Articles by John Graham

John Graham of GrahamComm is a marketing and sales strategy consultant and business writer. He is the creator of “Magnet Marketing,” and publishes a free monthly eBulletin, “No Nonsense Marketing & Sales Ideas.” Contact him at jgraham@grahamcomm.com or johnrgraham.com.

Viewpoint: Post-Pandemic: Will Employers or Workers Have Upper Hand?

It’s been a year now since we came under the relentless domination of the coronavirus. After all this time, the picture isn’t pleasant. The end is uncertain and the implications for the future are far from clear. McKinsey reports that …

5 Ways to Make 2018 the Best Year Yet

Since New Year’s resolutions have a 48-hour shelf life, many people don’t even bother with them. Here is a different approach: five ways to improve performance by focusing on results-changing behaviors. 1. Try something new. In their “Habits Across the …

5 Ways to Make 2018 the Best Year Yet

Since New Year’s resolutions have a 48-hour shelf life, many people don’t even bother with them. Here is a different approach: five ways to improve performance by focusing on results-changing behaviors. 1. Try something new In their “Habits Across the …

Top 13 Ways Salespeople Fail Their Customers

Salespeople are always alert for “buying signals,” those indications that the customer is ready to say yes. When this happens, the savvy salesperson knows it’s time to stop talking and ask for the order. But salespeople often miss the warning …

Bad Attitudes That Get in the Way of Success at Work

“Martha has so much going for her, but she could be doing so much more for herself.” How many people do you know or work with like that? What keeps us from getting to where we want to be or …

Tinker Your Way to Success

It took a long time but it had to happen. And it did. Finally, there are schools, summer camps and weekend experiences where kids learn how to tinker. This is far from what some call “futzing around” and others label …

7 Actions for Closing Out 2015 As If It Were a New Year

Every year, we do it on the same day at the same time. The instant the calendar changes from the old year to the new one, we convince ourselves that this year will be different. We’re going to do everything …

Why Start a New Year Out Strong but Not End It That Way?

Every year, we do it on the same day at the same time. The instant the calendar changes from the old year to the new one, we convince ourselves that this year will be different. We’re going to do everything …

22 Reasons Salespeople Don’t Make More Sales

There are a few star performers in sales. The other 99 percent fall on a continuum from very good to poor. While this isn’t news to anyone, the common approach is to hold up the 1 percent as models for …

Making Giving Work: How to Get the Most From Charitable Donations

Most companies want to support charitable and civic organizations and causes. At the same time, the stream of donation requests can be overwhelming, particularly because no one likes saying no. Plus, the pressure comes from all sides – customers, politicians, …