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Jul31
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When I woke up this morning (multiple awakenings, come to think of it, since we have a new baby in the house) I didn't know that the cartoon character Dilbert had his own blog.
Now I do. And, technically, it's Dilbert's creator Scott Adams' blog.
And, it's great. Kind of like the real life written version of his comic strip.
For instance, this post on having goals. Hilarious. And not just because I have several Dilbert-like qualities...
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Jul31
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This is my fourth post today on great sales copywriting...strange how that works sometimes, isn't it? You stumble upon an important topic and then seem to find good tip after good tip to pass along! Here's some more great advice...
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Part two of our short series on great sales headlines that sizzle, courtesy of the writing pros over at Copyblogger: 6. Here’s a Quick Way to [solve a problem]People love quick and easy when it comes to solving a...
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I just posted about good writing tips for sales professionals, focusing on using active verbs when you're putting together a sales letter. It's important stuff, especially for sales pros that write a lot of letters as a part of their...
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We haven't touched much on this topic yet here at LandingTheDeal, but its an important one: Writing effective sales copy. This can apply to presentations, sales letters, e-mails and blogs. Great sales writing is essential to long term selling...
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A comment from Sean Woodruff on my post about angry customers: "Here's the problem. There are two sides to every story. The customer isn't always right and if customers start blogging about everyting they don't like, companies will counter with...
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With all the talk of globalization and the rise of capitalism in emerging parts of the world, here's a report that says the U.S. is still the place to be if you're going to be an entrepreneur. At least...
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Jul30
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Church of the Customer turned me on to a blog rant about a bad plumber in a small down in Florida, and the customer who has embarked on a one-man crusade to bring the plumber to his knees (thereby exposing...
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Jul28
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Here's a quote to get you thinking: "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." That's from American poet T.S. Elliot. Think about it. Sales is really one of the...
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Remember back in the late 90's when many were predicting the end of face-to-face selling, and a move to "zero gravity" online-only selling? We all realized something, it looks like: We like people. We really like interesting people. Seth Godin makes...
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We've all been there before: We take our wireless laptop on a sales call, business trip, or vacation. We "assume" that there will be a connection so that we can go online, only to discover there is no connectivity. I...
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Sometimes its the little things in sales that make the difference in how you are perceived. Take this comment from a recent traveler who returned from Italy, from a local newspaper story: "I couldn't help but notice how every...
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Our blogging buddy, Ron McDaniel, has an entrepreneurial daughter named Alexandra. She has started her own company, Kids Roar. All you adults out there that have a few bucks to spare should go to her site and buy something. ...
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About ten years ago, I made a choice to leave a big, international sales company to start a business. I had an OK office. A decent salary. Some room for "advancement". Had I sat down and analyzed the pros...
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Jul27
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Most sales professionals and entrepreneurs are focused on money: How to spend it, how to get more of it, how not to lose all of it. But Seth Godin brings up a great point in his post about money. His...
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Jul26
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In case you've missed them, here are some of the latest posts over at our sister blog, TopLeadGenerators: No-No's of Networking: A visiting expert goes over five things to never do when you're at a networking event...these things can kill...
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There will be lots of stress involved in your day-to-day sales career, as you probably already know. The best cure for a stressful day? Laughter. Here's the latest, from a recent report on ABC News: A new study finds...
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In case you haven't noticed while visit blogs here at Know More Media, we're looking for stuff. Lots of stuff. We're looking for sponsors for our blogs (I'll get you a screamin' deal if you sponsor ours. We'll talk later.) ...
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Jul25
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Yes, that Hezbollah. The terrorist group at the center of the current crisis in the Middle East - "Day 145,398" or so, if you're keeping track at home. Last night I turned on the TV in our kitchen and...
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"Tossed salad" is the term that copywriting expert Michael Masterson calls trying to sell all the benefits and features of whatever it is you're offering. You see it all the time in brochures and advertising...trying to be all things...
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Our blogger pal Sean Woodruff chimes in on my "naked sales call" post with this thought on customer demonstrations, and whether or not sales professionals should do them: "To take this idea a step further, about 6 years ago I...
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Jul24
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That's what author and trainer Jill Konrath suggest you do the next time you visit a prospect. (And, no...that's not a snapshot of me typing my blog entries here at LandingTheDeal...) No, she's not suggesting you shed your coat...
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What a great example of Seth Godin's "free prize" theory! Nobody talked much about a stuffy law journal. Until, that is, the law journal The Green Bag started producing Supreme Court Justice commemorative bobbleheads. Now, they're sold on eBay. Legal geeks...
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Jul23
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Continued from my previous post, Robert Cox enlightens us with his observations about billionaires that he knows and has done business with, and what the secret is to their success: "When a billionaire enters a meeting, it is all...
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I ran across an interesting article by Robert Cox, who founded one of the first "home shopping" networks on TV and has become rich by approaching each of his business ventures a certain way. Here are his recommendations for...
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Local TV ads are a hoot sometimes. Most of the time, actually. I just saw one a few minutes ago advertising a local Dodge dealership promoting their "Shipwreck of Savings" weekend. It was complete with cheesy graphics, pirate sound...
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Jul22
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OK, I don't get it. When it comes to concert tour sales, The Rolling Stones are leading the pack here in 2006. That surprised me. I mean, I know that the Stones are rock and roll legends and have cultivated...
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Jul20
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Rich Schefren is a business expert with a knack for turning around failing companies, and starting new ones that enjoy hot sales from the word go. His secret? Understanding his customers, and how to capitalize on the opportunity to...
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Rich at MarketingBlurb had an interesting post on the "extreme makeover" that has been foisted upon the kindly old chicken fry cook, Colonel Sanders. Then Gary over at AlphaMarketer commented how inspiring the Colonel's story is for entrepreneurs, business people,...
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Dell is a big computer company. I happen to like them, many do not. I'm typing this entry on my Dell Inspiron laptop. But it is funny, I have to admit, when a big company like Dell doesn't get Web...
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No, not undies. Although you have no idea how proud of myself I am for coming up with that picture and article title. We're talking about keeping presentations and marketing messages brief. One view I referenced earlier talked about...
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Jul19
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Speaking of Lincoln, as I just did in my previous post, here's a good sales reminder on presentations and proposals from our friends at justsell.com: In 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered one of history's most famous and remembered speeches-- the...
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"I don't like that person - I think I need to get to know him better." - Abraham Lincoln Is that your attitude when it comes to customer relationships? You can see why Lincoln was a skilled politician...his attitude was...
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Jul16
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As my wife was recovering from her C-Section earlier this week, she asked me to run down the street to buy her some ear plugs. Hospitals are noisy, after all, and she needed her rest. I was happy to do...
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The psychology of "why someone buys" has always fascinated me. The psychology of "what someone will pay for something" fascinates me even more. Cadillac started making a pick-up version of the Escalade. Did stock brokers suddenly have the need to...
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Sales professionals have a tendency to be self-focused and "looking out for #1" most of the time. But sales expert Brian Tracy puts in a good word of two for all smart sales pros on the virtues of being...
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Interesting bit of sales history from justsell.com, talking about Tupperware and the evolution of how it was sold: An inexperienced business person until a divorce in 1942, Ms. Brownie Wise began selling Stanley Home Products at home parties to...
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Jul14
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Minor league baseball can be a tough sell to local fans, who are trying to stretch their entertainment dollars further and further. When you're an "independent" team (not affiliated with a Major League Baseball organization) the sale can be...
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It's been a while since I last mentioned our friend Ron McDaniel over at Buzzoodle, our unofficial ambassador of buzz marketing. Here are some posts you need to check into when you have a moment...its good stuff: Good ways to...
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Derrick Moe from SelectMetrix chimes in on our war against rebates - and those who try and defend the sinister practice - with this good news from Dell: Dell Inc. on Thursday said it will cut back on mail-in...
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My posts have been a little inconsistent this week, but I swear I had a good reason. My gorgeous wife gave birth to our third child, and first son. His name is Colt Daniel Tudor, and we're thrilled beyond words....
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As mentioned in my previous post, we just had a baby! We're at a local hospital while my wife is recovering from her C-Section and our baby spends some time in the intensive care unit getting rid of some fluid...
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Most increases in sales don't have to involve developing brand new products, launching new markets, or doubling a sales staff. You can achieve great things simply by finding ways to expand your current offerings. If you're in mortgage sales,...
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Jul13
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Yes. In todays world of self-publishing, downloadable files and blogs...absolutely. What surprises me? That more people - regular people like you, with an expertise and advice on how to be successful at whatever you do - don't write books and...
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Following my post on the sinister rebate industry, I received a response from a representative of the sinister rebate industry. Since this is a family blog, I took the liberty of censoring some of the many colorful swear words...
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Jul11
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I'm waiting on two rebate checks that, truthfully, I never expect to see. But it makes going to the mailbox everyday a little more fun, so I'll keep on checking. To get to the point of waiting two months...
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According to a recent study, highlighted by our friend Marshall over at WebMetricsGuru, it's worth and extra 8% if you sell on eBay. It's interesting stuff...if you're in sales, you should read it! That study measures quantifiable statistics based on...
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Jul10
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I like and respect Bob Parsons, the founder of GoDaddy.com. His story about starting his company, and making it successful, is fascinating. And, it's inspiring. I check-in on his blog frequently, and he has recently republished a list of...
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Jul 9
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There are three recent articles over at TopLeadGenerators that I want to recommend to you (and not just because I wrote them): Getting good sales leads from "free" sources. There's a whole new way to market your products and...
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Seth Godin seems to find relevant lessons for sales professionals in odd little place, just like I do. You always have to be looking for examples of good selling, because if you do you'll find that they're everywhere. Case...
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I had to read it twice just to make sure I got it all, which is probably the best testimonial on this great thought from Internet consultant David Cross on targeting and "segmenting" your customers, and why it's the best...
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Here are the seven common signs that they might be....
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Jul 8
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Ty, over at PowerSellerKing here on KMM, has an interesting post on a little "experiment" that one of my fellow VM Direct affiliates is conducting. He's using video to sell an item on eBay, alongside a "regular" static text ad. ...
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After a month of promotion, non-stop worldwide attention, and me watching a few World Cup games, I realized a few things today as France and Italy prepare to square off in the finals: I can't remember a single sideline...
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Or, anytime really. Noah at Okdork.com has a fun little list of things to do when you want to avoid "small talk". In sales, there's lots of small talk. Is it worthwhile? Probably not. Big Talk, however, is worthwhile. Here's...
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Steve Rubel posted a great piece about 25 things he learned from GoogleTrends. So, I'll play along too with some trends I found focused on sales, marketing, and business: We'd rather open up our own business than just find...
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My preceding post talked about the observations of an American businessman on a trip to Japan, and his stay at The Four Seasons in Tokyo. The lessons we can take away from that story? There are some good ones:...
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Author and businessman Michael Masterson has a great little story about his recent visit to the Four Seasons hotel in Tokyo. Read about how the Japanese treat their customers, and how you might be able to apply some of those...
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Many of you have asked me to talk more about selling over the telephone, so that's what I want to focus on for a moment here today. I found a really interesting article by sales trainer Art Sobczak, who specializes...
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If you look to the right of this post, you'll notice that Orbitz has become an advertiser here at LandingTheDeal and KMM. I like Orbitz. I actually book almost all of my travel through Orbitz, and I will continue...
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Jul 6
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From author John Forde. Read this...it's really good, whether you're in sales or own a business: I've got wine on my mind. Not literally, mind you. As I write this, it's not even 10:00 a.m., for God's sake.No. I'm thinking...
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My previous post talked about the expected boom coming in real estate over in England after the conclusion of the World Cup. Here in the U.S., it's a different story. There's a major slow-down in home buying, and the trend...
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That appears to be the case in England, where analysts expect a big jump in home buying in England and around Europe once the World Cup concludes this coming weekend. That should speak volumes to those of us here in...
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Jul 5
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"Woodruff" would be Sean Woodruff of WoodruffDirect, who frequently provides good comments to whatever we're talking about here at LandingTheDeal. "Dan" would be me. I made some observations about how sideline advertising, at least the way it is done...
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Jul 4
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My vote is no. I'm not "lovin" the ad I just saw. Simple reason. In my previous post, I mused about the effectiveness of sideline marketing during the World Cup. When I saw the McDonald's ad on the sideline,...
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Today, I turned on the TV and intentionally searched out the World Cup soccer game between Germany and Italy. I was hoping I'd catch the game in the middle of some crucial shoot-out or something. Alas, it was a...
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Jul 3
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It's amazing, really, to consider everything that Benjamin Franklin did in his life. If you ever want to be inspired to be your best, to be original, and to create "buzz", just read a profile of Franklin's accomplishments. As luck...
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I'm not sure why this is relevant to the selling discussions we have here at LandingTheDeal. But I know it is...somehow. When you click on the link below here in a second, ask yourself: How could I make my...
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Your "bank of business", of course, is the prospects and proposals that you have working towards a sale. Another popular term for this is your "pipeline". As we sit at the midway point in 2006, you should take a...
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In sports, you want to score often and score early. In football, one way to do that is by "going long". If you're in sales, these first few days of July are a slow start to the month. In...
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Jul 2
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First in an eleven part series We've taken a recent post by Seth Godin and broken it into a little eleven part series. It revolves around Seth's advice to the marketing department, from the hard-working sales department. It's a...
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Second in a series Promises made by sales professionals are sacred in the eyes of their customers. Customers remember promises made to them, and hold the sales rep personally responsible (for them, the company is their sales rep). Here's Seth...
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Third in a series This one is good: Selling is interpersonal. I am not moving bits, I'm trying to change people's minds, one person at a time. So, no, I can't tell you when the sale will close. No one...
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Fourth in a series Seth Godin makes this request of all marketers, on the behalf of all sales professionals: I love selling. I particularly love selling great stuff, well marketed. Don't let me down. Don't ask me to sell lousy...
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Fifth in a series There was a popular motivational/business book a few years ago (it's still on the shelves, I noticed the other day) that's entitled "Who Moved My Cheese?" It's about adapting to change, and the value of not...
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Sixth in a series: Author Seth Godin continues his list of items that the marketing department needs to hear from the sales department. This one kind of speaks for itself, I think... I have no earthly idea what really...
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Seventh in a series Seth Godin weighs in the difference, from a sales professional's point of view, on a call-in lead vs. a "cold call" lead. Remember, this is a sales professional's message to the marketing department: There is...
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Eighth in a series Another message, via Seth Godin, from the sales pro to the marketing department: Usually, customers lie when they turn me down. They make up reasons. But every once in a while, I actually learn something...
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Ninth in a series A lot of companies look for ways to reduce the need for salespeople. Seth Godin points out that this might be a bad strategy: I know you'd like to get rid of me and just take...
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Tenth in a series Now Seth Godin changes points of views for a moment, giving some advice to sales professionals from a marketers point of view: I know that selling is hard and unpredictable. But if you're going to...
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Last in a series Here's Seth's 11th, and final, thing that marketers ought to know about salespeople. This one is a comment to salespeople who might give this feedback to marketing guys and gals: The two worst pieces of feedback you...
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