My mother has the most obnoxious barking dog. The dog barks nonstop at a high pitch. It’s impossible to have a conversation with her in person or on the phone. I know she loves the dog, but what can I do? I want to have my mom talks back! – Leesa in Bar Harbor, Maine Answer: Throughout our lives we …
How Should I Handle Event Invites I do Not Want?
I am constantly invited to client events or ballgames after work and on weekends. How do I gracefully decline these event invites? – Tara in Denver, CO Answer: Building rapport with clients requires time, attention, and genuine interest. Receiving an invitation from a customer is a compliment, and it speaks to the relationship you have fostered. It’s important to view …
Is There Ever Enough Time in a Day?
I’m having a hard time managing all the things I want and need to do every day. How can I juggle a full-time job, keeping my home clean, regular exercise, making myself some healthy meals, and the hobbies I’m passionate about, all while maintaining relationships with my friends? There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day! – …
How To Use the Sales Letter in the 21st Century
Is the sales letter dead? My manager is old-school and wants me to send out letters snail mail to my prospects. Your thoughts? – Debbie in Boston, MA Answer: When creating your sales strategy optimization plan, an old tactic not only continues to out-perform, but draws attention with retro chic. The sales letter is alive and well, and it is …
How to Contact a Recruiter on LinkedIn
What is the best way to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn? – Arina in Mahwah, NJ Answer: LinkedIn is a powerful platform that can connect people and lead to valuable career advancements. Recruiters will often reach out to people on LinkedIn whom they believe would be a good fit for a certain job opening or organization. But remember: …
How to Start Making Friends in a New City
I recently moved to a new area where I don’t know anyone. I’ve always been shy, but I want to make some new friends. How and where can I meet new people? How do I develop friendships now that I’m out of school? – Riley in Tucson, AZ Answer: Moving to a new area is packed with emotions, from excitement …
How Can I Stop Being Jealous of My Friends?
I feel bad admitting it, but I’m jealous of my friends’ lives. It seems that everyone I know is getting their dream job, traveling to a dazzling country, getting married, or otherwise living an exciting, happy life. I feel like I don’t measure up. How can I get over my envy and be happy with what I do have? – …
How to Handle an Uneven Distribution of Leads
Our company distributes the leads that come in to the sales reps. A disturbing pattern has emerged. Our sales manager gives the best leads – multi-million-dollar opportunities – to the male sales reps. The women reps get the leftover one-offs. Do I point this out to our manager or go right to HR? How should I handle this uneven distribution …
Help! My Co-Worker Has a Problem With Me…
I have a co-worker who seems to have a problem with me. She tells me the work I do is bad, doesn’t include me in conversations, and keeps saying I’m in the wrong field. I’ve told my supervisor, but he just tells me to ignore her. I’m still having a very hard time working with her and her negative attitude. …
How to Navigate Holiday Politics in a Divided Family
The holidays are just around the corner, and I’m stressed about the political conversations that will certainly come up. My family has very strong political opinions, and they’re very different from my own. I hate engaging in these conversations and would rather avoid them altogether. How can I politely tune my family out when politics come up? – Andi in …
How Can I Overcome This Feeling That I Do All the Work?
My sales job requires a lot of extra hours, at night and on weekends. I can’t keep up without overworking. I feel like I’m doing all the work. How do I approach management to get some balance back in my life? – Martina in Corpus Christi, Texas Answer: Finding balance by integrating our work and personal lives is crucial to …
Help! My Boyfriend is Allergic to My Pets
I’ve always loved pets, and have a cat and dog. My boyfriend of 2 years wants to move in with me… but he’s allergic to animals. I can’t imagine giving up my furry babies. How can we live together despite his allergies? – Janie in Norfolk, NE Answer: Janie, I’m so glad to hear your commitment to your pets loud …
How to Excel Even If You’re Shy In Sales
I was recently hired for a sales position at a company I’ve always wanted to work for. I hope that this job can eventually lead to other positions within this company. The problem is, I’m not sure how well suited I am for sales. I’m very shy and naturally introverted, and the thought of selling to various clients terrifies me. …
How to Find Happiness Beyond a Mundane Job
My job is mundane and I’m struggling to find purpose in my life. What are your ideas? – Roberta in Loveland, CO Answer: I know that having a mundane job can really seem soul-crushing and cause you to feel lost. Sometimes, your job may feel so mundane that you can’t think of anything that would make it more interesting. Other …
Are You Sick of Hearing the Same Questions All the Time?
What do I do if I have a potential buyer who keeps asking the same questions? It seems like every time we speak, he repeats the same questions, and I give him the best answers I can. I don’t know whether he just can’t remember or what, but I’m at my wit’s end – he has all the literature, and …
What Should I Do When the Boss is Wrong?
My boss is wrong but thinks he’s right. How do I tackle this? – Johnnita in Norfolk, VA Answer: Before you tackle this dilemma, you’ll first need to evaluate the situation. Is your boss actually wrong, or is it a matter of perspective? Let’s start by examining whether your boss is truly incorrect, or if there’s something you haven’t yet …
Happily Single: How to Make Your Family Understand
I’m single – and happily so – but it seems that no one else can understand how I’m content without a partner. Family members are constantly asking when I’ll get a boyfriend, and friends try to set me up on dates or get me to use dating apps. How can I make it clear to my family and friends that …
Most Successful Marketing Strategies to Generate Sales
What are some of the most successful marketing strategies that you have used to generate liquidation sales? I’m so stuck and my boss has me feeling some type of way as if hiring me was a mistake. I want to excel, I know I am great at recruiting potential customers, and my customer service skills are pretty good, too. I …
Energize Your Team with Creative Fun
I need ideas for my team to have some creative fun at work. Have you used anything in the past that worked well? – Tegan in Costa Mesa, California Answer: There is nothing like adding an element of creative fun to your work schedule to build teamwork, reframe your mindset, get your bodies moving, and re-energize. We all know the …
How Can I Move Forward from This Quarter-Life Crisis?
Ever since I graduated from college, I’ve felt less and less certain about what I’m doing with my life. I don’t know what kind of career I want, what kind of relationship I should be in, or how I want to live my life. It feels like a quarter-life crisis. How can I figure out who I am and what …