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A is for ATTITUDE B is for BREAK PATTERNS C is for CONSISTENCY D is for DISCIPLINE E is for EVOLUTION F is for FRIENDLINESS G is for GOOD WITH NAMES H is for HAPPINESS I is for IDEAS J is for JOY K is for KNOWLEDGE L is for LAUGHTER M is for MUNDANE N is for NAMETAGS O is for OFF BUTTON P is for PAINT YOURSELF…

My friend Steve found this article in USA Today. Pictured is Ernst & Young Global CEO Jim Turley, who talks to Brigham Young University students at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah, on March 18. The company uses the event, E&Y Extreme, as a recruting tool. Look closely at the signage on the lecturn behind Jim. Wow. Not only did they use the name of my company and…

The other day my friend Jess asked me, “How did you learn so much at such a young age?” And I realized something: I get that question a lot. Now, while I’m not claiming to be brilliant, nor am I claiming to be some sort of genius, I DID do some serious thinking on my answer(s) to that question. So, here’s (yet another) one of my ridiculously long lists:…

I used to address the issue of smiling in my talks. Then I realized how overdone the subject was. So I took it out. Not that smiling wasn’t important. After all, it’s the #1 symbol of approachability in the world! But I just figured that most people were tired of hearing another author, speaker or manager talk about “the value of a smile.” “Smile, you’re on stage!” “Smile when…

I don’t claim to be an expert on blogging. I have, however, managed to leverage my blog over the years as a powerful tool for: Delivering value. Earning new business. Generating (a lot of) word of mouth. Therefore, today I’m going to take you through my daily process of writing blog posts. NOTE: this is NOT the only, the best or the preferred way to blog. It’s just how…

So the Cardinals’ opening day was yesterday. (They lost 6-1 to the Mets. Dang it. Guess New York wanted payback from last year.) Anyway, I had a thought. Here’s why I love David Eckstein: Because every grounder matters. Because he gives it his all, every time. Because he plays harder than anybody. Because he actually sprints on and off the field, every inning. (Maybe that’s why he won the…

What three words do your customers NEVER want to hear? “I don’t know.” If you’re a front line employee, you are the face of your company. If you’re a call center operator, you are the voice of your company. As such, you must project an aura of competence, confidence and resourcefulness. That’s what approachable service is all about! So, even if you don’t really know the answer to a…

Everyone is a writer. Writing is the basis of all wealth, as my mentor says. You need to be writing (something) every single day. You can’t keep all that stuff bottled up inside. It’s not good for you. Write, write, write. Everyone is in marketing. Your words, actions, emails and conversations are either supporting or refuting your brand. Everyone in your company is responsible for marketing your company. Everyone…

(Read part one and part deux of this series here!) 1. Every time you travel out of town, ask yourself, “Who do I know that lives in that city?” Call ahead of time and make plans to get together. Heck, you’re there anyway. 2. Every few months, sit down with your cell phone and call every single person in your phone book. When they ask why you’re calling, tell…

Let’s say you’re on a sales call. And in the back of your mind, you don’t care. Which is not to say you’re apathetic. It’s just that you’re relaxed. With yourself. With your product. With your prospect. So, you “don’t care” insofar as you’re not negatively affected by the thought of failure. If I don’t make the sale, no biggie, you think. You do the best you can, be…