In the age of Silicon Valley and startups, business wear is no longer just primly tailored suits and shiny shoes. Hoodies, turtlenecks, and jeans are now acceptable in some industries and offices, but there are still rules that should be followed to make sure you feel confident and are perceived as a professional in your…
Body Language and Public Speaking
When it comes to public speaking, what you say can be easily overshadowed by how you say it. Even if you manage to write the perfect speech – one that is captivating and perfectly conveys your points with accessible language – it can all go to waste if your delivery doesn’t back up your words….
Tips for Outstanding Customer Service
Customer service never ends. From the first inquiry, to finalizing the sale, to the end of the warranty and beyond, there are many times during the customer lifecycle when he or she will be interacting with a representative from your business, and it’s important that each experience is a positive one. Sometimes this will be…
Dale Carnegie’s Advice for New College Grads
You step off the stage at convocation, your degree finally in hand after years of study and hard work, and suddenly you’ve got the whole world before you. From here your life can go in any direction you choose, and it’s up to you to make the most of it. As you set off into…
Soothing the Sting of a Lost Sale
It’s a simple — but unfortunate — fact of life for a salesperson that we simply can’t close every deal. Sometimes the reason is plain, sometimes it isn’t, and sometimes you simply never hear back. It can be frustrating and disheartening, but don’t let these “lost” sales bring you down. “It is not a lost sale if…
10 Traits That Require Zero Talent
By this point, we’ve likely all heard the famous Kevin Durant quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard,” and while there’s no disputing the truth of that statement, it seems to be missing something. There are plenty of ways we can stand out in our day-to-day life – at work, at…
Marketing vs Advertising vs Sales
Today we’re going to break down three different aspects of the sales process. While often used interchangeably, marketing, advertising, and sales refer to three related, yet distinct, aspects of business. First, let’s take a look at each term individually, and then we’ll turn to how they work together to help build a successful business. Marketing This is the broadest…
Prepare to Present: 3 Steps to Public Speaking Success
Preparing to give a presentation is a very personal experience. We all have our own routines, tics, and superstitions that help us to feel confident and ready to speak to a crowd. Perhaps you need twenty minutes of solitary silence before taking the stage, or you’re convinced that an extra shot of espresso prior to…
De-Stress with Deep Breathing
When humans feel stressed, the natural response is “fight or flight,” during which time we will experience a rush of adrenaline, rapid breathing and heartbeat, and a period of increased focus. This stress response can be useful when needed – for instance when running from a bear. But when daily struggles have us constantly on…
Dale Carnegie’s Advice for Remembering Names
Calling everyone “Dude,” “Ma’am,” and “You” may work in high school, but in professional settings the ability to remember names is crucial. Recalling someone’s name shows respect for that person and their work, and indicates that you were paying attention during your previous meeting. This is some subtle, but very effective, flattery. Dale Carnegie understood…