Tom Fuszard – Page 37 – Tom Fuszard's Business Builder

Word Tip: How to use Criteria and Criterion

June 16, 2015April 6, 2012 by Tom Fuszard

How to use “criteria” and “criterion” properly Criteria often gets misused because people don’t realize it is the plural form of a word. (Data is another such word.) Use criteria when you refer to a list or group of items. The criteria for choosing the pump include delivery options, warranty, ease of upgrade, and price. … Read more

Time management tip: Use an agenda

August 10, 2020April 3, 2012 by Tom Fuszard

Powerful time management strategy: Use an agenda

Do you use an agenda? If not, you’re missing out a simple but powerful time management tool to make your day more efficient and productive.

If you’re like most people, you have a to do list for work. Some people list the tasks by letter with item “A” being most important, item “B” next, and so on. Others use numbers, and in descending order of importance.

One drawback is that you’re unlikely to spend quality time on each project. Reviewing the list, you instinctively tell yourself that projects A, B, and C are important (and in that order), but do you actually spend time on each?

Or, do you start on A, but fail to devote any time to the other projects? How often do you find yourself spending most of your day on your most important task, but then neglecting all the others?

The solution? Create and agenda. It is one of the more powerful time management strategies you can use. Much like you do for a meeting or conference, set an agenda for your day. Doing so will compel you to spend at least some time on each project. And as a result, you will manage your time better and enjoy a more productive day.

Word Tip: Healthy vs. Healthful

January 8, 2016April 1, 2012 by Tom Fuszard

These cause confusion, because healthy seems like the naturally correct word. Plus, healthful sounds, well, a little high brow. But the word has its place. Healthful, an adverb, is used when you’re describing the health-related advantages of a food item. A healthful meal consists of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, and lean meat. If healthful sounds awkward for your … Read more

Word Tip: In vs. Within

January 8, 2016March 28, 2012 by Tom Fuszard

When describing an action that takes place during a period of time (say, five days), whether you use in or within depends on how the sentence is structured. In is used when you provide a range of time for the action. Your order will be shipped in three to five days. Meaning, it will be … Read more

Turn a wrong-number call into a sales call

January 8, 2016March 27, 2012 by Tom Fuszard

Wrong-number call a good opportunity to promote your firm

You answer the phone one day only to learn that the caller dialed the wrong number. How do you respond?

Like most people, you probably say, “Oh, I’m sorry, you have the wrong number,” and then hang up. Next time, take advantage of a wrong-number call to make a quick pitch for your business. No “hard sell”; just enough to plant a seed in the caller’s mind.

One day a woman called to place an order on behalf of her firm. I quickly realized that she had the wrong number. Instead of merely hanging up, I used the time to promote my services. The conversation went something like this: