When you have a dream that you can't let go of, trust your instincts and pursue it. But remember: Real dreams take work, They take patience, and sometimes they require you to dig down very deep. Be sure you're willing to do that.
— Harvey Mackay
I have ten marathons under my belt, including four New York races and one Boston.
No business can stay in business without customers. How you treat - or mistreat - them determines how long your doors stay open.
The employees who share innovative ideas may also be the folks who have some hidden talents that would help incorporate their suggestions.
By getting your customers to agree with you in small steps along the way, you have a better chance of reaching agreement when it's time to do business.
Give your subconscious a chance to work by turning your brain off from time to time. Don't focus on work or solving problems constantly.
Amateurs wait for inspiration. The real pros get up and go to work.
I've learned that people will seldom let you down if they understand that your destiny is in their hands, and vice versa.
If you want people to know how much you care, show them how much you remember. Learn their names and use them often. It's an important skill to develop.
I've known entrepreneurs who were not great salespeople, or didn't know how to code, or were not particularly charismatic leaders. But I don't know of any entrepreneurs who have achieved any level of success without persistence and determination.
The service leaders hire one out of 50 applicants, sometimes one out of 100, but they're very, very careful. You can't afford not to be extremely choosy when you hire.
As you schedule individual tasks, give yourself a cushion. Mark the due date a few days ahead of the actual deadline so you have time to deal with changes or last-minute emergencies.
You don't need a big close, as many sales reps believe. You risk losing your customer when you save all the good stuff for the end. Keep the customer actively involved throughout your presentation, and watch your results improve.
In a litigation-happy society, clear agreements often prevent small disagreements from becoming big ones.
Expect to make some mistakes when you try new and different approaches. Sometimes colossal failures lead to spectacular successes.
Delegating doesn't mean passing off work you don't enjoy, but letting your employees stretch their skills and judgment.
Humility is becoming a lost art, but it's not difficult to practice. It means that you realize that others have been involved in your success.
You can't buy a good reputation; you must earn it.
Direct your energy toward achieving a goal, and tackle the problems with an emphasis on edging closer to a successful result.
Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.
Deadlines aren't bad. They help you organize your time. They help you set priorities. They make you get going when you might not feel like it.
Too often, sales reps simply regurgitate their presentations and expect to land the sale. It doesn't work.
Pale ink is better than the most retentive memory.
Exploring how you could make a bad situation worse can sometimes tell you what not to do.
Just because an employee does things differently doesn't mean he or she won't do the job right or as well. If you establish expectations of the goal and the standards to follow, then methodology shouldn't be an issue.
You can win more friends with your ears than with your mouth. People who feel like they're being listened to feel accepted and appreciated. They feel like they're being taken seriously and what they say really matters.
