Compassion is often thought of as something we give to someone else. Why would we want to give a gift to an adversary, a foe or even the enemy? Compassion literally means “suffer with” (yes passion means suffer). Having compassion for someone does not need to be a gesture that... Continue reading

During a dinner I had with Verne Harnish this week I was reminded of this image, "listening in the real world". Took a little digging but I found it. Verne was talking about the fact that hearing is the first sense we acquire in the womb and for most of... Continue reading

The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time - with a Foreword by Jim Collins -- is Verne Harnish's latest book. Author of the ever popular Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, Verne along with some of the top writers and editors at Fortune magazine, share the inside story on 18 of the... Continue reading

How to build credibility In my experience both in my business and personal life credibility is built through meaningful and consistent follow up. Follow up is often thought of in relation to sales, "did the sales rep follow up?" But follow up, when dissected can be applied in a number... Continue reading

1. When I was working I was always booked, every 15 minutes in my calendar I had a meeting or a task to complete. Initially and really for the majority of my sabbatical things did not change, I was busy all the time. Often starting from 6am at the gym... Continue reading

• Artists Way at Work – I read this11 years ago and picked it up again earlier this year. For me it’s the essential guide book to integrating creativity at work. It’s not for everyone, it has some exercises some might find…well…a bit too touchy feely, but I really love... Continue reading

Over the past few months I have helped my hair stylist create a simple and easy to execute sales, service and marketing plan. Here is what she is doing. 1. Each client has a picture taken of their final cut, colour etc. These pictures are stored on her iphone using... Continue reading

I was addicted to Facebook. I was checking my newsfeed in line at Starbucks, I was thinking in terms of “this would make a good status update”, I was updating my time line at traffic lights (when the light was red of course). I find Facebook fascinating and a tool... Continue reading

How about "I don't care what your policy is...in fact no one cares." This one is beyond obvious but people still do it. "I am sorry but it is our company policy...." If you have to say "sorry" before you say something.... well then it is obviously not something anyone... Continue reading

Technology free Tuesdays; If I said it was easy I would be a lier. In fact, it took me 8 attempts to actually complete my goal. No email, no texting, no Facebook, no googling. But I can now say I did it. 24 hours no technology. A little shameful that... Continue reading

Here is a picture from the front of an advertising agency's building in Toronto. Inventing Desire? Really? This shines a light on exactly what is wrong with marketers (which I consider myself one of). Why invent desire? Seems obvious to me that what you want to do, in order to... Continue reading

One of the worst things to hear during any type of business transaction, be it at a restaurant, checking into a hotel or buying a car is “sorry, I’m new here.” I recently asked our waitress at an upscale restaurant if she could recommend a full bodied red wine. Her... Continue reading

It boggles my mind that there is no follow up after a consumer uses a Groupon or any other of the deal sites’ coupons. The business is giving up 75% of their regular price (50% to the consumer, 25% to the aggregator) so they are (most of the time) losing... Continue reading

Ever notice your boss is not the same person they were when they were interviewing you or when they were courting you to join their team? Your boss pulled a bait and switch on you, right? So did your best friend and the nanny you hired and your real estate... Continue reading