Give people the opportunity just before they are ready for it.  In hospitality we either promote too soon or not soon enough.  The key is to give people the opportunity at a time when they are almost there.  This will push them out of their comfort zone so they are challenged, but just enough so that they achieve success.  

- Sarah Derry for HospitalityMagazine.com.au

Something that is always relevant and seemingly misunderstood is the Customer Experience. Harley Manning and Kerry Bodine of Outside In defines this as, "Customer Experience is how your customers perceive their interactions with your company."  Here's some compelling proof on why this topic deserves focus and understanding: Over a recent 5-year period when S&P 500 was flat, a stock portfolio of customer experience leaders grew 22%!  

To further break down what's the "customer experience," it's the product and services you offer, how you manage your business, and what your brand stands for.  It 's what a customer perceives will happen when they try and buy your product, use it, and/or what would happen if there is a problem with it.

Getting an audience is hard.  Sustaining an audience is hard.  It demands a consistency of thought, of purpose, and of action over a long period of time.

- Bruce Springsteen

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  The Golden Rule concept exists through hundreds of cultures and is known by millions; therefore, it should come as no surprise that it intersects with your business practices and behavior.  It should be your ethical pillar upon which your business sits.

Do you consciously consider with each business move that is made what impact will be felt, how will your decisions and actions show up, and what chain of events/emotions will occur because of them?  If not, you should.  For your business to earn the respect it deserves, you should carefully choose which steps to take and which words to speak.  You should handle the business and treat your employees, coworkers, vendors, and customers with the same regard that you would like for them to handle their work and treatment of you.  What, in the least, should we consider as we put the Golden Rule into practice in our businesses? 

As geese flap their wings, they create an uplift for the bird following.  By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if any bird were to fly alone.

- Author unknown, quoted by John J. Murphy in Pulling Together

Did you know that 1 out of every 4 working adults in the U.S. is a salesperson (The Simple Truths of Selling, by Todd Duncan)?  That certainly means there's a lot of competition in this profession, and success can't come easy. How do you separate yourself from the crowd and get noticed? What makes a successful salesperson today and in this economy?  This would be a great time for me to introduce a new ground breaking sales technique that is a sure thing. To tell you the truth, there isn't one.  The business section of any book store is filled with resources on learning how to sell, how to be a better sales person, improving sales techniques…etc.  However, the truth of the matter is that successful selling comes from the basics, not from new methodologies that seem to distract from the authentic sales exchange.