taming the tension in sales

There’s probably always been tension between sales managers and their salespeople. I know I’ve felt that friction with my manager when I worked as a salesperson. I also felt it from the other side of the desk when I was a sales manager myself. I’ve sometimes even...

What Happens During a Coaching Session?

What Happens During a Coaching Session? I always end my first coaching session with someone new to the program by asking this question:  “Was this session what you thought a business-coaching session would be?” The answer is almost universal.  They tell me they were...

business tips I learned from Dad

Business Tips I Learned from Dad   Twenty years ago, I wrote an article titled “Business Tips I Learned from Dad.” At the time, my daddy was turning 71, and I wrote the piece in honor of him. Henry will be 91 years old on August 22. He still practices...

serious summer fun

This summer, I had the opportunity to go on two different parent-child trips that were coordinated by the same organization. One was a weeklong educational sailing trip with five boys, two dads and a boat captain. The other was a trip to Camp Sequoyah near Anniston....

Different Approaches to Same Fundamentals

Last time I talked about legendary Birmingham banker Ollie Sandlin, who worked for one of Birmingham’s premier banks for more than 50 successful years. In addition to being an asset to the bank as a senior vice president in the Commercial Development Division, Ollie...

sales according to ollie

Ollie Sandlin is legendary in our town. The retired banker was a senior vice president in the Commercial Development Division of SouthTrust Bank (now called Wells Fargo.) His responsibilities included calling on business customers and properties and providing them...