For many years I sold copiers and duplicators for Xerox. One of my largest accounts was a hospital. I had 14 machines installed there and a purchasing director that kept me up at night. Vince was old school. He tried to grind every salesperson for the lowest prices and best deals. Nothing wrong with that, but his attitude to salespersons was condescending-almost resentful.

The prospect spoke with the inbound rep for less than four minutes. They discussed PCs and servers. The teleseller suggested that the prospect might wish to surf his company’s website. He said, “I’ll send you an e-mail. Then, let’s talk again.” He wrote:

An expectant father recently asked me for advice on being a dad. I had several flip responses such as, “Ask for a mulligan,” and “Don’t.” But he was holding out for something more-an “A” game response.

Wife Ruthie and I had been childless for 19 years. Then we figured out what caused them. We have since been blessed with Teddy and the twin pistols, Paige and Diana (8 going on 18). As any parent knows, kids are a shock to the senses. Nothing can prepare you for those buns and burps.

With four generations now in the U.S. workforce, it is imperative that management and marketing professionals know what makes customers and co-workers tic– and make sure they click.

In the movie, BIG, actor Tom Hanks portrays a Little Leaguer who, after being granted his wish to be transplanted into an adult body, quickly ascends the corporate ladder at a toy manufacturer because he has retained his early teen’s mentality and insight.

Ready to begin? Here goes: “A presentation is something that can make you feel numb on one end and dumb on the other.” Rim shot. “Presentations are like babies - easy to conceive but difficult to deliver.” That’s cute. Last, “Oratory is the art of making deep noises from the chest sound like important messages from the brain.”