Year: 2000
When a problem comes your way, what’s your response? Many of us see problems as threats to our success and existence. We tend to spend a lot of time and energy worrying about them and the impacts they have on our business. When we look at problems in this light, we are not performing at…
There are quite a few people who profess they don’t speak foreign languages. Yet all of us have been in a situation where we felt we have clearly communicated our thoughts but might has well have communicated them in another language because the recipient was oblivious to what we said. You understand? The truth is…
In the late 70’s I remember making a sales call on Wall Street and taking a break for lunch on the steps of Federal Hall (Intersection Broad and Wall Street, site where George Washington was inaugurated as our first President). Around the corner from Wall Street comes a man who introduces himself as Congressman Ed…
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” Charles Bernard Shaw Translation– Titans know to succeed they must embrace the concept of change. If they want to do more than last year, then they must increase the level of their current actions or change their actions. If they…
Herb Kelleher Chairman Southwest Airlines Question: Which airline is the fifth largest in the United States and is the only airline to turn a profit for 24 consecutive years? You guessed it- Southwest Airlines. Mr. Kelleher put two basic business principles to work and never wavered from them: Find your niche market and be the…
“There is only one boss. The customer! And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money elsewhere.” Sam Walton, founder of WalMart Translation: Thank all of your customers who bothered to complain about something. For every customer who complains, surveys find that 20 others don’t bother…
If You Don’t See It, You Won’t Get It In hearing Guy Kawasaki speak about his early days at Apple Computer, evangelism was what made Apple a reality. Guy and his colleagues had to go out to software developers and convince them to commit resources to develop products for a hardware platform that wasn’t on…
Our booming economy is providing all executives with a key challenge—-where to find good help. While I would love to have the answer for all of you (would be worth more than winning this week’s NJ Power Lottery of $300 Million- wish me luck), I do have some insights that you should use for guidance.…
You’ve got Only Five Minutes- So Give It Your Best Shot! How many times have you gone on an appointment and had the customer say you’ve got five minutes, so start talking? Now I know you wouldn’t do that (right?) but you have probably seen others fall into the trap and start spilling their guts…
“It is not that they can’t see the solution: It is that they can’t see the problem.” Grover Cleveland Translation: Titans concentrate on helping their customers understand their challenges and identify appropriate solutions. Non-Titans concentrate only on selling their features hoping they will be enough to make the sale. Features are commodity driven. Solving problems…
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“If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” Thomas Edison
Read MoreIf you were to ask me what is the most valuable tool all successful salespeople have, it is their integrity. There is nothing more sacred than one’s word. Recently, my wife and I purchased a new alarm system from a well-known company. When the salesperson came to the house, he gave an excellent presentation. The…
Read MoreAre you willing to make the same sacrifices you are asking of your employees? In the Dec 11th issue of USA Today, it stated that Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina would return her $625,000 bonus after the company announced last month that it would miss fourth-quarter earnings targets. Her management team also said they would return…
Read MoreAlan Rader just celebrated his 25th Anniversary with Leviton and was sent a letter of congratulations by management (I heard there was a big celebration also). In the letter, Alan was cited for his high level of integrity and professionalism, his ability to understand other people’s point of view, his relentless pursuit of closure of…
Read MoreDuring my sales career, I awoke one day and went from managing a Manhattan sales territory to managing the whole east coast. All of a sudden I had airplanes to deal with and a whole host of other things that took up more of my time. Imagine, if I found it difficult doing what I…
Read More“The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want. And, if they can’t find them, make them.” George Bernard Shaw
Read MoreHere’s an exercise. If you were ask to seven people who depend on your leadership what they would remember you for, what do you think their answers would be? Would their answers be based on their perception of you as being self-centered or service focused? The fact is there are many people who have made…
Read MoreWhen you hear these miserable words, what is your response likely be? For one, you are likely to fear that just by asking this question, the customer is implying if you don’t lower your price, you will lose the business. How do you know this, because you assumed this. The fact is the customer never…
Read MoreIn this month of Thanksgiving, it is important to realize that all of us would not be successful without the assistance of others. Please take the time to thank those who have helped you. For it is your acknowledgement, thanks and appreciation that fuels their will to continue supporting your efforts. Could you have been…
Read More“Trouble is only opportunity in work clothes.” Henry J. Kaiser Translation: All of us are being paid to solve problems, identify potential obstacles and find solutions to the challenges facing our customers. So, you might as well roll up your sleeves and get to work. If you don’t, you competition will!
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