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Here’s the article from Marketing Today about business buzzwords gone bad. Some of my favorites from the list were: “At the end of the day” “Solution” “Thinking outside the box” “Value-added” “Get on the same page” Some annoying phrases I’d like to ADD to the list would be: “Not just THRIVING but SURVIVING” “Peace of mind” “Movers and Shakers” “It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity” Also, play a…

Creating lists help you examine your ideas, thoughts and problems visually, often resulting in patterns. This works better than thinking or talking because humans remember that which appeals to their vision three times as well as any other sense. So, creating lists will widen the areas of your memory circuit and allow your information to become clearer. Here’s a great example: try making a list of “10 Problems My…

Check out this great article from my friend and THE Sales Guy, Jeffrey Gitomer: The 21.5 Best Places to Network (and the secrets to being successful at it) LET ME ASK YA THIS… What’s your favorite place to network? * * * * Scott Ginsberg Author/Speaker/That guy with the nametag www.hellomynameisscott.com

My friend Wendy, owner of CIO Services, used to do a lot of tech support. Although she now focuses more on consulting, writing and speaking, she told me about an old tagline that always generated business. “When you’re ready to throw your computer out the window – give me a call.” It’s funny. It’s memorable. And it captures the common pain of computer frustration. Think about it: How many…

Because I once lived in Portland, Oregon where it rained 300 days of the year, I never complained about the weather. Another reason I didn’t complain about the weather is because, without it, 90% of the world wouldn’t know how to start a conversation! But seriously…I’ve read almost every book on how to start conversations, mingling, breaking the ice and meeting people – and I have yet to find…

A phone message to the nation: Please call 510-872-7326; Marc Horowitz wants to meet you for dinner. Go ahead — dial it. If he doesn’t answer, just leave him a message. That’s what thousands of people have done after seeing his number on a dry-erase board in a Crate & Barrel catalog photo last fall. Horowitz, a conceptual artist in San Francisco, was working as a photo assistant on…

A pick-up line is ONE way to conversation, but it’s usually not an EFFECTIVE way. About a year ago I was dancing at a local club. My friend Dave introduced me to a woman named Alexis. After we shook hands she asked, “So Scott…do you have any friends named Alexis?” “Uh, well yeah…there was a girl I went to college with named Alexis.” “Okay, well let me ask you…

Here are two conversations…with two different people…who made two VERY different first impressions: The first was Amber. She was the newest sales associate at my office. One day some coworkers and I were having lunch when Amber walked by and said hello to the group. After she and I were introduced, Dennis joked, “You look tired – long night last night?” She laughed and said, “Well, I’m kinda dating…

During last weekend’s Superbowl party we ordered a few pies from Pizza Hut. When the delivery guy handed them to me, I noticed some unusual writing on the box: “10 Fun Questions for Kids to Ask Their Parents.” And underneath was another section with a headline reading “5 Fun Questions for Parents to Ask Their Kids.” This is BRILLIANT. Open ended questions that start with “What’s your favorite…?” are…

This week I took my car into the shop for a few repairs. When asked what kind of rental I wanted, I noticed a black Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab and said, “I’LL TAKE THE TRUCK!” I’ve never driven a truckfor an extended period of time before. But I found it to be an interesting experience. My “Auto Approachability” changed when other drivers began to treat me differently. People…