Don't Waste YOUR Time With Self-Improvement

There are many contradictory things you may have been told in your life, but when I first heard this sentence I was like, "Are you being serious right now?" Don't worry, maybe I can persuade you by rephrasing my statement. Instead: Stop focusing so much on your weaknesses, and try to focus only on maximizing your strengths.

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Focusing solely on weaknesses within a business DECREASES PRODUCTIVITY by over 25%. For any employer or business manager this knowledge is crucial. So how can we avoid this while still making our employees better. The relatively knew concept of focusing on your strengths instead of your weaknesses is a world-changing perspective and helps to keep employees happier, more engaged, more productive, and more successful! So make sure that employees may understand areas that have room for improve but make them focus on what they do well and capitalize on that instead!

“AT SOME POINT IN OUR ADULTHOOD, THERE IS A POINT WHERE THERE’S ONLY SO MUCH BETTER YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR WEAKNESSES”

— Brian Wong, Entrepreneur

This video by Eva Katharina Herber is an AWESOME video and explains the concept in a very concise and interesting way.

Amazon Acquires Whole Foods Market

In a press release that was announced earlier this June, Amazon is officially buying Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion plus its debt. This is one of the most outstanding strategic plays that has occurred by the e-commerce giant and they will only get more competitive from this point moving forward.

What could this new acquisition mean for other companies in both the grocer and e-commerce industries?

• Walmart has a lot to fear with Amazon still dominating the e-commerce domain, even though they are trying to gain a stronger foothold in that market
• Other companies will need to rethink their "consumer-stay-at-home" approach since delivery of both food and other goods to buyers' home will only increase as time goes on

Ever since Walmart tried to take over Amazon's e-commerce market by offering free, two-day shipping on orders over $35 (without any membership), Amazon needed to find a way to ensure they remained competitive in the industry. This new acquisition is aimed at doing what Walmart does, but better. Walmart has long been known as "the place you go to buy anything and everything". From Xbox's to eggs to dog food, Walmart is one of the best places to one-stop shop and Amazon is trying to beat them at their own game. 

“A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn reputation by trying to do hard things well.”

— John Bezos

Some interesting things that could occur with the new merger is that Amazon Prime members could get discounts on Whole Foods items, and Whole Foods may contain more than just food. They may become brick-and-mortar locations and/or storage warehouses for Amazon to store AND sell their products (which may mean Utah residents and others could get the same-day shipping feature that the residents of Seattle have the luxury to enjoy). 

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So what do you think? Do you think this new merger is going to benefit you in your daily life by making one-stop shopping more accessible and more affordable? Will Amazon recreate the future of grocery stores and what consumers expect to see from other companies (such as exclusive online membership deals like PrimeMusic and PrimeVideo)? Will this break their company if Walmart can outperform them or will this new acquisition break Walmart? There are a lot of crazy possibilities to consider, but only time will truly tell what the addition of Whole Foods Market will have in store for the future of Amazon and its competitors! 

Eat Local! A Guide to SLC Farmers Markets

Summer is in full-swing and there is no better time to take advantage of the variety of offerings at local Farmers Markets! With fresh produce, flowers, prepared food, crafts, and friendly people, be sure to check out these great markets this summer!

• Downtown Farmers Market: Pioneer Park, 8am-2pm Saturdays
• 9th West Farmers Market: International Peace Gardens, 10am-2pm Sundays
• Gardner Village Farmers Market: Gardner Village, 9am-1pm Saturdays
• Murray Farmers Market: Murray City Park, 9am-2pm Fridays and Saturdays
• Sugarhouse Farmers Market: Fairmont Park, 5pm-8pm Wednesdays
• Wasatch Front Farmers Market: Wheeler Farm, 9am-2pm Sundays

IPG Volunteering Day

Our intrepid band of commercial real estate pros took to the garden last week.  Through Wasatch Community Gardens, we worked for a half a day downtown Salt Lake City at the homeless women’s garden.  We had an absolutely great time spreading mulch, taking a tai chi, yoga break, and then spreading even more mulch.  We were grateful for the opportunity to serve and be involved with such an excellent and meaningful charity for our community.  We highly recommend you check it out. Here’s the link to Wasatch Community Gardens: https://wasatchgardens.org/

You just gotta laugh!

Question, how many times did you laugh yesterday?  If you are like most adults you may have laughed 8 times all day. Conversely young children laugh on average about 300 times a day. Problem?  I think so.  We gotta laugh more!  I am going to encourage you to laugh at least 50 times a day.  I guarantee it will make you feel better now and science is showing that it appears to have long term health benefits to enjoy a regular regimen of deep belly laughing. So laugh it up…here’s a one liner to share with your co-workers:

Today a man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation towards the local swimming pool. I gave him a glass of water.