Richard Branson to Young Entrepreneurs: ‘Just Do It’

Through the decades, entrepreneur Richard Branson has not lost that certain wunderkind vibe about him and the way he runs his brand. This aura makes him especially inspiring to entrepreneurs who are looking to start young.“Most young people with good ideas … will find that 99 percent of people will give them every reason why […]

5 Tools Your Online Business Needs for a Super-Productive 2017

You already know that running a business is hard work. The late hours, the managing of customers and employees, the brainstorming sessions for lead generation and handling cash flow: These are the reasons many businesses fail before they barely even start. And even some that escape the slammer would be better off dead. All these […]

3 Essentials for Spontaneously Mentoring Your Star Employees

Many of the most significant and memorable conversations of my professional career were impromptu. I don’t look back with any high degree of fondness for the formal performance reviews my working life. The talk over a beer about my career with a mentor — or even the complete unscheduled dialogue with an executive I looked […]

How to Work Like You Are Running Out of Time

Time ticks away relentlessly, no matter what you do. The only thing you control is what you do between the ticks on the clock. You are what you have to manage.Here are five things you can do now to be super-productive.Plan your weeks and your days If you don’t know what you need to do, you can […]

13 Words You Should Never Use In Sales Email Subject Lines

If eyes are the gateway to the soul, a subject line is the gateway to an email. Everything a prospect needs to know about an email is in the six to eight words they see in their inbox: Do you seem human? Do you have interesting insights to share? Does it seem like you could […]

When Is a Phone Call Better Than an Email? 6 Times When You Should Take It Offline

I don’t know about you, but as a rule, I communicate better via written word.Speaking to another human being over the phone can be nerve wracking. Maybe it’s because so few of us actually use our mobile devices for that anymore.But even if it looks like phone calls are fading on the surface, there are […]

The Ultimate Business-Writing Checklist: How to Ensure Customer Trust and Sales

Words can make or break a business deal. They have the potential to convert unaware prospects into repeat buyers. Businesses become brands when they communicate their vision effectively. So, how do you bridge the gap between your company’s vision and your buyer’s need?Writing is the thing that will come to your rescue. It is one of […]

Here Are 5 Characteristics of Grit. How Many Do You Have?

The definition of grit is courage and resolve or strength of character. It can also mean an indomitable and irrepressible spirit that doesn’t back down in the face of failure or obstacles. Experts identify five characteristics of grit. If you have them, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges life throws at you. How do […]

5 Techniques to Avoid the Dreaded Happy Ears Syndrome

I recently sat in on a pipeline review with a sales rep, Clare, and her manager. After asking a couple questions about one particular deal, her manager asked how confident Clare was that it’d close.“They were really enthusiastic, so I’m almost certain,” she replied.But when I checked in a week later, Clare told me that […]

You Should Care About Your Prospect’s Mom: 15 Ways to Build Lasting Bonds With Clients

When I started my sales career I was brought up in the old school way of sales — cold call like crazy, prospect until you dropped, hunt them, kill them, and collect your money. One and done.Account management? What the hell is that?My job was to get prospects into my funnel and close them. After […]