It's All About ABC (Always Be Closing)...

In the usual banter of cellphone discussion with business partner - one key tenant of business was refreshed in my head today.

It's not about the product. It's not about supply or demand. It's not about the price you bought it at.

It's all about the sale.

Instead of "well bought - is well sold" think - "Well sold makes everything else fall into line."

We need to be taught how to sell. Not how to buy.

ABC (always be closing) the sale. Know your exit strategy. Have it planned before you enter any purchase.

Pitching 10 Commandments - Baseball Pitching

Ok, I'm going to try to regularly contribute to this blog. The best thing will be that we can go back and find the information when we need it. Here is a Top Ten list of pitching tips that I have compiled and come up with:

1. Your best pitch is strike one. (thank you/hat tip to Todd Stottlemyre)

2. Believe in the 4 C's (Concentration, Composure, Control and Confidence)

3. Work quickly to give your defense a chance to play on their toes and field well.

4. When ahead 0-2 and 1-2 in the counts, miss in the right spots.

5. When in doubt, bust the hitter in on the hands.

6. However, the low and away corner shall always be a golden target.

7. Wind up slowly to throw the ball quickly; and work quickly while the the hitter is working slowly.

8. In high school, you can win with two pitches you control; with three pitches you will be Lights Out!

9. Make your own breaks (field your position, work your pickoffs and get ahead of the hitters)

10. NO WALKS!

Teammates

As someone who has played on, coached and watched winning teams - as well being involved in a couple successful businesses, here is my top 10 points on how to be - not just a good, but a "GREAT TEAMMATE"

1. Display loyalty to team at all times.

2. It's not about you, it's about US.

3. A premium is placed on reliability.

4. One needs to LISTEN as well as speak.

5. ANTICIPATE situations and be proactive, not reactive.

6. Get "outside" your world by taking acceptable risks.

7. Pick up your fellow teammates with your acts and emotions.

8. Challenge your teammates (push them to overachieve), and challenge yourself in the process.

9. CARE about you and your teammates performances.

10. YOU will only be successful in a team atmosphere if your teammates are successful.