December 2016
Strategies for Success Newsletter December 2016 Issue 132
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Published by Emily Huling Selling Strategies
Copyright 2016 Emily Huling. All rights reserved.
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In this December 2016 issue:
- Emily’s Mailbag
- Thoughts from the Road
- Josmo’s Cafe
- Stay Energized
- Emily Live
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- Emily’s Mailbag
Take it or leave it?
Dear Emily,
When dining with clients on business, is it acceptable to ask for a to-go box to take the rest of the meal with you? It’s a regular occurrence these days no matter who is paying for the meal or whether the person is going home or back to a hotel. I think it’s unprofessional and looks like the person is a cheapskate.
Sincerely,
Doggie Bag Dilemma
Dear DBD,
I’ve noticed the same thing even at the fanciest restaurants with high-level professionals in attendance. Restaurants don’t do us any favors by serving single portions large enough for two.
Here are things to consider before asking for a to-go box.
- If it’s a large group function, don’t ask for a box to go. Large groups generally get served appetizers through dessert. Just eat what you want. I’m a small eater and make it habit to eat only half of the many courses served.
- For individually ordered meal functions, ask yourself if the food is of high enough quality and quantity to take with you. If not, leave it.
- If it’s a guilt trip to leave food on your plate, only order what you can eat. Notice the food being served at other tables. If it’s gargantuan, order from the appetizer or small plate portion of the menu.
- Are you going straight back to a hotel or to your own office to put the food in the refrigerator? This is both a food safety and professional issue. Don’t be lugging food bags around with you.
- Do not take food back to a client’s office and ask to use their refrigerator.
Bottom line is when in doubt, leave it. It’s not worth looking unprofessional for a half-eaten steak even if it cost $65.00!
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- Thoughts from the Road
Overcoming fear.
I knew that look the moment I saw it.
As a frequent flyer with early boarding privileges, I had already settled into my aisle seat. I usually ignore the 100-200 people boarding after me, but for some reason I looked up. I saw a young woman frantically looking at her boarding pass and then at the seat numbers posted overhead. First time flyer I guessed. I caught her eye. “Can I help you find your seat?” I asked. “Yes,” she replied with a sigh of relief. Her seat was directly in front of me so I helped her get herself and her bag situated. Another sigh. “Thank you so much.”
When the plane landed in Minneapolis, we exited and walked side-by-side to the nearest restroom. “Do you have a connection?” I asked. “Yes” she said, eyes wide as she looked around at the huge terminal. I told her I had loads of time and could help her find her gate. On the long walk, we chatted.
Savannah told me it was her first time flying. I smiled. She was 22 and a new dialysis technician on her way to a training class. I praised her for such a good career choice. She said the hardest part isn’t the schooling, it’s all the other stuff that scares her. Like flying. She then said with quiet determination “I’ve decided I’m not going to let things that scare me stop me from living a great life.”
Moral of the story. Consider what you are losing out on by allowing anxiety and fear (Fantasized Experiences Appearing Real) to get in the way. Press through to gain new experiences and broaden your world.
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- Josmo’s Cafe
With the holiday season upon us, we are featuring our popular brunch dish Grand Marnier French Toast. In fact, we will be serving this to friends on New Year’s Day. It’s a perfect party dish because it is prepared the evening before and cooked on the griddle the next morning. We all hang out in the kitchen and drink Mimosas while John cooks. We serve it with Apple Maple Chicken Sausage links and a big bowl of fresh berries.
Look at our Josmo’s Cafe recipes list to find something new and yummy for your holiday gatherings. All dishes have been taste tested many, many times!
John and I wish you very happy holidays and a spectacular 2017!
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And now for a commercial break……….
As you plan your customer service, management development and business growth strategies for 2017, please remember that we have loads of learning materials at our Learning Store on the website. Service Selling Supercharge and Great Service Sells continue to be top sellers for in-house service professional development. All orders include an assortment of Energizer Minute collection CDs.
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- Stay Energized
17 Terrific Tips for Meaningful Meetings is the newest addition in our series. Learn about four different types of meetings, meeting room essentials, and one technique to get people talking. Start a business book club is one of the tips. Click the link for more details.
Visit the Business Building page on our website to find articles, free stuff, and all the 17 Terrific Tips columns.
December Energizer Minute – Would it help? – Get supercharged with Energizer Minutes – one-to-two-minute audio stories told by yours truly to energize, invigorate, and inspire!
Follow me on Twitter @EmilyHuling to read my weekday Energizer Moments.
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- Emily Live
- Private client – Leading People to Greatness, St. Joseph, MO – January 10-11, 2017
- Private client – Working Together for Success – Fargo, ND – February 6-9, 2017
- Private client – How to Become the Agent of Choice – Fargo, ND – February 10, 2017
- NAPSLO Leadership Conference – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – March 6-8, 2017
- NetVU Annual Conference – Leading with Certainty in Uncertain Times – Nashville, TN – March 23-25, 2017
- Agency Management CIC – Austin, TX – April 5-6, 2017
- AAMGA Annual Conference – Orlando, FL – May 21-23, 2017
- InsureFest – Milwaukee, WI – June 5-6, 2017
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Selling Strategies: Strategies for Success Newsletter is published by Emily Huling Selling Strategies. For further information, contact emily@sellingstrategies.com.
© 2016 Emily Huling. All rights reserved.