When Paul Johnson (Executive Vice President – Sage Business Solutions) called me late last night my first instinct was to check the Schulz Consulting web site.

Usually when I get calls from executives at odd hours of the day (or weekend) it’s to “point out” something on the site that I’ve written earlier in the week. The conversation starts out with admiration for “that little blog you run” and the “support for those who blog”.

And oh, by the way, could you remove that item about __.

This happens about once per quarter, and truthfully except for that little mis-understanding about Sage MAS 200 SQL, Sage doesn’t call that much. It’s usually other publishers or consultants who catch their name in a Google Keyword Alert and confuse the term blog with free advertisement.

I quickly scanned for potential issues on the web site. Except for an innocent announcement about MAS90 payroll tax tables there didn’t seem to be anything that would warrant a late night call.

So I call Paul Johnson back.

I’m braced for questions about something on the site – though I’m unsure exactly what questions there could be.

Surprisingly I learned that I’d been awarded one of the two Sage Spirit Awards. This is a new award category that Sage created this year. It’s meant to honor those who don’t sell bazillions of dollars worth of Sage product  but who perhaps still should be recognized at the annual Sage President Circle.

Paul was calling to tell me I was one of the winners. (I guess  that stuff on TV where people show up with a big check on your doorstep and a bouquet of balloons isn’t how it all happens in real life).

Out of 140 people nominated (I did not nominate myself -honest), the Sage team narrowed the selection  to two  Sage Spirit Award Winners.

While admittedly stunned I’m thankful and grateful for the award.

The presentation is January 25-27 in Arizona where I’ll presumably take the stage wedged between the men and women who’ve sold millions and millions of dollars of Sage Software and I’ll gladly accept the Sage Spirit Award.

I can’t wait to give my acceptance speech.