The first five minutes.

It really boils down to the first five minutes. How do you handle the first five minutes of an important opportunity? To do it well, you have to be practiced, almost intuitive, and true to your values and training to react the way you intend in that first five minutes. Why is the first five …

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A microcosm of the economy

So, what do you believe? Is the economy coming back? Most economists say yes, but slowly. Most businesses say maybe–some are seeing more positive signs than others. Most people say not yet. However, the challenge may be that the “recovered” economy doesn’t look much like the robust economy of yesterday. Some businesses will never recover. …

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CEO Interview – Jim Wright

JIM WRIGHTTractor SupplyInterview with Jim Wright, Chairman and CEO of Tractor Supply Tractor Supply has made tremendous progress over the last decade and transformed itself in terms of the customer target and growth. How have you done that, especially in the last few years amidst such a challenging retail economy?We’ve done very well since 2008 …

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Perception vs. Reality….which matters most?

The answer: it depends. Here’s why. Reality: the state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they appear or may be thought to be. Perception: What is perceived is the result of past experience, and interpretation of sensory information. Most of us accept our most closely held beliefs, our thoughts about things, as …

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Can today’s business model for sports survive?

I am a huge sports fan. My husband is a golf pro, my oldest son played college and professional golf, my youngest son is playing Division 1 baseball and playing summer ball in the Cape Cod league. ESPN is our tv channel of choice. But the other day, I was thinking about sports, not as …

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Five Myths of Successful Business Management

Businesses are doing their best to produce top results in a tough market. It is not easy. It is made even more difficult because too many businesses succumb to common myths–myths called best business practice by trusted advisers such as business schools, the papers, or most often, other business leaders. Many of the myths seem …

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Are You Experiencing Selling Cycle “Creep”?

Selling cycle creep isn’t a new dance or rock bank; it is the ever-lengthening time it is taking customers to move through the selling cycle. In 2009, many customers just didn’t enter it at all, choosing to “just say no.” Today, customers are expressing interest, investigating new products and services, but stalling when it comes …

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CEO Interview – Fred Pryor

FRED PRYORFred Pryor Seminars/Career TrackInterview with Fred Pryor, Founder at Fred Pryor Seminars/Career Track This is part of our continuing CEO Interview Series to learn more about how strategic leaders are responsible for creating high performance companies. Fred, thanks for visiting with us today. What was the catalyst for you to found Fred Seminars in …

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CEO Interview – Dan Cathy

Interview with Dan T. Cathy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Chick-fil-A, Inc. What is it like to have a father for a leadership role model?It is certainly a unique relationship; there are not many businesses that are able to survive a transition from one generation to the next. Dad is 89 and still very active in …

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