Selling In The Dog Days Of Summer

I can't wait for September to come...

Summer is here and for many people that means it's time to "kick-back". Does everyone really go on vacation at the same time? "Yes, many people do take vacation in July and August, but they also take vacation in January and February and selling doesn't stop then!

If you perceive there is nobody around, you are setting yourself up for a negative self-fulfilling prophecy and your production will drop. So, you need to think like a business owner this summer and leverage your talent and make a name for yourself.

Do some research and identify three unique challenges the summer months bring to your prospects and figure out how your products and services can help. While researching, also discover three opportunities that your prospects can take advantage of in the summer months. Then call your prospects and give them the great news.

Be a contrarian this summer and make a conscious decision to go against the grain. Whatever obstacle is put in front of you, respond by saying ‘bring it on!', then figure out a way to turn it around to your benefit and make this the busiest time of the year.

Facing FaceBook Facts

All I wanted from my relationships was respect...

Check out this report (which has way too much info) that looks at the way people have been effected by Facebook and how it is changing the way we interact in our relationships. I have included an edited version of the abstract found in the report.

Go here for a the full 4 page PDF.
The paper was published by Amy Muise, M.Sc., Emily Christofides, M.Sc., and Serge Desmarais, Ph.D.

Edited Abstract:
Anecdotal evidence, including information described in the popular media, suggests that Facebook may be responsible for creating jealousy and suspicion in romantic relationships. The objectives of the present study were to explore the role of Facebook in the experience of jealousy and to determine if increased Facebook exposure predicts jealousy above and beyond personal and relationship factors.

Three hundred eight undergraduate students completed an online survey that assessed demographic and personality factors and explored respondents’ Facebook use. Our study provides evidence of Facebook’s unique contributions to the experience of jealousy in romantic relationships.

Topics covered include:
• Internet addiction
• Internet in the workplace
• Internet gambling
• Internet advertising and buying habits
• Virtual Reality rehabilitation
• Insight into the minds of hackers

Viral Video Using Censorship

Could you please take the tape off my eyes now...

The Viral remake of the original concept.

Here is the original Video... which is cool too. This version also has all the people's faces censored. So "there ya go" a viral comedy remake that brought to my attention the original music video idea. The internet at it's promotional best.

Would You Listen To This Man?

If your this great your hear does not matter.

Tipping Point author Malcolm Gladwell gets inside the food industry's pursuit of the perfect spaghetti sauce --- and makes a larger argument about the nature of choice and happiness.

Check out this great presentation on tomato sauce.

TED the Best Thing On the Web

Now this is a TV channel worth watching

I think TED is some of the best content available on the web. Here are some links to great ideas and presentations that should inspire you this week. For great new stories check out TEDtwitters.

LINK TO TALK: Daniel Libeskind builds on very big ideas. Here, he shares 17 words that underlie his vision for architecture -- raw, risky, emotional, radical -- and that offer inspiration for any bold creative pursuit.


LINK TO TALK: In his typically candid style, Richard St. John reminds us that success is not a one-way street, but a constant journey. He uses the story of his business' rise and fall to illustrate a valuable lesson -- when we stop trying, we fail.


LINK TO TALK: In this short, optimistic talk from TED2009, Pete Alcorn shares a vision of the world of two centuries from now -- when declining populations and growing opportunity prove Malthus was wrong.


LINK TO TALK: Wingsuit jumping is the leading edge of extreme sports -- an exhilarating feat of almost unbelievable daring, where skydivers soar through canyons at over 100MPH. Ueli Gegenschatz talks about how (and why) he does it, and shows jawdropping film.


LINK TO TALK: In a world of too many options and too little time, our obvious choice is to just ignore the ordinary stuff. Marketing guru Seth Godin spells out why, when it comes to getting our attention, bad or bizarre ideas are more successful than boring ones.

Enjoy the brain expanding feeling as you watch some truly great presentation on marvelous ideas.