Entries by Brian Ahearn, CMCT®

What’s Your Why?

Why? That’s a deep, powerful question that can apply to almost anything. Kids ask why the sky is blue. Sports fans ask why the coach called a certain play. Citizens ask why politicians make the choices they do. You get the point. I’d like to focus the question on you. What’s your why? Or put […]

Why Thankfulness Matters

This week people across America will be celebrating Thanksgiving. While this holiday has its origins going back to the 1600s with the Pilgrims it wasn’t until Abraham Lincoln that we formally acknowledged the last Thursday in November as the day of celebration. Franklin D. Roosevelt altered that in 1939 when there were five Thursdays in […]

V = WIG/P … What?

Don’t worry; this post isn’t about algebra or calculus. This week we’re going to look into the value proposition and how salespeople can use the principles of influence to make sure their product or service offering shines. First, let me say my introduction to the value proposition came nearly 20 years ago when John Petrucci joined State Auto. I learned […]

What’s Your Goal?

I work with lots of people in different roles when it comes to teaching ethical influence. Over the years, I’ve worked with senior leaders, middle managers, supervisors, claim reps, underwriters, field sales reps, insurance agents, business owners, financial reps, and many others. I’m always amazed at how often people try to persuade without a clear […]

Ironing out the Buying Thought Process

I’ve been on the road a lot lately. In a recent stretch I was gone Monday through Thursday or Friday four weeks in row. When I returned from a recent trip, my wife, Jane, had gone to Myrtle Beach to spend time with her family. I was left with a daunting task: two-dozen shirts to iron! […]

Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect, Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

You’ve probably heard the old expression, “Practice makes perfect.” The message is intended to convey that you won’t improve at something without practice. However, the reality is this – not any old practice will do. For example, who will ultimately perform better in each of the following scenarios? The golfer who hits a large bucket […]

Sometimes It’s All about What You SAID

I grew up playing football. From the time I was eight years old until I was 18, every year was all about football. Unfortunately, I wasn’t naturally big, strong, or fast. As a junior in high school, I played outside linebacker at a strapping five foot nine inches tall and a weight of 155 lbs.—soaking […]

Halo Good Looking! Are You as Talented as I Think?

Have you heard of the “halo effect?” For those with teens, I’m not talking about the Xbox game your kids might be playing where they seek to destroy aliens. The halo effect can be more insidious than the game when it leads us to harmful decisions. Let me describe the halo effect for you: You […]

Will the Price of Cubans Rise or Fall?

There’s a Seinfeld episode in which Kramer orders some Cubans. Jerry thinks he’s ordering cigars but Kramer actually brought three Cuban men over so they could roll cigars for him. He didn’t get cigars because they were illegal. When America cut ties with Cuba after Fidel Castro took over, it became illegal to do business […]