the value of the home to be to them. I could stand here all day extolling the features and the value the Builder believes the home has, but ultimately it is the home buyer who either agrees or disagrees with my assessment. There are other ‘market’ indicators that assist a home buyer like a CMA. (Current market analysis) These are usually done by Realtors who research what has sold recently in the area and for what cost. Then they compare a home to one that is similar in size, etc. and come up with what the ‘market’ value of that home is.

So where does value come in? When I walk in a new home, if it too big, not laid out to my liking or some other challenge, my value for that home may not be the same as someone who the home suits perfectly. So now you have two completely different values of the same home. Of course you can break the house cost down to sticks of wood and concrete and try and figure out what it actually cost to build, and valuate that way as well. The problem with this is that the “emotional” value is not there. Say this new home is one block from a school, then a young family would value it’s location more than a empty nester couple. What about the lot? Some people value corner lots more than others and land can be the same size for area, but one could have a view and the other not.

I am not saying I have the answers when it comes to selling homes or value, but I think there is something to be said for finding out what potential clients value as important to them, other than just cost.

Let me know what you think.

Kind Regards,

Larry J Clark

I just developed and uploaded a new blog yesterday called “Sunset Ridge View“. It is based on the Community I sell new homes in Cochrane Alberta.

I want to blog about the Community and hopefully will get input from the residents of events and interesting facts that I can add. Maps and pictures will also be included along with information about the great Town of Cochrane.

Have a great weekend!

Larry