A year ago we did a Mediterranean Cruise.   Concerned about security in Rome, and a few other stops I bought a ScotteVest.  This incredible travel vest is lined with pockets for every conceivable need with even a map of all the pockets (with 26 pockets you can forget that you even have some pockets). I bought mine on Amazon so I could get it quickly.  While on our vacation the zipper started to act up.  When I got back I contacted the manufacturer and they said, “sorry, you didn’t buy it from us so the 2 year warranty does not
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Over the years, I have always found original material at the various Disney properties.  The stories and examples are perfect for a “professional speaker”.  This last week my bride and I, along with her sisters (and brother in law) made a journey to Disney’s California Adventure.  One of the mainstays of this particular Disney property is the Wonderful World of Color show.  In the middle of their lagoon, they combine light, smoke, fire, water fountains and lasers extraordinaire to create a one of kind experience. A few weeks ago I had surgery on my knee.   This had me confined to
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Our flight leaves in three days.   15+ hours from Salt Lake to Beijing.   Over two months ago, when I booked the flights, I made sure I got good seats (a screwed up knee prior to surgery required it)  Then Delta airlines graciously upgraded us to business class.   Awesome. UNTIL TODAY.   TODAY DELTA PROVED THAT EVEN THE BEST AIRLINE IN THE US CAN SCREW UP (At least I thought). When I double checked today they not only downgraded our flights but conveniently canceled all of our seat assignments! Customer Service said, “Yeah, corporate does that when you don’t quite make a
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Maybe it was smart to sell my Amazon Stock Stock prices.  They track the perceived value of organizations.  As a young man I worked for the “biggest retailer in the world.”  Today that corporation is a mere shadow of it’s once dominating position.  (In fact it was bought out by a competitor)   When we get big, the organization often has much to loose, and so they protect themselves from the customer with policies.  This eventually it catches up. I recently bought a very good product on Amazon.  It did everything it was supposed to do.  Well almost.  The product is
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Breakfast with Mark Hunter.  Mark is one of the top Sales Trainers in the county.  Period!  The discussion lead to the question, “what are the areas that most sales people stumble over, again, and again?” In hind sight the conversation turned predictable,   There are indeed areas where they struggle.  Repeatedly. Follow up What to Say Prospecting . . . it is NOT dead How to Respond Price – How to handle this constant challenge Hiring great sales people “They will not return my phone call/email” Bonus from my own perspective How to Say Less – Consultative Selling Skills Industrial Strength
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Information overload.   Real, oppressing and even suffocating.  When we are on the receiving end we ignore, and also knee jerk react with a liberal use of the delete key. But when it is you that wants to inject your interests into the mind of a prospect the hot topic is TIMING. I reflect back on a particularly hard travel day that had me checking into a hotel room hungry and wishing I could just “veg” instead of making a journey to a restaurant.  There in my hand was the electronic door key to my room.   I looked at it and
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It was the first day of the roll out of the newest version of Delta Airlines uniforms.  From ticket counter to flight attendants, the consensus was unanimous.   They look horrible.  One flight attendant pointed out that the entire Delta plane is a symphony of blue.  That was when I noticed how the new uniforms looked out of place with row after row of blue leather seats. There was agreement that the new uniforms were better tailored.   But without exception everyone felt they were not listened to as the changes were considered, and eventually rolled out. Eventually there will be acceptance. 
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Is smarter better? In her book Multipliers – How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, Liz Wiseman points to research that shows that extremely smart people often feel the need to strut their stuff, to parade their gifts of IQ.  Her research indicates that these uber intelligent do so with an apathetic ear to the group wisdom of those around them.  They get an approximate 30% to 50% of the potential output of their stakeholders. Her argument is that those, who draw out the wisdom of their stakeholders, be it employees, or even one’s own family, get a 2X output. 
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It is not black, but a rich maroon leather, so soft and buttery.  The support for the back is attentive and tends to hold you upright so that you will “sit up and get some work done”. But alas, is it the chair or the giver? It was a association meeting of sorts.  There were the silent auction items on tables around the room.  One was this office chair.  My had decided to retire early.   I was in the market. So I bid . . . and won. Then the issue of delivery arrived.  Connecting with the provider, lets call
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Steven Covey gave us the 5 listening skills.  Simply it starts with Apathy – “I don’t know and I don’t care”.   This is the world of pity, and indifference. Sympathy – We now listen, but we are just listen because of our own self interests.  We listen to respond. Empathy – We listen, to understand and feel with our hearts.  To put ourselves into the others place Major NOTE:  Empathy is processed in the brain where pain is registered.   If someone is not careful they will soon have Empathy Burnout.  Hence the reason there is such high burnout with doctors
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