In the past thirty days, local Tulsa secret shoppers have been to businesses to buy a car, purchase appliances, get a new wardrobe, go out to eat, share a social drink with friends, and attend church. And in EVERY instance they encountered on these trips, representatives went out of their way to not do business with these secret... Read More »

The best leaders inspire people to find fresh ways to look at long-accepted business practices. One such practice touches every business, every day—developing and maintaining a capable, loyal workforce. Over the years, QuikTrip devoted so much time and energy to developing employees by promoting from within that it led to a rather... Read More »

A few years ago I was selected for the Cox Enterprises’ Executive Leadership Program (ELP); the Atlanta-based company Cox has 80,000 employees. ELP was designed to meet the growing demand for leaders. It was my first opportunity to enjoy the benefits of working with an executive coach; I was determined to make the most of the opportunity.... Read More »

It’s early Wednesday morning; the Gulfstream dispatched to pick me up lands early and I’m in route to another board room for a “special project”, one of many these days where I’m asked to do “executive coaching” with a “unique situation”. Two very senior and too-important-to-fire executives are not getting along,... Read More »

Integrity is a matter of being true to a set of moral standards. Why have so many issues of integrity arisen in our land? 1.) First of all, millions of people have rejected the Bible as the authoritative Word of God on the subject of morals. In place of the Bible, people have put their own standards as the final authority. It’s... Read More »

Yes! Yes! and Yes! Every business I’ve ever encountered has capital requirements. Some more than others. But, none of them were freebies. My most recent adventure into online entrepreneurial terrain (Grocio.com) has been a classic case of “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Imagine, you’re looking at... Read More »

PERFORMANCE: As an Executive and hands-on leader, what would be some the key points you have learned are essential in leading others to be greatness? WINGO: Be a good listener, set an example, delegate, and encourage others for thought provoking ideas for your business. PERFORMANCE: In this age of corporate scandal and employment... Read More »

1. Relationships, Rapport, Referrals One stark difference in the sports business that I’ve noticed once or twice is the fact that every sale, whether it’s a marketing partnership or a season ticket, is a multi-layered approach with a lot of soft selling. In the end, you need to build relationships with your clients PRIOR to... Read More »

You’ve heard the old saying. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In 2007, the Federal Trade Commission received 231,576 complaints from consumers across the country who reported being victims of some type of identity theft. More than 2,000 of those victims were Oklahomans. Most identity theft victims fall into... Read More »

Legend has it that every year, Green Bay Packer Head Coach Vince Lombardi would hold up a football, and then proudly and forcefully announce to his team: “This is a football.” What is the lesson in this? If you master the basics, success will much more easily follow. The same is true in sales, and we are all in sales. Mastering... Read More »