http://www.genemccubbin.com Entrepreneurism, sales and leadership ramblings Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:37:08 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en In the last couple months, since my last post on this blog, I have signed up for Twitter.  @genemccubbin is my Twitter username.  Twitter is a micro-blog and quite addictive.  A combination of voyeurism and exhibitionism in one.  Perfect for my slightly, occasionally, not-so-normal mind.  Also, even more perfect for ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2008/07/27/kill-your-darlings/ The next day we toured the Korbel Winery...where I learned about the story of a hard-charging-ex-criminal-cigar-box-making-redwood-forest-pillaging-champagne-magnate from Prague, Francis Korbel. So the story goes like this... At age 18 Korbel was rumored to have been the guy who fired the shot that started a revolution against the then ruling Hapsburgs.  He was arrested and ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2008/05/18/the-korbel-jail-cell/ Continuing the journey...we drove from San Francisco to Sonoma and stayed at a great little bed and breakfast called the Sonoma Orchard Inn.  Where we ate Decadent French Toast & learned about Experiential Value. The Sonoma Orchid Inn is located a stone's throw from the Korbel Winery and easy driving distance ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2008/05/01/decadent-french-toast/ My wife and I recently took the kids on a two week driving trip through California.  Along the way I decided to try and find something noteworthy to write about, along the key topics on which I dispense alleged wisdom (sales, leadership, management, & entrepreneurism).  So..although I am fashionably late in crafting this prose, ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2008/04/22/indian-land/ I love people sometimes; they come up with every possible excuse and self justification for their own actions.  Usually focused on how somebody else's actions or thoughts are the REAL reason they turned into a sloppy, irresponsible, broke jerk wad.  So...I decided to sum up some of the more effective methods ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2007/11/10/how-to-think-act-like-a-loser/ I've taken way too long to list out ten simple rules...but here are the last two.  I'm currently at the San Jose Search Engine Strategies Conference and about to attend the Google Dance...so I gotta type fast...Mecca calls (at least for my industry).  Remember, these were in order of task completion ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2007/08/25/completeing-the-list-the-9th-and-10th-rules/ Your people...that's who!!!  What people?  Employees, vendors, investors, and customers.  Note: I did not put the customer first.  The customer does not ALWAYS come first...because some customers are better off being sent to your competitors.  Great post on that right here...I'll write more on my vehement belief that customer service is ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2007/08/04/5-6-7-8who-do-you-appreciate/ Continuing the list, Number 4: If it is good enough for Rudyard Kipling, it's good enough for me -The Five W's (and one H) of SALES.  Many a great idea has died a slow and painful death due to no cash to buy food and drink for the human beings who ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2007/07/15/410-rules-for-new-entrepreneurs-this-one-warrants-a-post-by-itself/ I occasionally speak at the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) to new 'students' on consideration or ruminations related to starting their new gig.  A few weeks ago I was speeding up the road, running late , in my oh-so-smooth new car (Jaguar XK-R) and my wonderful devoted wife was scribbling notes I was dictating ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2007/06/27/10-thoughts-on-starting-your-new-bizon-my-way-to-prison/ This guy rocks!If you've seen Entourage you either love Ari or hate him. Even if you hate him, you probably admire his bulldog tenacity, his superbly quick wit and his insanely funny sharp tongue. Played by Jeremy Piven, the character is a cartoonish version of an all-sales-all-the-time-super-performer.Here is why I ... http://www.genemccubbin.com/2007/05/03/ari-gold-is-my-hero/