Always Keep Improving 

always keeping improving and learning

In the last year, I’ve really been working on improving some of my skills, mainly, videos and photos. No, I’m not talking selfies and working on SnapChat. I’m talking about professional development. Even though I’m on a stage 90% of the time in my career, being on video is something else entirely! It’s hard for […]

Make Room for Success

star

Recently I was talking with a group of friends, congratulating one on a recent graduation from grad school. She ducked her head and mumbled her thanks then proceeded to discount her happiness with statements like, “…Thanks, but it ‘s not really that big of a deal…” She felt too prideful and almost guilty for her success!   We […]

Questions to always ask in an interview

interview

Whether you’re on an interview for a new job, going for a promotion, or pitching services to a new client, there’s always some questions you should ask yourself and the interviewer to meet your goals and the goals of the organization. In ANY interview situation, you should be interviewing them as much as they are you!   Before your interview, you need to […]

T.A.L.K. it out

talk meet

When I started my own business, Orange Leaf Consulting, I was fortunate to have built a small clientele. But I knew I’d need more clients if I wanted to reach my goals. (You know I’m a fan of planning for your goals!). How do you get more clients? Find people who need your help! How? By uncovering their needs […]

Every day interviews

meeting interviews

Recently, a friend of mine was talking with a bunch of new college grads. She’s a small business owner, a marketing and communications consultant, who works with multiple clients. When she explained her job to the graduates – who were nervous but excited about entering their professional careers – one of them said, “So you basically have an […]

My Sales Story

my sales story

I thought I was born to be a college professor. I went to grad school, got a Ph.D. in Communication and then taught courses in public speaking, interpersonal communication, leadership – you name it. Then how the heck did I end up being the First Lady of Sales?

ASK: Ask to Offer

ask to offer

One of the best skills you can develop is how to give someone options in order to get a YES. We all like to have options. No one likes to be told what they like, what they don’t, what they want, what they will do, what they won’t. We like choices.   Here’s an example: When my neighbor, a freelancer, was asked to handle a […]

LISTEN: Seeing Areas of Need

listen need needs

Feeling like your business is running like a well-oiled machine? You are always listening for a client’s need. All your hard work has paid off, your network is immense, your client base is diverse, your staff is happy and hardworking, and most importantly, profits are substantial. Business is booming! Now is definitely not the time to […]

LOOK: By The Way Sales

look binoculars sales hey

Have you ever noticed how some of the best sales relationships happen organically? There is something so satisfying and exciting about developing a new client when you weren’t even looking! My friend Lucas owns his own consulting company. He found he really needed to hire a freelancer to do some work on his website. While […]

PLAN: Get Real About Goals

race track goals

Recently, my friend attended a seminar about goal setting. Naturally, it included the idea of having S.M.A.R.T. goals (more about that in a bit), but also how to refine those so you don’t get burnt out, overwhelmed or stuck in a rut. And that’s exactly why she went to the seminar: She had a plan, but when it came to setting her plan in […]