Wednesday, February 12, 2014

How to Bulk Up Your B2B Sales

From INC.com

Acquiring new clients can be particularly challenging in competitive B2B industries. My own company, WordStream, competes with other search engine marketing software and service vendors in an incredibly noisy space, filled with highly skilled Internet marketers. Even so, we've managed to sign up a few thousand customers in just three years. Having a solid product is a must, but beyond that, how can businesses cut through all the noise to connect with clients at scale?
These five tips will help position your business as the best choice for B2B prospects and provide them with everything they need to comfortably and eagerly come on board.

1. Display Thought Leadership

This is an incredibly effective but underutilized strategy. When clients seek out information about you and your company (and they will), it's important that what they find underscores your expertise and authority.
Writing is an effective way to demonstrate thought leadership, whether on your company blog or in industry publications. Focus on high quality, engaging content your audience will appreciate and want to share. If you aren't a fan of writing, try other forms of media like video or podcasts to create content that showcases your extensive knowledge about your industry and market. Thought leadership might also mean teaching or public speaking. Seek out opportunities to present at conferences and begin to build your reputation as a go-to person for relevant, accurate information and always make yourself available for interviews.
Use social media to amplify your content, but also to network and participate in conversations relevant to your target market. Twitter chats like #ppcchat, for example, are a great tool for budding thought leaders. Conversations are organized around a hashtag and open to anyone who wants to participate. Depending on the organizer, there may be scheduled events or simply an ongoing, open conversation. TweetReports offers a fairly comprehensive schedule of Twitter chats--see if you can find one relevant to your business.

2. Build Brand Ambassadors Inside Your Company and Out

Employees and existing clients can be fantastic brand ambassadors, helping to spread and reinforce the good word about your company.
Encourage employees to participate in social media and get comfortable with establishing thought leadership of their own. Getting your team behind the company message and involved in the industry offers a number of benefits: employees are more invested in your success, feel supported in their career development, and become a point of contact for prospects across social channels. Have clear social media policies in place and monitor all activity around your brand, whether by staff, your marketing team, or the larger community.
Social media has also opened the doors for customers and clients to become brand advocates. Remember when a client testimonial on your website was a ringing endorsement? Everyone has testimonials on their site now; you have to dig deeper. Prospects have no problem seeking out existing clients of yours and asking about their experience. Nurture your client relationships, educate them about your product or service, and encourage interactions around your brand to get maximum benefit from this existing relationship.

3. Know Your Ideal Client and Where to Find Them

If you could pick and choose your client list, who would they be? Once you've identified the people and brands you'd really love to bring on board, you can get to work discovering where they "live" online, what they're talking about, what their interests are, and other information that will help you connect.
Bringing a new client on board can be a costly investment; it typically costs five times as much to acquire a new customer than to generate new business from an existing one. You need to make sure the prospects you're drawing in deeper are the right fit for your company.
At WordStream, we assess prospects using a unique RFP process by which we examine their goals, past performance, and business model before choosing to bring them on board. We don't take on clients that are not a good fit, and you shouldn't feel pressured to, either. Focus on building a happy client base by putting the legwork into ensuring an ideal match before committing.

4. Be Real.

Embellishing or making lofty promises is a sure way to disappoint prospects. Be honest and upfront about what you offer so if it's not a good fit, neither of you waste your time. Is it really worth nurturing a lead you can't convert to a happy customer?
Being real means truth and honesty in your advertising. It means underpromising and overdelivering, rather than making commitments you won't be able to keep. It prevents negative feedback about your company by ensuring that in every case, with each new client, you've set yourself up for success.

5. Understand Your Prospect's Path to Purchase

As I said earlier, B2B purchases and onboarding can be a lengthy process. The person you are dealing with--your actual prospect--has to convince others within their company that your product or service is the best option.
Doing so requires information they can take to the table to educate themselves and their peers, then weigh it against other information they undoubtedly have from your competitors.  You need to understand what type of information is going to help your prospect decide at each point in their decision-making process.  Initially, they may be looking for a simple overview with highlights--but what format do they prefer? What channels are they using to seek out that information? When will they be ready to move on to more in-depth information and what is the best way for you to recognize that next step?
Map out your understanding of prospect-buying journeys by creating a number of personas representing different facets of your desired client base. This is a critical first step in better understanding your prospective clients and how to best reach and resonate with them. As you obtain more data, you can use it to build out and fine tune your personas and buying-journey maps.

The Secret to Winning New Clients

Okay, so it's not exactly a secret--a lot of business people know this, yet few manage to perfect the art of maximizing the opportunities already available to them. Winning new clients doesn't mean you have to come up with some crazy new marketing strategy; it's quite the opposite. You need to determine where you're falling down, where you're losing prospects, and close those gaps. My colleague, Perry Marshall describes this as a unique twist on the Pareto principle: 20 percent of your skills produce 80 percent of your results.
Focus on improving your existing client relationships, empowering employees to be brand ambassadors, and better understanding exactly what it takes to convert a prospect to a client. Home in on and really perfect that 20 percent of your efforts that produce 80 percent of your results. You end up with more effective marketing and a stronger overall business presence that prospects can't resist.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

14 Lessons We Can All Learn From "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Both the book and the movie “The Wolf of Wall Street” contain many crazy, entertaining, and decadent stories. But beneath all the debauchery there are a number of key lessons for you to learn from the success of Jordan Belfort and Stratton Oakmont.
Read on for some great insight into this motivated business man that will show you how Jordan Belfort was able to build a super pumped organization before it all came tumbling down.

| Build a Business |


Wolf of Wallstreet

1. Execute on Ideas

Stratton Oakmont’s initial success was based on two premises:
• That Belfort had come up with a way of teaching young, uneducated people how to sound like professional stock brokers over the phone.
• That rich people love to gamble – especially when the gamble seems like a legitimate business opportunity.
While there had been other people on Wall Street who’d had the same idea, Jordan Belfort was the first person to execute on this idea.

2. Simplify

The reason Belfort was able to transform young, uneducated people into charismatic stock brokers was because he was able to impart his knowledge by giving simple instructions in a way that even the most stupid employees could easily understand.
“And as word of this little secret began to spread throughout Long Island—that there was this wild office, in Lake Success, where all you had to do was show up, follow orders, swear your undying loyalty to the owner, and he would make you rich—young kids started showing up at the boardroom unannounced.” – Jordan Belfort

3. Put Together a Loyal Team

Guys like Kenny Greene and Danny Porush weren’t the smartest guys around. But, they were long-term friends who were fiercely loyal to Jordan Belfort.
What does this mean?
That it might be a good idea to work with old friends who knew, and liked you, before you got rich and successful. By doing this you will reduce the risk of:
• Becoming betrayed or backstabbed by two-faced people.
• Making stupid decisions because you’re surrounded by yes-men who don’t give you accurate feedback.

4. Diversify Competence

Why were Jordan Belfort and Danny Porush a good team?
Because they were very different:
• Belfort had sleeping problems. Porush could fall asleep everywhere – even during bumpy plane rides.
• Belfort was a highly strategic leader who specialized in delegation. Porush was a good enforcer –brutal enough to eat a gold fish to put employees in their place.
• Belfort was analytical and had a long-term orientation. Porush was emotional and short-sighted.
They were both good at different things – but together they were a great combination.

| Do Business |


wolf of wallstreet jordan belfort

5. Dress for Success

From day one, employees were instilled with the mantra that they had to act as if – starting by dressing well and looking the part. The purpose of this was to improve their self-esteem and charisma.
Jordan Belfort even hired a guy to create tailor-made suits for the up-and-coming employees of Stratton Oakmont.

6. Gather Intelligence on Rivals and Enemies

Belfort gathered intelligence by:
• Bugging the SEC people who were investigating Stratton Oakmont.
• Befriending FBI agent Jim Barsini and getting information about the ongoing investigation on Stratton Oakmont.

7. Guard Your Secrets

Jordan Belfort carefully guarded his secrets by:
• Drafting legal documents to create plausible deniability for shady deals.
• Having the office of Stratton Oakmont and the houses of the top employees swept for bugs regularly.
• Never speaking over the phone about past business deals.
• Using pay phones and other covert forms of communication to ensure that no one listened in on what was being said.
Note: While your business probably differs from Belfort’s by being legal, it’s still a good idea to gather intelligence. For example, you might meet an employee of a rival firm for drinks to learn about the internal gossip going on over there.

8. Study History and Learn From Past Mistakes

Said by Belfort to a Swiss “master forger” while discussing banking laws:
“I’m a student of history, Roland, and I’m a firm believer that he who doesn’t study the mistakes of the past is doomed to repeat them”. – Jordan Belfort
You should follow Belfort’s example by:
• Studying past events in your profession to see what it was that made other people succeed or fail.
• Studying the great men who came before you.

| Create an Enticing Company Culture |


jordan belfort business

9. Establish a Concrete Reputation

There was never any doubt to the employees, nor the public, that anyone could make a ton of money by working for Stratton Oakmont. To confirm this, the only thing you had to do was take a look at the young, racially diverse, sometimes acne-ridden, well-dressed young men that spread havoc on Long-Island.
“The very idea of Stratton is that it doesn’t matter what family you were born into, or what schools you went to, or whether or not you were voted most likely to succeed in your high-school yearbook. The idea of Stratton is that when you come here and step into the boardroom for the first time, you start your life anew. The very moment you walk through the door and pledge your loyalty to the firm, you become part of the family, and you become a Strattonite.” – Jordan Belfort

10. Create a Set of Core Values that is Easy to Grasp

The core value of Stratton Oakmont was to seize the day. What this really meant to the employees was to:
• Make as much money as possible.
• Compete with colleges who could spend more money and live a crazier and more luxurious lifestyle.
–And what are some common core values of contemporary companies?
• Sustainability.
• Environmental friendliness.
• Integrity.
Which core values do you think are easier to communicate to the employees and make them live by?

11. Lead by Example and Set the Standard

No one over at Stratton Oakmont spent more money on buying luxury items, drugs, prostitutes, or partying than Jordan Belfort. He represented the epitome of the lifestyle that the employees sough to achieve.
“It’s important to keep these guys chasing the dream. And it’s even more important to keep them broke.” I gestured over to the plate glass. “Look at them; as much money as they make, every last one of them is broke! They spend every dime they have, trying to keep up with my lifestyle. But they can’t, because they don’t make enough”. – Jordan Belfort

12. Create Expectations

At Stratton Oakmont employees were expected to work their asses off and make a lot of money. Anything else was frowned upon.
“A rookie stockbroker was expected to make $250,000 his first year. Anything less and he was suspect. By year two you were making $500,000 or you were considered weak and worthless. And by year three you’d better be making a million or more or you were a complete f#%$ing laughingstock.” – Jordan Belfort

13. Provide Incentives for Hard Work

Not only were the employees of Stratton Oakmont paid far above the going rate for stock brokers – but a select few of the hardest working employees were also eligible to branch out on their own and start brokerage firms under Belfort’s guidance.
“It was what every Strattonite dreamed of and something I touched upon in all my meetings—that if you continued to work hard and stay loyal, one day I’d tap you on the shoulder and set you up in business. And then you would get truly rich.” – Jordan Belfort

14. Keep People Dependent on You

To ensure that employees were not only motivated to work, but literally had to stay at the firm and continue making lots money, Belfort encouraged employees to live beyond their means.
“I want you to deal with all your problems by becoming rich! I want you to attack your problems head-on! I want you to go out and start spending money right now. I want you to leverage yourself. I want you to back yourself into a corner. Give yourself no choice but to succeed. Let the consequences of failure become so dire and so unthinkable that you’ll have no choice but to do whatever it takes to succeed.” – Jordan Belfort
Jordan Belfort Picture Quote

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

7 Ways to Start a Great Day

Some people find mornings filled with optimism, while others would just as soon stay in bed until the clock passes the noon hour.  For most, however, the workday beckons and the morning is a mad rush to get everyone ready and out the door. By the time you reach the office, you've probably already dealt with the stress of family, weather, traffic and other distractions. Unless everything goes perfectly, you'll carry all that stress into your office and share it throughout the day with your employees and colleagues.
Fear not,  it is possible to get the day started right, no matter what comes your way.  Try one of these tips each day of the week or combine them. Either way, you'll start out on your terms and be prepared to make it a great day.
1. Plan the night before. Why start your day unorganized? If you organize your to-do-list, breakfast menu and your clothes the night before, you'll wake up feeling in control and relaxed. Taking 20 minutes to lay out everything can save you a 30-minute fashion crisis or search for the car keys. With a little efficiency, you'll save the frustration and scrambling, leaving you ready to tackle more important issues.
2. Try 15 minutes of meditation. Some might be afraid that a meditation session early in the morning could just put you back to sleep. But genuine meditation actually stimulates the brain in a deep and thoughtful way. It allows you to clear distractions from your mind and purge negative energy. Center yourself with thoughtful introspection or prayer and be open to the positive energy the world brings your way.
3.  Begin with inspirational reading. Part of my morning ritual easily allows for reading first thing. Many read the news, which can be a sad way to start the day. Buy a few books that are uplifting, inspiring, or even humorous for your first brain stimulus. This will give you positive, fun thoughts to keep you energized throughout the day.
4. Open your eyes to fresh flowers. If the first thing you see when you wake up is a dingy wall or barren winter yard, you can certainly improve those critical few minutes with a pleasing splash of color. Research suggests that exposure to bright colors in the early morning raises your spirits and energy. So pick up a pleasant bouquet every few days and set it right in your view.
5. Trade coffee for green tea. Coffee is a great stimulant, but sometimes it can over-stimulate and the acid can make your stomach uncomfortable. Try a soothing cup of green tea to start instead. You'll still get the caffeine you crave (just a bit less), plus healthy antioxidants. It's cheaper and healthier than a double caramel mochaccino, too. You can still get the java mid-morning if you want it, but you may find you don't even need it since the crash won't be as severe.
6. Do some yoga. Exercise is a great stimulant to wake you up, and make you feel good. It's good for the body and pumping those endorphins makes your mind happy and alert.  Cardio is great, but for the whole body approach, add a little yoga into your routine. You'll control your breath, stretch your muscles and generate energy. Your body and mind will be one and ready to conquer the world.
7. Schedule a hopeful appointment. I never feel more energized getting out of bed than when I have an important meeting about an exciting opportunity. The prospect of a fun and productive encounter usually wakes me with a smile and often without an alarm clock. I purposefully schedule as many meetings like this as possible. That way I get as many great days as I want.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Vision is Greater Than Sight

About 350 years ago, a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year, they established a town site. The next year, they elected a town government. The third year, the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness.

In the fourth year, the people tried to impeach their town government because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway?

These were people who had the vision to see 3,000 miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years, they were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision.

With a clear vision of what we can become, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries. I learned the power of vision from my seven year old daughter a few years ago. She loved to play catch with Dad. The object we threw--a tennis ball, football, one of those squishy balls--mattered little; but the challenge of consecutive catches mattered very much to her.
There was always the same goal, and only one goal, when we played catch--to break the existing records for consecutive catches. I remember one day my focused little daughter said, "Dad, let's try for 100 in a row." Since our best at that point was 50 I politely chuckled and said, "Sure sweetie." A few days later, we did it! So, next she said, "Dad let's go for 300 in a row."
Well, my daughter was learning to set a grand vision, but I still had a lot to learn. I thought to myself, "Gee, we just hit 100. Why not try to 125 or maybe 150 in a row? But 300?!" Of course, out loud I responded with another uneasy chuckle and a "Of course, little princess."
You guessed it. It was only a few days later that we hit 300 catches in a row. I was really impressed and quite content. My daughter was neither impressed nor content, but she was a lot smarter than I and had a bigger vision. "Dad, let's go for 500 now!" And to myself I thought, "You have GOT to be kidding me!"
Sure enough, that very same day, we caught 500 throws in a row. You'd think I would be a believer by now, but when her sparkling eyes looked at me and said, "Dad, let's go for 1,000 in a row!" I am embarrassed to admit that my internal response was the same. You guessed it. Less than 24 hours later we hit our current record--1,017 catches in a row!
Our record was more than 10 times bigger than what I could see, but it was exactly as big as my daughter's vision. It's a lesson I carry with me today--your vision should be much bigger than what you can actually see. Now I am a believer. What you envision is what you get. Look beyond your eyes to see the possibilities!  What is your vision?

Thursday, January 2, 2014

7 Healthy Habits for Entrepreneurs

The new year is here, time to crush some goals and make it the best yet! Below is an article from Inc.com with some helpful tips to get it started right!


Another year is upon us, and you may be wanting to kick off 2014 in a healthy way. But resolutions are like diets: they often fail. Usually because they don’t address your ingrained habits.

In his book, The Knack, my friend and mentor, Norm Brodsky writes about the importance of developing strong mental habits to help drive your entrepreneurial success. Without good habits in place, you are bound to repeat mistakes, waste time and money and squander opportunities that may lead you to your next big achievement.

Developing strong habits will also lead you down the road to success when it comes to your health. This year, instead of resolving to lose weight, or manage your stress better, decide instead to change a core habit that has led to your weight gain or your stressful life. Once you have made a choice about which habit you are going to change, work on it daily until you have mastered it.

Here are seven habits to consider in the New Year that will help move you closer to your health goals:

1. Eat breakfast. Busy entrepreneurs often skip this important meal which can have detrimental effects on focus, concentration, and decision making abilities. Plus, skipping breakfast can lead to increased cravings for sugary, refined foods as well as overeating at night. By committing to a protein-rich breakfast, like eggs, you will go a long way towards balancing your appetite and cravings, making it easier to make better food choices the rest of the day.

2. Eat for health. Cut out processed and refined food and embrace a whole foods diet, paying particular attention to increasing your vegetable consumption. If regimented eating programs feel overwhelming for you, simply clean it up. Not only will you lose weight, but you will improve your health and longevity, too.

3. Exercise regularly. Ideally, you want to strive for 30 minutes of concentrated exercise four times a week. But for entrepreneurs with hectic lifestyles, that may feel like another chore. If that's the case, shoot for just 10 minutes a day. Jump on the treadmill or take a 10 minute walk on your lunch break--just get moving!

4. Go to bed earlier. Studies have proven that lack of sleep can lead to obesity, disease, and elevated stress levels. Getting adequate sleep is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself. If it is your habit to stay up late, commit to going to bed at a more reasonable hour. If you bring electronics to bed, make your bedroom a tech-free zone. Read before bed and you will likely fall asleep faster.

5. Go on a TV strike. Television--particularly those 24-hour news channels--is a big contributor to nervousness, anxiety, and depression. If your stress levels are high, shut off the TV and go for a walk, call a friend or check out a movie instead. Filtering out the mindless chatter of the TV will also help with sleep.

6. Fire up the grill. Busy people tend to eat out a lot, opting for convenience rather than high quality foods. But every time you eat a meal in a restaurant you can walk away having consumed as much as an entire stick of butter! Rather than loading up on these calories, commit to cooking more at home. Get a cookbook and experiment. Make nutritious soups and freeze them for quick meals. Get a stove-top grill for healthy salmon or chicken dinners. Keep plenty of vegetables, washed and cut up, in the fridge. Add them to salads or toss with a little bit of olive oil then roast for 15 minutes in the oven for a healthy side dish. Not only will your body benefit from home cooking, so will your wallet.

7. Create smoke-free zones. If you are a smoker and have found it hard to kick the habit, think about the place you tend to smoke the most and then make that a smoke-free zone. By eliminating the one place you do the most puffing, you will dramatically reduce the amount of cigarettes you smoke in a day. Also consider trying e-cigarettes.
Adopt some of these habits, and you'll be well on your way to a happier, healthier new year!

Monday, December 30, 2013

14 Inspirational Quotes for 2014

The New Year is upon us! Below is an article we like outlining some great quotes to give your inspiration a jump start in 2014. Enjoy!

I used to hate inspirational quotes, maybe because my wrestling coach used to say, "If you're not puking or passing out... you're not trying hard enough." (Go ahead: bask in the warm glow of that little gem.)
Now I think inspirational quotes can indeed be inspirational--but only if we actually apply and live those words.
So instead of just grabbing famous quotes we've all heard before, I've picked things people told me that caused me to act differently. I probably won't remember what, say, Ben Franklin once said, no matter how poignant or witty--but I definitely remember what certain people said to me at critical moments in my life:
1. "Only a genius can do things his own way. You? You're no genius."
I worked a construction job one summer and kept questioning what I was told to do. The foreman finally, in no uncertain terms, set me straight.
It's okay to reinvent the wheel... but only after you know how the current wheel works.
Never assume you know better when you don't really know anything.
2. "If you want to know how much you'll be missed when you are gone, put your finger in a bucket of water and then remove it. The hole that's left will be how much you are missed."
No one is irreplaceable. No one. Not even this guy.
Instead of depressing, the thought we're professionally replaceable is liberating. You may not leave a hole, but you can leave a mark on a person, a team, or a culture that lives on after you're gone.
You may not be missed but you can be remembered--in the best possible way.
3. "We all have limits. Almost no one reaches theirs. You definitely haven't."
You could swim faster if a shark was on your tail. You could run faster if your child was in danger. You could work harder if the payoff was truly exceptional.
What we think we can do is always--always--less than what we can do if we really, really try. We always have a little more in us.
Find your true limits and you may find that success is limitless.
4. "Unless you're the lead dog in the sled, the view never changes."
Following the crowd means living the same life as the crowd.
You don't want that.
5. "There are two types of pain you will go through in life: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline weighs ounces while regret weights tons."
(Original to Jim Rohn.) The worst words you can say are, "I just wish I had..."
Push yourself to do what you hope to do... so you will never have to regret not having tried.
6. "Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son."
(Gotta love Dean Wormer.) I haven't overcome the stupid part... but I'm trying.
7. "The coward dies a thousand deaths, the brave but one."
(Original to Ernest Hemingway.) Think about easing into a cold ocean; every inch is excruciating. Dive in and it sucks big time... but then it's over.
It's even worse to turn away from what scares you because when you do, deep inside, a little piece of you withers and dies.
Dive in. It's never as cold, or as bad, as you think.
8. "Today's pain is tomorrow's power. The more you suffer today, the stronger you are tomorrow."
Self-pity is self-defeating. Tomorrow's success is based on today's discomfort. Plus willpower is like a muscle: the more you exercise it, the stronger your will gets.
And the easier it is to call on when dedication and persistence make all the difference.
9. "Bravery means finding something more important than fear."
Courage without meaning is just recklessness. Brave people aren't fearless; they've simply found something that matters more to them than the fear they're facing.
Say you're scared to start a business. Find a reason that has greater meaning than the fear: Your family's future, your desire to make a difference, or your dream of a more fulfilling life.
When you find a greater meaning you find the courage to overcome your fear.
10. "Do it or not. There is no try."
(Original Yoda, philosopher and avant-garde sentence constructor.) A boss once gave me what I thought was an impossible task. I said, "Okay... I'll try."
He explained that I would finish as long as I didn't quit. Trying didn't enter into it. Persistence was all that mattered.
Often we say, "I'll try..." because it gives us an out. Once we say, "I will," our perspective changes. What previously seemed insurmountable is no longer a matter of luck or chance but of time and effort and persistence.
When what you want to do really matters, never say, "I'll try." Say, "I will," and keep that promise to yourself.
11. "Stop waiting for the 'right time.' Success is a numbers game: the number of times you take a shot."
You'll never create the perfect business plan, never find the perfect partners, the perfect market, the perfect location... but you can find the perfect time to start.
That time is now.
Talent, experience, and connections are important... but put your all into enough new things and some will work. Take enough shots... and over time you'll grow more skilled, more experienced, and more connected... and that will mean a greater percentage of your efforts will succeed. Take enough shots, learn from what didn't work, and in time you'll have all the skills, experience, and connections you need.
Ultimately success is all about taking your shot, over and over again. Sometimes you may win, sometimes you will definitely lose... but the more things you try the more chances you have of succeeding.
Put the power of numbers on your side. Take as many shots as you can. There's no guarantee of success... but when you don't take a shot, there's a definite guarantee of failure.
12. "Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other guy to die."
The same holds for bitterness. And jealousy. And dislike.
Let it go. If you don't, the only loser is you.
13. "The extra mile is a vast, unpopulated wasteland."
(Me.) Everyone says they go the extra mile, but almost no one actually does. Most people think, "Wait... no one else is here... why am I doing this?"
That's why the extra mile is such a lonely place. That's also why the extra mile is a place filled with opportunities.
Be early. Stay late. Make the extra phone call. Send the extra email. Do the extra research. Help a customer unload or unpack a shipment. Don't wait to be asked; offer.
Every time you do something, think of one extra thing you can do--especially if other people aren't doing that one thing. Sure, it's hard.
But that's what will make you different--and over time will make you incredibly successful.
14. "It's just a flesh wound."
Neither should we.