“Hey, Rob! Are you receiving my Weekly Sales Thought every week?” One of six moments in my life I’d like to have back. (I’m not telling what the other five are. Don’t ask.) Sounds pretty benign EXCEPT (1) this was my opening question while meeting a prospective client in the hallway of a conference who … Read more »
8:30 pm Saturday night. With brief clatter, wine glass met table as our server, John, who only moments before had greeted us warmly at our table, expressed his irritation with our small dinner order, about half the ticket he might have expected from three adults. We’d come in from a very full, long day, hungry, … Read more »
Ever felt anxious as you were about to begin a sales conference or expo? I don’t know anybody here? Our booth is too small? It’s not fancy enough? Our products aren’t fully developed? Message not completely clear? Company uniforms not as sharp as the other guys’? I’m not experienced enough? Read more »
School’s out at last in Massachusetts. On Saturday, I drove my newly graduated son for several hours to his job in the White Mountains. On the way there, while he unselfconsciously dozed next to me in positions that only teenaged bodies can assume, I listened to Chris Matthews’ book , Life’s A Campaign: What Politics … Read more »
I’m standing in the low ceilinged, dimly lit, stuffy-aired classroom of a driving school — a company owned by brave souls who make a living teaching 16year olds to drive dangerous objects. My daughter is taking her road test with a State Police officer, her last step before qualifying for her license. I’m waiting, idly … Read more »
The phone rang. I was in the middle of a conversation. I hesitated. I picked it up. “Hello,” I said. “Nick Miller.” Read more »
I first met the woman who is now my wife on the red leather back seat of a white Cadillac Eldorado at Logan Airport in Boston. Blind date. Read more »
Many business owners and senior executives have short attention spans. When we receive unsolicited telephone calls from sales people, we listen for about 7 – 10 seconds, decide whether we want to keep listening, and move on. We will listen if we think there’s a message that will help us. Read more »
The walking time measured in dog years from Gate H17 to G14 at O’Hare Airport last Tuesday was relatively short. Maybe two hours. Feeling hungry, traversing my tenth airport in four weeks, carrying 45 pounds of stuff, the time and distance seemed longer. I dawdled and peered at each concourse snack stand, seeking inspiration, reasons … Read more »
On Saturday night, I watched the movie, “This is Spinal Tap,” a 25-year old “mockumentary” about a fictional, dreadful heavy metal band named, as you might guess, Spinal Tap. Read more »
We Are Seriously Social.