Running Shoes, Cross Trainers, Basketball Shoes, and Trunners, Oh My!

How many of you had “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus stuck in your head over the weekend after our chat with Kaylee Felio? No shame if you downloaded and played that and “Party In The USA” on max. Are you still equipping your team with tools from the 1800s and expecting them to keep up with the ever changing technology of 2022 and beyond? What are you doing better/different to support your Parts Department? How are you maximizing your Part’s Department potential?

Connect with Kaylee: https://qrco.de/bdCGgv

We talk about “cross training” so much that I venture it may be the new hot new buzzword. Let’s break down what this is and how it looks. About 12 years ago, I worked as a Consultant for a CRM software company. Nowadays, this position would be more like a Customer Success position as we were constantly in front of the client. As part of our onboarding process, the company had us field Support Calls with the Support Team for a couple hours. It was the scariest couple hours of my life. I actually saw some of my colleagues pretend to be logged into the system but log out so they wouldn’t have to deal with taking calls. This was completely terrifying. Not only did it provide me with a newfound respect for our Support Team, but it also created instant friendships with them. They knew I wasn’t some hotshot consultant that was too good to work with them. Now when either party needed anything, we could pick up the phone and call each other. Honestly, I am still having nightmares about the ringtone of the Support Phones. To this day, any time I hear that stupid ringtone I literally cringe, and my hear starts racing!

Let’s take this a step further. There are all types of shoes. There are golf shoes, basketball shoes, running shoes, and cross trainers. They are all meant for specific sports, specific movements, and specific purposes. Well around 2000, the Nike/Jordan Brand decided to come out with the Trunner, or a mix between a runner and cross trainer. Quick tutorial on the main difference between a running shoe and a cross trainer. Running Shoes are made for straight ahead movements and NOT made for lateral movements or side to side movements. Cross Trainers are made for lateral (side to side) movements. Bottom line, never use running shoes for anything that involves dynamic side to side movement as it will lead to tearing out the side of the shoes and most likely your body parts. Ok up to speed.

In 2000, I snagged my first pair of Jordan Trunners in Neptune Blue. Yes, I still have them. I remember thinking, “these are so light…I could run to Neptune!!” In 2001, the next year’s Trunner Bubbles were released and added to the collection. I busted them out at a pick up game. After a mean crossover that would have made Iverson jealous, and nailing the reverse layup that I had practiced a million times in my driveway, I came down to an audible *POP!* Bye bye ankle!

I was under the impression I could play ball in these shoes. I was sorely mistaken. These Trunners were more like running shoes. If they would have been a tried and true Cross Trainer, that can be used just about anywhere, I would have been fine. That is the thing about Cross Trainers, they are versatile and adaptable. When you need to fine tune skills, then you bring the specific shoes: running shoes, basketball, golf, soccer, etc.

We need to ensure our employees are versatile and adaptable to all areas of our business, but also have their fine tune skills in their specific area of expertise. Cross train, cross communicate, never stop talking, and never stop learning. Also, don’t wear running shoes when playing ball.

Connect with BZ Consultants Group: https://qrco.de/bcqqFo

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