Improving your career prospects vs. sticking with what you knowEvery year, I say, “This is it. I am done adopting new technology. It’s too expensive and how can I truly become an expert if I am constantly abandoning last year’s technology and adopting something new?”
The luddite way seems simple – stick with what you know. Then the newest gadget or website convinces me I will be more efficient or somehow my life will be better. Read more
Leadership tokens remind you to be open to new ideasIn the fall, I made a trip with my wife to Woodstock, Virginia to visit family. If you have not been there, I would highly suggest a visit during early October to see the brilliant leaf colors. This is a truly inspiring area with deep roots in conservation. In the late 1800s, this was an area of stripped lands that has been radically transformed into beautiful lush forests. Read more
What the “roach coach” has to do with YOUR brand – how to listen to your customersThe industrial strength “roach coach” is a mini restaurant on wheels. Previously confined to construction sites and garages, now the roach coach prowls office parks offering office personnel a fried breakfast and lunch. Read more
Change for change’s sake does not equal successGood ideas fuel companies. Isn’t there some commercial that says, “Business is changing at the speed of light?” Any successful business needs top talent to help it stay ahead of the crowd. It is much better to be ahead of the curve than chasing it. Think about it – are YOU ahead of the curve? Read more
Gold medals – a worthy goal in business or sportThanks to John Naber, Olympic Gold medalist, I was able to enjoy what he calls the “gold medal experience.” Yes, that is me in the picture, wearing his gold medal. Just holding it was quite an experience. It is much heavier than I had expected. Then, one of his associates offered to snap my picture with the medal around my neck. What an honor and inspiration! Read more
Understand your problem before you try to solve itIf I had one hour to save the world, I would spend the first 55 minutes defining the problem. – Albert Einstein
Think about it – don’t we often do the exact opposite in our daily work lives? How often do we spend the time planning that is necessary to REALLY get the job done – and done well? Read more
Are you the world’s best? How to market yourself for career successWho is the world’s best wine-o? If you spend much time on the Venice Boardwalk in California, then you have probably met Bobby. He donned a sandwich board over 20 years ago that boldly claims he is the “World’s Greatest Wine-O.” I’ve never seen him take a drink. In fact, most of the time, I see him posing for pictures with tourists and charging them $5 for the photo op. Read more
Problem solving – Big Bird styleLooking at holiday pictures this week reminded me of the story my mother told for years. It was about the time that Big Bird invoked my curiosity and a lifetime interest in problem solving. It was Christmas Eve, 1977. I was so excited; I had received the Bradley Big Bird Talking Alarm Clock. It had to be wound like the formal clock on the hearth, not something I was allowed to do at age five. Read more
How to get hired and paid three times moreLooking through some holiday photos and festive occasions that included eggnog reminded me of a story that demonstrated the importance of paying a premium for a perfect hire. It all started when my wife, Katrina, came down with a cold. I think I may have mentioned before that we are from the Midwest, where part of every cold remedy includes food. Read more
Fast Track Tools alumnus to share success storyJanuary 27, 2010 – Doug Ferreira, a Fast Track Tools alumnus and certified “Communicate to Win” instructor, will share the story of how Ken Revenaugh used communication methods to help drive a successful sales and marketing transformation at Oakwood Temporary Housing. Ferreira will speak at The Conference Board’s 2010 Senior Sales Executive Conference, Read more