For someone who is evaluating launching a new business venture, a big stumbling block can be the prospect of "having enough time" to really do it. This is especially true for someone whose plate may apparently be already full: existing j-o-b, family commitments, community endeavors.... Your ability to help a prospect with this subject can often be what cinches obtaining commitment.



For someone who has already has started their enterprise, with the best of intentions and the highest… Continue

When I saw that the late Heath Ledger won an Oscar for his role as The Joker in the latest Batman movie, it reminded me of the earlier version of Batman from the 80's. Michael Keaton. Kim Basinger. And especially Jack Nicholson. Jack played The Joker to the hilt, and certainly not as dark as in last year's movie. He had this line when he's passing out money to the people of Gotham City, and I guess it is his delivery that has made it stick with me. It goes "Hubba hubba, who do you… Continue

A-B-C. Always Be Closing.



You remember that, right? If you've ever been in a sales role for longer than 15 minutes, this concept has most assuredly been pounded into you. Here's the classic definition: when you are selling (which is ALL THE TIME, right?) you must always be asking closing questions, working on closing the deal. The various closes even get names: the presumptive close; the Ben Franklin close; the take-away close. You're even taught to ask little closing questions early… Continue

Help! I’m really not in a bunch of trouble

PETER CALLAGHAN; THE NEWS TRIBUNE

Published: 02/17/09 12:05 am



Lara Herrmann is a Tacoma attorney who has been active in a handful of civic issues. I’ve known her since she helped defend Crystal Brame’s memory after she was murdered by her estranged husband, David, in 2003.



But I don’t know her well enough to give her $2,500. I wasn’t tempted to contact Western Union after receiving this e-mail last week:



“How… Continue