We live in distracting times, where any task can easily get derailed.   We surf the net, recheck pages, answer emails, juggle cell phone calls…and then there is the real world.  Today, I believe our greatest productivity challenge comes from these distractions.  There's one distraction you can get rid of:  Incoming information.   When I …

When times get tough, the average person becomes afraid, defensive and tactical.  This is no way to succeed in business either in the short, medium or long haul.  I speak at over a dozen sales conferences every year, it's my fave audience to talk to (as a life long sales pro).  I've done sales conferences …

For many of us, closing deals after Thanksgiving is a real turkey.  This is especially true during these hard times.  No one wants to commit, spend money or sign new deals right now.  Yet, many of us need to either meet 2008 goals, or create a pipeline for 2009.  What to do?  Anything but discounting.  …

Over the next few years, your relationships with suppliers and vendors will get pretty tough.  (Actually, I've learned that they should actually be called partners, because they make our success possible.) This terrible economy will cause many companies to adopt a what-can-you-do-about-price attitude with anyone asking for money, including long time partners.   If you …

The stock market’s current turmoil feels like a nasty flu: Fevers, breaking fevers, moment of euphoria as health returns, followed by setbacks. When I visit the home page on Yahoo!, my eyes can’t avoid the color of the stock market numbers below the news box. Sometimes they are slightly red. No sweat. Many times, there’s …

Innovation is a function of chemistry, motivation and necessity.  The best way to cultivate the right chemistry is through idea and knowledge sharing.   I read today that brand super-power Procter and Gamble has teamed up with Google, to kindle innovation the old fashion way:  A corporate work study program.    This is brilliant.  Take …

With the economy on the slide, layoffs and cutbacks loom over our days.  If the corporate grim-reaper makes a visit to your cube this Winter, are you ready?  Will you act like you 'saw it coming' or make a desperate fool out of yourself?  It really comes down to the element of surprise. A few …

Posted by Mark J Carter (with Saving The World at Work & Networking For A Cause) Below is an interview with Chris Brogan. Chris Brogan is a ten year veteran of using social media and technology to build digital relationships for businesses, organizations, and individuals. Chris speaks, blogs, writes articles, and makes media of all …

Last week I spent some quality time with fellow author Mark Sanborn in Bogota, Columbia. His new book, The Encore Effect, is a must read if you are interested in: * Getting asked back by your Customer * Exceeding expectations at work * Creating anticipation His book outlines how you can assess then over-deliver against …