I just returned from a weekend visit to Chautauqua Institution, where we stayed at the historic Athenaeum Hotel, one of the last grand wooden hotels of its kind in the United States. Stepping inside felt like entering a bygone era, when life moved at a slower pace and people took time to enjoy their surroundings. The hotel features a magnificent ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a spacious porch during the summer. Two grand staircases and a modern elevator

When I teach my marketing and sales classes, the first principle I emphasize is simple: create a plan and then work that plan. However, before developing any strategy, you should conduct a thorough SWOT analysis to identify your organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. A well-prepared plan provides direction, helps you allocate resources wisely, and allows you to make informed decisions as your business grows. An effective marketing plan begins with u

One of the best ways to understand the value of a vision statement is by watching the high school students I teach tell me about about their futures. Students who know what they want to become, whether an engineer, nurse, teacher, or business owner are usually more motivated in school. That is because they understand how today's classes will help them achieve tomorrow's goals. Even when a subject is difficult, they recognize it as another step toward their future. Students wh

One of the words that people often misunderstand is vision. Many think of vision as something abstract or mystical, a dream that may or may not ever become reality. In business and in life, however, vision is much more practical. It is the ability to see what could be and then inspire others to help make it happen. The Ride for Roswell is a perfect example of how one person's vision can transform an entire community. The event began in 1996 after Mitch Flynn, owner of the Buf