Playground at Malone allowed many to make
a difference

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Americans are by nature of very giving people. Whether it’s with dollars or their two bare hands, we are always willing to help others. It’s not just during natural disasters, either. Many times people come together just to lend a hand. Building homes through Habitat For Humanity and other organizations Sprucing up parks, waterways and … Read more

When to say ‘no’ to a new opportunity

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We’re five years removed from the worst economic situation since the Great Depression. The economy has been improving steadily, with jobs reports generally trending toward the better. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the U.S. economy added 215,000 jobs in March. (Though the unemployment rate increased slightly to 5%. That was due to more … Read more

Use gender-specific pronoun when appropriate

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Many writers and speakers engage in semantic gymnastics to avoid any hint (in their minds) of bias. One consequence is that the person often violates a basic rule of grammar. A perfect example involves the pronoun their. You might see (or hear) a sentence like this: “A friend of mine needs new tires on their … Read more

Tom Hopkins’ How To Sell Anything program is still powerful

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A recent addition to my professional development is both old and new. Tom Hopkins’ “How To Master The Art of Selling Anything” is proving to be a very valuable training program. Although first recorded in 1979, his principles and strategies are timeless. Its 24 sessions offer a comprehensive review of the selling process. Topics include … Read more

Accessibility, prompt response heighten customer satisfaction

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Tis the season to shop, as retailers are noticing. An improving economy and a proliferation of smartphones are encouraging people to open their wallets. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, more than 151 million people in the US stated they shopped in-store and/or online over the Thanksgiving weekend. If you were in a store or shopping mall at the time, you can probably attest to that. Another estimate put this year’s Cyber Monday (Nov. 30) sales at $3 billion, up 12% from 2014.

Like you, I have been shopping recently. And like many, I recently placed an order online, though through a retailer’s website. The incident offers some lessons that online retailers might learn from.

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