Imagine Elon Musk, globally revered as one of the greatest living entrepreneurs, sits down with you. What's the one creative skill he'd suggest you learn to be the best founder you can be? Chances are, it's how to ask the right question. Musk believes, "A lot of times the question is harder than the answer. If you can properly phrase the question,...

People are are naturally wired at their very core to hear differently, speak differently, and work differently. You can thank their personality types for that. But get this: People are also wired to make purchasing decisions differently for the same reason. I think we're on to something here... and if you're in sales,...

I've written extensively about sales skills over the years, so when my editor asked for a list of five essential skills, I really had to think about it before winnowing it down. Everything considered, I have to say that, today, these five skills are the most essential:...

One timeless reality is that there is never enough money available to spend on what you need or want. Therefore you must rank budget items and spend money on the top-ranked ones first. How should you rank your wish list? Everyone has a different set of business needs and values, so there is no simple answer. However,...

New Plymouth, Idaho, is celebrated as the country's largest horseshoe. The town's U-shape--open to the north facing the Payette River--is formed by a series of irrigation canals dug by its founders in the late 19th century. Horseshoes are considered lucky, and New Plymouth has certainly been lucky for Jessica Roberts. The founder of...

There is a time and a place for explaining what your product does. During a demo, maybe, or if you're close to closing a deal, and your buyer has a few questions about how a certain feature works. Cold emails are not the place to focus on your product's features. They're boring, narcissistic, and worst of all,...

The funny thing about doing your best work overall is that sometimes it means doing less than your best on a particular task. There are, we all know, times you need to bring your A game. That essential presentation, big report, or make-or-break client visit really, really has to showcase your skills. But then there are other things, like...

Lets get right down to it. You want to handle those difficult personalities like a boss? Well, as you read further, you'll notice a theme. It's more about you than that difficult person driving you nuts. I say this because when we're dealing with a difficult person, the only thing we have control over is our own reactions and ourselves. We can't...

One of the biggest and most common causes of customer complaints and frustrations is a lack of follow up. This means we have a great opportunity - master this simple business practice and your business will really reap the rewards. All of us have had to deal with a business that is just plain lousy at following up. They say...

What important things does a 20-year-old need to know about money and finance? Patience. By far, that's all you need. Sounds too simple to be true, so let me explain. If you look at any of the massively wealthy people out there, you will notice one characteristic that they all possess, and...

Tools--hardware, software, apps, etc.--come and go. That's the nature of progress. But what never goes away is knowledge. Once you know a way to be more efficient and effective--a new approach, a new mindset, a new strategy or technique--that tool is yours forever. And so is your ability to get more done. Fortunately,...

Gray skies, chilly temperatures, failed New Year's resolutions: these unfortunate afflictions can all contribute to winter blues. Feeling down? Your team might be, too. But employee happiness and engagement are key to work productivity and success. Research shows...

A predominate mindset is that salespeople are a breed of their own who typically exhibit extroversion, confidence and the gift of gab. In reality, introverts may actually be better at selling and conscientiousness is actually the best predictor of success, regardless of business function. Regardless,...

When I was younger, and my career was starting to take-off, money management wasn't a priority. Things were going well financially and I went out and purchased a car that wasn't exactly practical and started doing some more traveling. Of course, the good times didn't last and I had to drastically change my lifestyle. While I was able to...

There's that one guy or gal who's rocking it at the top of your industry. Everything they touch, make, or say is gold. This person is exactly who you want to be when you grow up. So you gather up your courage and shoot off an email singing their praises. You gush about their work. You say you hope one day you can even come close to achieving their...

Companies, products and services need strong brands, yes. But you, as an individual? In case you hadn't considered it, an investment in personal branding can make the difference between an average career and one that involves more opportunities, a robust network of people who will help open doors as well as greater achievement. And...

Back in 2011, Steve Jobs said that Apple's new headquarters would be "a little like a spaceship." In 2017, Jobs's vision is close to becoming a reality. New drone footage shot by videographer Matthew Roberts gives a good glimpse at how the new campus is taking form: huge, doughnut-shaped, and...

Wondering what you're doing that comes across wrong to others without your even knowing? We all know how important body language is when analyzing our relationships with others, as our bodies and the way they move in space often say more about us than our words do. But there are three body language mistakes we consistently make that...