Listening and asking questions of your prospect, whether for a sale or a job, is crucial for getting what you want. This past week I was witness to many errors included in a presentation.

Listing of Errors:

1.  Not conveying what a requested meeting would be about, but instead putting guilt on the intended party

2.  Lack of etiquette by not waiting for the prospect to arrive before ordering coffee Read more ...

Recently, all types of "opportunities" were presented to me.  On many levels, I am very fortunate to be a weekly contributing author for Dan Schawbel's highly trafficked PersonalBranding magazine site.  Writing about branding is a constant reminder to be of the mindset to always remain in integrity in all you do.  Read more ...

Have you ever had a "feeling" or "thought" that an avenue for pursuing business or a job will be best put on hold for a while?  This happened to me twice in one week.  Given my experience, I encourage you to pay attention to your intuitive thoughts too.

Often we hear all decisions are a matter of mind over matter, but I don't believe that's true.  Many times other sensory perceptions matter too.  When you take the time to really listen to what's being said, not said and avoided, you will hear more.   Read more ...

The WIN Coordinated International Women's Day event was a WIN for All!

Today's blog is for those of you who were unable to attend the 100 year celebration of Women's achievements.  It was fun in the morning to see streaming video from Los Angeles where friends where attending, and to see footage of women in other countries.  For some reason, this is the first time in U.S.  history that the day made the news or even came to the attention of many.  

I was told by the Gold Olympian, Olga Aura, that in Russia every year - every young girl, mom and grandmother receives a delicate rose.  Of course the rest of the year, she said, "the women work like dogs".   Many thanks to Paula Fellingham for making March 8th a notable day in history for the United States!

In South San Francisco we were blessed to have fabulous entertainment and speakers.  Anne-Louise Sterry provided many laughs that lasted all day portraying her "stereo-typical" family.  While Tamilee Webb, Marci Lock, Susie Carder, Brenda Wade, Elinor Stutz and Valeri Bocage gave precise instruction on how to improve health, business, mental outlook as well as words of hope and inspiration.  

Valeri Bocage was televised on ABC-TV where she brilliantly stated, "Obstacles are merely directing you to face new opportunities." She should know having lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, journeying to San Francisco and then founding Powerful Women International - also designed to help others grow. Read more ...

How are you able to line up so many speaking engagements and interviews?"  

The question surprised me because it came from a prominent businessman.  He was seriously wanting to know the answer so that he could begin attracting similar opportunities for himself.  I was surprised that the strategy wasn't clear and began to tell him my "magic formula". Read more ...

Make It Easy to Hear "YES!"

A friend of mine, "Alice", is fairly new to sales.  She complained that so much of her time is spent following up with people to ensure high quality customer service by building relationships, she just doesn't have enough prospects in her sales funnel.  In job search terms that translates to preparing so much for interviews that you do not have time to seek out additional possibilities.  In either case or as an entrepreneur, the process comes to a halt when you run out of options.

My advice for Alice was as follows:  

1.  The night before a work day, compile a "Call List" of 10 prospects high on your list Read more ...

Whether your are in the corporate work world seeking a job or an entrepreneur trying desperately to build business, you must make a commitment to education.  Over the years, I vowed I would learn what it takes to build a solid business and then set off on that adventure.

Marketing materials all suggested writing a book and so I did.  The manuscript grew into Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results and became an international best seller.  Gurus in marketing also advised multiple streams of income which appealed to me.  They cautioned however, Read more ...

During my corporate sales life I was motivated year after year to interview as Top Producer's are treated the worst (Dilbert effect).  It was evident interviewing followed the sales cycle. Good fortune was I had a knack for both selling and interviewing..

Upon becoming a new entrepreneur, community service was incorporated into my business plan.  Consistently I spoke to groups of job seekers on how to sell themselves on interviews. Invariably they wrote back the techniques worked and they landed the job they desired. Read more ...

A couple of years ago, I was a vendor at a Western Fairs Association Conference.  With permission, some of the associated members began to receive my newsletter while others have also connected through social media.  We continued building our relationship.

Three months ago, I was asked if I would like to speak on the topic of "Negotiation" at their conference in Reno.  The request was based upon familiarity with the work I do.  I did not have to make a zillion phone calls or twist anyone's arm – all that was required was for me to answer the telephone and say"YES, I would love to speak on the topic of Negotiation!"   Of course we then negotiated logistics and the fact I preferred to add in sales techniques which lead up to the negotiation for a better understanding of how to put it all together. Read more ...

How to Negotiate for Best Results

When you are ready to make a sale and questions arise about what's included in the package, or you receive a job offer letter after a fabulous interview, there is a holding period of time that can be very nerve wracking.  Job seekers and entrepreneurs are usually the most affected because they do not negotiate on a regular basis so some become very stressed out. Read more ...