No technology has ever been proven to secure deals as effectively as face to face meetings with buyers.

In sales, there's a fine line between simply being inquisitive and conducting an interrogation. The consequences of stepping over this line could cost you the sale, lose you business or - worse yet - lose you a loyal customer for life.

The news is in frenzy about the Lululemon "transparency issue" affecting 17% of its yoga pants. And I think the story is overblown. There is no way this mistake is the end of the company, and I don't believe that the GAP or any other retailer will successfully be able to take over a significant share of Lululemon's market.

Within 1 hour of landing I had already decided to come back to Bogota with Chris when we have time to spend a few days in the city. It's clean, easy to get around the people are amazing and the food spectacular. All this from a first impression.

I've been observing sale sand service behaviors while traveling this year and here are some notable hits and misses:

I received this question during a webinar and was not able to get to it during the call. Here is the answer now. Colleen, any fresh perspectives on dealing with customer's paralysis by analysis? You bet I do!

You might notice that we've launched a new site with new branding as "The Sales Leader". And we've released a follow-on to our popular video ecourse. It's new with seven intense daily 5-minute video programs. If you watch each one every day and implement the ideas, I know you will kick start 2013 quickly so you can be the sales leader in your market. Make sure you sign-up now!

I have had it with tele-marketers calling my house who use terribly outdated, manipulative, boring, trite or insulting sales techniques. It's especially maddening when their gross sales negligence happens in the opening line.

Because you have taken the time to invest in yourself by reading this blog I trust that you are not making excuses, even though I know the temptations are great. Temptation to retreat to the old and familiar ways of doing things. Temptation to give in to pressure or criticism by those around you rich with opinions but poor in knowledge. Temptation to give up after one miss-fire. Temptation to avoid standing out, or drawing attention to yourself. The temptations are plentiful.