When I was at university, my sweetheart’s father worked at Phillip Morris USA. He was a good guy, and fairly senior in the corporation. We respected his business savvy. He used to say: "Kids, there's no emotion in business." Kinda funny coming from a guy with such a big heart. Of course, I have … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #70: No emotion in business? Quite the opposite.
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Scarlett Letter #69: Vague is the plague…
"Vague is the plague; specific is terrific!" my friend Jayne said emphatically last night. "This was a mantra of my friend's sixth grade teacher." Huh, I thought. That must have been one sharp sixth grade class! Jayne was recounting a story of a senior networking meeting that she attended last … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #69: Vague is the plague…
Scarlett Letter #68: What does your firm *DO* with good advice?
As a contributing writer to RainToday---site dedicated to articles/research/resources specifically focused on business development/marketing for all professional services industries---I can honestly say that their content is rich and valuable. Yet, although I have no real proof, I postulate that … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #68: What does your firm *DO* with good advice?
Scarlett Letter #67: AEC social media success story
Recently, Modern Steel Construction published my two-part article on social media for the AEC business professional: DEMYSTIFYING SOCIAL MEDIA, PART 1 What is it, and what makes sense for the AEC industry? DEMYSTIFYING SOCIAL MEDIA, PART 2 The intent is simple: give value, get visibility. I … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #67: AEC social media success story
Scarlett Letter #66: Imagine the client’s evaluation of your performance
As we're finishing up the semester at Columbia College, it's time for students to submit their teachers' evaluations. I regret that when I attended university, I rarely completed those evaluations. Now, as an adjunct professor, my student's go through two evaluations: the online lickert scale … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #66: Imagine the client’s evaluation of your performance
Scarlett Letter #65: Pay it forward–building firm espirit de corps
It's been a tough year for all of us. Employees have loyally stuck by your firm (and they have also been glad to be working, no doubt!) As this year finally comes to a close, what can you do to make their experience more rewarding? How might your firm build a stronger espirt de corps by organizing a … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #65: Pay it forward–building firm espirit de corps
Scarlett Letter #64: Leaving voicemail can help when prospecting.
Can voicemails actually help in the prospecting/selling process? In a word: absolutely. So often people tell me that when they are trying to reach someone they've never met, they will hang up if they reach the person's voicemail. They then proceed to place repeated calls until finally a live person … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #64: Leaving voicemail can help when prospecting.
Scarlett Letter #63: Giving thanks for working in the AEC profession…
On Thanksgiving 2009, it seems fitting to list just a few reasons (of many) that I am thankful to belong within the AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) industry.... Not in any particular order, I'm thankful to work in the AEC profession because I'm: -Working with smart, well-educated … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #63: Giving thanks for working in the AEC profession…
Scarlett Letter #62: Wacky creatures of habit…helpful or harmful?
To date, I have taught about a dozen semesters worth of college level courses. Strangely, I have been both fascinated and baffled by the fact that my students seem to sit in the same seat or at least same general vicinity during every single class. The very first day of class, seating is completely … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #62: Wacky creatures of habit…helpful or harmful?
Scarlett Letter #61: Is your work a mystery? Or, do people clearly understand what you DO?
It's easy to assume that people really know what we do. Trust me, they probably do not. This includes internal colleagues, especially those at the C-level (even if you, too, are senior)! In your work environment, even if a professional colleague has watched you in action, they may not really know: … [Read more...] about Scarlett Letter #61: Is your work a mystery? Or, do people clearly understand what you DO?