The danger of always being too positive
“My single biggest personal improvement as CEO occurred on the day when I stopped being too positive”.
This is a quote from 
Ben Horowitz on p. 64 of his formidable book, The Hard Thing About Hard Things Continue reading
Ben Horowitz on p. 64 of his formidable book, The Hard Thing About Hard Things Continue readingA true story about a missed pitching opportunity
A number of years back, I was in an elevator of a major bank, after finishing a meeting. I was joined in the elevator by two, senior 
business people.
A moment or so after the elevator door closed, one of the business people said to the other, “We should have asked for more”. The other retorted, “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.”Continue reading
business people.
A moment or so after the elevator door closed, one of the business people said to the other, “We should have asked for more”. The other retorted, “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.”Continue readingA surprising factor of a highly rated personality
‘Miron Zukerman and his associates at the University of Rochester reported that a group of college students with
highly attractive voices had more pleasantly rated personalities than students with less attractive voices.
As might be expected, they observed a similar effect for facial attractiveness, but the vocal effect was stronger. When personality is involved,
highly attractive voices had more pleasantly rated personalities than students with less attractive voices.
As might be expected, they observed a similar effect for facial attractiveness, but the vocal effect was stronger. When personality is involved,
a pretty voice is better than a pretty face.”
Continue readingHow to have an undefeated mind
‘Celebrate your success at persevering, at not giving up.*
The essence of victory lies in the act of refusing to be defeated; Let success mean you are committed. Let failure mean, insufficient
progress.’Continue readingTHE great speech from legendary adman Leo Burnett
“. . . But let me tell you when I might demand that you take my name off the door . . . That will be the day when you start trying to make money and less time making advertising . . . When you lose that restless feeling that nothing you do is ever good enough . . . when you are no longer what Thoreau called “a firm with a conscience” . . .
Continue reading
Continue readingHow to profit from Mark Twain’s take on clear speaking
“Verbal expression is the mirror of the mind. Clear thoughts become clear statements, whereas ambiguous ideas transform into vacant ramblings. 
The trouble is that, in many cases, we lack very lucid thoughts. The world is complicated, and it takes a great deal of mental effort to understand even one facet of the whole.
Until you experience an epiphany, it’s better to heed Mark Twain: “If you have nothing to say, say nothing.”Continue reading
Three questions that will tell you what your people think of you
- Do you want to keep me as a CEO?
- Over the last three months did I get better at this job or worse?
- Why?
Michael Kelly scores M. Turnbull and B Shorten’s speech and body language in their Sky News debate
Why BDMs need to target Hope, Love or Fear
“I only know about four things when I create an ad – love, hope, hate and fear”. 
This is a quote by Bob Goodman from the book, The New Prince by American political commentator and author, Dick Morris
What’s the point in sharing this quotation with you?
Simply this.
When you are prospecting for business keep in mind the emotions of love, hope and fear (omit hate). These three emotions are the hardwired reasons why prospects buy. In particular, hope and fear will be pivotal.Continue reading