Guy Harris introduced me to cognitive dissonance and I knew that I had to buy the book he recommended entitled
Mistakes Were Made (but not by me). I read a section on page 19 that reads as follows, "Neuroscientists have recently shown that these [cognitive] biases in thinking are built into the very way the brain processes information - all brains, regardless of their owners' political affiliation. For example, in a study of people who were being monitored by mangetic resonance imagin (MR…
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Added by Derek Arnold on April 29, 2009 at 10:15am —
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In Advanced Training we learned that in order to have good and healthy relationships with those around us, we need to be able to take responsibility for our relationships. The recommendation was that we learn three simple phrases.
1. I'm sorry.
2. I'm sorry I misunderstood.
3. I'm sorry I did not make myself clear.
All three of the phrases accepts responsibility. The reason we must be able to say this is because we cannot continue healthy relationships while shifting all responsibility to the…
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Added by Derek Arnold on April 1, 2009 at 11:00am —
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Recently in Las Vegas our business group decided to purchase 5 identical ties as part of a business presentation. We entered store “A”, were promptly greeted and assisted in the selection of the ties. The salesperson was asked, “Is there a discount if we buy 5 ties from you? “. The young man responded, “I can’t do anything like that.” One of our group informed him that a store upstairs had offered a 30% discount on a multiple tie purchase. Unphased our employee basically quit serving us at that…
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Added by Dave Weimar on March 4, 2009 at 3:45pm —
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While visiting North Carolina, I had lunch at a national chain burger restaurant. As I approached the line to order I observed the order status board behind the counter. It had 11 or 12 orders on the board and 7 of them were flashing red. A flashing red order indicates the service time has exceeded the allowed standard. A young female assistant manager was trying to expedite the orders. She reached behind her grabbed two bags and said, “Two number ones and two number fives.” Nobody in the assemb…
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Added by Dave Weimar on February 26, 2009 at 10:30am —
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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR THE DIRECT HOME SALES CONSULTANT
Whether you are just starting out in business for yourself, or have had a home-based business for a while, here are some good business practices for you to consider:
Set up a separate checking account with an “attached” savings account at the same bank. Try to qualify for an account for which you need only a small, or no, minimum balance. Keep enough in the checking account to cover charges for unanticipated expenses like bad checks…
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Added by Kim Harrison on February 25, 2009 at 4:14pm —
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I had orientation for my Masters program in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, FL) yesterday and I just wanted to share an exercise that we did that some of you might be interested in.
After the introduction of the faculty, we did this ice-breaker that was very cool. It was called "River of Life."
There were about 16 people participating. They gave us each a 11"x17" piece of blank paper and a few markers. The instructions were pretty b…
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Added by Onae Fazio on January 10, 2009 at 10:44am —
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Have you ever been a-clue-istic, one without a clue, with regard to reading other people? I have, and as a Behavioural Symptoms Analysis expert here is what I’ve learned.
In April 1994, as a member of the Canadian Forces, I took part in a Prisoner Handling and Tactical Questioning course held at the Defence Intelligence and Security School in Ashford Kent, England. Only a few hours after arrival, I found myself striped naked, placed in a cold cell, and intensely interrogated by a hostile Britis…
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Added by Jean (JJ) Brun on December 17, 2008 at 8:43pm —
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Not all of them are credible, however, and perhaps you cheated. Make sure the following attributes in the study:
Good written English
The test must be able to show a good foundation of grammar. If you notice, but a small mistake in the basic grammar, and then move on the next page. This indicator is a sign that the sample is not credible. In addition, a well-written composition and simply uses the right words. Highfalutin words should sound an alarm.
Short and succinct
You know it's a good c…
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Added by Christine on December 16, 2008 at 9:30pm —
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"How to write a five-sentence email…Whether UR young or old, the point is that the optimal length of an email message is five sentences. All you should do is explain who you are, what you want, why you should get it, and when you need it by."
While exaggerated for effect, this strikes me as sound advice. And, in the context of a discussion about education, I’m reminded of the “hamburger
essays…
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Added by Lindsay James on December 14, 2008 at 10:00pm —
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There is an old saying that ‘if you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail’. A hammer is a useful tool if you need to connect pieces of material together quickly with fasteners. It may appear to be a useful tool for everything, if it is the only tool you own. I am six foot four and considered to be a large person by most folks. In business, I had become a very large hammer.
I am better at understanding and empathizing with people today than I used to be. My previous misunderstanding of pe…
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Added by Dave Weimar on November 19, 2008 at 6:53am —
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Is Customer Service important to business? Is it important build a market block of loyal customers through attention to their needs? The answer seems obvious at first blush. Management will tout their training in Customer Service in almost every case. The reality at the customer contact level is more suspect. In over forty years of observation, I have detected a change in the past few that is disturbing.
On a recent visit to an upscale retailer, a well dressed customer spent over ten minutes in…
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Added by Dave Weimar on November 19, 2008 at 6:30am —
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Attitude and Choice are everything. Andy Andrews said we are where we are because of our best thinking and the choices we make. That should worry some of us. The following story was sent to me and illustrates the perspective well.
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"
He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was havi…
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Added by Dave Weimar on November 11, 2008 at 8:04am —
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They say all good things in life start at the beginning. Sometimes, though, we get pretty far down a certain road before we realize that road isn’t leading exactly where we want to go. Much as we’d prefer to keep moving forward, it might be a better idea to turn around, go back, and make a brand new beginning, using all the lessons we’ve learned on the round trip! This blog is about new beginnings, and how we can move beyond the old ways and the old thinking to create a new reality for ourselves…
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Added by Ron Sukenick on November 10, 2008 at 8:03pm —
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We just had a fantastic
Take to Market training session in Atlanta the week of October 27.
First, the Personality Insights staff kicked things off with some lessons on how to apply the DISC Human Behavior model to the sales world.
Then, Joe Pici went to work teaching class participants how to target their market, how to develop a killer value proposition for their business, and how to use the phone effectively to schedule meetings. After working with the class on these concepts, he lead…
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Added by Administrator on November 5, 2008 at 12:51pm —
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Discipline
It is about a foot high. The base is five inches square. There is a silver figure of a martial artist in a ready stance. A plate on the front reads, “Martial Arts America Dedication Award, R.D. Weimar III, 2005”. Richard, my fifteen year old, was greatly pleased. Two days later he asked an interesting question. “Dad, why did I get the award?”
My eighteen year old came home and announced, “I made first chair horn and have solos!” This is the same Amy, who last year decided to change…
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Added by Dave Weimar on November 3, 2008 at 11:24pm —
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We have completed the initial launch preparations, and we are up and running. We will continue to make improvements and add features over time. So, your comments and feedback are welcome as we make this a dynamic and active online community.
If you're interested in learning how to develop better relationships, build stronger teams, reduce conflict and stress, and communicate with others more effectively, join us.
We're inviting our friends to join. We encourage you to do the same. The strength…
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Added by Administrator on October 22, 2008 at 11:30am —
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Just a note on cognitive dissonance...
Corporate Ties and Customer Service
Business Management tips for people in a home based business/ Direct Sales Industry
Orientation - ice breaker - River of Life
Finding the Wolf within your Flock
Credible College Essay
Guy Kawasaki & the art of the 5-sentence email
WHY A BLOG ABOUT BEYOND NETWORKING? - From the desk of Ron Sukenick
Take To Market Training A Huge Success
