Here’s something you would have heard me say often in one of the 23 cohorts of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programs I’ve helped facilitate over the last eight years:
How do you tell the difference between a good idea for a new product or service and a great innovative idea? Answer these five questions to find out:
When did ‘so’ become the new ‘ummm’? Listen to any TV or cable talk show when the host asks the guest a question. Most of the guests start the answer with ‘So … ‘. Perhaps a little less annoying than ‘umm’, but this vocalized pause gets old fast if each answer begins that way. While ‘so’ is an actual word, it doesn’t add any meaning or context to the message. It just sits there … like a different version of ‘Um … ‘ Read More
A prospective client recently asked me why some content experts terrible speakers. Fortunately, lots of content experts are terrible speakers and sometimes they hire people like me to help them. Here are some thoughts I share with my executive coaching clients who fall into that category: Read More
Here’s another useful and interesting key concept you might have heard in one of my training or coaching sessions. Add it to the ‘Best of Phil’.
‘Any fool can learn from his or her own mistakes. A smart person learns from the mistakes of others. But, a wise guy learns from the successes of others.’
Phil Stella, 21st century entrepreneur, communication consultant & executive coach
If you typically answer the phone or greet customers with ‘ … can I help you?’ – nothing wrong with that. It’s short, courteous and prompts an answer. Good for you. But the answer could be ‘no’, since that’s one of the implied choices in this ‘closed’ question. Read More
In responding to a reporter’s request for a marketing tip that is both effective and profitable, I indicated that mine was neither new, sexy or high tech. It’s old and simple, yet everything old is new again and simple is always good. My tip is embracing Customer-Centered Marketing. Read More
When did ‘multiple’ become the new ‘many’? ‘Multiple’ means ‘very many of the same thing.’ But so do ‘ many’, ‘several’ and ‘numerous’. These words are just as clear or clearer than ‘multiple’ without so many other meanings and sounding a little pompous.
So, the next time you find yourself about to write or say ‘multiple’, try using ‘many’ instead. Better yet – shift from vague to specific by using a number, like ‘four’. I’d love that choice.
A reader recently asked for some simple tips to network with more courtesy and to avoid coming off like a ‘slug’ at networking events. Read More
I appreciate the positive feedback from readers that indicated periodically sharing key concepts from my training and coaching engagements is both useful and interesting. So, add this one to your ‘Best of Phil’ list.
Avoid vague words or references. Otherwise, you leave it up to your readers to define what you mean. And they may come up with a different definition than you would have.
And … true to my rant about always identifying the people you quote:
Phil Stella, 21st century entrepreneur, communication consultant & executive coach
How often do you get calls where your Caller-ID indicates ‘unidentified caller’,’unknown number’ or ‘cellular call’? Happens to me a lot and I hate it. Actually, I should be glad I have Caller-ID to screen theses probably junk calls and help me ignore them. They usually don’t leave a message, either. And the few that do ask me to call them without indicating who they are or why they want me to reply. DUHHH! Read More
