Posts by Greg Dermond
One Minute Muse: Pathway Thinking for Success
In his book, The Third Door, Alex Banayan writes that success is like a nightclub. “There’s the First Door: the main entrance, where 99 percent of people wait in line, hoping to get in. The Second Door: the VIP entrance, where the billionaires and celebrities slip through. But what no one tells you is…
Read MoreOne Minute Muse: Everyone is a Chief Movement Officer
We’re All in Sales Now A teacher, a lawyer, a customer support engineer, and a firefighter are having dinner together. Which one is the salesperson? Most would say none, right? One is in the business of saving teaching, another keeps people out of jail, one helps troubleshoot computer or software problems, and the last one…
Read MoreWhy Powerful Questions Lead to Connections, Trust, and More Success
To be successful, especially in sales, sellers must make a different kind of connection with their customers. It was early in my selling career. I finally coordinated and received confirmation on the date and time of the conference call. The con-call would consist of my technical sales engineer and myself talking to a new and…
Read MoreWhat Do Sales and Intellectual Humility Have in Common?
You’ve probably heard of the importance of emotional intelligence in our lives. How about emotional humility?
Cognitive blind spots and emotions can either help or hurt you. Understanding them is the key to controlling them in everyday situations. This can effect all positions of influence, particularly in sales and customer service.
Take it a step further – how about identifying these blind spots in others? It may lead to a better way for you to understand, connect, lead, and positively influence the interaction.
Read MoreThe Value and Hidden Growth Engine of Customer Service
The essential importance and keys of cultivating and keeping your customers. Much of the headlines we see and read about companies revolve around sales figures, profits, and stock prices. Although these metrics are essential, they couldn’t sustain without one vitally important facet of any company – customer service. “Customer service shouldn’t just be a department;…
Read MoreAre We Teaching an Antiquated Mathematics Curriculum to High School Students?
The high-school math curriculum in the U.S. predates the age of modern computers. Having one child go through high school and now witnessing two more actively involved with high school classes, it occurred to me that they are still being taught the same mathematics curriculum when I attended high school some years ago. This felt…
Read More5 Keys for Personal Achievement According to Tim Ferriss
According to Tim Ferriss, achievement is gained through a refocus of priorities and a change in mindset. Tim Ferriss has been listed as one of FAST Company’s “Most Innovative Business People.” Tim is also an angel investor to startups and invested in companies such as Uber, Facebook, Shopify, Alibaba, and 50+ others. He is an…
Read MoreOne Minute Muse: What’s the Best Time to Shake Things Up? (The Answer Will Surprise You)
The timing of changes may not be what you think is the most optimal. In most workplaces, it happens when you’re struggling and not doing well. When the pressure builds, you’re desperate— and you have nothing to lose by taking some risks. But by then, it’s often too late. You don’t have the resources to try different…
Read MoreWhy I Can’t Agree with Mr. Wonderful’s Advice on Mortgages
Why You Should Carry a Big, Long Mortgage Even Today Do I dare disagree with Mr. Wonderful you ask? Well, yes, I do. I first have to mention that I enjoy watching Kevin O’Leary (aka Mr. Wonderful) on “Shark Tank” and I’m a fan of him and the show. I also believe you can learn…
Read MoreOne Minute Muse: That Meeting Cost How Much?
Meetings have increased in length and frequency over the past 50 years, to the point where executives spend an average of nearly 23 hours a week in them, up from less than 10 hours in the 1960s: stop the meeting madness. How much are you spending on your meetings? Leaders may want to calculate the hidden…
Read More