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Honesty, integrity, values – not optional
A dejected father confided in his pastor with a problem: his youngster had been caught cheating on a test at school. He was crushed, feeling like he had failed as a father, concerned it would saddle the child with a reputation for dishonesty. “The worst thing that can happen to a youngster starting school,” said the father,…
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Why do we need a sense of urgency?
The founder of a highly successful company was asked what it took to succeed. He answered: “The same thing it took to get started; a sense of urgency about getting things done.” The people who make things happen share the same sense of urgency. Ask any entrepreneur to list the keys to getting their company off…
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Appreciation increases your value
A man attending a seminar on interpersonal relationships became convinced of the need for him to begin showing appreciation to people. His family seemed like an appropriate place to start. So on his way home, he picked up a dozen long-stem roses and a box of chocolates. This was going to be a real surprise,…
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Your business depends on your personal touch
Mamie Adams always enjoyed going to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before the holidays one year and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait in line because there was a stamp machine in…
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Good enough never is
There’s a good reason why Debbie Fields of cookie fame is so successful, and she summed it up in an aphorism I’ll never forget – “Good enough never is.” Debbie told me how she coined that phrase after she visited one of her first stores. She walked in unannounced and saw a large crowd of…
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Arrogance and business don’t mix
In a village long ago lived a young boy who loved nothing as much as competing in athletic contests. Because he was fit and strong, he usually triumphed and grew to love the adulation he received from the villagers around him. One day he challenged two other youths to a race from one end of…
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Stop procrastinating before it stops you
A third grader had to do a book report, and he chose a Socrates biography. His report consisted of three succinct sentences: Socrates was a philosopher. He talked a lot. They killed him. Not much more to say about brevity. Maybe that’s why U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Be sincere. Be brief. Be seated.” Another U.S. President,…
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Sales techniques that work as hard as you do
Whether you run your own business or work for a company in a sales-related role, you’re always looking for sales techniques that work. I’ve developed and learned many over the years from readers providing great advice. One person advised me to ask yes and yes questions. He worked for Hyatt and asked himself, “What else…
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Take a few minutes to learn the two-minute drill
I could fill volumes about chance meetings that have changed people’s lives, led to jobs, business opportunities, partnerships, new ideas . . . all because people sought other people with similar interests. The secret is to seek them out. Every time I’m in a line, on a plane, at a sporting event, wherever … I…
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The best lessons are short, sweet and useful
Readers of this column are remarkable when it comes to telling me what they like most about my weekly musings. Of course, I’m honored when they tell me they have posted my words on company bulletin boards or used the lessons as motivation. But without question, the most frequent feedback I get is that the…