Business Skills

Networking Mistake: Labeling Yourself
by Ilise Benun (05/14/2008)

When networking, one of your goals should be to invite the people you meet into a conversation.

How to Get a Cranky Customer
by Suzanne Richardson (05/12/2008)

Being on the receiving end of bad service can ruin your day. But there's good news: Every bad customer service experience you have (or hear about) can help you improve your own customer service.

How to Let a Mentor Find You
by Judith Strauss (05/10/2008)

Turn yourself into an outstanding employee - and your boss's number one protege - by following this advice from Automatic Wealth for Grads... and Anyone Else Just Starting Out:

Dear ETR: "My biggest dilemma is if I’m right for the job."
by Michael Masterson (05/09/2008)

Learning to become good at selling is simply learning technique. If you are smart enough to learn to ride a bicycle or use a computer spreadsheet, you are more than smart enough to learn the techniques you will need to be an excellent salesperson.

Good to Great - How Great Is That?
by Michael Masterson (05/05/2008)

"In the real world, getting from good to great requires extraordinary effort. It demands more time than you want, more energy than you have, and more cooperation than any normal person can be expected to contribute."

Checking E-Mail All Day? You’ve Got the Wrong Job
by Jason Holland (04/29/2008)

If your job requires you to check e-mail more than twice a day, you should probably be looking for a new position. That's what Michael Masterson told me in a recent editorial meeting.

Building Your Power Base at Work
by Brian Tracy (04/24/2008)

The more power and influence you develop on the job, the more you will be paid and the faster you will be promoted. There are three types of power that you can develop at work, all of which can be extremely helpful to you in getting ahead.

Is Your Client Relationship Worth a Cup of Coffee?
by David Cross (04/21/2008)

One of the great sales directors with whom I worked many years ago gave me a simple tip: "If you buy a client a cup of coffee, never, ever, ever ask for a receipt."

Loose Talk Costs
by David Cross (04/18/2008)

Loose talk in business may not be a life and death situation, but it, too, can be costly.

How to Ace a Job Interview
by MaryEllen Tribby (04/11/2008)

During the course of my business career, I have interviewed literally hundreds of candidates for various positions. Some people make the cut. But more often, I wind up saying, "Thanks, but no thanks."

How Do You Find a Mentor When You Are Stuck in the Boondocks?
by Michael Masterson (04/10/2008)

Nothing worth having in business is likely to be easy to get. And it's certainly not going to fall in your lap...

5 Easy Ways to Protect Your Credibility
by Suzanne Richardson (04/05/2008)

Public embarrassment is a very real potential side effect of the ease and convenience of e-mail. It's so simple to type out a few words and hit "send.

How to Get Donald Trump to Upgrade Your Hotel Room
by Suzanne Richardson (04/02/2008)

"Question your limits. Question others' boundaries. Question whether you can do something different," Cameron told me. "And you won't believe just how far you can go."

Getting E-Mails by Mistake
by Suzanne Richardson (03/25/2008)

Getting e-mails by mistake happens to me about four or five times a year. I've never gotten any that were particularly interesting, but I've heard some juicy stories...

Now Starring… You!
by Suzanne Richardson (03/14/2008)

What can you do to keep your personal life off limits to story-hungry bloggers?

Quick Professional Networking Tip: 3 Simple Steps
by Ilise Benun (03/11/2008)

here's more to networking than meeting new people. In fact, networking has three distinct steps - and if you're not doing all three, you're not taking full advantage of your networking efforts.

It’s Good to Know: The Google Way to Promote Your Non-Profit
by ETR (03/05/2008)

If you run a non-profit organization, you may be eligible for a new Google AdWords program called Google Grants.

How to Get the Team to Buy Into Your Ideas
by Michael Masterson (02/29/2008)

The most important ideas in business - the ones that revolutionize processes - are usually met with resistance, resentment, skepticism, and misunderstanding.

What’s Your “Signature Dish”?
by Bob Bly (02/27/2008)

With increasing competition, a great business strategy is specializing in one area, your 'signature dish.'

You Are Going to Have to Kiss a Few Frogs to Find Good Employees
by MaryEllen Tribby (02/15/2008)

Hiring the right people is one of the most important things you can do for your business. Here's how you do it...

You’re Just 3 Steps Away From Your New Business
by Paul Lawrence (01/16/2008)

Starting your own business may sound like an overwhelming task - but, like every worthwhile goal, it can be broken down into manageable parts. How to do it in three simple steps.

What Business Owners Can Learn From Baseball Managers
by Bob Bly (12/12/2007)

What makes a small business profitable and competitive over the long haul is a lot of small, sensible tests, trials and errors, and meticulously planned roll-outs.

Make Up Your Mind Already
by Rich Schefren (09/16/2007)

Have you ever met an idiot who is more successful than you are? We all have, right?

My 5 Rules for New-Job Success
by Michael Masterson (11/25/2006)

Whether you're entering the full-time workforce for the first time or have years of experience, keep the following in mind when moving into any new job.

Achieve More With a Mentor
by Michael Masterson (01/14/2006)

With the advice, experience, and support of an experienced person in your field, you can avoid the most common mistakes you are likely to make. You overcome the stickiest problems and find shortcuts to success.

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