Failing Forward Step One: Find out what happened

In a series of posts, I’m outlining how to learn from a loss. Read part 1, oulining why failure is an effective teacher. Today’s post, detailing step one, finding out what happened, may seem straightforward. In fact, it is an emotionally challenging and intellectually demanding task. The team must dispassionately review the entire history of the procurement. Read more

Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #060: Question & Answer

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This template will help you wrap up your presentation with time for questions. The simple slide is meant to be a backdrop for the
Q & A portion of your talk. Read more

Failing forward, part 1

No one wants to lose, and no one wants to talk about losing. It is like talking about death. But, failure can be an effective teacher. Many sales are losing sales—a statistical fact that is often ignored. However, this does not mean the participants are losers. Read more

Sales process for the starving masses, part 2

Earlier this week, I described an exercise from Michele Rochon, a business development and marketing professional in the engineering industry designed help instill process into your selling program. This cake-baking exercise provides your sellers a real understanding of how to address customers’ needs and sell successfully. Be sure to read part 1! Read more

Sales process for the starving masses, part 1

Can you use baked goods to improve your sales process? While “letting them eat cake” did not work for Marie Antoinette, it may work for you. Michele Rochon, a business development and marketing professional in the engineering industry describes a fun exercise for instilling process into your selling program. Read more

How to create stories to drive action

Great storytellers can cut through the noise and produce tremendous value for organizations at a very low cost. Telling a solid story is just as essential as developing a great product. One of the most important roles to fill when trying to build a passionate community is that of the storyteller. Read more

Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #059: Time

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This template will help you communicate urgency in acting. The hourglass image is great to represent the pressing need to take action. Read more

How to facilitate a meeting that gets things done

Have you ever felt like you were imprisoned in a meeting? Many people have. Most meetings in corporate America gather great minds around the table. The challenge is getting everyone’s ideas to surface in order to move to consensus and take action! Read more

Try an online white board for your next virtual meeting

“Online collaboration.” Easy to say, harder to do. Yes, we have Skype and Web Conference solutions like GoToMeeting, but how do we replace the white board where so many good ideas happen? Movements like White Board Selling embrace the interaction that happens when using visuals to tell a high-impact story. Read more

Free PowerPoint-Tastic Templates – #058: Hurdles

Each week, the Fast Track Tools training company and the Cubicle Ninjas design firm work together to publish a template that makes it easier for you to communicate your ideas. This template will help you communicate challenges of all sizes. We often say we have to get over a hurdle. Here you have images to represent those hurdles. Read more