Just in time for Valentine's Day, I shared some thoughts on Forbes about the parallels I see everyday between sales and dating. The one truth that applies in both instances that I didn't include but perhaps should have is this: If you're not getting any, it is not their fault.  Read the whole post here: DATING IS LIKE SALES

Sometimes a hand written note and thoughtful gift are all it takes. At the end of the year, it is always crazy. This year is proving to be more so. Letters and packages and flights and Q4 goals to finish out. So wild that when a hand written envelope was placed on my desk yesterday, I didn't even bother to open it for a couple of hours. But when I did, I found something that made my day.

Chad, the owner of the Get Squared Etsy shop, had come across my podcast with Keith Ferrazzi's Social Capitalist show. After a little sleuthing, he discovered my not so well kept secret that I have an obsession with pocket squares.  And by going just a little bit further down the extra mile, I am assuming he tracked down the address to my office online and sent the note and great hand made pocket square.

The Get Squared pocket squares are simple but perfect to pair against a coat or shirt with a pattern like I did here. The stitching along the edges adds just enough definition to make sure no one is confused about whether you're wearing a handkerchief or a pocket square. And for $5, you might as well buy one of each from Chad for yourself and one of each to give out as Christmas presents this year. Check them out for yourself: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GetSquared

There is an art and science to hustle. Hand written notes win on both sides of that story.

Some advice transcends trends. Check out this talk by Kevin Rose a few years back (Twitter was new) where he lays out some of the hacks that he and his teams used to grow their companies. Definitely worth the 22 minutes. (HERE is the text version as well)

Always looking for great resources like this for the companies I advise.

Know of another good batch of advice, let me know.

While most people would tell you that they believe business cards in their current physical form are on their way out, no one has really cracked the code on what will replace them. There have been attempts at virtual business cards and smartphone tapping shenanigans, but they haven’t really ever taken off. So, while we wait for the day when we can shake hands with someone and immediately be connected on LinkedIn, I’ll share my own business card innovation. I only carry one business card at a time...

Read the rest of the post HERE

Walking back from lunch I dealt with the phenomenon that all New Yorkers hate: Street Petitioners. This young man was extremely nice and represented his organization well. But he had no shot the moment he opened his mouth.

"Do you have a moment...."

It didn't matter what he said next. It could have been "....to help teach kids how to sell lemonade without running into the regulatory enforcement of a bloated government?" and I still would have given the response that I give every single time:

"No."

By asking a question that allows for a thoughtless one word answer, the opportunity to engage me on their topic of choice was lost.  But, if instead, he'd asked me "What are you thoughts on...." or "When was the last time this issue...." and forced me to give more thought to it, I might have slowed down long enough to know what it was that he was asking.

I know how hard it is to create a conversation out of thin air, but the opening line is the one that matters the most and gives the petitioner and the hustler a chance at seeing results instead of rolled eyes.