Sat.Aug 01, 2015 - Fri.Aug 07, 2015

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How Aggressively Should You Pursue an Introduction?

David A Fields

A consultant asked me the following question: A good client of mine (Bob) made an email introduction to someone (Sally) he thought would be a good prospect. I reached out to Sally but haven’t heard back. How aggressively should I pursue a meeting with her? What is your advice to this consultant? How often and in what way do you follow up with a new contact you’ve been introduced to?

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Sell Your Time, or Sell a Solution, But NEVER Both

The Clever Consultant

I’ll never forget the advice my delivery manager gave me 10 years ago when I worked on my first pursuit: “Either sell your time, or sell the deliverable. Never, ever promise both.” That turned out to be sage advice. If I had to write only one post on consulting contracts, this would be it. There […].

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Immediacy Bias

Tom Spencer

(Source: Flickr ). Whether it be pictures of cats on the Internet, a phone call from a friend asking you to come to the movies tonight, or a university assignment due tomorrow morning, we all suffer from it. We tend to perceive immediate emotions much more intensely when making decisions about what we should do right now. Three examples: People tend to view a charitable cause as more deserving if it arouses more immediate emotions.

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Progression of the Police State Spanish Style: €300 Euro Fine for Calling Police Officer "Mate"; Law of Simmering Social Pots

MishTalk

Ministry of Truth Gag Law On July 1, Spain enacted a "gag" law that provides for showing "disrespect to police. Among the many new repressive stipulations is a €30,000-€600,000 fine for "unauthorized protests," which can be combined for maximum effect with a €600-€300,000 fine for "disrupting public events." A few days ago, in Police State " Ministry of Truth" Hits Spain I noted a man was fined €600 for Calling police " Slackers " on facebook.

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PowerPoint Best Practices for Creating Stellar Presentations

Mastering data visualization in PowerPoint will help accelerate your career because it positions you as someone who can present data that drives business decisions forward. think-cell's PowerPoint Best Practices eBook was created specifically for professionals aiming to master the art and science of data-driven storytelling. What’s inside: Practical Insights: Uncover valuable tips for crafting engaging and persuasive presentations.

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Cyber Strategies for Thought Leaders

Chad Barr

This week’s reflection point: No matter the industry, all top thought leaders share one thing in common: They’re prolific publishers of remarkable content. It’s no coincidence that today’s most prominent business leaders write so much. After all, extraordinary content is what propelled them to the top—and it’s what keeps them there.

More Trending

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Conversation with A.T. Kearney

Tom Spencer

I recently had the good fortune to communicate with Anne Burley, Director or Regional Talent Acquisition for Asia Pacific at A.T. Kearney. A.T. Kearney is a leading global management consulting firm with offices in more than 40 countries. A.T. Kearney is a partner-owned firm, committed to helping clients achieve immediate impact and growing advantage on their most mission-critical issues.

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Capital Controls Destroy Greek Small Businesses; Bank Shares Plunge Again; Record Contraction

MishTalk

Record Manufacturing Contraction Greece may as well have gone to hell in a handbasket. Carnage is everywhere one looks, but let's start with the Markit Greece PMI report that shows record manufacturing contraction. July saw factory production in Greece contract sharply amid an unprecedented drop in new orders and difficulties in purchasing raw materials.

Banking 60
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The other kinds of laziness

Seth Godin Blog

There's the obvious sort of laziness, the laziness of not trying very hard, of avoiding strenuous tasks or heavy lifting, of getting others to do your work or not showing up for many hours each day. We're quick to point fingers at others (and ourselves) when we demonstrate this sort of sloth. But there are other sorts of laziness, and they're far more damaging.

System 43
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SoundBite: Why Does Big Data Matter?

Strategy+Business

Companies are using advanced data analytics to focus on a range of new business problems, and have found there are several keys to success in using big data. For more related insights, read "Overcoming Big Data's Challenges.

Data 43
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How to Stay Competitive in the Evolving State of Martech

Marketing technology is essential for B2B marketers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape — and with 53% of marketers experiencing legacy technology issues and limitations, they’re researching innovations to expand and refine their technology stacks. To help practitioners keep up with the rapidly evolving martech landscape, this special report will discuss: How practitioners are integrating technologies and systems to encourage information-sharing between departments and pr

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Crescendo Partners Still Going Strong!

Tom Spencer

There were rumors circling last week that Crescendo Partners (the elite global advisory firm based in Sydney) are winding down their operations. These rumors are incorrect. Crescendo Partners MD Joseph Crepaldi confirmed to me by email that while the physical office has been closed because the building is being brought down, Crescendo Partners is still active!

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3D Printing an Ornate Bridge Over a Water in Amsterdam

MishTalk

Every month, 3D printing possibilities get increasingly elaborate. For example (with thanks to reader Tim Wallace for the links): The Goal of MX3D is to 3D print a steel bridge. Really. With our robots that can “draw” steel structures in 3D, we will print a bridge over water in the center of Amsterdam. We research and develop groundbreaking, cost-effective robotic technology with which we can 3D print beautiful, functional objects in almost any form.

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Enabling for Employees to be Successful – Part 1

Gina Abudi

This is Part 1 of a 3 part article on how to enable for employees to be successful in their work. This is a very high level case study as, in agreement with the client, much has been disguised or eliminated in order to ensure client confidentiality. The ability for employees to be successful relies [.]. The post Enabling for Employees to be Successful – Part 1 appeared first on Gina Abudi.

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20/20 Foresight

Strategy+Business

Many business leaders need to improve their perceptual acuity. Here's how you can develop the ability to look around corners -- and become a catalyst for change.

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Savings Consultants Are Needed in Today's Market More Than Ever

Savings Consultants are needed in today’s market more than ever. With an increase in expenses, businesses are looking for opportunities to save. Often unknown to businesses are savings in expense reduction, specialized tax savings, specialized savings including medical underpayments, health benefits cost reduction, zero cost processing, and more. Blue Coast Savings, with over 20 years in business, assists Savings Consultants in helping these companies move toward more profitable businesses.

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It didn’t work out

Tom Spencer

And that’s okay. What did you learn? And what do you plan to do next?

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Taper Tantrum Coming? It Won't Be Where Nearly Everyone Is Looking! The Next Tantrum

MishTalk

Investors have been expecting another " Taper Tantrum " when the Fed starts hiking. The term " Taper Tantrum " refers to the surge in US treasury yields (global government bond yields as well), in summer of 2013 when then-Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke put a spotlight on the wind down of Fed asset purchases (tapering off QE). In February of 2014, the Wall Street Journal stated Last Year’s Taper Tantrum May Have Been Taste of the Future.

Journal 59
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The illusion of control

Seth Godin Blog

It’s modern and very widespread. It motivates us, frightens us and drives our consumer mania: The idea that we are in control. That our work is so leveraged and important that through force of will, we can ensure that things will turn out as we choose.  We extend this to our sports and hobbies and adventures, as well. The compelling belief that we’re almost in control, that we’re right at the edge, that this ski run or this play or this experience will be the one we earned through our exte

Sports 42
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Enabling for Employees to be Successful – Part 3

Gina Abudi

This is the last part of a 3 part article on how to enable for employees to be successful in their work. Read Part 1 and Part 2. The Day of the 3 Hour Session with Executives. Ten executives and senior level leadership attended the session. Two of the investors started the session, along with [.]. The post Enabling for Employees to be Successful – Part 3 appeared first on Gina Abudi.

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TOOLS and METHODOLOGIES for developing DECISION SUPPORT PACKAGES

This White Paper targets opportunities for Management to develop proficiency in the Decision Framing and Analyses element of input to Decision, & Risk Analyses for Major Project Funding Decisions.

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Listen to the Customer

Tom Spencer

Are you building what the customer wants?

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Greek "Bank Rescue Fund" Details; Zero Bids on Greek Bank Shares; Payback Math

MishTalk

No Bids on Bank Shares Greek bank shares were down the 30% limit again today, with some bank stocks not fetching any bids at all. The Plunge in Bank Shares Drag Down Broader Market. Greek bank shares sold off sharply for the third day in a row on Wednesday with buyers yet to emerge on a scale large enough to counter continued dumping of the stocks. The Athens bourse's banking index.FTATBNK ended 27 percent lower, bringing the three-day plunge since Monday's open to 63 percent.

Banking 58
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Make three lists

Seth Godin Blog

When considering a new project, it might help to make three lists: A list of everything that has to be true for this to be a good project (things you can look up, research or otherwise prove). A list of all the skills you don’t have that would be important for this project to work (things you can learn, or hire). And a list of everything you’re afraid of, or things that are essential and that are out of your control….

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Frenemies with Benefits

Strategy+Business

When their profit goals differ, fiercely competitive firms may decide to collaborate with each other on complementary offerings.

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Why You Need to Use Case Studies in Sales and Marketing (and How to Start Now)

Case studies are proof of successful client relations and a verifiable product or service. They persuade buyers by highlighting your customers' experiences with your company and its solution. In sales, case studies are crucial pieces of content that can be tailored to prospects' pain points and used throughout the buyer's journey. In marketing, case studies are versatile assets for generating business, providing reusable elements for ad and social media content, website material, and marketing c

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Enabling for Employees to be Successful – Part 2

Gina Abudi

This is Part 2 of a 3 part article on how to enable for employees to be successful in their work. Read Part 1 for background information. Preparing for the 3 Hour Session with the Executives. I met with the investors initially to hear their concerns from their perspective and also to ensure that the [.]. The post Enabling for Employees to be Successful – Part 2 appeared first on Gina Abudi.

How To 38
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Wage Growth Accelerating? By How Much? Total Compensation and the Obamacare Effect

MishTalk

On July 24, the Conference Board asked the question: Is Wage Growth Accelerating? The Board's answer was " All signs point to Yes! " One big question regarding the US economy is whether wage growth is accelerating. You might think that this is a pretty straightforward question to answer, but it’s not. There are many measures of wage growth, and they don’t all point in the same direction.

Survey 57
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Yes!, please and thank you

Seth Godin Blog

Don't jerk people around. Here's a simple marketing strategy for a smaller company trying to compete in a big-company world: Choose your customers, trust them, treat them well. Say yes. Bend the rules. Show up on time. Keep your promises. Don't exert power merely because you can. Be human, be kind, pay attention, smile. Not everyone deserves this sort of treatment, not everyone will do their part to be the kind of customer you can delight and serve.

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Overcoming Big Data's Challenges

Strategy+Business

Companies that have the most success leveraging big data are getting three things right: talent, technology, and culture.

Data 44
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ABM Evolution: How Top Marketers Are Using Account-Based Strategies

In times of economic uncertainty, account-based strategies are essential. According to several business analysts and practitioners, ABM is a necessity for creating more predictable revenue. Research shows that nearly three-quarters of marketers (74%) already have the resources needed to build successful ABM programs.