“The manager will climb the ladder. The leader makes sure it’s against the right wall.”

Stanley Hynes

Selling ‘Selling’

Sales is the life blood of business; most CEOs would give either arm for a really good salesperson; yet it seems that no one, especially young people, wants to enter the field these days.   Moreover, most business articles and academic research have focused on “marketing” , “strategy” and “business development” instead.  What’s going on here? Why is the subject of “sales” in such disfavor?

The answers may be found in two new books on the subject; check out this one page article “Salesmanship:  Ice to the Eskimos.”

Will the West be the Best?

Legendary Vistage Speaker Herb Meyer has a new video that you may want to watch. (For those new to Vistage or are not currently members, Herb was Assistant Director of the CIA during the Reagan Years.  Many of our Vistage members have enjoyed Herb Meyer’s presentation (SEE SHAMELESS PLUG, BELOW),  “What in the World is Going On,” which he has shared at Vistage All City Events and in keynote addresses to industry groups and other associations.  )

 If you’d like to see what you missed when Herb presents to Vistage groups ( or enjoy a refresher course), here is a 83 minute interview of Herb conducted by  Dr. Nicholas Beechcroft for his “Future of Western Civilization “ Series.   Herb  “is very optimistic for the future but believes that the biggest challenge we face is in helping all of the rest of the world make it into modernity whilst minimizing dangerous threats.”

As a speaker, Herb is very much in demand both here and abroad.  You can check out his book and speaking offerings at www.stormkingpress.com

SHAMELESS PLUG – HERB IS SPEAKING TO UPSTATE VISTAGE GROUPS CE-3212 (ON JULY 25, 2012) AND KE-9130 (JULY 26, 2012).  WE HAVE LIMITED ROOM FOR GUESTS.  CONTACT ME ([email protected]) IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE VISTAGE ADVANTAGE.

Six Habits of Strategic Thinkers

(or “What and Why” before “Who and How”)

The quote above makes the point that management is one thing, leading is quite another.  If you want a quick recap of the latest research on how successful CEOs and Entrepreneurs think strategically, including a five minute video with Starbuck’s founder Howard Schultz on his habits of the strategic mind, check out this brief article Six Habits of Strategic Thinkers.