The Kole Hard Facts

The Kole Hard Facts has moved to SUBSTACK

Below you can find select blogs and articles from the past.  New content is published every Tuesday and Thursday on Substack, where you can subscribe. The blog focuses on leadership, sales, marketing, building teams, and organizational culture.

What did you build at work today?

What did you build at work today?

Three bricklayers are asked: “What are you doing?” The first says, “I am laying bricks.” The second says, “I am building a church.” And the third says, “I am building the house of God.” The first bricklayer has a job. ...
Planning your next vacation?

Planning your next vacation?

Many of us are getting ready to plan for their Summer Vacations. Maybe you are taking the family to Disney World. You have worked on this vacation plan for weeks, even months. Taking it to the next level, you have ...
Your customer just said “no” … now what?

Your customer just said “no” … now what?

Is it over? They said no, what else can you do? Whether you are a sales rep looking for an order, or a CEO trying to get company buy-in, when the target says no, it means you have not done ...
Ready for the revolution?

Ready for the revolution?

While attending an event last week hosted by Automation Alley, a report was revealed discussing Industry 4.0. Industry experts, and seven leading academic institutions compiled this reveal. This report, nearly 100-pages of findings, discusses the critical areas of Industry 4.0. ...
Which one? Mentor, Coach, Trainer?

Which one? Mentor, Coach, Trainer?

Coach, Mentor, Trainer You have read that you need a coach, or that you should find a mentor. Your boss may have told you to get some training. Feeling stuck in your career, or just life. Which one do you ...
Disagreeing with John Maxwell!

Disagreeing with John Maxwell!

With a title like this, I better hit this blog out of the park! Disagreeing with a man that has written over 100 books on leadership takes a little guts, but I am pretty confident he will agree with my ...
How to know if you are on the right track!

How to know if you are on the right track!

Should you get on this train or not? Do you know the general direction you are heading? When you plan for the future, at what point do you actually start moving towards it? Closer to, or farther from? If you ...
What is your filter?

What is your filter?

Happy Wife, Happy Life – many of you have heard this simple phrase before.  How many of you use this as a filter before you say yes to something? Think of it this way, you are asked to play cards ...
The “Wimpy Syndrome”

The “Wimpy Syndrome”

This is probably one of the most overused negotiation tactics by buyers and purchasing professionals in history. I call it the Wimpy Syndrome. You all remember “Popeye the Sailor man” and his friend Wimpy. Wimpy always wanted the immediate satisfaction ...