A Non-Entrepreneurial Slap of Reality
My buddy – author, CEO, and consultant Peter Bregman – recently wrote a commentary for CNN.com advising people to embrace the recession as a chance to reconfigure their careers to be in line with their passions. “Focus your time on what you’re truly passionate about,” he said. “Successful people are…
READ MOREBring in the Reinforcements
I’ve just gone through a serious health scare. My 98-year-old grandmother, Mama Da, was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. Our local family hustled to create a 24-hour care program for her. After all, why should a 98-year-old have to stay in the hospital by herself when she has children, grandchildren,…
READ MOREWhy You Need a Multi-Channel Approach
Retailers like Walmart, IKEA, and J. Crew reach customers with print catalogs, TV advertising, online ads, and websites. Insurance companies use telemarketing, TV and radio ads, various online channels, direct mail, and print ads. Car dealerships can be found online, in newspapers, through direct mail, and on TV. To be…
READ MOREThe REAL Reason You Avoid Exercise – and How to Defeat It
The two main reasons people give for avoiding exercise are lack of time and lack of motivation. But those are really just politically correct answers. The truth is, most people just don’t like to do it. If you “hate” exercise, here are three ways to stay motivated and stick to…
READ MOREStriding Versus Striving
Steven sells his products directly from his website, as well as through hotels and gift shops. His revenue had gradually increased for five years, but then dipped and then plateaued last year. He tried motivating the troops, finding new sales channels, and hiring new salespeople, but nothing changed. Then Steven…
READ MOREThe Big Fat Vegetarianism Lie
I’m pretty selective about what I eat. Nothing is more important to maintain good health and a slim physique than proper diet. Most of us agree on that. The argument usually arises when we attempt to define “proper diet.” Some insist on a vegetarian diet, while others proclaim meat to…
READ MOREShort Words, More Word Power
Brevity, they say, is the soul of wit. And if that’s true, I admit… sometimes, I can be a little soulless. See, I was taught to love what the nuns used to call “25 cent words.” These are the words, they told us, that make you sound smart. That win you…
READ MOREA Boomer Industry That Could Make You Rich
Aging baby boomers are driving a multibillion-dollar market, according to a recent study by MarketResearch.com. And there’s a big opportunity for you to tap into the trend. I’m talking about the “cosmeceutical” industry. (”Cosmeceutical” is a combination of two words: cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.) Examples of cosmeceuticals include skin- and hair-care…
READ MOREHow to Get People to Open Your E-mails
Picture this: You spend hours writing an article that you KNOW will motivate people to tears/laughter/action. You send it to your e-mail list – a group of people who have specifically asked to hear from you – and no one opens the e-mail. The article ends up unread, deep in…
READ MOREThe Post Office’s Loss Is Your Gain
The U.S. Postal Service is slashing services to the bone. They are reducing business hours and eliminating delivery on weekends in many areas. All of these cuts have opened the door to a unique business opportunity for you: providing private mail services. With this business, you would offer the same…
READ MOREThe Easiest Little Retirement Plan
My brother is a talented carpenter. Before becoming a carpenter, he was an amazing chef. He is also extremely good at repairing and rebuilding cars. In fact, he’s good at anything that requires patience and attention to detail. Except, that is, when it comes to his finances.
READ MOREWhy Good Sales Copy Is Priceless
About a week ago, a subscriber called to inquire if my direct-marketing agency, Response Ink, would build a website for him. Although we are not looking to add new clients at this time, his company has an intriguing – even ingenious – business model. And so my curiosity got the…
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