Be Curious. Never Assume.

Curiosity is respectful. Assuming is not. I learned this from a wonderful therapist long ago, and it was my lesson this week. When you don’t bother to find out about people who think differently from you, you can assume things about them, and you may miss what’s really important: what they have in common with…

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Strive to Keep it Alive

In the first week of the season, the story of the NFL games was come-from-behind victories. Exciting games to watch, but frustrating if your team was not the one that came back. You would think, or at least I think, that once you have the lead, your momentum would carry you, and you hold onto…

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It's Not About Your "Stuff"

I moved apartments last week. Stressful. Moving. Right up there on the Holmes-Rahe stress scale, along with death and divorce. But I found it a very cleansing experience, with a major insight about speaking to grow your business. When you move, you have things you must keep and things you can discard or donate. I’ve…

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6 "M" Action Plan for Success

Do a bunch of achieving women business owner award-winners want to hear a long keynote speech at their award ceremony? I think not. So when I was asked to emcee the NAWBO Ventura Bravo Awards, they gave me some time to speak. I delivered 15 minutes. It was the action plan that I know successful…

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When People Trust You, They Buy You

“I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap.” –Ani DiFranco One of the chapters in my new book begins with that quote. It’s the chapter on preparing about your audience. I say, “The more you know, the better the flow.” The most important part of…

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Your Speech Coach Says: Always The Student

In your marketing speech, you “lead with the need” of your audience. You point out the pain, need or problem they are facing – for which your product or service is the solution. And then you tell them your solution. What words do you use in your message to describe your product or service? Some…

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Fun: The New Work Ethic

“Everything is for my entertainment or my education. If I’m not having fun, I must be learning.” I first heard that when I worked at Disney. Did Walt say that? Not sure. I say you can have fun while learning. And “fun” seems to be my brand. I got an email the other day from…

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Better Than the First Day of School

Yesterday was the First Football Sunday of the 96th season of the National Football League.  I took the whole day off from writing my next book. The working title is Pitch Perfect: Speak to Grow Your Business in 7 Simple Steps. Helping people find their voice and toot their own horn about their business is…

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Women’s Conference Takes a Leap

On Thursday, May 17, I will be the emcee at a wonderful women’s conference.  It is the 13th Annual Women in Business Symposium at the Del Mar Fairgrounds near San Diego. I spoke for this conference a couple of years ago, and it was an awesome, unforgettable experience.  Over 200 women coming together to work…

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