reputation: Asking for Trust - 10/29/11 09:59 AM
Note: The following is an excerpt from my book, "Nerd-to-English: Your everyday Guide for Translating Your Business, Your Messages and Yourself," available in print and digital editions online and at Amazon.com. ~ G
  Asking for Trust “I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche, philosopher and classical philologist
I commonly see business cards, especially in the real estate markets, with a request for referrals printed on the back. Perhaps it is a nice reminder to folks, but I am curious about how well that works for people who … (4 comments)

reputation: Do You Borrow Excuses? - 10/02/11 08:54 AM
We all know the the economy stinks. So, does that mean we should all quit working, stop selling, stop buying, forget learning, and give up? After all, it’s hopeless right? Okay, so maybe it’s not that bad. At least most of us see ways we can keep trying and even some are finding new opportunities and new appreciation for their work.
At the same time, I am amazed at the number of people that still use selective reasons to accept their failures or to justify their lack of effort. In many instances, I hear them borrow excuses from the news or … (5 comments)

reputation: Makeup's Not Going to Cover That - 09/17/11 08:56 PM
Recently I had a scheduled meeting with a new potential business partner early in the morning, before normal business hours. I arrived at his office about five minutes early and waited. And waited. And waited.
Finally I sent a text to see if he was okay. He called right back and said that traffic was awful and he was almost there. When he arrived, he complained further about all the traffic problems.
What he didn’t realize is that my smartphone shows local traffic. It is very accurate and timely. I had looked at it right before texting him and no traffic … (32 comments)

reputation: Do You Spill Your Secrets? - 08/21/11 06:25 PM
Recently I was on a conference call with the president of a business I advise and the business's attorney. The call was really just to confirm that an issue with an employee was handled correctly. The attorney was a specialist in employment law. That is why he was called.
During the course of the discussion, a question was asked that seemed rather routine. The attorney said, “I’m not sure, let me Google that right quick.”
While I appreciate the candor, the client got a funny look on her face. She (and I) had already done extensive research on the topic before … (2 comments)

reputation: Communicating Your Reputation Without Words - 03/27/11 09:34 AM
For good or bad, our behavior becomes our reputation. What we do communicates to others who we are. As much as the marketing world wants us to believe we can all spend enough money to define the reputation we want the world to see, it is not that simple.
In high school, one long-ago Fall in Bear Creek, Alabama, a classmate kept telling our basketball coach about all the things he was going to do to prepare for the upcoming season.
Note, it was not what he had done yet (which he could have been doing all summer). Instead, he was essentially bragging about … (51 comments)

reputation: The Mixed Message - 11/13/10 07:04 AM
Recently I observed a very interesting sequence of statements. A woman was sharing how tough times were and how she struggled to make ends meet with her public assistance money. She pointed out that her $200 per month in food stamps was not enough to buy food for her household and that at times she would not eat so that her daughter would have food. If all I knew was this, it would have sounded like a situation of great despair.
However, what was of note was that while she said this, she was chain-smoking cigarettes, wearing a brand new shirt, and discussing that in the … (5 comments)

reputation: Reputation... A long ago reminder from my basketball coach in Bear Creek, AL - 08/07/08 01:38 PM
For Good or Bad, Our Behavior becomes Our Reputation.  As much as the marketing world wants us to believe we can all spend enough money to define and promote the reputation we want others to know us by, it is not that simple. 
In high school one long ago Fall in Bear Creek, Alabama, a classmate went on and on to the coach about all he was going to do to prepare for the upcoming basketball season. 
Note, it was not what he had done yet (which he could have done all Summer).  Instead what he was bragging he was going … (4 comments)

reputation: Are You Trying to be "Unique"... Just Like EVERYONE Else? - 07/06/08 02:12 PM
Ever notice how businesses of all types, not just real estate related, sell themselves much like high school kids?  They want to be unique... just like everyone else.
Even when honest, the messages often sent don't mean anything to the potential customer.  It's great you are customer-focused, honest, experienced, seasoned, been in the business lots of years, sold lots of houses, a leader in technology, a leader in your community, married, not married, kids, no kids, progressive, received sales awards, have a few listings, have hundreds of listings, like the beach, like to golf, like to fish, are active in local … (13 comments)