Are your employees an asset — or an expense?
What’s your initial, gut-level reaction to this question: Are your employees primarily an asset…or an expense…to your business? A very interesting article recently explored both sides of this concept....
View ArticleHow do you prevent “showrooming” at your business?
You’re probably aware that one of the big topics in retail right now is the concept of “showrooming.” Showrooming is when a potential customer visits a store to see a product…touch and feel it…then —...
View ArticleWhy your business should be more like the Oak Ridge Boys…
When I was about 16 years old, the manager of the small-town radio station I worked for told me that we were going to be emceeing the concert of a gospel quartet. As you can imagine, to a teen...
View ArticleSocial media connections raise productivity…
At a meeting recently, another speaker was relating to the audience that a client of his had mentioned that their company was “losing sales to the Internet.” The speaker’s pithy response was, “Yes, you...
View ArticleThe effect that Ebert had on me…
In my book, “Create Distinction,” I write about a phenomenon I called “The Ebert Effect.” It’s based upon a powerful lesson I learned from the famed movie critic, Roger Ebert, who passed away...
View ArticleShowing you belong with the greats establishes your greatness…
Often times, I have an organization or individual complain to me that they just can’t get the recognition they feel they deserve. “We’re just as good...if not better…than our competition — but the...
View ArticleFive lessons for YOUR business from “Restaurant Impossible”…
My new favorite show is “Restaurant Impossible” on the Food Network! Hosted by the extraordinarily charismatic chef, Robert Irvine, the premise of the show is that this highly successful restauranteur...
View ArticleWhy the Kmart ad works – and makes you want to “ship your pants”
By now, practically everyone has seen — and has had a conversation about — the latest Kmart commercial, called “Ship Your Pants.” (Just in case you haven’t…here it is:) Until this wildly popular...
View ArticleAre you providing your customers with enough information?
Here’s the story of the challenges I had on a recent trip…asking YOU an important question: Are you providing your customers with enough information when they encounter a challenge? It’s no big deal...
View ArticleCNN’s coverage displays the critical problem with exclusivity and distinction
I really wasn’t going to post another critique of the coverage surrounding the Boston Marathon bombing, and the coverage of the discovery and police action against the two suspects — I already have two...
View ArticleA Year of Business Success
NEVER…ever…not in almost FIVE YEARS…have I devoted a blog post to a specific or particular program…even one in which I’ve been involved…until now. This is one of the — if not THE — most important...
View ArticleThe lasting impact of life’s choices
Today, I posted this little story for my Facebook friends — and have been amazed how many have “liked” it, or commented on it. So…I thought I would share it here, too. It’s an example of how the...
View ArticleSocial media can harm relationships…
Noticed an article today entitled, “Social Media Use Can Cause Marital Dissatisfaction” by Eric Sass — and, it occurred to me there are so many obvious jokes one could make about THAT issue, it’s just...
View ArticleThe lack of “care” at a health care provider…
In my experience as a caregiver for a terminally ill spouse, I learned first hand the importance of wonderful, caring professionals in health care – and, what a difference they can make, both in the...
View ArticleFollow up on the patient/customer experience situation…
Yesterday, I received this kind message from the CEO of the hospital where I had the difficult time in the emergency room this past weekend. I appreciate his response, and — in fairness — wanted to...
View ArticleThinking about our needs — instead of the customer’s situation…
Hello from Paris! I am just here at the airport, changing planes on my way to a speaking engagement in India. And, while I was in the airport lounge, I came across a new ezine from my great friend,...
View ArticleWhat the Taj Palace Understands that Chase Bank Doesn’t
I can’t imagine how many people they see on a daily basis. That’s why it was so amazing – and made such an impression. On my recent speaking trip to India, I stayed first at the Taj Palace Hotel in...
View ArticleAre you setting the bar too low?
Ask Tiger Woods what his goal might be for any particular tournament in which he is entered…think he would EVER say, “I hope to make the cut”? Ask Michael Jordan what his goal might have been for an...
View ArticleHave you provided a reason for customers to be loyal?
Back when it covered the 2003 convention of the National Grocers Association convention, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Ryan Mathews, executive editor of Grocery Headquarters Magazine said,...
View ArticleLosing customers to online retailers?
One of the most significant challenges to retailers of every type is the relatively new problem of “showrooming.” Showrooming is when a prospective customer comes into your business to check out a...
View Article
