Danny,

The best advice I have tried to live by in my professional life as well as away from work is to view your promises like a beautiful glass window. As long as you keep your promises, the glass is clear, transparent and useful. But, if you break your promise and break the "window" things will never be as clear. Even if you work very hard to gather up all the broken pieces and glue them back together, you might recreate the window of trust, but it will never be as good as before you broke it. Don't promise what you don't intend to do, or what you cannot do. Keep your word and work becomes much easier.

posted February 26, 2008

I was once told "Keep asking yourself whether what you do takes you closer to the goal".

It has helped.

posted February 26, 2008

A "no" today does not mean it might not be a "yes" tomorrow. Be persistent.

Better to be proactive than reactive. When reactive, you might be waiting for something that may never arrive.

Don't get down from being rejected, as there is opportunity right around the corner...just a matter of finding it.

posted February 26, 2008

Failure is not an option, Not trying for fear of failure is not Option, Success is the only thing that counts (which means if what you tried to accomplished and the outcome wasn't it, then your priorities were incorrectly placed and you need to look at the entire deal, and make lemonade, because actually you are not to the goal yet and you must havve jumpled the gun) 4. (From Steve Hoffman) If you even think about quiting, I will tell your Grandfather (he ain't no piece of cake when it comes to quiting anything even from the grave).

posted February 26, 2008

With family and friends convert your frustration, anger, disappointment and other negative feelings you may feel toward them into an action of love. It sounds metaphysical and a bit like BS, however, everytime I do this I feel a wave of relief, and the recipient seems to bloom.
kcuhC

posted February 26, 2008

"Always keep you position as a seller and not as a buyer"

posted February 26, 2008

My best business advise also valid for private life was - life is full of choices

posted February 26, 2008

Hi Danny,

The best business advice that I have ever received was something like this:

“When all seems to be lost; your faith in others have gone; you are alone with your uncertainties and you don’t know exactly what to do, how to do it and when to do it, you have yet a last and always infallible resource, your inner light, your intuition, your wise instinct to discover the true course of action and thereby get the certainty about knowing what to do, how to do it and when to do it, although this could signify starting the game again being a better person with a baggage of new learning, experiences and competences”.

This wise advice that was given by a close friend many years ago has been invaluable when I have had to make crucial decisions in professional issues, career alternatives and facts of life.

I hope this helps you.
Octavio

posted February 26, 2008

When I was 22, I was running a bar in California, for the first time, and my boss told me "There is nothing you can mess up, no mistake too big, that I can't fix. Relax, and have fun" That said more to me then any business book I have ever read.

posted February 26, 2008

1. This too shall pass.
2. Don't sweat the small stuff.
3. Think (and act) two levels up from your current role.
4. Don't take business decisions personally.
5. Your intent in client interactions means more than your technique.

posted February 26, 2008

My dad use to tell me, when you leave the house, please don't shame the family name.

Words to live by

posted February 26, 2008

Danny,

Someone once said--

You will never be successful if you spend all your time woking in your business. You must work ON the business.

I now ask myself every day-'what did I do today to work ON my business??'

That simple thought has moved my business from good to great.

Dawn

posted February 26, 2008

Lots of good advice so far. I’d like to add what someone once told me:

Do it right the first time, but more importantly, DO IT NOW!

I always go back to that when I feel I might be over thinking a problem.

posted February 26, 2008

Think ahead!

posted February 26, 2008

All sound advise so far, two things I have learned over the years, the first was told to me by my father right after I got out of school was in relation to a problem I was having at work he said, "always remember to communicate even if the news is bad, people hate to hear bad news but they hate to be surprised more." It was some of the best advise I have ever gotten, and I have employed it continuously over my career.

The second was something that was passed down to me from a book I read about the sayings of General George S. Patton and it is a great one for people in a management role. He said, "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and then will surprise you with their ingenuity." It goes to the core of not micromanaging your people. Someone else on here stated that they learned the lesson that not all people think the same, and this is the case with this quote. You may already have an idea of how to do something, but don't push it on your subordinates, give them the task/goal and be amazed at how they arrive at the destination.

posted February 26, 2008

always stay a few steps ahead of trouble --- then, if you fall, you won't be in it.

posted February 26, 2008

Two phrases in particular caught my attention and struck cords of recognition when I needed to hear a truth to grow by:
1) Early in my working life, at a particularly frustrating time, I came across a little paperback book which asked me if I thought giving 110% and loyalty were going to bring me success. The truth in that question awoke me from the naive idea that hard work is always rewarded fairly. (Advice from ‘How To Work For A Jerk’ by Robt Hochheiser)

2) In later years, and not so long ago, when working for a particularly difficult manager a mentor suggested I ask myself, ‘do you want to be right or move (your projects) forward?’. Wow, I said to myself, that is a good question. Once I put aside my need to ‘be right’, the universe shifted (for me) and I was no longer crashing headlong into the ‘NO!’ wall. (Advice from a Sr VP kind enough to teach and brave enough to lead).

Recently, I was able to pass on the same (do you want to be right) advice to a dear friend in a similar dilemma. Miraculous shift resulted. Who says we cannot change in a second?

Thanks, Danny. I enjoyed remembering these two important moments.

posted February 26, 2008

1. If you can pick up the phone, don't send an email.

AND -

2. The "Golden Rule" applies in business too. (You know.. Do unto others...)

posted February 26, 2008

"Terry, Don't let the S.O.B.'s get you down."

posted February 26, 2008

I do a lot freelance jobs/projects and a client once told me, "Your time is worth money, don't sell yourself short." Sometimes we lose sight of our worth. Believe in yourself and whatever you do.

posted February 26, 2008

Ask questions, be interested in the answers, really listen and then acknowledge the answer. Ask more questions. It has to flow naturally, but people like to talk about themselves, especially if someone is listening. So few really listen. Most are wrapped up in what they really want to say or pitch. It is the way I know of to warm up a "cold" contact.

posted February 26, 2008

Someone in business told me once, "Clever would keep on earning till the day Fool has money to spend so do invest accordingly"

posted February 26, 2008

Don't sit around expecting people to come to you because they never will.

posted February 26, 2008

Here are a few ones:

- If you continue doing what you doing, you will continue getting what you are getting.

- If you talk to a LOT of people you will make a LOT of money
If you talk to a FEW of people you will make a FEW money
If you talk to a NO of people you will make NO of money
(this one is for salespeople)

- You need to work to make things work

- Give more then what you expect (without expectations), for if everyone does that they shall get more then what they give

- When asking for advise, don't ask someone that doesn't know anything about what you ask.

Dig the well before you are thirsty : )
(Welcome All Invitations)

Ehab
www.linkedin.com/in/sapnetwork
linkedin.ehab4sap@gmail.com
Skype/Yahoo/MSN: ehabelagaty


BTW, I am a big fan of D.Trump, I have recently gotten involved in an international business that is endorsed by him and based in the 19 countries listed in my profile.
Feel free to contact me if you would like know more info.

posted February 26, 2008

I was told once by a very successful Businessman two things; First, not everyone or anyone does everything great, so find what you do best, and be the best at what you do! Second, When dealing with Top Level Exectutives, especially those that reach the Forbes list, remember one thing; There is only one thing that they cannot beg, borrow, buy or steal back, and that is a minute of their time, so dont waste one! In other words, come prepared, keep it to the point, and make it all relevant, small talk is not on the agenda.

posted February 26, 2008

Hi Danny
Good question and I see several answers.
I have received lots of good advise and I like to share two:
1. Always be prepared. Even if the Chair of the meeting says it is only a group brainstorm or chat always carry a brief presentation on the subject in a memory stick and or a well prepared speech of a few minutes in your heart. Often you go to casual meetings and you can marvel how some people can think fast on their feet and do a short presentation. Well they came prepared to present even though it was for a casual chat.
2. Always aim very high. Aim for the moon and if you miss it you will hit the stars!

posted February 26, 2008

When I was 12 years old a family that I had been babysitting for had a second child. The father asked me what my new babysitting rates would be. I told him it would still be $1/hour as the time spent at their house would be the same. He looked at me for a minute and then said, "The time spent doesn't matter. You are providing us with a valuable service and the responsibility you are taking on just doubled. You should double your fee. You should raise your fee to $2/hour - and I want you to remember that. Its not the time, its the service." That was the best advice I ever recieved - and its given me confidence in many a negotiation.

posted February 26, 2008

Danny,

First, You alone have the responsibility to shape your life.
Once you understand this, nothing and no one can deny you success.
There's no one to stop you but yourself.

More powerful than all the success slogans ever written is the realization that everyone has but one boss.
That boss is you.

Your life will always be to a large extent what you make it.
No one can cheat you out of ulitmate success but you.

Success or failure?
It's always your choice.

Second, If your not closing your not selling.

Good to Great in 08

Success
Jesse

posted February 26, 2008

Danny,

The best business advice I have ever been given was,

"In God we trust, and all others pay cash!"

Hope this helps.

John Pilaccio

posted February 26, 2008