Grover Cleveland

"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 are solution driven and customers will pay more for solutions than features.

James A. Runde- Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley

Did you know that the biggest IPO (Initial Public Offering) in history started with a cold call? That's right! A few years ago James A. Runde, Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley, picked up the phone and called UPS CFO Robert J. Clanin regarding an IPO. Mr. Runde thought UPS was ripe for a solid market entry. Mr. Clanin made one stipulation in granting the appointment and that was not to talk about an IPO. Now you may be wondering what...

Who Needs Training Wheels?

As some of you know, my daughter Amanda will turn 6 years old on June 1st. My mother wants to buy her a bike and told me since she didn't learn yet how to ride a regular bike, we should buy her one with training wheels that can come off when she learns. My response? Not! Amanda already has an older bike with training wheels. If she really wants the comfort of training wheels, she can ride the old bike....

Gary Nelsen – Agfa Corp

Gary Nelsen: Western Zone Sales Manager, Medical Imaging- Agfa Corp Imagine a team of sales executives who unanimously claim that their manager is the best manager they ever had. He goes out of his way to solve their problems and free them as much as possible to go out and do what they are hired to do---sell. Now add to this picture the manager, who claims that his account executives are his customers. His role is to serve them and...

Peter Lewis- CEO of Progressive Insurance

What do you think fueled Progressive's growth from $3.4 Billion in 1996 to over $6.1 Billion last year? Answer: Technology. Imagine you just had a car accident (hopefully you won't, but go along with me on this one) and before the police and tow trucks reach the scene, your Progressive claims adjuster shows up, counsels you on who to call, checks into websites of service shops, looks at your contract and gives you the claims payment on the spot. How...