Happy June Everyone!
/in Uncategorized /by Ray RueckerHappy June, everyone!
(This is a half-professional-half-personal post.)
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, head of a team, or whatever label you want to use, it is tough to unplug and disconnect.
Over Memorial Day weekend, my wife, kids, and I celebrated our 20th anniversary in Jamaica and spent six days there.
It was wonderful to decompress, unplug, and stop and smell the air and roses.
Along those same lines, Anne Lamott noted that “almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.”
I agree! My company, Connect 5000, survived just fine without me, and I was able to create some lasting memories.
There’s always work to return to, but my family ranks first!
Cheers and blessings!
Ray
Happy 14th Birthday, Connect 5000!
/in Uncategorized /by Ray RueckerHappy March everyone!
In March 2010, 14 year long years ago, Connect 5000 was created.
Previously, from 2006 to 2010, I was the co-owner of IT Lead Source, a lead gen firm. My partner owned 51% and I owned the rest.
We worked together for 4 years and then I broke off and launched my firm.
It’s been a wonderful ride and I love it thoroughly.
I’m grateful for the freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment it provides me.
I’ve been fortunate to work with some wonderful people along the way.
Here’s an article that sums up why I own my company: https://prosperitythinkers.com/prosperity/entrepreneurs-rule-world/
My family and I recently went to San Diego, CA for spring break to get away from cold Kansas weather and to disconnect a bit.
I highly recommend everyone, especially business owners and entrepreneurs to get away, unplug and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Your work will still be there when you return.
Pictured here is my family and I at the beach! Cheers!
I’m Ray Ruecker with Connect 5000.
Greetings From Nashville, Tennessee!
/in Uncategorized /by Ray RueckerHappy belated 2021 everyone!
I noticed it’s been since mid-December when I last blogged something.
Unfortunately, I don’t have anything earth-shattering to say.
For the first time since September 2019, I hopped on a plane and flew to Nashville. So almost 1.5 years of no travel.
It was surreal to be on a plane with everyone masked up.
I attended a conference as a guest of one of my clients and visited with a few other current ones as well.
Nice to get out of town, meet and greet with clients and have good old fashioned face to face time.
Attached are a few pics from my 2 days there.
Yes, my face was cut off a few times but I wanted the focus to be on the clients, not me.
Here’s to optimism that things will improve for the better in 2021!
I’m Ray Ruecker with Connect 5000!

It’s Official: My Book Is Finished and Published!
/in Cold Calls, General, Lead Generation, Uncategorized /by Ray RueckerHey everyone!
My 2-year-old “baby” was finally born on October 8, 2020, a few weeks ago.
How to Score from First Base! (In Sales): A Step-by-Step Guide to Shorten Sales Cycles and Multiply Revenue is now available via paperback or Kindle.
Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735638307
If you’re a sales, marketing, or lead generation leader or executive, I highly recommend this book if you have outbound sales challenges or need improvement with your current system.
Here’s the book summary:
Do You Struggle to Get On First Base with Targeted Companies?
If long-term growth is your goal, this is your playbook. Because in today’s business climate, connecting with key decision-makers and securing meetings is a challenge. Executives rarely pick up the phone, typically ignore emails, and if you do happen to make a live connection, you have seconds to gain their attention. But even with these challenges, you can be successful at connecting with targeted companies by generating qualified sales meetings.
Learn how to:
• Write an introductory email or sales letter that gets a response.
• Leave voicemails that pique curiosity and result in a returned phone call.
• Quickly find contact information for direct decision-makers.
• Bypass the gatekeeper and connect with executives.
• Communicate your values and capture someone’s attention in 10 seconds or less.
• Ask open-ended questions that uncover a prospect’s pain, problems, and challenges.
Whether you are a new or seasoned sales professional, How to Score From First Base! (In Sales) will breathe new life into your day-to-day sales activity. Using both creativity and purposeful connection, this playbook provides a step-by-step guide to shortening sales cycles and multiplying revenue. Because if home plate is your endgame, first base is where you have to start.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
/in Uncategorized /by Ray RueckerEveryone,
Just a quick note to wish you all a great Christmas and New Year.
The Kansas City staff of Connect 5000 enjoyed Christmas lunch at Fogo de Chao on the Plaza.
Pictured: Linda Gibson, Patti Mbachu, and Ray Ruecker
Not pictured: Mike Smiley, Sue Anderson, Hanna Rodriguez, and Danita Regher
Talk to you in January!








