The 10 Secrets of a Master Networker

Call it networking if you want, but Keith Ferrazzi’s game is bigger. It’s about how to work the world’s hidden machinery — how to enter the secret society of elite business insiders. It’s a game of power. And it has rules.

Thomas V. Morris (author of The Art of Achievement

Our choices are always broader than our past. The best adventures in life need to be chosen, not from a predetermined menu based on what we’ve done already, but rather out of our deepest sense of who we are and how we can contribute to the world.

Overview: Business Letters

Learn how to write a business letter. Includes information on defining and establishing the purpose, analyzing the audience, detailed format descriptions, common types of business letters, and effective letter-writing principles. From the Writing Center at Colorado State University.

Strategies for Eliminating Wordiness

Wordiness results from many sources. Many of us have learned to pad our writing with all sorts of empty phrases to reach length requirements for academic writing. Wordiness also tends to occur when we’re struggling to clarify our ideas or when we’re tired and not thinking clearly. Regardless of the reason for padded writing, we can achieve concise writing if we incorporate several strategies during … [ Read more ]

Presenters University

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Tutorials, how-to articles, free templates, clip art, and Presentation Pointers E-mail newsletter.

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You dislike text-heavy course material.

*** What our CEOs had to say ***
Randy Goldsmith and Mahendra Vora praise the site’s large library of articles on crafting and delivering great presentations.

*** What you should know ***
The site is sponsored … [ Read more ]

PresentationPro

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Templates, tutorials, links, and “power tips” illustrated in sample presentations.

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You want lots of freebies or if you object to registering before downloading those few giveaways.

*** What our CEOs had to say ***
“Geared toward the power user,” says Karina Shaver.

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Site sponsor PresentationPro Inc. provides … [ Read more ]

Presenters Online

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Tutorials, links, sound files, clip art, and tips on everything from room arrangements to effective closings.

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You want cutting-edge content. Some articles date back four years.

*** What our CEOs had to say ***
A great site for newbies, Rosenberg says: “Very welcoming, not the least bit intimidating.”

*** What you should know … [ Read more ]

Raising the Executive Performance Bar – Delivering the Message

This article (part 2 in a series) takes a look at the difference between criticism and feedback and offers some useful tips for offering constructive and well-received performance feedback.

See other articles in this series:
Part 1: Why We Shoot the Messenger
Part 3: Getting the Message

Also see, “Everyone’s A Critic”

What Should I Do With My Life?

The real meaning of success — and how to find it.

Are You Ready for Your Close-up?

It’s now part of every executive’s job description: Be good at TV.
In the past, the big challenge was to give a good speech. Enter corporate speechwriters, who could make sure that the words on paper at least made sense. Keep your head down, stick to the script, and you’re home safe. But now that’s table stakes. Now you have to be fast on your feet, … [ Read more ]

Calvin Coolidge

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with great talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

How Leaders Can Avoid the Success Trap

This article examines problems many managers run into as they progress throughout their careers. The authors argue most of the problems are related to four fundamental dimensions of leadership (directional, Interpersonal, Personal and Implementational) and two primary skills (content and process). Read on for more…

The Art of Achievement: Mastering the 7 Cs of Success in Business and Life

Throughout the ages, plenty of people have written and spoken about success and excellence. But leave it to contemporary philosopher and popular business speaker Tom Morris to gather the best of it into a universal tool kit for achieving nearly any goal. From a clear CONCEPTION of what we want, to a stubborn CONSISTENCY in pursuing our vision, to a CAPACITY to enjoy the process, … [ Read more ]

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

The mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to its original size.

Make Your Own Luck

Though not specifically a management article, this piece takes a look at the role of luck in our lives. Specifically, read about the four kinds of luck and the five luck skills.

Carry a Big Basket

Frances Hesselbein (editor-in-chief of Leader to Leader) discusses a piece of advice she received years ago, “You have to carry a big basket to bring something home.” In particular, she mentions four leadership imperatives — innovation, inclusion, opportunity and equal access, and values-based management. Along with these, she reminds us that mission focus, the leadership essential, guides us in how we use what we … [ Read more ]

Rudy Ruggles

Experience enables people to understand and internalize ideas.

William Shakespeare

This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, throu canst not then be false to any man.