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 of a hamburger today, with the promise of …
Communication
Tip: Hard Work is Irrelevant
If you could design the best compensation plan, would it be based on hard work, or output? I once heard a story about a locksmith. During his apprenticeship, he would take hours to work on a project. His customers would come and see him pour his heart and soul into his work. Quite a few would …
If I Had More Time …
If we had more time to do anything, what do you do with that time? What a great question to ponder. However pondering and pontificating are the opposite ends of the spectrum that I am pointing at. Lincoln’s greatest speech given was his Gettysburg address. It was a total of 272 words. Lincoln …
Trying to remember? Or Trying not to forget?
I can’t forget to pick up my dry cleaning before 3:00pm. I can’t forget to make my dentist appointment. I can’t forget to back up my hard drive. How many times have you asked yourself one of these questions? And for each of these how many times were you successful in remembering, or not …
Clear Communication…
In a recent golf outing, I was playing some of the best golf I’ve played for quite some time. I was playing with 3 younger guys, that were actually impressed on how well I was hitting the ball in the middle of every green and putting lights out. They had played with me before, so they knew this was …
Leadership and Trust
This is the 2nd Article in a Series on Leadership that I have been asked to write. In the first article of this series, we discussed that building trust as a leader is extremely important. Without trust, who will follow you. Let us assume for a moment that you have built that trust. That you have …
This is a “baloney” sandwich!
You just received an email from your boss. "I would like to see you after lunch today, to discuss your performance". For many of you, you won't be too worried about this, but for others you begin to set the stage in your mind. You can see yourself walking into the office, sitting down, and …
Why the oldest profession will never die!
Have you wondered why your telemarketing team never provides you market intelligence? They provide orders, good repeat business, but you never seem to be ahead of the competition? Do you find yourself competing at the commodity level, and not at the premium level? There is a theory about …
How to Improve Response Rates, and Write Better
Having trouble getting emails open? When they are open, are your target customers taking action? Are you a content marketer? Do you use email as your primary sales tool? When you review your mails and materials, does it inspire or create a desire to take action? The answer is as easy as this. It …
Billionaires Share this One Thing in Common
67% of today’s billionaires have earned their first billion in one generation! Of the current Forbes 400 list, 228 of them started either poor or middle class. They didn't inherit businesses or anyone else's fortune. (Forbes) When people ask if the American Dream is still possible - I …