Posts tagged as:

Apple

The Holidays can be your sabbatical…

December 23, 2011

Many years ago, when I worked as Director of Public Affairs and Annual Fund (which, upon reflection, was a very silly combination) for my alma mater, Franklin College, I would hear professors talk about taking a sabbatical. Frankly, at that early point in my life and career, I wasn’t quite certain what a “sabbatical” really [...]

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The Apple steps of service…a distinctive rap video on sales!

2 comments November 10, 2011

I ran across a video today while searching for new information on customer service and sales. There are several aspects that make it unique from many other videos on the subjects. First, it wasn’t produced by a training company, author, or professional speaker. Instead, the staff at an Apple Store in New Hampshire created their [...]

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Are you a customer-focused leader, or customer-focused follower?

2 comments October 12, 2011

Given the late Steve Jobs’ (and it’s still strange to write that) famous statement it’s not the customer’s job to know what they want — does that, on its face, mean Apple rejects the theory of customer focus? Of course not. Apple knows what many confuse: FIrst, organizations must make the decision to be customer/client [...]

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On the passing of Steve Jobs…

October 5, 2011

My first computer was an Apple IIe…next was a Mac Plus. We were in a small apartment, and “the table” functioned as both sitting spot for meals and our office. I was hooked on Apple from the start. In a way — one that I share with millions — Steve Jobs has been a part [...]

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Again, the customer ALWAYS wins…

3 comments September 23, 2011

Two stories in today’s New York Times struck me as bellwether examples of why customers — in the long run — ALWAYS win. And, why it does little good to try to “fight” them, if you are a finance or technology manager. Story one — Leo Apothaker is out, Meg Whitman is in at HP. [...]

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Netflix’s fundamental error — looking in, rather than out…

2 comments September 20, 2011

Fast Company reports this morning, “Splitting into two companies ‘was part of the natural progression Netflix has had in place for a long time,’ (according to) Steve Swasey, Netflix vice president of corporate communications.” The article continues, “And indeed, if you read Netflix CEO Reed Hastings’ blog post announcing the split, it becomes clear that [...]

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We don’t have a “jobs” problem in the U.S….

6 comments September 8, 2011

Regardless of what points the President makes tonight in his address, I will bet the farm his proposal will not solve the jobs problem in our country. No matter the astronomical sum he recommends the nation spend, it won’t work. I don’t care what actions he – or Congress, for that matter – submit for [...]

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Steve Jobs and the future of Apple — all biz truly IS show biz…

1 comment August 24, 2011

Perhaps the ultimate adage in show business is, “Leave ‘em wanting more.” As a professional speaker for the better part of three decades, the constant reminder is it is “better to stop too early than too late.” And, this afternoon, Steve Jobs showed he knows that all business is show business as well as any [...]

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The Four Styles of Customer Service (& why you should be a little crazy…)

2 comments June 13, 2011

Some blog posts are meant to provoke, but not prescribe. This would be one of those… (And, thanks to my recent client, communications giant Zain Bahrain and their leader, Mohammed Zainalabdeen, for the inspiration!) Book after book — and speaker after speaker — is telling us today we need to “delight” our customers. For some [...]

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What’s next for YOUR organization?

5 comments May 7, 2011

So, when you leave your current position, what happens next? If you’re the CEO, what will ensure the company continues to thrive? If you are a manager, how can you develop a team ready to move forward without you? (If you ever want to receive a promotion, this is VITALLY important!) When I was twenty [...]

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