They Don't Have a Clue!  (12/18/2023)   They don't have a clue! In 1991, I sailed a wooden boat 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.  During my 38 days at sea, I battled seasickness, faced storms and calms, adjusted the sails, and minded the compass. Do READ MORE→
Take the Twerking Out of Networking! (9/5/2023) Another agonizing networking event! You walk around the room, introduce yourself to the next stranger, ask them what they do, and pray they'll offer anything remotely relevant to you. Great! Another realtor! Wow! Another financial manager! Nice to meet you READ MORE→
Are You a Professional Speaker? (5/2/2023)   For fifteen years, I taught graphic and web design at a university. Because I had a master's degree and the requisite portfolio, I was deemed qualified to teach. I was shown my classroom, provided with course objectives, and directed READ MORE→
Punch Up Your Pitch With Storytelling (4/18/2023) You've been asked to pitch a big project. You and your teammates Shelly and Barbara sit at your conference table discussing next week's big . “It's impossible to know how the competition is going to position themselves,” says Shelly. “We READ MORE→
The Golden Rule of Storytellinggolden rule of storytelling (4/4/2023) The golden rule of storytelling is simple:   Stories are always about people!   If you're talking about prices, processes, ingredients, features, or data, you're not talking about people. If you're not talking about people, you're not telling stories. If you're READ MORE→
If You Think SALES is a Dirty Word… (3/21/2023) Do you think sales is a dirty word? Many of us think that way … and given all the tacky messages we have to sort through and delete every day, it's no wonder. For some, the word “sales” conjures up READ MORE→
Punch Up Your Elevator Pitchelevator pitch header (3/4/2023) The “elevator pitch” is an essential professional tool—a tool that should be kept razor sharp and as ready to deploy as a handshake and a smile—and yet, most professionals are woefully bad at introducing themselves. Have you ever attended a READ MORE→
No Response? Leave 'em Satisfied … and Hungry! (1/24/2023) We all love dessert! If you dine at Seasons 52, you'll be presented with a selection of tiny sweets at the end of your meal—chocolate mousse, key lime pie, carrot cake, and a host of other delectable options to enjoy READ MORE→
Change Your Pricing Story (1/10/2023)   Should you charge $20 for your new book or $19.97?  Will dropping your price by three cents help you sell more books? What about smart consumers who are educated about sales and marketing? Will they think you're being manipulative? READ MORE→
Real Estate and Storytelling (11/8/2022) Maria, a realtor attended one of my storytelling workshops at the suggestion of a mutual friend. “What does storytelling have to do with real estate?” she asked before the session started. Tell me about a property you're excited about,” I READ MORE→