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Kathleen O. Celmins

These 3 Things Will Derail Your Goals

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on April 17, 2015

10_Message_Goals_in_Two_Paragraphs_Can_You_Do_It This was another great week in terms of engaging content. We found a lot that made us think.

Here are the five articles that piqued our interest:

1. 3 things that'll derail your goals {Inc.}

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but they're mostly internal. Sure, the third thing is external, but if you read closely, it's actually how you react to external forces.

2. 51(!) productivity tips for startups {AlleyWatch}

These range from the obvious (email is a beast, don't let it rule your life) to the not-so-obvious (never accept vague goals) to the downright clever (focus on vice presidents when looking for an intro).

3. Auto dealers aren't great at social media {Marketing Mind}

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Topics: Wrap-up

How to Transform Your Boring PowerPoint Presentation

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on April 10, 2015

transform_your_powerpoint_presentations This was another great week in terms of engaging content. We found a lot that made us think.

Here are the five articles that piqued our interest:

1. Before & After PowerPoint Presentations {SlideShare}

I love this visual representation of slideshows. The transformation from title and bullets to a more visually pleasing look is astounding.

2. Why You Should Care About Holocracy {First Round}

The term holacracy caught my eye. When I read this I thought about some of the better managers I work with right now. They tend to follow this principle of dispering control and ownership so it doesn’t all reside with them.

3. How to Be More Resilient When Things Get Tough {Inc}

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Topics: Wrap-up

10 Habits to Ditch to be More Productive

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on April 3, 2015

be-more-productive This was another great week in terms of engaging content. We found a lot that made us think.

Here are the five articles that piqued our interest:

1. 10 habits to completely eliminate in order to be more productive {Entrepreneur}

Stop checking email all the time, stop weekly status report meetings, stop losing sleep, stop skipping breakfast, and more.

2. Richard Branson knows how to have fun {Inc}

Here's a guy who knows how to let loose, have fun, and... apply eyeliner! The slideshow is a fun feast for the eyes.

3. How good is your company's grammar? {Marketing Land}

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Topics: Wrap-up

6 Things to Include in Winning Proposals

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on April 1, 2015

winning-proposal A couple weeks ago, we were talking internally about the sales process. The topic of proposals came up, and the conversation became spirited.

I asked several colleagues,

What's the one thing you should always include in a winning proposal?

and they came back with amazing answers. These are tried and true solutions from winning sales consultants, so keep this list handy!

1. A Dotted Line

This one might sound obvious,

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Topics: Sales sales process

Don't Put Comfort Over Doing Good Work

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on March 27, 2015

the-right-way-to-argue This was another great week in terms of engaging content. We found a lot that made us think.

Here are the five articles that piqued our interest:

1. Why arguing at work is okay, and the right way to to it {Inc.}

Brené Brown discusses the value of being uncomfortable when giving feedback, and why you shouldn't put comfort over doing good work.

2. How to write content that drives traffic for years {Top Dog Social Media}

Focus on your topic. What would your target persona find most valuable? This article also goes into the best kind of title/topic for evergreen content.

3. Be careful with email automation {SK Murphy}

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Topics: Wrap-up

Does Font Matter? Turns Out, Yes!

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on March 20, 2015

typeface-font-matters This was another great week in terms of content. We found a lot to love.

Here are the five articles that piqued our interest:

1. The Healthiest Typeface {The Atlantic}

If you're trying to convince people to do something, choose your font carefully. The font you choose to convey information is nearly as important as the information itself, according to these studies.

2. Turn Meeting Confirmations into Selling Moments {Spiro Technologies}

This one makes some great points about confirming upcoming meetings—not just to confirm, but to advance the sales process.

3. 7 Habits of Highly Successful Startup Entrepreneurs {Inc.}

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Topics: Wrap-up

Should Journalism Worry About Content Marketing?

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on March 13, 2015

working-remotely This was another great week in terms of content. We found a lot to love.

Here are the five articles that piqued our interest:

1. Should Journalism Worry About Content Marketing? {CJR}

Corporations are getting into the news business. Is this something journalists should worry about? Or can companies like Chevron and Coca Cola be trusted to create unbiased content?

2. Do You Really Understand How Your Customers Buy? {McKinsey}

This is a great in-depth article about the buyer's journey, and how it has changed over the last several years.

3. 7 Habits of Highly Successful Startup Entrepreneurs {Inc.}

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Topics: Wrap-up

5 Ways to Position Yourself as a Thought Leader

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on March 11, 2015

thought-leadership We've talked a lot about thought leadership, and what it means for you and your business. Positioning yourself as a thought leader will not only bring more people to your website, but it'll present you with new business opportunities, invitations to speak at conferences, and more.

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Topics: thought leadership Inbound Marketing

The Best Tools for Growing a Smart Business

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on March 6, 2015

freelance-writers-help-with-content This was another great week in terms of content. We found a lot to love.

Here are the five articles that piqued our interest:

1. The Best Tech Tools for Growing a Smart Business in 2015 {Inc.}

There are some great tips here. Note: item #4 is only available for Google Calendar as of right now, but you can go to their website and enter your email address, and they'll let you know when an Outlook calendar version becomes available. We love #5 (of course!), and if you're interested in one of HubSpot's free tools, check out Marketing Grader.

2. This NYC Startup Just Raised Another $3M in Record Time {Alley Watch}

PuzzleSocial is a daily digital celebrity crossword. It's clearly something consumers enjoy. How can you use the celebrity crossword concept in your campaigns?

3. Quotes For Entrepreneurs {IMG}

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Topics: Wrap-up

How to Keep from Being a Buzzkill Boss

by Kathleen O. Celmins, on February 27, 2015

freelance-writers-help-with-content This was another great week in terms of content. We found a lot to love.

Here are the five articles that piqued our interest:

1. The Buzzkill Boss {strategy+business}

How can you avoid being a buzzkill boss? It's easy -- have a more rewarding home life. According to a study, when leaders feel a work-life imbalance, they're more likely to feel exhausted and cynical on the job.

2. Mozart on Creativity, and the Ideation Process {Brain Pickings}

Mozart writes about the creative process, flow, and how his music sounds uniquely his the same way his nose is hooked in its own way.

3. What Coke Can Teach McDonald's About Love {IMG}

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Topics: Wrap-up

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The Center for Sales Strategy Blog

Kathleen O. Celmins

Recent Posts by Kathleen O. Celmins:

1. 3 things that'll derail your goals {Inc.}

2. 51(!) productivity tips for startups {AlleyWatch}

3. Auto dealers aren't great at social media {Marketing Mind}

1. Before & After PowerPoint Presentations {SlideShare}

2. Why You Should Care About Holocracy {First Round}

3. How to Be More Resilient When Things Get Tough {Inc}

1. 10 habits to completely eliminate in order to be more productive {Entrepreneur}

2. Richard Branson knows how to have fun {Inc}

3. How good is your company's grammar? {Marketing Land}

What's the one thing you should always include in a winning proposal?

1. A Dotted Line

1. Why arguing at work is okay, and the right way to to it {Inc.}

2. How to write content that drives traffic for years {Top Dog Social Media}

3. Be careful with email automation {SK Murphy}

1. The Healthiest Typeface {The Atlantic}

2. Turn Meeting Confirmations into Selling Moments {Spiro Technologies}

3. 7 Habits of Highly Successful Startup Entrepreneurs {Inc.}

1. Should Journalism Worry About Content Marketing? {CJR}

2. Do You Really Understand How Your Customers Buy? {McKinsey}

3. 7 Habits of Highly Successful Startup Entrepreneurs {Inc.}

1. The Best Tech Tools for Growing a Smart Business in 2015 {Inc.}

2. This NYC Startup Just Raised Another $3M in Record Time {Alley Watch}

3. Quotes For Entrepreneurs {IMG}

1. The Buzzkill Boss {strategy+business}

2. Mozart on Creativity, and the Ideation Process {Brain Pickings}

3. What Coke Can Teach McDonald's About Love {IMG}

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