Delve into the subjects you really care about
This past week, during a conversation with Terri Tinker at KNKX, I took the opportunity to share our recent Strategic Sales Queen press release. During the discussion, I jokingly made the comment, “You have to ask or you won’t get a yes.” Her reply struck an instant chord between us. Terri said, “I know exactly what you mean. My grandfather …
Why is it that talented, educated, and well-informed people are willing to consider and accept unpaid internships? Or, even worse, pay college tuition while they work for a company? Talk about adding insult to injury. Is it that everybody is doing it, so it’s okay? Or is it because your college advisor is promulgating this swill? Here’s the deal: it’s …
At social functions, people like to start a conversation by asking, “What do you do?” Many of us automatically respond with our occupation. This is typically because corporate America has conditioned us to organize people into a social hierarchy based on their job title. However, usually your job doesn’t define who you are as a whole. You might also be …
After finally getting a good job in my industry in 2016, by early 2017 I realized it was making me miserable. At the encouragement of my family and after a lot of reflection, I resigned from my position. But instead of feeling free to pursue new opportunities, all I felt was crushing certainty that I had somehow failed. I felt …
We have all developed standard messaging, processes, and steps to pursue and close sales. Even so, it’s vital that we take a step back every 10 weeks or so to re-tool and re-frame. Reconsider the content you’re sending out, the look and feel of the message, the methods of communication delivery, the ease for interaction with our clients and prospects, …
Meetings. They’re part and parcel of many an office job, and talk at the water cooler likely includes jokes about them. Oftentimes, the jokes center on there being too many meetings within an organization or department. While meetings offer a great forum to exchange ideas and clarify projects, they can become time-wasters as discussions turn into long-winded, meandering explanations that …
How can working moms find more balance and thrive in all parts of their lives? Here I am, a single working mom, and this question had me stumped. I’ve been doing the working mom juggling act a long time. And in many ways, the last couple of years have been easier. It sounds horrible to say, considering my husband died …
Disagreements are a natural part of life. As we are not automatons, people have varying opinions and sets of values. Invariably, you will face disagreements with the people you are close to, and some of these disagreements will grow heated and become arguments. This is not something to fear, but it is a challenge that must be tackled if you …
You may have heard that patience is a virtue. Not only is this a good antidote for everyday life, it is especially true in professional sales, as patience can pay big dividends towards closing the sale. This is not the same thing as letting a sale cool down and drop off your radar. Rather, it’s an integral component of every …
What do you do when someone you care deeply about is in a relationship with someone who’s just… terrible? We all know the trope of an evil step-mother, and many of us have suffered after our parents’ divorce and their subsequent relationships with lame creeps. Most of us have had friends with awful boyfriends or girlfriends. You may even have …
Except for the fortunate few, all of us need an income. We have bills to pay and mouths to feed, and cash needs to be flowing. Many of us also want to find fulfillment in our jobs; dream careers and high ambitions are things many women hold, but sometimes finding that perfect position takes time. These two things mean that …
Recently I had a conversation about work with a friend that gave me pause. During our discussion, we came to the topic of the changing dynamics in the workplace in light of the #MeToo movement. My friend, let’s call her Nancy, said something that initially left me bereft of a response. Nancy felt that the movement was creating a negative …
Whether you’re new to sales or have been at it for some time, it’s important to get back to the basics from time to time. This enables you to refresh and revisit your skills and get reenergized for the day-to-day. So, what do I consider sales basics? At the core, this is what I identify as the foundation of all …
Here’s the secret to advancing your profession and learning invaluable career skills: sales training. Sales training teaches women key attributes needed to overcome obstacles and achieve our objectives. It’s a game changer, even for those who aren’t in a sales position. Core sales training covers conflict, negotiation, relationships, presentation, persuasion, and the ask. Each of these are foundational building blocks …
Depression is an incredibly common illness among American adults. In 2015, 6.9% of US adults had experienced at least one major depressive episode within the past year, and major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability among young adults. There are quite a few articles that can give you ideas for how to handle depression at work, but this …
Life has a way of becoming overwhelming. It seems that there’s more and more to do the older you get, especially once you start living on your own. Your to-do list grows out of control, and eventually the amount of time it would take to get it all done exceeds the amount of time you have left until retirement. Just …
Over the past few decades, the United States – and the world at large – have seen an inspiring transformation towards embracing diversity. People are learning to trust and celebrate people of all races and ethnicities, nationalities, religions, genders, sexualities, ages, and more. How has this affected the workplace? How can inviting diversity improve your company and the role you …
One of the great things about the world today is how diverse and blended it has become. With the quickness and ease of traveling, the ability to connect with people online, and the ever-growing attitudes of acceptance, people regularly interact with those from another country or cultural background. Naturally, this trend has made its way into the workplace, too. With …
From Alicia Keys in 2017 to South Korean women today, we are seeing a vocalization of anti-makeup sentiment around the world. When Keys stopped wearing makeup (for the most part), her decision drew a lot of commentary. Some people thought it was brave and innovative, while others called it a pointless move. Still others considered the move performative and hollow. …
We all want to create a workplace culture and environment with the cornerstones of respect and appreciation. Doing so delivers lasting benefits of boosted performance, productivity, and engagement. Building upon this foundation includes actively mentoring, nurturing, adjusting, and critiquing your team for growth. Delivering timely constructive criticism is a crucial skill for true leaders. Navigating these situations when faced with …