12 Nov

I have seen examples of people who achieved highly successful careers but were still unsatisfied with their situation. Something compels them to make decisions that, in several cases, are financially disastrous. They passed up certain high levels of earnings, probably with the expectation that they would earn even more significant amounts. Many of us would gladly trade places with them and do not understand why their ambition, needs, or greed caused them to reject the fortune they have attained.  Is it greed – or stupidity? I am sure there are psychological explanations for this, and I encourage these professionals to...

06 Nov

Sometimes, well-meaning people plan or take actions that they intend to create a social good or results for the betterment of all, but their actions result in undesirable unintended consequences. The people who were supposed to benefit do not do so and, in many cases, are worse off than before the action. There are many examples from economics or politics.  Here are a few: Rent controls Rent controls are prevalent in New York City. Landlords raise rents to levels that are unaffordable to many people. So, the political solution is to enact rent controls that limit the amount of rent or increases.  Rent...

23 Oct

What is the “best” sales presentation? How can it be defined or characterized? Is it a flawless presentation, perhaps utilizing the most up-to-date technology designed to awe the audience? And one with no technological glitches, like a poor internet connection or mysterious pauses? Or one with large, readable graphics? Or the slickest? Or one in which the presenter was the most charismatic and articulate? Maybe it would be like the presentations that Steve Jobs used to give at the annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference or for new product introductions. Or is it the one that best addresses the buyer’s current, future, or even...

08 Oct

“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ― Mark Twain All of us wish to do what we love (or like) to do and earn a good wage for doing something we enjoy. In my case, I would have liked to have been a professional baseball or hockey player.  But I had no exceptional talent to be a professional in either sport – even at the lowest levels.  So, that dream was never realistic.  A second choice would have been to be a television or radio broadcaster for any professional sport.  However,...

30 Sep

I have read that we must keep lowering standards, such as the educational requirements for elementary and high school kids, where graduation rates and grade point averages have risen. Still, standardized tests show declines in comprehension and academic performance. In addition, the U.S. military and police and fire departments have lowered standards. This was done mainly because not enough people have qualified for the standards in place for ages. It will hurt students later when universities or employers expect them to perform at the levels that they supposedly achieved. There is also strong evidence that there has been inflation in the...

20 Sep

I am often asked this question, and the answer isn't straightforward. Even the most skilled sales managers can attest to the challenge of finding and hiring exceptional salespeople. High-performing salespeople are rare and in great demand. There isn’t a simple answer that applies to every company. My first question in response is, “Are you interested in hiring ‘proven’ salespeople—or in finding and developing salespeople?”  This is a fundamental choice that the company and hiring manager must make. Each has advantages and disadvantages. It also matters whether you intend to utilize a recruiter. Let’s review some of the differences. If you find and hire...

09 Sep

Recently, my electric garage door opener malfunctioned. I called Bob, a repairman I had used before, who diagnosed the problem over the telephone as a bad torsion spring. When Bob arrived, he checked the door and confirmed that the torsion soil spring needed to be replaced. Bob asked me how long I planned to live in my current house.  Was I planning on selling the home soon? I told him we planned to stay in the house as long as my wife and I could live independently, which I hoped would be a very long time, hopefully, many years.  That was a...

06 Aug

Recently, an interviewer asked me what the best advice I had ever received was and, on the contrary, what the worst was.  These were very challenging questions, and I had to ponder for quite a while to determine thoughtful answers.  It was easy to think of some that were not very serious.  Much of what I have been told by trusted relatives, friends, and teachers was well-meaning but not very beneficial. For example, many told me to behave better and not to talk so much in school, which seemed unachievable.  Not everybody who gives you advice has the best intentions;...

09 Jul

Pausing AI Development Is Not Feasible Many in politics, academia, technology, and the media have recently called for a cessation or pause in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development. Their concern is that AI can be so disruptive that it can harm people’s lives, especially regarding employment.  Perhaps robots and computers will cost people’s jobs.  And they are alarmed that the technology is moving too quickly. Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic church, “issued a warning against artificial intelligence . . . , saying in a statement it should be used in ‘service of humanity’ and warning to be vigilant of the ‘rapidly increasing...

23 Apr

My latest book, Above Quota Sales Management, has been published by Armin Lear Press and is available on Amazom.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Above-Quota-Sales-Management-Techniques/dp/196327105X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2H3YJCJUCYJ78&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.K_4_4T0BF1S7HRvC6pufcqmtuy_tgN8ieKomqmfZPcVzKTXUkoyezqjeoVXsc_UdHCQRZlFV My first book, Above Quota Performance , was targeted at sales professionals with the goal of improving their performance by following the hundreds of tips and techniques that were covered in the book. It has been well received by readers, many of whom have given it a perfect 5-star review on Amazon so far. Above Quota Sales Management follows a style similar to my previous book but targets sales managers. The book covers many critical...