In business, leaders constantly weigh opportunity cost. Every hour, dollar, and unit of attention spent on one priority is time, money, and energy that cannot be spent on another. Strategy is not just about what you choose to pursue, but what you choose to delay, ignore, or abandon because resources are limited. The same principle…
Four Steps to Prepare for Business Reopening During COVID-19 Now Is the Time to Plan for Changes in Procedures and Communications With all of the adjustments that most companies have made to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s easy to focus primarily on the challenges in front of you. However, for business leaders, this is…
1. Know what drives your audience at any given time; pain avoidance or aspiration. Some people are more motivated to avoid pain, thus the “speak to their pain points” advice that has proliferated on the Internet for the past decade. Others are more motivated by their aspirations or ideals. Most people’s motivations can vacillate between…
When I see women posting videos and announcing that they’re not wearing any make-up because they want to be authentic, I feel that is inauthentic. The presence or absence of cosmetics is not what determines the authenticity of one’s message; the truthfulness and honesty of the message is what makes it authentic. Pretending you are…
Much is said about committing to your word in business. It’s always been important and has become increasingly so in today’s transparent world. While most of us want to keep our word every day, we sometimes set ourselves up for failure by promising too much, too soon. When working with the media, your team, or…
“Present yourself as vital and ever evolving, and people will be magnetized to you.” When I wrote these words, I was in deep thought about the qualities and actions that attract people, in preparation for the free teleseminar that I held last year. When people show that they are continuously evolving, they capture the attention…
In an age where photos and graphics are used to tell stories, it’s interesting how words, and wording, are no less important than they were in the past. Consider how a quote can make its way around the Internet, crossing time zones and continents. Make it funny and people can’t wait to share it. Your…
What does it mean to have influence? Influence is not controlling, nor is it pushy. To have influence with others, you have usually earned it through your experience, integrity, knowledge and willingness to share your wisdom. When you are influential, you communicate in a way that makes people want to listen to you. This comes…