PART 1 – SHOW SELECTION AND PREPARATION Economic downturns hit trade shows hard.  After 9/11, for example, trade shows struggled to make a comeback.  With the current recession, trade shows are again struggling with attendance and booth sales.  Many businesses … Continue reading →

Have you ever listened to a voice-mail message only to be left wondering who called and what they wanted?  Not because your phone was acting erratically, but because the message simply was unclear.  Or have you ever gone to hear … Continue reading →

AFTER THE MEETING… ACHIEVING RESULTS For the last two weeks, we’ve been examining meeting best practices to ensure we make the most of time spent at business gatherings  In the last two weeks, you’ve probably attended at least one meeting… … Continue reading →

MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY MEETING Last week, we determined that it is important to use best practices to ensure that the myriad of business meetings we attend are productive.  Specific actions were recommended to ensure that every person attending … Continue reading →

PREPARING FOR THE MEETING Most business people spend a substantial part of their day in meetings.  Meetings with clients.  Meeting with coworkers.  Meetings with stakeholders.  Department meetings.  Project meetings.  Board meetings.  All of these meetings consume time, energy, and focus. 

Email has become an indispensable part of business communication today.  Just how indispensable is it?  Ever seen what happens when email communication breaks down at work?  Frustration rises in equal proportion to the drop in productivity.  Indeed, much of our … Continue reading →

Stress is no laughing matter . . . or is it?  According to a report by the United Nations International Labor Organization, “Stress has become one of the most serious health issues of our times.”  While stress is part of … Continue reading →

Non-stop negativity.  Chronic complaining.  Wearisome whining.   Persistent pessimism.  Know anyone like this? It seems like every workplace and every social group has at least one “Negative Ninny” – a person for whom the weather is always too something (hot, cold, wet, … Continue reading →

THE ART OF DEVELOPING MORE REFERRAL SOURCES It’s not news that referrals are an excellent way to get more business. We all ask people we know when we’re looking for a new product or service.  We rely on our friends … Continue reading →

YOUR COMPANY THROUGH YOUR CUSTOMER’S EYES Ever placed an order and found that it was not ready when it was supposed to be?  Ever asked about a product or service and found that the salesperson did not know the answer?  … Continue reading →