Summary

“It’s about how you make people feel.” John Ruhlin

John went from farm boy to the greatest sellers in Cutco’s 68-year history by understanding the value of gift giving and relationships. John will tell you, “how you love and treat people will open more doors than you can imagine.”

John learnt the principles of generosity from “Attorney Paul,” and started selling the largest deals in Cutco’s history. Not only was he gifting knives but he was being asked to speak on stages around the country to teach sales and marketing teams how to build relationships in unconventional ways.

Discover Your Why – Free Coaching Call Valued at $250

“It’s not the thought that counts, it’s the thoughtful thought.”

Ruhlin Group started in 2000 and quickly broadened gifting options and strategies, but many of the original principles never changed. Knowing how and when to give gifts is just as important as what to gift. These minor details have been tested and proven over a decade to bring a guaranteed “wow” to any industry from financial services to manufacturing widgets.

John and his company work with many large companies across a vast array of fields teaching them how to incorporate a gift giving strategy into their business to grow their success. In this interview John shares the principles and ideas behind gift giving. Enjoy the value within!

Key Take Outs

• People make decisions based on how they feel. This is fundamental to why we take actions. If you feel pumped and motivated, you are likely to act. If you are passionate you will be more inspired to act. If you feel down, dirty, angry or any other negative feelings that will also direct how you act. It is the action that is taken that will directly impact the results, either for better or worse.
• Don’t gift based on me. This is a critical lesson in gift giving. We often give gifts with an expectation of something in return and this lessons the effectiveness of the gift we give. Make the gift more meaningful and authentic and do it for the right intention. The ultimate goal is to improve the relationship therefore the intention doesn’t need to be perceived as dirty or with strings attached.
• Gift vs. promotional. A gift is not a promotional item therefore do no give branded gifts. People don’t use branded shit anyway.
• Why don’t we gift. Here are a few reasons why we may avoid giving a thoughtful gift: Money, time, laziness, expression, and scarcity. We don’t see the value of gift giving as they have on better relationships and therefore we don’t make them a priority. Relationships are fundamental to all aspects of our life and how you make someone feel through gifts is GOLD! Make it a priority.
• It’s not the thought that counts, it’s the thoughtful thought. You can have a thought to give a gift and even to give a gift for the right intention but the best gifts are not the ones that are given to check a box but given with additional thought behind them. You can tell when you receive a gift the level of effort that went into it.

Do you have any routines and rituals that you believe contribute to your success?

A powerful morning routine to set the tone for the day. For John this includes journaling and reading the bible while in the sauna.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Pay attention to my finances. And find a business partner early in my career to balance out my weaknesses.

What is the meaning of success?

Knowing that the people that are the closest to me speak the best of me.

What is your number one productivity advice?

Create a brilliant team and delegate more.

What advice would you give someone that needing/wanting to make change?

Start reading and be around those that are more like the person you wish to become.

Quick round questions

Favourite Food

Aged Rib-Eye

Favourite Leisure Activitiy

Basketball

Favourite book(s)

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You (10th Anniversary Edition) by John Maxwell

Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach To Customer Service by Ken Blanchat and Sheldon Bowes

Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant

Giftology by John Ruhlin

Quote

“Give more than reasonable.”

Do we all have a why?

Yes! Whether you are aware of it or not we all have a why. It drives our actions. Either you find it and leverage it or you will be controlled by others who understand their why.

What does living life with passion and purpose mean?

How to find John

John Ruhlin’s Personal Website.

http://johnruhlin.com

Ruhlin Group Company Page

http://ruhlingroup.com

Giftology Book Web link

http://giftologybook.com

He is on facebook and Twitter also. @ johnruhlin

You can also download John’s free gift the 10 worse gifts to give.

www.Giftologybook.com/why to download the free PDF

If you are interested in finding more freedom, fulfilment and happiness in your life take the opportunity to jump on the Discovery Call. Valued at $250, this is a one on one coaching session to help you define your hidden why and discover the action steps to getting your there.