Why We Celebrate July 4th

Linda LaitalaBusinessLeave a Comment

Hello <<First Name>>, The Declaration of Independence was written and signed 240 years ago by fifty-six men who knew they could be put to death for treason.  The document is a symbol of what America stands for.  Thomas Jefferson intended the Declaration to be “an expression of the American mind,” and it was written in terms so plain and firm as

“Life Is Amazing And No One Is Happy”

Linda LaitalaBusiness, MarketingLeave a Comment

We take for granted the advances that continue to make our lives easier:  We eat foods grown around the world, talk to friends who are thousands miles away, pay for lunch with a wave of our smart phones and our cars can parallel park themselves! Pretty amazing.

If You Could Give Graduates Advice, What Would It Be?

Linda LaitalaBusiness, EmployeesLeave a Comment

June.  The month of  endings and beginnings for millions of students across the country.  Commencement speakers bestow wisdom on graduates in hope that some of it will make an impact. What would you say if you were asked to speak to graduates?  Here are a few of my favorite commencement remarks.“Live your life like it’s your second chance.”   ~Salman Khan   

So Many Good Ideas – How Do You Choose The Right One?

Linda LaitalaBusiness, EmployeesLeave a Comment

Sean and Dave are brothers and business partners.  They’ve built their company by working hard, paying attention to the numbers and listening to customers.  Their business has been stable and successful for years.  Lately though, changes in technology, increasing competition and customer preferences have begun to threaten the status quo.

Want To Create “Hair-On-Fire” Situations?

Linda LaitalaBusinessLeave a Comment

Avoid problems. Bob’s technical skills earned him a promotion. Unfortunately, his problem solving skills were sadly lacking.   His inability to watch for and deal with looming issues resulted in minor problems becoming hair-on-fire emergencies.

Are You A Tortoise Or A Hare?

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Getting what you want fast can be addicting.  Getting where you want to go in a hurry is exciting.  Achieving your annual sales goal by mid-year is exhilarating.  But slow and steady will produce more long term, stable results.

Did Your Mama Teach You The Magic Words?

Linda LaitalaBusiness, EmployeesLeave a Comment

I was in line at a small bookstore at the end of a day; there was only one clerk behind the counter.  Suddenly the door opened and a woman stepped in front of me, interrupting the clerk (who was helping another customer) and totally ignoring those patiently waiting their turn.  She demanded immediate service.   

Don’t Believe Everything You Think

Linda LaitalaBusiness, EmployeesLeave a Comment

The bumper sticker on the car ahead of me read: Don’t believe everything you think. My reaction was, “Say what??”  Then I stepped back and considered the statement.  The average person thinks between 50,000 and 70,000 thoughts per day; they range from the mundane (Pick up bread on the way home.) to significant (I love you.) to the self-destructive (I’m

What Would You Do If This Happened To You?

Linda LaitalaBusinessLeave a Comment

Sean, owner of a successful family business, was thrilled that his son had gone to work in the business right out of college. Things were going well and Sean had visions of turning the business over to Dan “when the time was right”.  Unbeknownst to Sean, Dan viewed this his job as a stop-gap job.  He continued to send out