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Keep It Alive, Part 2
(Read part one of this series here!) Sometimes all you need is one good hour. To get to know someone. To catch up with someone. To stay in touch with someone. A month ago, I got a surprising email from a woman named Lena West. Lena lives in New York, which explains why I was so surprised. See, she invited me to have lunch with her. A VIRTUAL lunch….
The problem of unspecified attribution
Studies show. Research proves. Scientists say. Psychologists report. Experts believe. THEY say. There’s an old story that says. I’ve heard from a lot of people say. Most people agree. It is said that. Critics say. Statistics show. Somebody once said. The reviews say. No. No, no, no! None of that is good enough. Not in a conversation. Not in a speech. Not in an article. Not in a blog…
If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t
The other day I (thought) I was having an epiphany: “If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” BRILLIANT! I was all excited to write about it, blog it, and eventually take credit for that statement as my own original thought. But. The Google informs me that Margaret Thatcher first uttered that quotation like, 50 years ago. Damn it. MINI-LESSON LEARNED: Every time you think you’ve said…
Two words of advice
Two words ain’t much. But sometimes it’s just what you need to hear: 1. Next Time. When you (or someone else) messes up, don’t dwell on the mistake for more than a few minutes. Sure, it’s easy to exclaim, “You putz! What the hell were you thinking?” But a better approach would be to say, “Next time, don’t talk on your cell phone while driving.” “Next time” is solution…
From greet to great
The first words out of your mouth frame the entire customer experience. Consider these two facts: 1. According to The Wall Street Journal from February 17th, 2006, you have less than five seconds to make a first impression. 2. According to a 2007 report on www.hotelexecutive.com, your greeting influences the customer’s perception more than any other act of engagement. That’s how powerful your first words are. With that in…
Play with people who are better than you
What do Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, Hollywood Hunk Paul Walker and Golf legend Tiger Woods all have in common? They’ve all done interviews claiming that success is a function of “playing with people who are better than you.” In music. In sports. In business. In life. You need to play with people who are better than you. For five reasons: 1. Learning. It’s the best way to learn,…
Seth Godin on nametags
Well, it’s finally good to see someone other than me talking about the importance of nametags. Thanks, Seth! LET ME ASK YA THIS… Aren’t nametags great? LET ME SUGGEST THIS… Post your best nametag story here! * * * * Scott Ginsberg Author/Speaker/That Guy with the Nametag www.hellomynameisscott.com add to del.icio.us * digg it! * email this post
Why MACO nametags are the best EVER
I just realized it’s been WAY too long since I’ve given a shout out to my favorite nametag company! For the past 2,308 days, I’ve been using nametags made by MACO (an Acco brand of Wilson Jones, Inc.) They rock. Best nametags in the world. And trust me, I’ve tried just about everything. Here’s why they’re so good: 1. Bold colors 2. Smooth, fax-like paper 3. Unbelievable adhesive. Pay…
The World is a Mirror, Part 21
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…
