Coach Cal's rules of the game
My definition of success is having a predetermined plan, successfully carrying it out over a long period of time and having a good time doing it.
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Innovation and the 'rules of the garage'
The Hewlett-Packard Company was famously founded in a one-car garage by William Hewlett and Dave Packard. It has become one of the world’s most innovative and successful technology companies, but it’s never lost sight of its founders’ original vision.
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Innovation, invention and creativity
We take many everyday items for granted, but when these items were introduced to the market, they were anything but ordinary. Have you ever wondered how you got along without a specific product, a must-have invention — or the latest version of your smartphone?
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The importance of professionals
A woman received a phone call at work, letting her know that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left the office and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication, but when she got back to her car, she discovered that she’d locked her keys inside.
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Don't give up on your dreams
December 6 is a historic day for dreamers. On this day in 1877, Thomas Edison recited “Mary Had a Little Lamb” into his phonograph invention and made the world’s first recording of a human voice.
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Happy National Entrepreneurship month!
November is National Entrepreneurship Month, which in my world is the next best thing to a national holiday. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of American business. They take risks with their ideas, money and reputations, believing that their efforts will pay off, even when no one else has confidence in them.
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Make your attitude one of gladitude, not saditude
Ten-year-old Billy stumbled while boarding the school bus one morning and bruised his cheek on the stair. But he got up, brushed himself off, looked out at his dad, who was at the bus stop, and gave him a thumbs-up.
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The men and women who earned us desks
I want to share the story of a remarkable teacher who taught her students an unforgettable lesson. On the first day of school back in 2005, a social studies teacher named Martha Cothren gave her classes at Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, something to think about.
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The power of broke
A lot of people believe you only have one shot at success. But that’s just not true. What is true is that many people don’t even take that one shot — out of fear of failure, inexperience, lack of motivation or just not knowing where to begin.
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Don't overlook the small things
This story is often told about Harry Houdini, the master magician whose proudest claim was that he could escape from anything. During a tour of Scotland, Houdini agreed to be locked up in the strongest jail cell available, boasting that he would escape from it.
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The important things in life aren't things
Because I have a birthday coming up, I get plenty of ribbing about getting older from my peers. (For the record, I usually reciprocate.)
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Gossip has no place in the office
Four psychiatrists shared a hotel suite at a convention. Talking one night, one of them said, “You know, people are always telling us their troubles, but we have no one to talk to about our problems.”
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Visualize to victory
There’s an old saying that goes: If you can dream it, you can achieve it. That’s a good start, but I think that statement needs a qualifier. I would add a few words: If you can dream it, you can achieve it if you are truly determined.
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The importance of constructive criticism
Lucy, the constant critic of Charlie Brown in the comic strip “Peanuts,” is one of my favorite characters because she always says exactly what is on her mind.
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Helpful hints for a successful life
When a lesson can be summed up in a few well-chosen words, the message often stays with the student. A little tool to jog the memory, a clever saying to remind you what is truly important — that’s why “Mackay’s Moral” appears at the end of each of my columns. …
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Our branding should be outstanding
“You can’t stand out if you’re trying to blend in.” That’s the message Sally Hogshead drives home in the updated edition of “Fascinate,” her how-to handbook for making any brand impossible to resist.
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Fear can be a positive and a negative
A small village by the sea depended on fishing to survive. Each year the village boats had to go farther and farther from shore to catch enough fish to feed the population.
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Doing your best without going overboard
The great Greek sculptor Phidias had high standards when he was carving the statue of Athena for the Parthenon about 2,400 years ago.
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Self-talk the talk to walk the walk
There once was a strange storekeeper who talked to himself. He talked to himself while he rang up groceries. He talked to himself whenever he leaned into the candy case for the children who wanted to purchase a treat.
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Swimming with sharks outside of the tank
While I was perusing the business section in a bookstore recently, I was immediately attracted to one with “shark” in the title. I am referring to Robert Herjavec’s new book, “You Don’t Have to Be a Shark: Creating Your Own Success.” Robert is one of the stars of the popular …
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Success means being in it for the long haul
Watching the Olympic trials for long-distance-running events, I was again struck by how little margin there is for error in making the U.S. team. Athletes who had trained for years lost by fractions of seconds. The winners go to Rio for the Summer Olympics, and the losers go home heartbroken.
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The importance of coaching
Athletes and actors have long hired coaches to help prepare for a specific competition or role. But they aren’t the only ones who can benefit from expert advice. Coaches are available to help people in any field improve their “game.”
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Manage you time, manage your life
Have you ever wondered where all your time goes?
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Get to the root of your problems
A rancher left 17 horses as a bequest for his three children. When the rancher passed away, his children opened his will.
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Keeping life in perspective
Thomas Watson Jr., former chairman of IBM, liked to tell anecdotes about his father, Thomas Watson Sr., who founded the company. One of them went like this: “Father was fond of saying that everybody, from time to time, should take a step back and watch himself go by.”
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Make kindness a habit
One rainy night many years ago, a gentleman and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia. The man asked the clerk if he had any rooms available.
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Muhammad Ali: The greatest advice of all time!
I will never forget the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta when Muhammad Ali was the surprise person to light the Olympic torch. I was sitting in the stadium, watching that spectacle with my entire family.
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Creativity doesn't have to be hard
J.M. Haggar was fascinated with Henry Ford’s idea of the production line and mass production. He thought if cars can be mass-produced, why can’t men’s trousers — and at popular prices?
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Don't run from your mistakes
Try to remember the last time you uttered the words “I made a mistake.” Was it painful? Expensive? Career-changing? Or therapeutic?
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Let curiosity be your guide
A father and his young son were out walking one afternoon, when the boy asked how the electricity went through the wires stretched between the telephone poles.
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Better living through intentionality
There are motivational writers and motivational speakers, and then there’s John Maxwell. John has been called America’s No. 1 leadership authority by the American Management Association, and has won the Mother Teresa Prize for Global Peace and Leadership from the Luminary Leadership Network. He has trained more than 6 million …
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Trust never sleeps in business and in life
I am convinced that “trust” is the most important five-letter word in business — not “sales” or “money.” Trust can be fragile, especially in the workplace. Once it’s broken, few companies, managers or employees ever win it back.
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Clear communication is key
A construction worker walked up to the reception desk at a doctor’s office and was asked why he was there.
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Volunteering your way to success
Years ago, my father sat me down and gave me what was some of the best advice I have ever received. It had nothing to do with making money, but everything to do with getting ahead in the world. It was self-help advice that really focused on helping others.
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Baseball advice for outside the park
Ah, the joys of spring: longer daylight, budding flowers, farm babies and, of course, opening day of our national pastime, baseball. What a thrill to go to the game and “root, root, root for the home team.”
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A sense of humor is no joke
There is an Apache legend that the creator gave human beings the ability to talk, to run and to look at things. But in addition, the legend says he was not satisfied until he also gave them the ability to laugh. After giving humans this ability, the creator said, “Now …
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The importance of discipline
Departing Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning’s determination to win Super Bowl 50 against the favored Carolina Panthers was riveting. It reminded me of a quote he gave earlier in his career: “Being there every week for my teammates is really important to me. It’s about accountability.”
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Sales shouldn't be a dirty word
Over my decades in business, I’ve noticed a baffling trend: “Sales” has become a dirty word. I’m on a lifelong campaign to change that.
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The necessity of persuasion
We are in the thick of the most unusual political seasons I can remember. Who would have imagined the slate of presidential hopefuls that spans the spectrum? And what will it take for the candidates to convince voters that they should lead the country?
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You can't get out what you don't put in
My friend the motivational speaker Zig Ziglar liked to tell the story of his friend Walter Hailey. Although he became a star salesman, Hailey’s early career in insurance sales was rough. He endured frustration, anxiety, slammed doors, low sales figures and uncertainty about his future.
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The power and possibility of charisma
Some people walk into a room and all heads turn. When they begin to speak, people are mesmerized. They instantly gain respect and trust. In a word, they have charisma, one of the most desirable and enviable qualities in the world.
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The bright side of getting fired
When you are fired, you’re rejected — it’s as simple as that. It’s the end of the road for that job. But it might put you on the superhighway to the Super Bowl!
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Encouragement is a necessary business tool
Lord Chesterfield, in his famous letters to his son, wrote: “Here is the way to get people to like you. Make every person like himself a little better, and I promise that he or she will like you very much.”
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Courage can make a difference
Students in a philosophy class were anxiously awaiting the start of their final exam. The professor had warned them that it would be one of the most challenging tests they would ever take.
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Optimism in moderation is crucial to success
Two old friends met at a local social gathering and one was struck with how sad and depressed the other was.
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Sometimes a 'no' is necessary
The other day I was with a friend who was telling me how stressed he was. He felt that everyone wanted a piece of him and he was spread too thin. He didn’t want to disappoint people, especially family. I told him he needed to learn how to say no.
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Mentoring is a win-win
January is National Mentoring Month. Mentoring can change your life — and the lives of your mentees. Mentoring means helping less-experienced people observe, experiment with and evaluate different work strategies. And the benefits are not limited to young people. People of all ages can gain from the guidance of a …
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Your head's got to be in it to win it
According to “The Yogi Book,” when the late Yogi Berra was playing in the minor leagues for the Newark Bears before joining the New York Yankees for his Hall-of-Fame career, his manager told him not to swing at balls out of the strike zone.
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Life lessons lead to more success
There are three simple rules in life:
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How to address post-holiday stress
A lecturer on stress management raised a glass of water and asked, “How heavy is this?” Answers from the audience ranged from 20 to 500 grams.
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How to get ahead, from the horse's mouth
One of the questions I am often asked involves “how to get ahead.” I thought it might be helpful to share some lessons from top U.S. executives.
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Preparation a must for success
I have written seven best-selling business books, and the title of each of them could have been “Prepare to Win.”
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How to avoid choking
Last spring, I was playing a great game of golf. I stood on the 18th tee, and with a birdie on the final hole, I would shoot an even par 72. I pulled out my driver one last time. Having hit 13 good drives in a row, I was super …
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Putting the 'custom' in customer service
If you’ve ever had anything custom-made, you know how satisfying the experience can be. Whether it’s a new house, a bespoke shirt or even a special sandwich, getting exactly what you ordered is gratifying.
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Putting the 'custom' in customer service
If you’ve ever had anything custom-made, you know how satisfying the experience can be. Whether it’s a new house, a bespoke shirt or even a special sandwich, getting exactly what you ordered is gratifying.
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Age against the machine
October is one of my favorite months, perhaps because that’s when I get to blow out my birthday candles and celebrate another successful year. Who doesn’t love birthdays?
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First impression, best impression
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Truer words were never spoken. Oftentimes, first impressions determine whether you will even get to make a second impression.
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Recommit to your goals
The famed aerialist the Great Zumbrati once walked a shaky tightrope across Niagara Falls despite a gusty wind that almost caused him to lose his footing. He was very relieved to have made it safely across. Waiting for him on the other side was a fan with a wheelbarrow.
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Lessons from teachers reach beyond the classroom
Never underestimate the tremendous impact teachers have on students, helping set the direction of their lives. Studies show that people give credit for their success in the business world to the role models they encountered in youth.
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Wisdom from the Robbins' nest egg
With the possible exception of what the Treasury Department turns out, "Money: Master the Game" - Tony Robbins' new book - may be the most valuable stuff in print. It's absolutely jammed with advice you can take all the way to the bank.
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The paradoxical commandments of leadership
Leading an organization, whether public, private or nonprofit, requires making tough decisions. It's just part of the job, whether it's in the job description or not. Because, as they say, it's lonely at the top.
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Big, bold and jam-packed
I've always considered myself quite bold when it comes to business and risk-taking. I can live with failing a few times, knowing that I will eventually be successful because I am determined to be.
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Your own GPS for success
It's getting easier and easier to navigate the highways and byways through the magic of GPS - the Global Positioning System. The service is in your car, your phone, your tablet, your watch. You are running out of excuses for not getting to where you want to go.
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Hope's a must for achievement
The only survivor of a shipwreck woke up on the beach of an uninhabited island. Every day he circled the island, looking for ships on the horizon, and searched the sky for planes, hoping for a rescue. But none ever came.
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Special Olympics inspired the world
First lady Michelle Obama has had the pleasure of attending many spectacular events, but I would venture to guess that opening the 14th Special Olympics World Games at the end of July had to rank with the most inspirational.
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Tips for dynamite public speaking
I am, first and foremost, and will always be, an envelope salesman. My business card says so. But more people probably know me as an author and speaker - which evolved from my sales career. Who would have thought?
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How not to be perfect
Two men met on an airplane and began to talk. They asked each other the usual questions, and as it happened, one of the men was married and the other man was not. After a while the married man asked, "Why is it that you never married?"
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A-B-C, 1-2-3, tips for success from Harvey
I often joke that it takes years to become an overnight success. But it starts with a dream. My dream was to own a factory. I wasn't even sure what kind of product I'd make, or exactly where it would be. But I pictured myself walking the factory floor, talking …
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Attitude and baditude
My friend Pat Williams, senior executive vice president of the NBA's Orlando Magic and author of several books including "Go for the Magic," has a great analogy when it comes to attitude.
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Customer service must come first
How much would you pay for an egg? Fifty cents? Two dollars? How about $6,000?
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Customer service must come first
How much would you pay for an egg? Fifty cents? Two dollars? How about $6,000?
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Mackay mailbag: Parental advice from readers
Several weeks ago, I used this column to share lessons I learned from my parents in recognition of Mother's Day and Father's Day. My intention was to honor mothers and fathers everywhere for the wisdom they impart to their children.
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A true Miss American dream
From all appearances, Gretchen Carlson has lived a charmed life. From being a child violin prodigy to admission to Stanford University to becoming Miss America and then a tremendously successful broadcast television personality, happily married with two children she adores, she seems to have it all.
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Without a team, there's no work
One day, the body and its parts began to criticize the belly for enjoying a life of idleness and luxury, while they spent all their time working to feed it. So they entered into a conspiracy to cut off the belly's supplies in the future.
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How to take a risk effectively
A few weeks ago, daredevil Nik Wallenda walked untethered atop Orlando's 400-foot-high Ferris wheel - as it was spinning. This is the same guy who traversed a tightrope stretched across the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and between two Chicago skyscrapers.
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Tips for greater confidence
A soldier in an ill-equipped revolutionary army lost his rifle, so he went to his group's leader for a replacement.
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Advice for new grads and old students
A son and his father are walking in the mountains. Suddenly, the boy falls, scrapes his knee and screams.
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Parental wisdom a recipe for success
As we celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day, I get a little nostalgic thinking about some of the life lessons I learned from these two remarkable people in my life.
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How to lose friends and alienate people
Success isn't always about dominating the landscape. Sometimes, to be successful, you have to be prepared to give up some counterproductive behaviors that are holding you back - behaviors you may not even be aware you possess.
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True leadership spells everything out
U.S. president and five-star general Dwight Eisenhower used a simple device to illustrate the art of leadership. Laying an ordinary piece of string on a table, he'd illustrate how you could easily pull it in any direction.
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Mistakes can be essential to business
In the book "The World According to Mr. Rogers," children's television star Fred Rogers passed along the following story about the value of making mistakes.
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Smarts in the streets, profitable on the balance sheets
A man went to a rabbi and asked, "Rabbi, you're a wise man, how is it that you're wise?"
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Laugh your way to the top
We've all heard that laughter is the best medicine. It makes people happy and links us together. Humor and laughter strengthen our immune system and boost our energy by destroying boredom and keeping stress at bay.
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A positive attitude can be key
A mother was ready for a few minutes of relaxation after a long and demanding day. However, her young daughter had other plans for her mother's time.
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Consistency a must of success
Spring training for Major League Baseball players is all about practicing the right concepts and covering all likely scenarios. Once the skills are honed, what you hear from most managers, coaches and players is that they need to see consistency.
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Brainstorming can eliminate cloudy thinking
An electric utility in the northwestern United States had problems with ice building up on its power transmission lines during the winter. The company had to send linesmen out to climb the pylons that held the lines to clear off the ice and snow. It was difficult and dangerous work, …
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The formula to sales success
Everyone is in sales. Why? Because from the time we wake up until our heads hit the pillow at night, we are continually communicating, negotiating, persuading, influencing and selling ideas.
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Be respectful, not neglectful
One of my favorite old comedians, the late Rodney Dangerfield, was famous for his line, "I get no respect." Then he would usually add something like, "I remember when I was a kid and played hide-and-seek. The other kids wouldn't even look for me."
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Be respectful, not neglectful
One of my favorite old comedians, the late Rodney Dangerfield, was famous for his line, "I get no respect." Then he would usually add something like, "I remember when I was a kid and played hide-and-seek. The other kids wouldn't even look for me."
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Lesson from Washington
As a history major, I am intrigued by the origins of our great country. George Washington is a logical place to start.
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The power of listening
Two friends were walking down a busy street one evening when one paused and said, "Listen to those crickets chirping."
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We have much to learn from 'MacGyver'
Do you remember the TV show "MacGyver"? The titular hero was the epitome of resourcefulness. He would get trapped, usually in a building that contained a ticking time bomb, but he was able to free himself by being resourceful and using what was available to him, like duct tape or …
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Making changes doesn't have to be complicated
One of my favorite "Peanuts" cartoons by Charles Schulz has Charlie Brown saying, "I learned something in school today. I signed up for folk guitar, computer programming, stained glass, art, shoemaking and a natural foods workshop.
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Failure can be a good option
In 1860, a 38-year-old man was working for his father, a leather merchant. He kept books, drove wagons and handled hides for about $66 a month. Prior to this menial job, the man had failed as a soldier, a farmer and a real estate agent. Most of the people who …
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How to address post-holiday stress
A lecturer on stress management raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this?" Answers from the audience ranged from 20 to 500 grams.
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Making changes doesn't have to be complicated
One of my favorite "Peanuts" cartoons by Charles Schulz has Charlie Brown saying, "I learned something in school today. I signed up for folk guitar, computer programming, stained glass, art, shoemaking and a natural foods workshop.
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Laugh your way to success
Life is funny - or at least, I think it should be. Finding humor in everyday things is a gift. Our very serious world can be depressing and overwhelming. Problems at work can seem insurmountable. Your car is making a disturbing noise, and the kids' school just called to let …
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Winning friends in the office and at home
Aristotle viewed friendship as ranking among the highest virtues. It was an essential element in a full, virtuous and worthwhile life. For Aristotle, there were three kinds of friendship:
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Lessons from Santa
No matter how you celebrate the holidays, or even which holidays you celebrate, chances are you know about Santa Claus. The jolly old elf brings merriment to the season, but he also teaches us many valuable lessons.
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Getting fired is not the end
What's one of the hardest tasks in business today? It's not starting a business. It's not raising money. It's not even making a profit. According to The Wall Street Journal, it's firing an employee.
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Stand out in the place where you work
There's an old joke about farmers: They are "outstanding" in their fields. Or is it "out standing" in their fields?
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There's always room for gratitude
Think that you have little to be thankful for this month? Haven't taken time to think about the blessings you have?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Happiness means helping others
There is a fable about a little girl who was feeling particularly lonely and blue when she happened across a gorgeous butterfly trapped in the thorns of a blackberry bush. Taking great care not to tear its fragile wings, the girl's nimble fingers finally worked the insect free, whereupon, instead …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Be accountable if you want to count
The recent political silly season is over - finally - and once again, I was listening for one particular word in the endless ads that peppered the airwaves: accountability.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Motivation lets you be your best self
I began a second or third career as a motivational business speaker about 26 years ago. Several times a month, I have the privilege of speaking to a Fortune 1,000 company, offering business advice and inspiring stories to stir people to capitalize on their abilities and reach their full potential.
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Pressure can be an opportunity to excel
Pressure. The very word strikes fear into many people. Winners thrive on pressure, while losers fear it.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Discover your values for a greater life
One of the most important traits of any person is the value system by which he or she lives. I wonder how many of us ever take the time to sit down and really think through the moral precepts that consciously or unconsciously guide our lives.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Focus is a must, on and off the links
I love golf - both playing and watching the pros - so you can imagine my delight when my wife, Carol Ann, surprised me for my birthday with a trip to watch the Ryder Cup in Glasgow, Scotland, in late September. What a memorable experience, one that's been on my …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Make a commitment to succeed
If you want to excel at anything in life, you need to be committed. If you only want to be good enough to get by, then a commitment to excellence is not necessary. If you are committed to a cause, you don't need to tell anyone. They can tell from …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
And the moral of the story is ...
I've been writing this nationally syndicated column for 21 years now, and it seems that the Mackay's Morals I create for each one really stick with the readers. Every three years, I dedicate a whole column to some of my most memorable morals:
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Lessons learned from animals, Part 2
About a month ago my column featured useful lessons learned from animals. It certainly touched a nerve, as I received tremendous response from people who told me about what they had learned from their dogs, cats and pets of all descriptions.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Don't let false assumptions cloud your thinking
One afternoon, a woman noticed two small boys on the front step of a house. They were in their school uniforms carrying their backpacks and, she assumed, were going home after school. They were on their tiptoes trying to reach the doorbell with a stick.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Run the right race
In a village long ago lived a young boy who loved nothing as much as competing in athletic contests. Because he was fit and strong, he usually triumphed, and he grew to love the adulation he received from the villagers around him. One day he challenged two other youths to …
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Creativity lives in all of us
Albert Einstein once said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge."
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Lessons learned from animals
We can learn a lot of lessons from animals.
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Warren Bennis led the way
Warren Bennis was synonymous with leadership.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
What we look for in employees
I've hired about 1,000 employees over the years. It's one of the joys of owning a business - giving opportunities to people who want to work and succeed.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
How to overcome the jitters and not choke
I recently came across a graduation speech by the valedictorian of a university law school. He began his remarks by acknowledging that he had difficulty deciding what "wisdom" to impart to his fellow graduates. He said he had consulted several quotation books and speaker's guides, but had come away uninspired. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Street-smart ideas No. 3
A couple years ago, I wrote two columns on street smarts that really resonated with readers. They asked for more!
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Life: It's something to celebrate
In July of last year, I was in Israel being briefed in-depth by the cream of Israel's intelligence community and the entrepreneurial barons of its imposing high-tech establishment. The American-Israeli expert who arranged my visit and energetically accompanied me was my close friend Gordy Zacks, who was 80 years old …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
ABCs of public speaking
It's been said there are two times in life when you are truly alone: just before you die and just before you deliver a five-minute speech. Stage fright can be terrifying, but it needn't be paralyzing.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Get ahead of your dreams to get ahead in business
I am constantly asked the question, "What does it take to get ahead?" Sure, you have to work hard, but there are a lot of other factors.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Don't worry about it!
I recently received a cartoon from a friend that showed a psychiatrist having a session with her patient. She says, "You worry too much ... It doesn't do any good." And the patient answers, "It does for me ... 95 percent of the things I worry about never happen!"
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Take a vacation from your vacation
Have you ever had one of those days when all you could think was, "Gosh, do I need a vacation."
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Get results when you complain
Once the famous Chicago merchant Marshall Field was walking through his Chicago store and heard one of his clerks arguing with a customer.
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Persistence pays off
In 1935, Charles Darrow brought a board game to Parker Brothers. The experts at Parker Brothers rejected the game, Monopoly, for "containing 52 fundamental errors."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Sharing knowledge leads to better decisions
Do you have a tough decision to make? Or are you trying to build consensus among other employees? If so, you might want to follow the way bees make their decisions, because according to researchers, human beings can learn volumes from bees when it comes to making group decisions.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Don't let fear of success hold you back
Legend has it that one day a man was walking in the desert when he met Fear and Plague. They said they were on the way to a city to kill 10,000 people. The man asked Plague if he was going to do all the work.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Take charge of your time to manage your job better
On his deathbed, Alexander the Great summoned his generals and told them his three ultimate wishes: The best doctors should carry his coffin; the wealth he had accumulated (money, gold, precious stones) should be scattered along the way to his burial; and his hands should be left hanging outside the …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 10 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Inside the coach's playbook
John Calipari is one of the most fascinating basketball coaches you will ever meet. He is calm and animated at the same time. He is intense, yet introspective. He loves to -- and lives to -- win. And he always, always, always lives by the credo: "Players First." His new …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS AGO
Adversity the springboard to great achievement
To understand adversity, take two acorns from the same tree, as nearly alike as possible -- and plant them in two separate locations. Plant one on a hill by itself and the other in a dense forest. The oak standing alone is exposed to every storm. Its roots grow deep …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS AGO
The pitfalls of weaving a 'tangled web'
I was fortunate to attend the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament in Arlington, Texas, earlier this month. It's my absolute favorite sporting event, in part because of the intense competition and will to succeed demonstrated by the players.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS AGO
Try a little spring cleaning for mental health
There's an epidemic sweeping the country, and the cure is just outside the window. Spring fever is infecting folks from coast to coast, following the winter that wouldn't end with its record snowfalls and biting temperatures and the dreaded polar vortex.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS AGO
Don't get mad and don't get even, either
Like so many others in business, I have accumulated my share of enemies over the course of a lifetime. It's nothing to be ashamed of. "Forgive thy enemies" is difficult advice for many of us to follow. After all, if we feel people have harmed us, we tend to want …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Go the extra mile to find success
A man walking down a narrow, twisting road spotted a guru meditating on the grass.
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Position yourself for a promising future
The future ain't what it used to be.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
March is women's history month
A man and his father are traveling by car. The car stalls at some railroad tracks. A train comes along and hits the car. The father is killed instantly. The man is severely injured. They take the man to the hospital. The surgeon takes one look at the man and …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Great stories make great management lessons
President Abraham Lincoln was once criticized for referring to the Confederates in kind terms. A woman critic asked the president how he could speak generously of his enemies when he should rather destroy them.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Integrity needs no rules
When Janet looked at her pay stub, she was pleasantly surprised to learn that her company had deposited more than her normal wages into her bank account. However, on the next payday, her paycheck was significantly less than what it should have been, and she went to her boss to …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
You know who, but does who know you?
In my entire career, I have never once heard a successful person say he or she regretted putting time and energy into building their relationships and contact management system (CMS).
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Exercise your body to exercise your brain
I went for a jog with two good friends the other day. A very long jog. A half-marathon, in fact.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Harvey's short course in class
You have probably heard the term, "She is a class act." Of course, it's always a compliment. But exactly what does that mean?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Still time to start your year with creativity
Each January the world celebrates creativity - "a month to remind individuals and organizations around the globe to capitalize on the power of creativity," says motivational speaker Randall Munson, who founded International Creativity Month to refocus attention to creatively improve business and personal activities. "Unleashing creativity is vital for personal …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
India's innovation: How to accelerate in reverse
Recently, my fifth trip to India brought me face-to-face with nonstop contradictions. How could a land, primitive in large areas, elbow its way ahead to being the world's fourth largest economy?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Innovate or stagnate
If you are a track and field fan, you probably know all about the "Fosbury Flop," a story that tells a world of things about innovation, persistence and a burning desire to win.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Be happy beyond the holidays
This time of year, we often hear the greeting "Happy Holidays." Are we really happy just because the holidays are here? Or is there a way to be happy all year long?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Your mind is what really matters
Golfing great Arnold Palmer said: "My father always said to me, 'Remember, whatever game you play, 90 percent of success is from the shoulders up.'"
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
None of us is as good as all of us
Teamwork might seem like a complicated subject, but to some creatures, it comes naturally as a way to survive and expend the least amount of energy.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Unselfishness has a special place in business
Bill Bradley recently spoke to a group of Minnesota Timberwolves season ticketholders. The topic wasn't his stellar career, basketball strategy or memorable wins. Instead, he talked about unselfishness. After 40 years of traveling America as a Hall of Fame basketball player and a U.S. senator, the Rhodes scholar has a …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Swim with the sharks without being eaten alive
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the 20th anniversary of this column. This year, I also celebrate another important anniversary - 25 years since I published my first book, "Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Mastering the art of managing
Twenty-five hundred years ago, a new Chinese emperor took the throne of the Middle Kingdom. Because he was only 18, he called upon the court's wisest adviser.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Pushing the envelope
"Pushing the envelope" is a phrase that originated with American test pilots like Chuck Yeager and John Glenn in the 1940s. It described maximum stress situations for the metal skin ("envelope") of a jet aircraft. In other words, the plane was designed to fly safely up to a certain speed …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Celebrating youth service at We Day
The atmosphere was beyond electric: 18,000 cheering teenagers, and it wasn't for a rock star, a pro athlete or even a school cancellation. This remarkable group of students gathered in St. Paul, Minn., for We Day in early October to be recognized for their stellar record of volunteering. And this …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Advice for winning entrepreneurs
Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I still have trouble spelling the word, but I didn't let that stop me.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Sharpen your sales techniques
In the "Peanuts" comic strip drawn by Charles Schulz, the scene is a classroom on the first day of school. The students have been asked to write an essay about their feelings on returning to school.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Taking care of business for 20 years
October 1993 was the beginning of one of my favorite ventures: my weekly column. Twenty years of sharing stories and advice have passed quickly and have taught me many lessons about the nature of business.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Learning business and life lessons at the farm
I've always been a city boy - I can't even coax a weed to grow. But I discovered a national treasure, practically in my own backyard, which made me wish my thumbs were greener.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Resolve to solve workplace conflicts
Hercules, according to legend, grew increasingly irritated by a strange, menacing animal that kept blocking his path. In a fit of anger, he struck the animal with his club, killing it. As he continued his path, he kept encountering the same animal, each time larger and more menacing than before. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Regain control of your life at every level
No one ever accused Larry Winget of mincing words. Larry, who is often referred to as the Pitbull of Personal Development, wouldn't take kindly to it anyway. His books, speeches and television appearances leave no doubt about where he stands and why he feels the way he does.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
The state of sales
I will go to the ends of the earth to find ways to improve communication and salesmanship, so I was delighted to be invited to Israel in July to be briefed by the creme-de-la-creme of Israel's intelligence community. Wall-to-wall meetings introduced me to 25 top strategists, military commanders and technology …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Time to improve your time-wasting skills
Many years ago, a management consultant named Ivy Lee was called in by Charles Schwab, chairman of Bethlehem Steel Company, to give Schwab advice on how to better manage his time. After observing Schwab for several hours, Lee suggested: "Every evening write down the six most important things that must …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Unfortunately, cheating isn't limited to baseball
Baseball has been in the headlines lately, and for the ugliest of reasons: cheating.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Unlock your powers of observation
Look around you. What do you see? If you were asked to be a witness at a trial, would you be able to remember details and conditions?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
How do you get better at your job?
Recently I wrote a column about what you can do to get better at your job. I have some additions to my original list, which included improving time management, getting organized, staying positive, writing goals, compromising, developing confidence, exercising mind and body, using mentors and coaches, practicing public speaking, improving …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Take pride in your work, not in yourself
Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees had a fierce pride about always doing his best. The Yankees were on the road for a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns. The day was not only boiling hot, the Browns were also last place in the league. Despite this, DiMaggio made …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
How to ask for help
A little boy was spending his Saturday morning playing in his sandbox. He had cars and trucks, his plastic pail, and a shiny red shovel. In the process of creating roads and tunnels in the soft sand, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sandbox.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Gratitude has its own rewards
CNN recently interviewed a young woman doctor who had just returned from working in Africa. The reporter asked her the principal difference between practicing medicine in Mozambique and in the United States. "In Mozambique the people bring me little gifts," she told the interviewer. "A fistful of walnuts, some eggs, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Bring change to your work life
Many times, in order to survive, we have to start a change process. Change, for most people, is an unnerving experience. But as the old saying goes, change is inevitable. It's one of the only constants in life.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Make like a pencil and get the lead out
A young boy asked his mother what he should do in order to be a success when he grew up. The mother thought for a moment, and then told her son to bring her a pencil. Puzzled, the boy found a pencil and gave it to her.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Correcting the blind spots between men and women
You already know from John Gray that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but do you know how to promote interplanetary cooperation at the office?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Fatherly advice as we celebrate dads
There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him, every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first week the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. It gradually dwindled down …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Goldie Hawn inspires the next generation
When the phone rings and the caller is asking for a couple hours of your time to help with a worthy cause, you have two obvious responses: yes or no.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
How do you get better at your job?
When I am hired to speak to a company or association, I typically talk ahead of time to six to eight people who will be in the audience to get a better sense of the group. I ask them a series of questions about creative selling, teamwork, negotiations, how they …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
The new face of buying and selling
The only constant in life is change. And the sales game is certainly doing its share of changing.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Commit yourself to success
Eugene Orowitz was a skinny, awkward kid from New Jersey. Painfully shy, very self-conscious and lacking self-confidence, Eugene nevertheless said yes when a high school coach half-jokingly asked him to try out for the track team, according to author Glenn Van Ekeren.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Everyone is a salesperson
Everyone is a salesperson, all of your life. Whether you are a mechanic, a teacher or a manager, you are selling ideas. You are negotiating. You are communicating, persuading, influencing.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Strengthen your memory
"Do you know what today is?" a wife asked her husband as he left for work.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 11 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Larry Wilson: Be the best you can be
One day an entrepreneur took his young sales manager up to a magnificent estate overlooking a beautiful river.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO
If I had my life to live over ...
Humorist Erma Bombeck once wrote a column titled "If I Had My Life to Live Over." In it she offered such nuggets of wisdom as: "I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded," and "I would never have insisted the …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO
Sales managers set the example
Why is it that the general counsel of a company is always a lawyer and the head of engineering is always an engineer, yet the top sales manager isn't always a sales person? Sales is the engine that drives a company. No sales means no company.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO
The art of the apology
Have you heard the story of the colossal customer service bungle over the "bedbug letter"?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS AGO
Create a service culture
When I went into business many years ago, I told people I owned an envelope company. I had business cards printed that identified me as an "envelope salesman." I described myself as an entrepreneur.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Ben Affleck's Academy Award business lessons
Watching the Academy Awards is like the Super Bowl for me. I never miss them, and that's not just because I have a son who is a film director in Hollywood. I just love to go to the movies.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Follow John Maxwell's lead
Follow the leader. It's more than just a child's game; it's a fundamental skill in business.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Lessons they don't teach you in school
A few months ago I wrote a column about what they don't teach you in school. From the positive responses and suggestions I received, it became quite apparent that formal education is a good beginning, but real world experience is also necessary to get ahead.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Everything's negotiable - and here's how to do it
During the Civil War, President Lincoln was urged by a friend to give up Forts Sumter and Pickens and all government property in the Southern states. In reply, Lincoln said, "Do you remember the fable of the lion and the woodsman's daughter?"
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Embrace mistakes as opportunities to grow
I've often said the greatest mistake a person can make is to be afraid to make one.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
What is your next marathon?
One of the best decisions I've ever made in both my business and personal lives was to start running. I remember this like it was yesterday.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Career advice from the masters
Napoleon Hill, one of my favorite authors, devoted 20 years of his life to studying what made people successful. His mentor, steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, helped Hill by introducing him to some of the most successful people in business, including Henry Ford, Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Schwab, George Eastman, John D. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Positive thinking has no negatives
One of life's great annoyances is the tendency of folks to ask you to perform an impossible task, list the issues they foresee and the problems that have plagued previous attempts - and then admonish you to "think positive."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Good leaders bring out the best in employees
It's election season, and one of the greatest privileges we have in America is selecting our own leaders. While we might have widely varied opinions of who should win, the fundamental characteristics of good leadership remain constant.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
There's no need to curb your enthusiasm
The old cartoon strip character Calvin, from "Calvin and Hobbes," once said the difference between him and the rest of the world was, "Happiness isn't good enough for me! I demand euphoria!"
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Want an edge in business? Study 'The Trust Edge'
"Trust flows from individuals, not organizations." That's the best summary I can provide of David Horsager's hot new book, "The Trust Edge - How Top Leaders Gain Faster Results, Deeper Relationships and a Stronger Bottom Line."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Self-serving leaders vs. servant leaders
Ken Blanchard believes corporate America is in desperate need of a different leadership role model. And I couldn't agree more.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Keep your eye on the ball
There's an old saying that you can't judge a book by its cover. Otherwise, you might wonder what on earth Brandon Steiner is writing about in his terrific new book, "You Gotta Have Balls."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Believing in yourself
When I am interviewing potential employees, one of the traits that I look for is confidence. I'm not referring to hubris or arrogance, but someone who understands his or her ability and is not afraid to use it.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Olympic dreams come in all sizes
There are few things left to be said about the spectacular Olympics we witnessed in London.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
When you delegate, you elevate
"The surest way for an executive to kill himself is to refuse to learn how, and when, and to whom to delegate work," said James Cash Penney, founder of J.C. Penney Co.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Super secrets to becoming a superachiever
Because I do a lot of public speaking, I have developed a deep appreciation for top-notch speakers. So when I was brainstorming and looking for a real showstopper to address a group of businesspeople I am mentoring, I asked Darren Hardy, publisher of SUCCESS Magazine, to be one of our …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
You control your emotions
You are driving to work when another driver suddenly cuts into your lane and nearly clips you. You immediately get mad and it sets you off for the morning.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Tie-downs are critical to sales
If you knew two little words that could improve your sales, you'd use them, wouldn't you?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
The power of 'we'
A famous organist was performing a concert on a huge antique organ in front of a large audience. The bellows were hand-pumped by a boy seated behind a screen, unseen by any in the vast auditorium. The first part of the performance went very well, and at intermission the organist …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Good decisions make great companies
Diplomacy is all about making the right choices. When I persuaded my wife, Carol Ann, to say "I do" ages ago, we entered serious negotiations to nail down the ground rules for our marriage.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Read any good business books lately?
People who read business books earn more money - a lot more - even in tough economic times. According to Sales & Marketing Executives International, businesspeople who read at least seven business books a year earn 2.3 times more than those who read only one per year.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Moroccan kismet: A gentler Arab Spring
In December 2010, 26-year-old Mohamed Bouazizi set fire to himself. This street vendor had been rousted and humiliated once again by Tunisian police for hawking apples and pears out of a wheelbarrow. Bouazizi ignited more than himself. His death triggered the Arab Spring, a Twitter-driven revolution that engulfed Muslim nations …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
The ABCs of entrepreneurship
I was recently asked by master marketer Jay Abraham to be on his radio program, "The Ultimate Entrepreneur," along with several others, including Stephen Covey and Mark Cuban. In that company, I knew I had my work cut out for me!
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
He couldn't sleep fast enough
Although I am not quite ready for it, I'm often asked what I would like to have put on my tombstone. I often reply: "He couldn't sleep fast enough."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
In search of hidden talents
Do you have someone on your payroll with untapped skills? Most companies do, and they don't even know it.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Don't discount the Bruce Halle story
To say Bruce Halle is driven is putting it mildly. The Discount Tire Co. founder's life story is the subject of a new book, "Six Tires, No Plan," which I guarantee will inspire every person who reads it.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Identify the problem, then solve it
Let me repeat a basic principle in the sales and marketing world: People don't usually buy products and services. They buy solutions to problems.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 12 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Be responsible for yourself
We can learn a lot about responsibility from bugs.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
Courtesy at work: Your colleagues will thank you
Most of us work with relatively sane people who try to behave during the eight hours or so that they're in the office. We attempt to do the right things and avoid offending our co-workers.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
On deadline: How to deliver results when they are due
It's the Monday morning staff meeting and the week's urgent projects are on the agenda. Plenty of assignments for everyone: some that involve a few quick phone calls, and others that will require overtime. How do you make sure each person meets his or her deadlines?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS AGO
Courtesy at work: Your colleagues will thank you
Most of us work with relatively sane people who try to behave during the eight hours or so that they're in the office. We attempt to do the right things and avoid offending our co-workers.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Be responsible for yourself
We can learn a lot about responsibility from bugs.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Time management tips from a pro
Did you resolve to get more organized in 2012? How is that working out for you so far?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Take care of your customers or someone else will
No business can stay in business without customers. How customers are treated determines how long the doors stay open. Poor-quality service has probably doomed as many businesses as poor-quality products.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
How weird are we?
For years I have been promoting the concept that you must "humanize your selling strategy." The short explanation for this plan is that you must match your sales approach to the individual or company who will buy your product. How will it benefit them?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Don't give up too quickly when new employees lag
Coach Mike Krzyzewski (better known as Coach K) recently became the winningest coach in college basketball Division I history. However, he almost didn't get the chance.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Asking 'why' can validate the things we do
Whether you're managing a team of employees or you're on your own, remember that although what you do and how you do it are important, it's the "why" that provides real motivation to succeed.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Give thanks for customers
Today's mail included the first holiday greeting of the season - for Thanksgiving. One of our vendors sends us an eye-catching Thanksgiving card every year, thanking us for our business. This is an approach I started my first year in business.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Every business plays 'Moneyball'
Art imitates life. That statement is so true in what I consider to be one of the best movies of the year, "Moneyball," based on the true story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane. You don't have to be a baseball fan to learn monumental lessons from this film.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Your street-smart MBA
A buddy of mine dubbed my newest book, "The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World," "Harvey Mackay's economic stimulus plan." It's custom-tooled to boost the take-home pay of sales pros, from novices to veterans.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Conquer resistance with persistence
Although my days of running marathons are just pleasant memories, I still get the itch this time of year, when the Twin Cities and Chicago marathons are held.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Prosperity is possible in tough times
During economic downturns, most folks are content to maintain the status quo, not expecting to really get ahead.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
One secret to success: never stop networking
In his book "What the Dog Saw," Malcolm Gladwell titles one especially worthwhile chapter "The New-Boy Network."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
ABCs of leadership
As children, we played "follow the leader" for hours on end. The crazier the route and antics, the more we liked it. Being the leader was the best part.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Workplace bullying is no bull
The playground isn't the only place where you'll run into bullies. Internet bullying has led to suicides. Office bullying is on the rise, and it's a deal-killer no matter what business you're in.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Playing up strengths is key to success
I have had the privilege of mentoring hundreds of people over the years. I always ask them two questions: What do you like to do? What are your strengths? Most have a good idea of what they like to do, but you wouldn't believe how many people don't understand their …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
A person who loses his temper usually loses
Lately it seems like every night when I watch ESPN to get the day's baseball scores and highlights, I see another pitcher throwing a temper tantrum in the dugout after a poor performance.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
If you want life's best, see that life gets your best
It all started with an innocent question at a conference where I was speaking. After I was introduced to one of the organizers, I asked her, "And what do you do for a living?"
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Open a book - open a mind
Our lives basically are changed in two ways - by the people we meet and the books we read.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Keep energy high to stay on the fast track
Consider what the average body does every 24 hours: Its heart beats 100,689 times. The blood travels 168 million miles. It breathes 23,040 times, inhaling 438 cubic feet of air. It consumes more than 3 pounds of food and about 3 quarts of liquid, and loses almost a pound of …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
No success without access
Over the years, I've asked a lot of people what makes a great salesperson. The answers are fairly predictable: passion, persistence, likability, planning, trustworthiness, strong work ethic, initiative, intelligence, good communication skills, sense of humor, humility, good timing, strong relationships building and follow-up (or, as I say, the sale begins …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Don't let boredom cramp your style
A preacher died and went to heaven, where he noticed that a New York cabdriver had been awarded a higher place than he.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Make sure perspective is perceptive
We've reached a point in our country's history where authority and power seem to be manifested by the need to shout down one's opponent. Discussion and compromise are words freely bandied about, but they've largely lost their meaning.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Discover your inner child in negotiations
We were treated pretty well back when we were in diapers. We made our wishes known, and the world as we knew it listened. When we wanted to be fed, we were fed. No waiting around for the dinner to get done or the waiter to notice us jumping up …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Either try or regret it
I have never met anyone who left his or her job - whether fired or voluntarily - who started his or her own business and regretted it. What these people always regret is not having done it sooner. This includes people who eventually failed and had to go back to …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
How to 'elevate' your business
If you were given a 180-second opportunity to change your business forever, would you be prepared to do it on a moment's notice? You would if you learn about the elevator speech as defined by Terri Sjodin in her new book, "Small Message, Big Impact."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Don't hate the PR folks
A big stack of my mail comes from frustrated people who have tried very hard to find jobs without success. With the slow economic recovery, it's still mighty tough out there.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Everyone has to start somewhere
Comedian Jim Carrey took a job as a janitor at a tire factory at age 15 when his father lost his job. He also worked as a security guard. To relieve his stress, he visited local comedy clubs, which instilled his love of comedy - and prepared him for a …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Ego trips have a dangerous destination
Talent is God-given, be humble. Fame is man-given, be thankful. Conceit is self-given, be careful.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
We can learn a lot from baseball
Baseball and spring go together. Both seem to create optimism that is contagious.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 12 MONTHS AGO
Believe in yourself when no one else does
"Some people succeed because they are destined to, but most people succeed because they are determined to."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
The best advice is to give less of it
One afternoon when American League baseball umpire Bill Guthrie was working behind the plate, the catcher of the visiting team repeatedly protested his calls. Guthrie endured this for three innings. But in the fourth inning, when the catcher started to complain again, Guthrie stopped him.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
Go the distance with every venture
Most people aim to do right; they just fail to pull the trigger. For whatever reason, they just don't have the wherewithal to finish the job. They are lacking discipline.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS AGO
Contacts: Quality over quantity
When we were growing up, most of us learned to live by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Not "as they do unto you," but "as you would have them do unto you."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
How not to destroy your office
Quick, name three people at your workplace whom you look forward to seeing every day. Now, name three who rain on your parade every time you see them.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Ambition, hard work, dedication . . .
The game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" is a suspenseful half-hour that offers contestants the opportunity to dramatically improve their financial picture. Answer a dozen or so questions correctly, with help on a few if necessary, and watch the bank account mushroom.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Good bosses improve good employees
With so much focus on finding or keeping jobs in this economy, one significant employment factor seems to get moved down the pros-and-cons chart: What kind of boss will my next supervisor be?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Define realistic goals for unreal results
So this is the year you're going to break away from the pack and set reasonable, achievable goals. And then, you're going to get through your whole list so you can reach even higher in 2012.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO
Celebrate the child in you
Throughout the holidays, a lot of emphasis falls on children. Why? Because children bring such a marvelous perspective to events that many of us take for granted.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
The perils of being anti-social
"Is social media a fad or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution?" asks Erik Qualman, author of "Socialnomics." Consider his statistics and my analysis then decide how connected you should be. Hint: Your company website is no longer enough!
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
An entire company of sales reps
"How many salespeople do you have?" I'm often asked that question, and I reply that we have 450. "WOW!" is the usual response, followed by "How many employees do you have?" My answer is the same: "450."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Embrace change or accept failure
There's an old saying that goes: It is easy to change things. It is hard to change people. Resistance to change is perhaps the biggest threat to progress a business can face.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Supreme motivation should change in tough times
After many decades of being a business owner and salesman, I have never, ever changed my Golden Rule of Selling: Know Your Customer.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AGO
Recognize your staff on a job well done
Don MacPherson is co-founder and president of Modern Survey, a human capital measurement company, which, among other things, conducts employee-engagement surveys. Their research has shown that recognition and appreciation is the top driver of employee engagement.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Don't sleep on your dreams
One of the summer's biggest box office draws was the movie "Inception," which explored the idea of controlling one's dreams. Collapsing cities, zero gravity, imaginary buildings and intermingled layers of the dreams of many people kept audiences wondering what world they would enter next.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Expanding your network expands your business
If I had to name the single characteristic shared by all the truly successful people I've met over a lifetime, I'd say it is the ability to create and nurture a network of contacts.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Troopers make life livable, not miserable
When the Minnesota State Patrol car rolled into our company parking lot, heads turned toward the office windows. When Trooper Jon Olsen walked into the building asking for me, the staff was guessing that my "luck" may have finally run out.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AGO
Words' power can unlock a life of success
Will everyone who is weary of the negativity, bickering and disrespect that is rampant during this election season please raise your hand? Wow! It looks like you're doing a coast-to-coast wave.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Invest in current employees
Your company can have the most sophisticated equipment, the sleekest facilities, the best location and in-demand products, but none of it works without the human touch.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Strap up for full-contact networking
On any given week, I receive five to 10 books or book proposals from authors asking for an endorsement, an opinion or a mention in a column. When they are really, really good, I want to share them with the world.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Ruffle the feathers of conformity
The kindergarten teacher handed out a coloring sheet and gave what she considered to be simple instructions: Color the duck yellow and the duck's umbrella green.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO
Global start-ups galore
Not long ago, a young Israeli entrepreneur named Shvat Shaked from an outfit named Fraud Sciences got his foot in the door at PayPal, the giant among Internet payment systems. Shvat's elevator pitch: His team had an incredibly simple way to unearth "online payment scams, credit card fraud and electronic …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Early bird gets worm, late bird gets job
From the time we were kids, we've been force-fed the idea that first is best. It doesn't always work that way. Sometimes last is best.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Don't mistake compromise for weakness
In dealing with complex give-and-take issues, I am reminded of the fable in which a dog with a bone comes to a pond and sees his reflection in the water. He thinks his reflection is another dog with a bone and tries to grab the other dog's bone. In doing …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Negotiating 101: 40 years of experience
If you ask me what one skill has made the biggest difference in my career, hands down I would say: negotiating. It applies to selling, purchasing, hiring, firing, expanding, downsizing and every other phase of business you can name. It's part of the game that I am particularly fond of, …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO
Why working smart isn't enough
Wayne Huizenga knows the value of time at work and at play. In his mid-60s, he told BusinessWeek magazine that a key measure for him was "'QTR' - 'quality time remaining.' I don't know how many years I'll be able to play golf, so I'm going to enjoy every minute."
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Everyone on the payroll is a marketing person
Companies spend billions of dollars each year marketing their products and services. If you go to the refrigerator for 30 seconds during a commercial break at this year's Super Bowl, you will miss the ad for which Pepsi Cola spent $2.4 million. For that kind of money, every company wants …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
No shortcuts in a marathon
I ran my first marathon after my 15th birthday. I've run nine more since then, including the New York and Boston marathons. I'm proud of that fact for a number of reasons, not because I ever came anywhere close to finishing first, but mainly because I finished them all.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Never stop learning life lessons
Gordon Dean was an American lawyer and prosecutor whose distinguished career was fairly typical for Washington types. He went to work for the Justice Department under President Franklin Roosevelt, taught in the law schools at Duke University and the University of Southern California. He was appointed as one of the …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
Try Ubuntu for your winning team
When competition gets in the way of achieving goals, companies need to evaluate their procedures and, perhaps, re-evaluate their priorities. I am not referring to outside competition - what I'm talking about is the competition among co-workers.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AGO
No business can fly on wings of Hubris
In ancient Greece, Alcibiades was telling Pericles how Athens should be governed.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
ABCs of building a team
A reader recently wrote to me about a column I penned several years ago: The ABCs of selling. She told me how often she used it and shared it with her colleagues.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Outrageous has instant advertising potential
"Outrageous" is rarely a way we'd like to be described. It implies that we are way over the top, attention-seeking, bold, wild, defying convention and a few other descriptions that we might prefer not to be called.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Plant the seeds of creativity
Imagine if you could turn on creativity like you start a car: rev the engine to get up to speed, cruise along in the fast lane and then park it in the garage until you needed it again. Is there anything you couldn't accomplish?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 9 MONTHS AGO
Have fun at work
In his book "The 13 Secrets of Power Performance," author and trainer Roger Dawson tells the story of a meeting between two iconic figures in the restaurant industry: Tom Monaghan, CEO and founder of Domino's Pizza, and Ray Kroc, CEO of McDonald's.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Contingency for the workplace mousetrap
Down on the farm, a mouse peeked through a crack in the wall and saw the farmer's wife open a small package. Thinking at first it might be a tasty treat, the mouse grew very concerned when he realized that it was a mousetrap!
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Don't add to your success, multiply it
Perhaps you're familiar with the amazing mathematics problem that asks you to figure out whether you'd have more money at the end of one month if you received $3 million on the first day or got a penny on day one and the amount doubled each day thereafter. Most folks …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
If you decide to compete, you've already won
Codfish are a delectable treat in America's northeast. But when attempts were made to ship them fresh to distant markets, the cod did not taste the same as they did closer to home. To deal with this, shippers decided to freeze the cod and then ship them. But the fish …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 10 MONTHS AGO
Reinforce success, redirect the failures
Feedback is a gift. Every now and then, one of my columns gets a response that tells me that I have really hit a nerve. In this case, I wrote about managing your boss. The feedback I received was that bosses need plenty of managing, and readers weren't skimping with …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Soldiers take care of business
For some, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, a long holiday weekend to head to the beach or fire up the barbecue. I sincerely hope that Americans attach a deeper meaning to this unique holiday.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
How to stand out in the job market
When I scrolled through the unemployment data recently, one number stood out for me head and shoulders above all the rest. More than a quarter of our young people are out of work.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
What they didn't teach in business school
A college education is valuable, and I salute all the graduates who are heading out into the wonderful world of work. A degree is an important step toward career achievement.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Success is naive like bumblebees
The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. It's a remarkable feat to observe - so effortless and graceful, a real defense mechanism necessary on the predator-filled savannas.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 11 MONTHS AGO
Overcoming the fear of 'no'
Rejection is a part of life. You can't avoid it, whether you're a salesperson with a tough quota or a shy nerd hoping for a date with a supermodel. But you can't let the fear of rejection paralyze you from the start or you'll never get any sales - or …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Shooting stars must fall somewhere
In Hollywood - where the tinsel tarnishes fast on Wilshire Boulevard - the old adage goes: "You're only as good as your last picture." In big-ticket professions like acting and athletics, life has gotten tougher. The roar of the crowd may still be reverberating and even that won't save you …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Business relationships are two-way streets
My new favorite pastime, talking about jobs, has reinforced my belief that people work for bosses as much as they work for companies. By that I mean that given a good boss in a good company, employees are far less likely to leave for greener pastures.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
'Undercover Boss' helps make business personal
So there's this new guy/gal, older than most entry-level employees, who shows up at your workplace one day and wants to learn the ropes. A little unusual, you think, but you train the person to do your job and explain why what you do is important to the company.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
Choose your business battles carefully
Disagreements happen. You can't always get your way. Everyone has an opinion. There are two sides to every argument.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS AGO
It's not all about the money
I'm having a fabulous time on my tour promoting my new book, "Use Your Head To Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will Tell You." I've been meeting folks with so many stories that I could write another book on the challenges of today's …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Hit home runs with business spring training
After a particularly brutal winter across the country, spring fever has become an epidemic. What more certain sign of the coming season than that great American tradition of baseball's spring training?
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Work to love your job and never work again
Great movies leave plenty of excellent footage on the cutting-room floor. It's part of the process, my son David, a film director, tells me.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Say 'no' to hiring 'Yes People'
Some of the worst employees a manager will ever deal with have a vocabulary problem. "No" and "maybe" don't seem to be in their dictionary. Who are they? The "Yes People" - those who answer "How high?" every time the boss says "Jump!"
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 1 MONTH AGO
Get a jump on your competition
In the State of the Union address, President Obama declared our national economic agenda "begins with jobs." So does mine. I'm dedicating myself to a 30-day, nationwide tour to launch my newest book "Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door: Job Search Secrets No One Else Will …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
Hope in business is anything but evil
In Greek mythology, Pandora opened her fabled box and let out all evils except for hope, which Greeks considered to be as dangerous as the world's other evils. Soon they discovered that without hope to offset their troubles, humanity was filled with despair. So Pandora let out hope as well. …
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
How to get customers to beat down your door
A great product doesn't sell itself, as just about any businessperson who has built a better mousetrap can attest. Effective marketing is a critical factor in priming the pump and selling the customer long before the product is actually in his or her hands.
COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 15 YEARS, 2 MONTHS AGO
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