Point to Ponder
 
Little hinges swing big doors
 
By Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey
 
As I travel North America and more recently, the globe, I share a few basic ideas or messages with my audiences. I tell them, "Once people fully understand the 'Why?' (purpose) the 'How's?' (processes or procedures) tend to take care of themselves." Simple little idea, isn't it? However, these little things seem to slip the grasp of many of our North American leaders. We tend to complicate things.
 
W. Clement Stone, who built a billion dollar sales organization in the depths of the great depression (early 1900's), shared a key quote that has been close to my own growth and success. He worked with Napoleon Hill, who authored, 'Think and Grow Rich', published Success Magazine, and mentored Og Mandino, who authored motivational classic, The Greatest Salesman in the World. 
 
Stone wrote: "Little hinges swing big doors." 
       
Successful, entrepreneurial leaders constantly search and are open to finding the next "slight edge", the next profitable idea, or "little hinge". I do too! 
 
"It's the little things that make the big things possible. Only close attention to the fine details of any operation makes the operation first class," offered J. Willard Marriott
 
  • What little hinges have you applied in your life to open big doors or opportunities?
  • What hinges have you used to leverage your skills and expertise to better your career, company, or community?
  • What is next for you?
 
© Copyright 2011 Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey www.ideaman.net  Bob's Ideas At Work! have been successfully applied by thousands of professionals across North America. He is the author of 10 leadership and business books and a regular contributor to consumer, association, corporate, on-line and trade journals. Visit: www.SecretSellingTips.com


Archives of past issues of Ideas @ Work! are available on our www.ideaman.net website. We will be adding archives of Bob's Mid-month Musings as well.
Perhaps these Mid-month Musings will provide the little hinges you need to swing great doors for success in your career, leadership, sales or organization.
 
We will make them a shorter read and include one of my videos on a variety of topics. I trust you will enjoy our latest addition to serve you.
 
Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey
 

 
Follow this link to watch this month's video tip:
 
If your career or success depends on your ability to persuade an audience or buyer, these five tips on delivering effective sales and business presentations will help you understand how to structure your presentation for maximum effect. I've applied these tips as I travel the world speaking and inspiring a wide range of audiences. You can too:
 
  • Dress appropriately: Dress for Success - not excess! Make a point of understanding the dress code for the group or situation. One suggestion would be to always be a bit better dressed than your average client or the best dressed person in attendance.
  • Use short sentences, simple phrases: Make it easy for your client or your audience to gain acceptance and understanding of your concepts. Don't assume that they are literate - keep in mind most of the daily newspapers (read by many executives) are written to grade 6-8 levels.
  • Avoid humor unless appropriate or relevant: Effective use of humor can be a great bridge. However, you can blow yourself out of the running by using something that offends a client or someone in the audience. They may not even tell you, but they won't buy from you or deal with you.
  • Distribute any handouts at end of your presentation: This idea applies to any use of handouts or brochures. Unless you need to have them refer to them, use them as a tool or write something in them during your presentation - leave them for the end. People tend to read what you've given them instead of listening to you. This is especially important in sales situations.
  • Don't bluff. If you don't know, find out! Your credibility is a fragile thing in the business arena. Do your homework so you have the basics at your fingertips. Don't try to wing it or fake it when asked a question outside that parameter. Make sure you understand the question and make a specific commitment to find out and get back to them. Then do so!
 
Business leaders today, as well as your clients and audiences, are busy. It is critical that you be clear and concise to win and keep their attention. Unless you know them personally, start strong, present value, and conclude with impact.
 
 
Last Minute News
 
Decided to find some sun to recharge my creative batteries, so we booked a flight to a little resort about an hour away from Havana, Cuba for Irene's birthday. Taking along some good books to read, and perhaps a business one too. Generally we are going to play tourist, have a margarita (Irene) or mojito (me) and enjoy the sun and the beach. Evidently there is a reef just off the beach, so both of us will take our snorkel equipment and of course at least one floaty.
 
Enjoy the rest of January and see you with our regular Ideas @ Work! e-zine in early February. We'll have some pictures and perhaps a story or two to share.

Thanks for reading

Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey would be pleased to be a part of your success team and to work with you to help make your conference, meeting, or training event a larger success. For more information about customized keynotes, professional and personal leadership training and coaching, or seminars/retreats, please visit  http://www.ideaman.net or call our Creative Office at:  (780) 736-0009 for availability.

Ask about a customized conference, coaching or training package to suit your specific career, company, or organizational needs.

Ask about our innovative leadership and/or sales leaders' motivational training programs.
 

*****

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January 2011


                 What's New!

We have added this new Mid-month Musings for 2011.
 
Often Bob has ideas or motivational thoughts that just can't wait. So we decided to add a shorter message mid month.
Connect with Bob:
 

About Bob

Bob is a professional speaker, author, leadership, sales, and business success expert

Bob is a long time leader and professional charter member of Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, a member of NSA-Arizona, as well as the International Federation for Professional Speakers.
 
He is proud to be an active professional member of these amazing groups of people dedicated to polishing their craft and to better serving their clients and audiences.
 
Bob is the co-founder and a past president of CAPS Vancouver, an honorary founding member of CAPS Sask., an honorary member of CAPS Halifax, as well as being an active member of CAPS Edmonton. He served as CAPS National Director (2000-2002).
 
He would be happy to discuss how he can work with you to equip and motivate your leaders, their teams, sales teams, or volunteers to grow and to succeed.
 
Call him today at 1-780-736-0009 to explore leveraging his innovative Ideas At Work with your organization.
Or, email him at bob@ideaman.net
 
Ideas At Work!
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Egremont, Alberta T0A 0Z0, CANADA