Quality time with the family trumps more time at the office. Here are a few ideas for making it happen. We talk a lot about business in this weekly note, but business is a distant second (or should be) to family. We all know the old saw: at the end of life no one ever …
Category: Small Business Marketing
The business of mankind – The Sunday Snippet – [12.22.13]
“And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.” Though the holiday season has been celebrated in song and story for centuries, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more touching or eloquent account than “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of …
Improve your powers of persuasion – The Sunday Snippet – [12.15.13]
Want to be more persuasive? Present a balanced argument. There are two sides to every argument and we all know it. Ever been steamrolled in a meeting or discussion? Ever tried to steamroll someone else? It’s not much fun and it doesn’t feel good. But what about the other side? We know it’s there and …
Tell me more – The Sunday Snippet – [12.8.13]
How to have better conversations — with anyone — using three magic words. Being a good conversationalist is a valuable skill for any setting – your office party, a client meeting, or even an annual review. Beyond weather conditions, recent meals, and minor maladies, it’s important to connect with people through meaningful verbal exchanges. Good, flowing …
A simple plan – The Sunday Snippet – [11.24.13]
Simple steps for simplifying. Why do we make things harder than they should be? I’m not sure of the answer, but I do know that overly-complex systems, plans and methods, as well as clutter, often lead to confusion and inaction. So how can you avoid complexity quick sand? Simplify, simplify, simplify. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” -Leonardo …
The Joy of Clients – The Sunday Snippet – [11.17.13]
Amplify the joy of clients. It’s fun, it feels good, and it grows business. It’s that time of year again when we take a closer look at our personal and professional lives and take stock of progress. We tend to think a bit deeper. I got an early start this week. I received a few …
Learning from losing – The Sunday Snippet – [11.10.13]
Losing is a part of life and business. Learning from it can be valuable. You can’t win them all. You can’t convert each lead, proposal and meeting into a new client or customer. The fact is we all lose and hear “no” on a fairly regular basis. Losing is not fun. It can get you …
The art of finishing – The Sunday Snippet – [11.3.13]
Creating goals is only half the battle. Accomplishing them is what counts. “Finishing” is a common term used in sports which usually refers to the ability of an athlete to score – slam dunk a basketball; score a soccer goal on a breakaway; or strike out the last batter in the World Series. Keeping score is …
How to get the best out of people – The Sunday Snippet – [10.20.13]
In order to get the best out of people praise their efforts, not their intelligence. “Mindset” by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck has some fascinating findings on how different forms of praise can either stifle intellectual growth and performance or stimulate them. Turns out one key predictor of success is having a “growth mindset.” It’s …
Embracing doubt – The Sunday Snippet – [10.13.13]
Doubt is natural and can be good. Here’s why you should embrace it and deal with it. Business magazines, self-help books and motivational speakers are constantly promoting tips and tricks on how to eliminate doubt, pessimism and paranoia from our thoughts. We’re taught to banish bad thoughts and fear, and press on, faster and stronger. …