Will the Apple iPad Be a Dream Machine For Writers?

As I write this, Apple has announced that they are taking orders for the iPad. It’s a wonderful device that allows people to surf the net, listen to music, read books and a variety of other things with maximum portability. The iPad is smaller than a laptop — even smaller than a net book — and yet is a powerful and flexible device. It will likely sell in the millions.

The iPad has a lot of potential for writers because it is small enough to carry a purse or a big coat pocket, so they can do research, read books, and even use the device as a word processor in almost any setting. There are several models that come with built-in Internet connections, so it is a truly flexible device. Writers will love that kind of versatility the iPad offers — not only as they create books and articles, but as they see a wider market consuming them.

The iPad is set to make a product like Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader obsolete. The iPad has a bigger screen, and color, so the merits of the relatively high priced Kindle will fade rather rapidly.
But there are those who say that the iPad itself will be obsolete even before it is released. Sadly, it’s true. People may rush to buy the iPad, but they will be buying a machine that is severely crippled in several important ways. Writers will want to think twice before they buy one.
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Review: Six Secrets of Sales Magnets

Six Secrets of Sales Magnets

By Laura Posey and Will Turner

This book is not something you should overlook if you are in sales. The authors are sales trainers, this book is a good introduction to their services. The great sales people are always looking for ways to get better. Their goal is to help you close 7 out of 10 prospects. They tell the story of an average day in the life of the Average salesman, Professional salesman and the Magnetic salesman. Curiously, while the Magnetic salesperson plays golf and relaxes, the other two work a lot harder to get any money. The secrets of what they do are revealed, the HOW part is not revealed. I do like their concept on Vendorville. Because there is no HOW TO in this book, I assume you can get the details on how to do this in the courses they offer. They mention cold calling in reference to the Average sales person and the Professional salesperson, but not with the Magnetic salesperson. Nice story and nice book, you can clearly see which category you are in. This is a useful start to making positive change.

This book is a California 6

For more info: DancingElephants.net

Learning by analogy by Seth Godin

Learning by analogy

By Seth Godin

Some people are way better at this than others.

The other day, I was talking to someone about a complex and specialized issue. It’s quite possible that this was the first and only time in the history of the world that this precise set of circumstances had ever occurred. He said, “do you have an example of how this has worked before for you?”

I was puzzled. I mean, not only hadn’t I ever had this precise problem, but no one in the world had.

It’s like the left-handed chiropractor in Berkeley wondering how he can use new technologies and marketing techniques wondering why there aren’t more case studies about left-handed chiropractors in Berkeley.

Sure, the industries change, the goods/service ratio changes, regulation changes, names change. Doesn’t matter. It’s all the same. People are people, and basic needs and wants don’t vary so much.

Put aside your need for a step-by-step manual and instead realize that analogies are your best friend. By the time there is a case study in your specific industry, it’s going to be way too late for you to catch up.

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