If there is one thing I have learned about business, it’s that of all the tools that can bring you success, there is one that is more important then the rest. The one element that is so vital in business, that it supersedes everything else. For this element is so important, that if you have everything else but this – you’re out of business. The best part is – it’s free. I’m talking about professionalism.

Throughout my career, no matter what my job was, whether I was a stockboy, a bank teller, a vacuum cleaner salesman – or a press secretary – I was always professional. I am the biggest kid you’ll ever meet. I am always cracking jokes and trying to make people laugh – but when I punch in – I am professional.

In today’s business world, the only way to succeed is communication and networking. The more people you meet and the more exposure you get for your business, the more successful you will be. And in order to be successful, you have to treat everyone you meet – from clients, to customers, to colleagues – with a professional, positive and respectful attitude. If you do not – the product you are selling is irrelevant – because your unprofessional attitude will overshadow your product no matter how good it is.

Being in the business world for over ten years, I have, on occasion, dealt with my share of people who seem to think that professionalism is as necessary in business as a rotary phone. My latest encounter with an unprofessional businessman was this weekend when I went to film a wrestling show for Ring Fever.

The card was promoted by U.S.A. Pro Wrestling, which is owned by Frank Goodman. From the day I met Mr. Goodman – he has been anything but a good man. His attitude toward me was that by simply interacting with me – he is doing me a favor. During one of our encounters, as I was thanking him for allowing us to film at his show – which by the way is the professional thing to do – he told me that I should consider myself lucky that he is even speaking to me. Is this how you thank someone who is promoting your federation on TV?

I realize that promoting a wrestling show is no easy task. Being in the business for all of these years – I know that putting on just one successful wrestling card that lasts just a few hours takes weeks, if not months to plan. But no matter how difficult it is to put on that show – if you are not professional – you may as well give up – because if you don’t have the right attitude to begin with – then don’t bother putting out a product.

Over the last year, Mr. Goodman has promoted many shows – and each time I have dealt with him – he has shown me the same level of professionalism – none at all. Our most recent interaction this past weekend produced the most blatant display of non-professionalism I have ever experienced.

On Mr. Goodman’s latest show, my friends Duke and Hawk were wrestling each other in a taped fist match for Duke’s title. I was to be Duke’s corner man, Bradd was to be Hawk’s corner man, our friend Dolly was to be the ring card girl, and the match was going to be taped for Ring Fever. So we all went to the show hoping for a great day and when we arrived, I went into the locker room to say hello to all of the boys and approach Mr. Goodman and thank him for the opportunity to tape his show – because again – that is the professional thing to do. So when I found him in the locker room, I extended my hand to say hello. Instead of the appropriate response – I get, “You can only film Duke’s match, stay out of the way – and no interviews!” Is that the way you greet someone who is coming to your show to promote you?

After his ever-professional greeting, I find out that he does not want to use Dolly as the ring card girl – that’s fine. She was a little disappointed, but she understood, and so did I. What I did not understand was why he then wanted to charge her and her husband twenty dollars a piece for admission. If you don’t want to use her, that’s fine – but she did not come there to see your show – she came there to work it, and if you don’t want to use her, then let her stay or ask her to leave. She opted for the latter and left a few matches into the show. Bradd and I also did not pay because we were working the card. After it was over and I thought everything was fine because Dolly and Hans left and everyone else either paid or worked the card – I find out that Mr. Goodman took eighty dollars out of Duke’s pay to cover admission for Bradd, Hans, Dolly and myself.

So let me get this straight. I come to his show to give him exposure, I even go so far as to get him a ring card girl – and to thank me for my efforts – he charges me eighty dollars? Well, if he needs eighty dollars that badly – then he can keep it. He can also keep his federation because I will be dammed if I will do anything to help someone who wouldn’t know professionalism if it choke slammed him – and I will also make sure that any wrestlers and promoters I deal with know what a “diamond in the ruff” we have in our business.

By the way Mr. Goodman, if you haven’t found a use for my eighty dollars yet, why not spend it on a course in professionalism – take it from me – you could use it.