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Knowledge Cafe |
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Is the hoopla all over for The Secret? The movie came out in 2006 and took the world by storm. Oprah promoted it, and in short order it became a phenomenon. You don't hear much now, so many say the "fad" is over. Onto the next one.
Those who say that are those who may have never watched the dvd or read the book, or if they did, they couldn't see the forest for the trees.
Some are looking for the answer that will take care of them forever more. Not likely; however, if accepted for what it really is--great and valuable information--it can be life changing and incredibly beneficial.
I know this to be true, for it is this for me. In April of 2007, I bought the audiobook version which just came out then. I must have listened to it about 40 times. I didn't just want to hear it, I wanted to become it--to have it become me. It was that powerful in my life.
What's more, that book led me to many other books of authors that were in The Secret dvd and audiobook. I got to get to know Bob Proctor, Dr. John DeMartini, Jack Canfield and many others. I read many of their books and became even more aware and enlightened.
So what has it done? I used to be an angry, unhappy person a good deal of the time. Changing circumstances would bounce me around like a pinball in a pinball machine. After really getting hold of the message in The Secret, I am happy everyday under every kind of circumstance. I love my life, I love what I do, I love it all. I seek joy and embrace it.
The message in The Secret is not the least bit new. It is ancient, and it is this: You become what you think about. What you think attracts. Watch other people you know and you can see it in action. The only difference is that I choose my thoughts and many people have their circumstances choose their thoughts. That is the shortest version of the message The Secret brings, and it is indeed, life-changing.
Forget what some others might say about The Secret. Naysayers are a penny a pound. I've heard a number of comments from people that this is some magic potion. That it is not. The Secret is just a new presentation of ancient truths. It is a reminder that we have the power to control our own lives.
I guarantee that your slightly open mind and listening or reading the book will lead you on a glorious journey that will be well worth the small effort. If you travel, or commute a lot, I highly recommend the audiobook.
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CTS Blog |
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Show Your Favorites |
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Do you have some special favorite bodies or body companies?
Send us photos and a short story of your experiences and we will put them in the CTS IdeaLetter. Send to:
Tminion@commercialtruc
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Welcome! |
Welcome to the Commercial Truck Success Idealetter!
Published every other week, the Idealetter is be a brief one-page thought starter and news source for busy commercial sales professionals and managers with numerous links to the Commercial Truck Success website, Daily Blog and many other links to useful information, tools and inspiration!
Please feel free to offer comments and suggestions for future topics that are of interest to you. Also, please forward this to others you wish to share it with. There is a forward email link at the bottom of this page. I wish you success! Keep up the good work! And, never stop learning! - Terry Minion, Editor |
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Special Lighting Needs |
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No matter what kind of special light systems you might need, there is no better selection than Whelen Engineering, Inc. You'll see what I mean when you visit their comprehensive website at www.whelen.com. |
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The Right Length & Wheelbase |
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This photo is a reminder that sometimes when you want a 12' van on a cutaway, it is usually better to get the right wheelbase for that application. Even though the chassis shown (158" WB) will accommodate a 12' van body, you lose the best benefit of the 12' unit: turning radius and maneuverability.
The 12' unit is better suited to the 138" WB. You can see how far back the axle is in this photo of the 158" WB and the 12' van body. In addition, depending on what the customer is carrying, this configuration could fairly easily overload the front axle, cause excessive front brake and tire wear and create control issues.
If your van body company isn't stocking the shorter wheelbase, ask them to order them for you so you can take advantage of the benefits. Over many years of stocking and selling cutaway hi-cube vans, I have found that the 12' and 14' sell in approximately equal quantities IF they are stocked that way. That means there is a larger market for them than many might think--especially those who don't stock the 12' in the shorter wheelbase. |
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Pulltarps Keeps You Covered |
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Pulltarps keeps you covered in more ways than one. Any dump would benefit from a Pulltarp. Keeping the load inside the body is the main reason and avoiding damage to other vehicles is another. In many states, it is law to cover the load, so there is a good reason by itself. Since this is a relatively inexpensive option that works perfectly, it is a no-brainer to put this on every dump in stock and save the customer the issues. Plus, it is an easy value-added thing to sell and may even set you apart as a great place to do business!
See all the great covers from Pulltarps at www.pulltarps.com. They have one of the best websites I have ever seen. Extremely well done and I love the intro video. What a great way to start off! |
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Unique Solutions From Brutus Bodies |
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I never tire of unique solutions and beautiful workmanship. This box is a perfect example of both and is a custom manufacture of Brutus Bodies. Just look at all the different kinds of items that can be stored and readily accessible from several locations including the top. What an interesting design. Mount something like this in front of your next body. |
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Van Solutions From Cascade Truck |
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These are van bodies that have been changed from an empty box to a nice workshop with equipment and ideas installed by Cascade Truck Body in Eugene, Oregon. I love the top photo with the real work bench and electric outlets ready to use. I can only imagine they have an electric generator in an underbody box outside operating when needed. What a sweet setup! I also love they way they have added what looks like indoor/outdoor carpeting. That changes the atmosphere immediately. Then, I love the way they have mounted the drawer assemblies on open pedestals to get them up where they are more useful and at the same time creating some storage space underneath. That's win-win for sure. See also on a couple shots, the translucent roof which brightens up the inside during the day. Check out the other fine solutions at www.cascadetruckbody.com, or call them in Eugene, Oregon at 541-3742-5317. | |
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Safeway.com Delivery Truck by Supreme Corp |
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I captured this Safeway.com delivery truck cruising through my neighborhood and had to get a shot of it. Why? Because it is different and special. I don't have the specs in front of me, but I can see that though this is a single rear wheel Ford cutaway chassis, it looks like a 50/50 application in that it is about a 12' long bed. Normally, this size chassis might have a 10' unit on it. I can see that they aren't carrying pallets of food, so not an issue about load and more an issue of space for light loads. I can also see that it is a relatively light weight composite design with a low roof, so it all works well together. The rear doors are barn style doors rather than roll up doors. Again, rare in van-land. What is the coolest thing to me is the aluminum slat roll-up shutter door on the curbside with the long and useful step. Awesome. Makes me want to order one of these for stock on the lot. Just think how useful that would be for florists, parts delivery and just about any other retail type deliveries. Then, you have the single rear wheel cutaway chassis with a great turning radius and nice compact overall size, yet with this great sized body with all these awesome features. It's a home run. No wonder Safeway.com ordered so many of these and it is a testament that I see them all around.
Of course, in this case the refrigeration unit helps everything keep its cool on its way to a home near you. And, I am sure it is available without refrigeration for those other delivery needs. This unit and many, many others were built by Supreme Corporation for Safeway.com. Looks like a great partnership! |
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Beautiful Superstructure Body on Isuzu Truck! |
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This is a beautiful Superstructure Body mounted on an Isuzu Gas chassis by Harbor Truck Bodies in Brea, CA.
The body measures approximately 11' in length and the bottom section is a standard TradeMaster Service Body. Then the roof section is added and two doors installed that open upward for additional storage access from the outside and can also be accessed from the inside if desired. Then the upper section has two permanent windows on each side which lets the light shine in and keeps the claustrophobia to a minimum. Last is the special rack with the front stop. All this painted to match the cab in the most interesting green I think I've seen on a truck. Looks awesome! Get the wheels chrome plated or add some stainless steel wheel inserts and finish this unit off nicely.
Contact Harbor at 800-433-9452 or visit their website at www.htbi.net. |
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Aluminum Stakebed From Carter Industries |
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What a great looking body! This is the 12' Alum-Line Stakebed offered by Carter Industries in Union City, CA. This body is manufactured by Alum-Line who makes a wide range of aluminum bodies. Carter is offering several of their models and carries them in stock.
A couple of serious advantages are these: One, it is aluminum and weighs considerably less than the steel and wood combination stakebeds. Two, it is doesn't rust, so will keep its great looks for a long time. Of course, I think it looks great as well.
Contact Carter Industries at 800-310-6390 and visit their website at www.carterind.com. |
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Raised Cargo Bed Enclosure |
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The Raised Cargo Bed Enclosure is a rare item to find in dealer inventory, but it is a most useful unit that is easy to show value. Anyone who wants items in the middle area protected from the weather or out of sight, can make great use of the Raised Cargo Bed Enclosure.
This particular one was purchased by Hansel Ford in Santa Rosa, CA for stock from Harbor Truck Bodies. It includes the 3-piece enclosure which opens up about two thirds of the bed when pushed back. Harbor's design slides on Teflon slides rather than roller bearings. It is much easier to slide and there is no maintenance. The barn doors on the rear allow access to cargo with or without sliding the top back.
Notice that the top of the cover is just slightly above the cab, so this unit is not but a few inches taller than the standard service body with rack. It also has a number of other options like Rackstraps, Treadbrite lids over Stainless Steel, MasterLock System.
This is an inexpensive way of getting the enclosed section rather than going to a superstructure type body. The Raised Cargo Bed Enclosure is a little more than the standard height Cargo Bed Enclosure, but well worth the difference. |
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A Service Body Is Perfect For A Camper! |
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Truck campers are not as popular as they once were, but those who have used them and like them, will absolutely love Douglass Truck Bodies in Bakersfield, CA. They have been building great camper bodies since the early 1960's and the photos above is a more recent example on a Ford Crew Cab F450/550 Chassis. This unit was built for Jim Burke Ford, Bakersfield.
In addition to this highly specialized body, Douglass builds about anything else you might be able to imagine. I'm sure that if you can dream it, they can build it. Call Douglass Truck Bodies at 800-635-7641 and please visit their great website at www.douglasstruckbodies.com. |
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Some Thoughts On Business |
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In talking with a number of people and watching the sales numbers, I've come to learn a few things about moving forward in a down economy that really, apply to any economy. Here are some ideas and thoughts to ponder:
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Avoid, as if it were the plague, complaining people. They are contagious! Keep away from them. Do not listen except for a few moments of polite listening, then run quickly away. If possible inject something positive to them; however, most of the time, they will reject it. If you hear yourself start to complain about anything, shut up immediately and say something positive and uplifting no matter what it may be. Let there be zero tolerance for complaints and complainers. You will be amazed what this will do for you immediately.
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Don't believe all the news. Matter of fact, make up your own news the way you want it. That's pretty much what they are doing because in the news you are almost always hearing bad news. Heck with that! I stopped reading the newspaper and watching the TV news about 5 years ago. I don't need any negativity regardless of how important the news people think it may be.
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Now that we have the negativity under control, let's move out toward moving the needle to increase business. First up: visualize success, think success, feel success. Picture yourself moving units out the door, people being given new tools to do a better job in their businesses. Expect to hear yes instead of no. Ignore no's. Find a way to create yes's. Start it in your head.
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Try new things. Be open to inspirations. When you are thinking and visualizing positive things, you will get inspirations. Pay attention to them. They will bring you answers you've been looking for.
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Do the best you can with what you have where you are now. Don't be concerned about what you don't have or who is not helping you, etc. Just do the best job you can possibly do where you are now. Focus on quality work.
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Create networks. Think creatively instead of competitively. Find ways to encourage partnerships and find new ways to network with others. Join the Chamber of Commerce and attend the mixers regularly. Consistency will get you a lot of business. You might want to join surrounding community Chambers as well. It may not pay off immediately, but will in the longer term very well. Network with other businesses. Create some joint promotions, offsite displays, etc. How can you help someone else and have the net effect of helping you at the same time. Focus on helping them and it will come.
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Find some joy, fun and laughter every day. Watch an inspiring, uplifting movie or video. Laugh out loud. Decide you will have joy in your life.
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Keep moving. Keep your marketing moving. Keep your prospecting moving. Keep your networking moving. If you're not making sales, you're making friends and building in influence.
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Keep learning. Learn from the best. I am always reading, studying and listening and watching to learn something new or something old stated in a new way that helps me move forward. I am becoming more. That is more important than anything else. To get more, you must become more--and you must give more. See what happens when you focus on giving others to be of service--especially when there may not appear to be anything in it for you immediately.
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Keep expanding. A business is either growing or dying. It is impossible for it to remain static. I've heard a couple of our website prospects say that they have all the business they want and they do not want any more business. That isn't a business. A business is always expanding in one way or another. It may not be expanding in sales, but it needs to be expanding somewhere. A business can expand its influence in a number of ways and only one of those would be sales.
To summarize, stop listening to all the negative things regardless of what they are and focus on the good things no matter what they are. See what you want and focus on it. Do the best you can do with what you have to work with, where you are right now with no concerns about what you do not have. Experience joy and laughter. Keep learning and keep moving and keep expanding. |
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Load Grief |
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Overloading trucks began pretty much with the advent of the truck and it continues to this day.
"Who needs a 12' flatbed when I have my Ranger? It even steers easier when I have a heavy load. I can do anything with my Ranger!"
Looks to me like the paint break line indicates the frame is being bent at the rear. . . that can't be good. . . |
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Here's Something Fun and Inspiring! |
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Who needs instruments!
Mosaic
It's Magic!
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
The couple in love
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Redesigned and Improved |
Check out the redesigned and improved Commercial Truck Success reference website at www.comtrk.com. New larger size, center line main menu, easier navigation. Growing daily with currently over 120 pages, over 1,000 photographs and hundreds of links to suppliers and product websites all across the country for common and not so common bodies and other applications.
Keep telling us your thoughts on making it better and we'll keep changing it for the better. It will be expanding dramatically in the next 30-90 days, so keep looking! |
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