Published in Business Speak - Spring 2005

The tenet, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” is never truer than in business. But how do you make a positive first impression? You may be surprised by the answer.

Published in Business Speak - February 2005

I recently bought my first home. It is the kind of place I had dreamt about living in – a loft close to the water in downtown Toronto.

Published in Canadian Speakers - 2005

We have all experienced speakers who made us laugh, maybe even had us rolling in the aisles in hysterics. We related to them and admired how they maintained the attention of every member of the audience. We might have regarded them with awe, wishing we had the confidence to speak to such a group of people, had lived such an interesting life, or could be so funny and engaging. We left this most pleasant experience captivated, energized and ready to take on the day or night.

Published in RWDI Newsletter - 2005

About a year ago, I was working with a company that was pitching for a piece of business that they had successfully secured for the two previous years. When the Account Manager met with the client, much to his surprise, he was told that they were considering other firms to provide the same service. When asked why they were soliciting other firms, the client reluctantly responded, “We are looking for a company who can bring new ideas to the table, and who can grow with us.”  The Account Manger asked if he could bid on this business, and the client responded positively. He never did find out why they didn’t believe that his company could grow with them.

Published in Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council (CSCSC) e-Newsletter - April 25 2008

I recently had the good fortune of listening to Suzanne Stevens, president and founder of Ignite Excellence, deliver a keynote speech as part of the speaking series put on by the International Association of Business Communicators (www.iabc.com). In “Swimming with the Influencers”, she asked us to recall the August 14, 2003, blackout that affected Toronto. (As she was speaking in Toronto, the Toronto-centricism was appropriate.)