There was a piece in Annie’s mailbox yesterday on a troubled family relationship. Since I’m in the advice biz I’m always curious about what others have to say. Sometimes I disagree with their response and it’s great fodder for my blog. I also think they tend toward the passive and polite which is okay sometimes but  that approach is unlikely to effect change going forward.

This woman wrote in about her daughter who has had “behavioral and psychological issues her whole life”. Her daughter, now 40 and a mother herself, has been “drinking, doing drugs, becoming unemployed and spending too much money.” The police have been to their house for domestic voilence issues and (read more…)

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Do not view people as a sale, an asset or a deal. The key to sales and long term client relationships is treating people like people.

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You know those times when you have a disagreement or a misunderstanding, emotions are running high, no one is listening, people are defensive and you have to walk away? Or maybe it’s a just a dysfunctional, screwed up relationship that you are tired of and want to change or walk away from. Often there is just no getting through to people in the moment.

Think about writing the other party a letter. A well written letter can produce powerful results. It can: (read more…)

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At  Christmas time, I blogged about calling your clients to wish them a happy holiday instead of pushing against the emotions of the season and trying to meet with clients who are not inclined to do so at that time of year. 

Let’s take this a step further. In your business, do you send Christmas cards and birthday cards to all your clients?  Or even to your clients’ children? I remember every single year when I was a kid I received a birthday card from my parents’ insurance agent. I had never met the guy and wouldn’t know him on the street. I thought this was stupid then and I still do.

There are people in this industry and maybe in others too, who still follow this old tradition and send, or probably have their assistant send, birthday and holiday cards to all their clients. I truly think this is largely ineffective and a waste of time. (read more…)

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Listening to a web cast. I am so tired of jargon. Can’t people be original and use their own words to say what they honestly think?

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“Helping” someone? Take care not to come across like you believe they are not capable on their own. Probably better to ask.

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Thinking about doing something nice for someone? Good intentions don’t cut it. Take action and you might really make their day!

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