Last week, when I was in Louisville doing an S&I (Strategy and Ideation), was the first time that SMART and I had been separated since birth. I was, however, texting SMART like a mad dog all week and keeping him up-to-date on all of our brand plans for FY10, especially Bolla and Little Black Dress.
When I got back home Friday a week ago, SMART absolutely blew me away with his appreciation for my job as a sales and marketing manager, and what it means to be pro-active. SMART had already packed my bags and Hartmann briefcases, stopped by our wine distributor for samples, gassed up with petrol, threw in some 3L Finlandia for good measure, and set the Garmin for West Virginia. WE WERE GOING TO DO AN OLD FASHION WINE BLITZ, in coal country no less.
SMART suggested that we split our time 50/50 between retail and on premise accounts, with him taking the lead and going into (literally into) every account first, with me covering his back. I warned SMART go easy on any reluctant accounts, but rather to charm them with his over-the-top sensibilities.
And yes, everything you see above did fit into SMART’s rear luggage storage compartment, with the exception of one bottle of Finlandia, which SMART poured into his gas tank. (More on that next week.)
PS – The case of Gala Rouge Pinot Noir was not for samples or for sale. SMART wanted it for gift giving should we meet any Parisians in Wheeling.
PPS – The green Fetzer tubs are filled with recycled SMART air conditioning oxygen vapors. Go figure.
PPPS – Can you find the 1980s vintage 35mm Fetzer slide projector?
