Author Archives: ljgale

No doubt

It’s why I suit-up for big meetings.

It’s why I enter the bar with a big smile.

It’s why I shave my face every day.

It’s why I don’t swear in public.

It’s why I make self-deprecating jokes to servers at restaurants.

It’s why I repeat the name of the person I just met.

First impressions last forever, people.

Do it right, and you’ll get the benefit of the doubt.

When you have it, you’ll be:

  • More successful.
  • More referable.
  • More happy.

So?

Leave them with no doubt and you’ll get the benefit of it.

The other day

The others:

  • The other partners.
  • The other franchisees.
  • The other bloggers.
  • The other marathoners.
  • The other teachers.
  • The other salesmen.
  • The other players in whatever game you play.

There will always be someone getting more than you. More money, more sales, more followers, more qualifying times, more gifts, more meetings, more whatever.

It’s tough to consistently win against those others.

So what about THIS other?

The other day.

It’s easy to win against the other day.

It’s you.

What were you doing the other day?

Isn’t that the only comparison that matters?

Four-word empowerment

It’s easy (and natural for many) to say:

“I don’t make the rules; I just follow them.”

Or…

“It’s above my pay grade.”

Or…

“The guy who does THAT isn’t here.”

But what customer /client / prospect likes hearing that crap?

Here’s a four-word phrase to give instead:

“That should be fine.”

It’s:

  • Empowering.
  • Simple.
  • Something that ALL customers like hearing more than, “It’s not my fault / job / decision.”

Four words.

“That should be fine.”

Sales, client satisfaction, client retention et al. will all dramatically improve.

Empower away.

Why “Do not disturb” is the best iPhone feature

I originally thought the “Do not disturb” function on iPhones was kind of neat, similar to staying in a hotel.

Here’s how I was wrong:

The “Do not disturb” function is better than neat.

It’s pure gold.

Turn it on and your phone will not ring or vibrate unless…

  • Someone calls twice back-to-back (potential emergency).
  • The caller is on your Favorites list (potential mom emergency).

So when your phone DOES ring, it’s a worthy interruption.

One worth losing your train of thought.

One worth stepping out of a big meeting (something that actually makes you seem quite important).

One worth your time.

Yes, calls and texts are all received (unlike Airplane Mode). You just aren’t interrupted.

And that why, people, I usually have to call you back.

I’m on “Do not disturb.”

I’m getting shit done.

I’m Lenny Fucking Gale.

Who are you?

Terror error

Terror organizations take joy in their power. They relentlessly pursue their mission of dominance and permanent resolution.

I get it.

I’m the same way with:

  • Decluttering my home.
  • Lactose intolerance.
  • Eradicating HFCS and fighting the Big Food companies who still use it for massive profit at the expense of our countries social, financial and physical well-being.

Alas, I think this misguided attempt at self-promotion through analogy just defended terrorists like Hamas.

Except for the whole murder thing.

Bottom of the pyramid

Are you in a pyramid?

  • Service organizations are a pyramid.
  • Government is a pyramid.
  • Social groups are a pyramid.

You can spend your time trying to get to the top.

Or, you can do good work and enjoy the journey.

Either way, the top of the pyramid is just the bottom of another one.

Because I said so, woof, because I’m your boss

Kids, dogs, and direct-reports.

They’re all the same.

Talk to them as kids, dogs, and direct-reports, and they’ll act like kids, dogs, and direct-reports.

Talk to them as adults, humans or professionals, however, and they’ll act like adults, humans and professionals.

Sure, you can’t mention sex or going on vacation or confidential information to your kid, dog and direct-report, respectively.

But for the most part, if you act as-if (they are), so will they.

The new SEO — Reader Favorite Optimization

What are your favorite websites?

Chances are, they are all:

  • Lightning fast.
  • Written with a distinct voice.
  • Loaded with original (not stock) images.
  • Ad-free (or at least TASTEFULLY presented ads).
  • Silent, unless you ask for sounds.
  • Full of useful, original, rich content that’s on-point.
  • Something you’re compelled to recommend to friends and family.

If a website fails to meet ANY of these (necessary) conditions, how could it be one of your favorites?

And if it’s not one of your favorites, why would Google ever want to serve it to you at the top of a search query?

This, my friends, is the new Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Might as well name it “Reader Favorite Optimization.”

Or, RFO, for short.

How’s YOUR site optimized?

Respecting serial position

Landlords and similar businesses who lease property must cover costs. Management, overhead, etc.

To cover these costs during the lease, they have two choices:

  1. Collect small fees during the middle.
  2. Collect large fees in the beginning and in the end.

Given what we know about the serial position effect, why would landlords and similar businesses choose choice 2?

Surely, choice 1 (spreading small fees across the middle instead of a giant fee for “move-in” and “move-out”) would be better for the long-term relationship between the customer and the brand.

At the very least, have some respect for the recency effect; don’t charge big fees in the end.

Otherwise, your tenants, who in today’s world determine your reputation online, won’t have respect for you.