BLArticle®
The personal touch of a blog; the informative touch of an article.
Not Only Do Opposites Attract…
... They Must Attract! I’ve always loved the game of basketball. I played the game at a pretty high level as a kid, coached kids when I got older, and even played in a handful of adult leagues. Strangely enough, it was the last league I played in that made me...
Don’t Give Up On The Obvious
I always get a kick out watching my wife go about looking for lost items. To her credit, like most of us, she always starts in the most obvious places. If it’s lost keys, she looks in her purse. If it’s a lost cell phone, she’ll look on her desk. If it’s a lost...
The Dreaded Monotone Face
I’ve been noticing a new, rather disturbing phenomena that seems to be settling in on many of my virtual conversations. The sound is good, the camera is sharp, the connection seems adequate, and the lighting is generally fine. In our race to master this unique form...
When Questions Become Conversations
It seems basic to be told, taught, and prodded to ask questions when we communicate with clients. I can’t imagine anyone who has been trained to sell who has not been taught this lesson… and taught this lesson multiple times. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s working! ...
The Danger Is At The End – Not The Beginning
A few years ago, I was invited to go on a Segway tour of Washington, D.C. Having never been on a Segway before, I was a bit anxious, but I didn’t really have a choice. I had auctioned off the ten-person tour for a charity, and part of the package was for me to attend....
Moving On – Surviving Workplace Abuse
It’s a common experience. You get a job that seems to promise great things. You work for a manager who seems to have your best interest at heart. You work with a team of like-minded individuals, and they all seem to be people you can really bond with. It seems like...
The Bully In The Brain
“You’re just not good enough.” Have you ever heard those words rattling around in your brain? Perhaps a better question would be this: Has anyone not heard those words rattling around in his or her brain? It’s the same voice that challenges our expertise and...
The Time Has Come For A Blarticle® Pivot
Almost seventeen years ago, I started writing something I refused to call a blog. The truth is, I’ve never liked blogs. Too many of the ones I read were long on story and short on value; no clear message, and no answer to the most important question I’ve built my...
Planting a Seed for Commitment
Many years ago, I remember watching an old Woody Allen move called “Annie Hall.” It wasn’t my favorite movie, but there was one particular scene I really connected with. Woody Allen was on a first date with Diane Keaton, and he was nervous about the first kiss that...
That’s EnterTrainment
Now, more than ever, it’s important to not just speak, but speak well, and that often means incorporating an element of entertainment. After all, when our communications are not face-to-face, it’s a whole lot more difficult to hold the attention of those we are...
The Secret Ingredient Behind Most Great Communicators
Like making a good sauce, there are so many ingredients that go into making a great presenter. I happen to believe there is one particular ingredient that stands out from all the rest. Ironically, it’s a somewhat overlooked component because many believe this...
The Can’t Miss Holiday
I’m a New Year’s Eve man. No doubt about it, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. What can you say about New Years Day that isn’t positive? Christmas is a wonderful holiday, but not everyone celebrates Christmas. The same could be said for Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Hanukah,...
Five Percent Moves
I purchased a new thermos the other day. I was looking for something else, and I found it quite by accident. It turned up on one of those pages on Amazon that says this: “If you liked that other thing you purchased, you might like this.” At first, I dismissed the...
How Much of Your Story Does an Audience Really Need to Hear?
You’d think introducing yourself to an audience would be a relatively easy task. The reality is this: Those first couple of minutes of “your story” can make or break the rest of the presentation. When you think about it, it’s a bit ironic; one of the most challenging...
A Path To Wisdom
When I was a kid, I remember begging my parents to buy me a journal. I really wanted that journal; I had dreams of capturing all sorts of private thoughts, and I wanted to be able to to lock it! I was relentless, deploying every trick in the book to convince my...
Changing One Word Changes Everything
Starting a new podcast is not for the faint of heart. There are so many things I have to do before I even get to talk to my first guest. I have to come up with a name that reflects my unique niche. I have to create show art that adheres to strict requirements. I have...
The Power of Failure
The other day, I delivered a program that just wasn’t my best. It wasn’t due to a lack of preparation or a lack of effort, but I was faced with obstacles with every move I made. I won’t bore you with the details, but my favorite obstacle was leaving a breakout room,...
From Pep Talks to Whispering…
Throughout my life, like many other entrepreneurs, I’ve repeatedly made the mistake of choosing clever over clear, falling into a trap I call “The Something for Everyone Syndrome.” One of my latest journeys into this unwinnable war was with my podcast, Pocket Sized...
Making Your Mind Smile
In 1991, Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, and plenty more came together and put out a movie called Hook. It was a sequel to the movie, Peter Pan, and the critics didn’t seem to like it much, only giving it a lowly 29% on Rotten...
The “Something for Everyone” Syndrome
Beware, because it’s coming for you… It’s a flawed marketing concept that is lurking around the corner, and waiting to deceive you. It promises success, yet in reality, almost always impedes it. Once it teaches its lesson, it waits patiently until you fall for the...
“Rob is an expert not only in the art of influence,
but also in human nature.”
~Ken Blanchard,
coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Trust Works!
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