Being able to actually see and better understand customers are powerful motivators in achieving top-notch results. Here’s more fuel for the customer-centric sales and marketing fire: The mere sight of a customer can help you do your job better. Researchers at Harvard Business School set out to see what impact, if any, the sight of …
Author: John Stevenson
Getting together – the magic word for promoting teamwork
Motivating partners, employees, and teams of all kinds is hard, but a single word can make a big difference. Getting the best effort from individuals – or teams – sometimes feels like trying to solve the Times Sunday crossword. You sift through dozens of cryptic clues, and then try to find an answer that fits. …
Story art and science – stories create trust, empathy and safety
Customer case studies produce neurochemicals that cultivate trust, empathy and buying decisions. Here’s how. Because we depend on others for our safety and happiness, our species has gotten very good at detecting trust and appreciating kindness. And there are some pretty clear drivers of these feelings, among them are stories. Story art and science is a …
Designing dreams – Randy Pausch’s ‘Last Lecture’ inspires better living
Lessons learned from a life full of dreams, achievement and success – The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch It was a little over seven years ago this month that Randy Pausch’s “Last Lecture” first started to capture the attention and admiration of millions. With over 17,000,000 views and counting on Youtube, his thoughts on making dreams …
Finishing your presentation strong – how to leave people wanting more
How you wrap up a presentation can be a strong influence on audience attitude and understanding. Memorable closings make a big difference. There are tons of articles and ideas about the best ways to open and deliver great presentations. While it is important to engage your audience and capture attention at the beginning, what you do at the end …
Solve like Sherlock using more mindfulness
What we can learn about better concentration — and problem-solving — from the quintessential unitasker and mindfulness master, Sherlock Holmes. Multitasking has become a badge of honor and esteem in our modern lives. Many of us pride ourselves on our multitasking prowess, and even strive for higher levels of frenzied activity. The remedy for our overloaded senses …
The art of asking – here’s a proven way to ask for anything
Asking for a job, a raise, a sale, or other big decisions can be intimidating. Here’s a proven way to ask for anything, and up your odds of receiving it. Do you ever have trouble asking for what you want? And when you don’t ask, isn’t it frustrating? “The ask” may be one of the …
Power-posing and its effect on positivity
Posing for two minutes in a powerful position — with the body expansive and the limbs stretched out — can have a profound effect on how you feel. Even though more than 20 million have already viewed the wildly successful TED talk by Amy Cuddy, I couldn’t help but share it here. Her findings on …
Time commitment triage – better ways to manage your time
Everyone wants a piece of your day. Here’s how to determine if you should give it to them. It’s flattering to be invited to meetings of all kinds. We all like to be included and be asked our opinion. Many are rich and rewarding experiences, but others can be time suck disasters. In “18 Minutes: …
A good call – pick up the phone to improve communications
Sending email is easy — too easy sometimes. Emotion and critical points can be hard to convey. Pick up the phone to reduce risk. We’ve all seen an email thread gone awry. It usually starts with the best intentions but disintegrates into a testy, awkward exchange where nothing gets resolved. These occurrences can be destructive to …