Running Easy Again

Whoa...I didn't notice my last run!  After over 3 years of nagging and repeated foot injuries I've had the most uneventful runs over the last week. I've just been running.

Fox Lake, Huntsville

I first noticed this while on vacation at Fox Lake in Muskoka a couple of weeks ago.  The Cottage road in from the highway road was nicely hard packed gravel with a lot of tree cover.  It felt like running through a green tunnel.  There were frequent turns and lots of quick ups-and-downs to keep things interesting.

And there were no cars...I didn't meet one in four days. I cut apexes with glee!

I only ever saw one other person on the road and that was on Saturday morning, our final vacation day.  And of course it was a runner!

Back home I've been out on my usual early morning runs and the easy running has continued.  I have no idea how fast I've been running and frankly haven't given it much thought.  I come back thoroughly soaked and happily exhausted though.

And no pain.  More importantly, no thinking about pain.  I don't want to jinx it but running is fun again!  Vacation change of scenery, new shoes, running for fun...can't pinpoint one thing...probably everything has contributed to running easy once again.

So if you see me on the roads of Etobicoke you'll have no trouble recognizing ThatRunninGuy:  I'll be grinning ear-to-ear.

Oh, one more shot of 'Our Lake' in Muskoka:

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

S.E.X. Sells! Part 1

We all do it...Selling is the heart of business and commerce. In the B2B world of Marketing and Media Sales:  Getting the customer to 'Buy' the Creative/Campaign/Media Plan;  in B2C:  Awareness, Consideration, Preference and of course Buying the product or service!  

In this week's guest post, Sales Professional Michael Pennock, ESQ, tells us why the 'S' of Selling is so important.  Pennock is a successful sales professional who has recruited, trained and managed Direct Sales Teams for over 5 years.  This is Part 1 of 3: Sex Sells...and it all starts with a Smile:

SEX Sells 

This is the truest statement in any marketing and sales environment.  Why wouldnt it be?  SEX is great, and if it felt like cutting your hand off, nobody would want any part of it. 

But SEX is the first step to closing any sale.  Let me explain.   

Yes, some gorgeous model accompanying you on your sales call would certainly help close every sale you go on.  But I assure you, the moment you walk into any meeting,  you have all the SEX needed to get the deal done. 

First, SMILE, its contagious.   Have you ever tried to not smile while looking at someone else smiling?  Its like trying to keep your eyes open when you sneeze. You can't do it.   Your smile will help ease the tension and keep the atmosphere comfortable. 

Now, keep smilig.  Whatever happens, that smile should not leave your face.  I don't mean that you should sit there and grin like an idiot, but a comfortable smile throughout your presentation will help build your relationship with your customers and keep what can be a tense situation,  nice and relaxed.
Now let's practice.  It may seem funny, but seriously,  practice your smile. Practice it until you have to make a conscious decision to not smile.  Your smile is the first thing a prospective customer will see from you, and a great smile will be the foundation to a positive first impression. 

So, let's rehash.  Start with a smile. Keep smiling. Then keep smiling more. It will make the difference between a sales called, and a sale closed.

Until next time...

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Chris Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

647 393 3855

Linkedin:  Chris M Morales 

Fall Running in Muskoka

After way too many years Sally and I took our first vacation together last week in Muskoka.  Fox Lake just outside of Huntsville to be precise.  And what a week we had.  While the weather was cool, we had multiple glorious days of sunshine to enjoy the outdoorsy things that we can't do in our Apartment in the City:

• Grilling Steaks, Vegetables and Sausages on the BBQ! I got to cook raw meat over an open flame!
• Sitting on the dock with Sally drinking wine and enjoying the sunset!!
• Going for walks in the woods with Sally and Tia the City Dog who really took to this Cottaging Lifestyle.
• Sitting reading in front of the Fireplace looking out the huge picture windows over the calm as glass lake.

As a runner the highlight were the early morning runs.  OK, I went out a little later than normal...Hey, it's a vacation after all.  The cool, crisp absolutely clean air was intoxicating.  This photo was typical of the roads/trails I ran on.

Along my regular running route I was often able to catch glimpses of Fox Lake:

Back home now.  Vacation way too short.  Absolutely fabulous time.  Recharged and raring to go once again.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Content Marketing Explained

In the 'Good Old Days' it was about 'Awareness, Consideration, Preference'.  'AD' or 'After Digital' it's the same.  Marketing practitioners need to know how to connect with their target customes emotionally...Content Marketing steps up to the plate.  Here's a visual that explains how Content Marketing  works:

Clients are now competing with Advertising Agencies to find and hire talented Digital Marketing people who know how to integrate Content Marketing into their business.  Contact me if you're looking for this Talent.

Until next time...

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Chris Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

647 393 3855

Linkedin:  Chris M Morales