The Best Presence

Linda LaitalaBusiness, Employees, Management, Marketing, SalesLeave a Comment

In 1998, a friend and I took an amazing trip to China.  One of the most fascinating moments was when we walked out of the airport terminal and saw all the people on cell phones.  Cell phones were just taking off in the United States.  I don’t think any of us realized just how much they would invade our lives.  

Pleasantly surprised

Linda LaitalaBusiness, Management, Marketing, SalesLeave a Comment

When I went to pick up my car after having the oil changed, it was washed inside and out.  (Thank you, Tinker & Larson!) We hired a contractor to paint several rooms in our house; he fit the job in between elk hunting and a busy work and family schedule.  Yet, he was there as promised, did excellent work and

Boldness, audacity, chutzpah, sisu

Linda LaitalaBusiness, Employees, Management, Marketing, SalesLeave a Comment

No matter what you call it, it implies a person willing to take risks, try the untried, improve on the unproven.  Bold people are open to new ideas, willing to try new things and imagine possibilities. Chutzpah is the quality of audacity, for good or for bad.  The Yiddish word has been “Americanized” to describe courage, determination and passion in

Differentiate: Find Your Secret Sauce

Linda LaitalaBusiness, Employees, Management, Marketing, SalesLeave a Comment

When I owned a machine shop, it was a challenge to market the company.  There were thousands of small job shops just like mine in Minnesota; to “differentiate” the company was difficult. Buyers knew shops had different capabilities.  They machined round parts or square; aluminum or steel; big parts or small.  Some shops specialized in government contracts, while others preferred