Did you know failure is one of the biggest indicators of future success in an entrepreneur? According to an article in the April issue of Harvard Business Review, “Failing By Design,” many venture capitalists won’t invest in a new enterprise if the founder has never undergone failure. In other words, they are looking for… failures! Why?? Let me first state that there … [Read more...]
If Failure is NOT an Option, Then Why Do I Want It?
I don’t actually want to fail, but the fact is that we learn near to nothing when everything is going along perfectly. Last Friday I was speaking to the National Speakers Association, Illinois Chapter, and was relaying that over the years the best lessons I’ve learned as a speaker do not come from the positive feedback I receive, but the insightful comments on how I can … [Read more...]
Promises to Clients You Can’t Keep
Did you ever make a big promise you can’t keep? Oftentimes there is a disconnect separating what we commit to do and what we actually can deliver. And not delivering on a promise is far worse than never committing to do something in the first place. At a hotel this week I was offered 3 things at check in. It was midnight and I was tired, but I did answer the questions … [Read more...]
Time Wasting Awareness: How is your perception of time?
Did you know that your awareness of time has a direct impact on your social intelligence? It’s easy to spot someone with poor awareness of time. They talk longer than what seems necessary in a meeting, they’re difficult to get off the phone, and they don’t get anywhere quickly (be it to an appointment, the point of a conversation, etc.). They are your classic time wasters. … [Read more...]
It’s Not So Bad Until TSA Happens To You!
A Classic Lesson in What NOT to Do I’ve read about all the people in the news complaining about our nation’s protectors of the air – the TSA. I’ve listened to the fears people have of the dreaded full body scanner, some resorting to alternate means of travel just to avoid enduring a full body pat down. Really I didn’t pay much attention…until yesterday. Going through … [Read more...]
Why Nobody Reads Your Brochure (or any other marketing materials)
I’ve been trying for years to determine why some marketing, in general, is simply not effective. In fact, sometimes marketing has the exact opposite effect than what is desired. Case in point - the company brochure. Some firms work for hours, days, and months to create the perfect brochure with the best writing and layout. Yet later they discover that they could have … [Read more...]
Why Some are Fearful of Social Media
In the financial services industry, compliance departments are up in arms because of industry rules requiring firms to retain records of all the social media conversations that their advisors are having. The Securities and Exchange Commission has been reported to be conducting a sweep of registered investment advisers' use of social media and social networking (Investment … [Read more...]
Winning Isn’t Everything: Business Insights from the Super Bowl
As many of the readers of my blog and Marketing Audibles know, I am a lifelong Packer fan (thanks to my dear Grandmother). And yes, of course I am beside-myself-thrilled that my team made it to, and won the Super Bowl! Here are a few insights I gained during this year’s Super Bowl (even If you’re not a Packer fan): Singing: Apparently knowing all the words to The … [Read more...]
Are you a good boss?
Are you a good boss? Really? I know when I ask myself that question, I come to the conclusion that I could be better. So what makes a good boss, and how can we get better? In the January/February issue of Harvard Business Review an article on becoming a great boss offers research and some key tips for improving as a boss. A good boss is typically influential. But where … [Read more...]
Unconditional Fans
Win or lose, true fans don’t stop cheering for their team. Unconditional fans cheer for their favorite team to win again and again, to move closer and closer to their goals (beating a rival, clinching a series, winning a championship, etc). When our team is losing, we figure out ways to cheer for them some more (rally caps on!). And when they pull through, we share in … [Read more...]