THE-most-important piece of information in ANY negotiation is the other party’s deadline.
Highly recommended reading, solid advice for the dozens of negotiations you conduct every single day: “You Can Negotiate Anything,” by Herb Cohen.
The 5 Steps to Selling Anything to Anybody, in order:
1. Pre-Approach
2. Approach
3. Pitch
4. Negotiate
5. Close.
This proven strategy doesn’t just apply to the sale of goods and services.
We’re all selling, all day.
“When you’ve made the sale, stop selling.”
Bill Campbell
Feel like you’re smothering in paper?
Jeff Davidson figures “There are two basic reasons why paper is still king.”
“In the United States, we have the lowest postal rates in the world. We also have the greatest capacity for paper generation — more laser printers, more fax machines, more personal copiers, and more computers than any nation on earth, per capita.”
Tip: Touch each piece of paper ONCE.
Every time you get a piece of paper, immediately do one-of-the-following:
1. Throw it away.
2. File it.
3. Return it to sender with a response.
4. Pass it on to someone else.
AVOID HORIZONTAL PILES.
Hand-written Thank You notes aren’t just polite.
They’re smart.
“Chance favors the prepared mind.”
Louis Pasteur
“Pick your lane, and stay with it.”
Bob Marbourg, retired WTOP/Washington traffic reporter.
Nobody else I managed in radio cares more about the people listening.
And Bob’s advice doesn’t just apply to commuting.
“In your teens, play all you can.
In your 20s, take all the risks you can.
In your 30s, learn all you can.
In your 40s, earn all you can.
In your 50s, lead everything you can.
In your 60s, leave with all the style you can.
Thereafter, or in the hereafter, enjoy all you can.”
USA Today founder and Gannett CEO, the lateAl Neuharth
“Baseball is the only sport in which the defense controls the ball.”
Larry King
Yep, another metaphor.
“Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.”
Joseph Pulitzer
Spend more time at the Public Library.
When you get there, you’ll know why.
“Write powerfully, read humbly.”
Nick Michaels
When E-mailing, avoid the stimulus/response trap.
It’s just too easy to hit Reply.
When-in-doubt, don’t.
Unless you’re on AOL, there’s no Unsend.
There is no perfect pick-up line.
I’ve asked MANY fabulous babes, and experts agree:
It’s not WHAT you say.
It’s THAT you say something.
Try “Hello,” lookers advise.
“It’s better to aim for the moon and miss it, than shoot for the cellar and hit it.”
Peter G. Buterakos, cemetery owner and motivational speaker
"...and you can QUOTE me!" 
“In order to get what you want, you must first give others what they want. What unique product or service can you provide that others will want?”
-It’s so basic, but they don’t teach the stuff success is made of in government school.
Interesting project you have here, Holland.
“Some get bitter, some get better.”
“Always pour passion into your profession, but never love something that can’t love you back.”
My dad always told me, “You can’t fly like an eagle if you hang with turkeys.” – Mary-Lynn