Kent Blumberg

Ten reasons I keep coming back to Toastmasters

Sometimes life gets too busy and I can't make it to a Monday evening meeting.  But whenever I can, I'm going to hop in the car at 6:40 pm and head to the meeting of GSU Baton Rouge Toastmasters.  I keep coming back for ten reasons.  For the same ten reasons, you should consider visiting your local Toastmasters club.

Why I don't want a referral fee

My business is built on referrals.  That's pretty much the only way clients find me.  I have a website, and this blog, but both serve more to build credibility than they do to attract new clients.  Word of mouth is it for me.  And I am convinced that the way to build that word of mouth is by helping others - my referral sources - build their businesses.

That's why I don't need a referral fee.  In fact, a fee would be deter me from giving referrals to you. Here's why.

How to fire a client

Not long ago I gave you nine reasons you might want to fire a client. In this post, we'll explore how to do that - how to pink-slip a bad client.

Nine reasons to fire clients

Not every client is your ideal client.  In fact, some clients are downright toxic.  They sap your energy, undermine your brand, waste your time, keep you too busy to take on better clients, send your staff running for the hills and send you running for the Valium.  In spite of the revenue toxic clients may bring in, I can think of at least nine reasons to fire them.

Chester Reed and doing what you love

Do you love what you do? Apparently, Chester Reed did.  He retired last month from the job he's held for the last 37 years.  A job he loved.  Moreover, he's 95 years old. 95!

I hope I am passionate about what I'm doing when I'm 95, and I hope the same for you.

Can you describe your ideal client?

Over on Career Hub, Billie Sucher wrote about what constitutes a good client for her. That got me thinking about the same question for me (answered below), and about you.  Who is a great client for you?  I'm not talking traditional market segmentation here.  Rather, the question is, "What client behaviors do you love, and which do you hate?"  Read my list, check out Billie's list, and then figure out your list.  Please share your list in the comments section, if you like.

The Golden Rule doesn't work - at least not for managers

I grew up learning the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  In other words, treat other people the way you want to be treated.  Sounds like a great suggestion for managers, doesn’t it? Wouldn’t you be a great boss if you followed that rule?

Nope.

In fact, you might be a lousy boss if you followed that rule.