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Growing into Opportunity

I was chatting with a very good friend this morning over coffee, and she said that she had spoken to a very successful business person who told her that the reason he was so successful was that he grew into every opportunity he was offered. I love this idea. Great opportunities always seem larger than we are and have a way of making us doubt our abilities, but in truth you purchased that opportunity on the back of your experience and hard work. Yes, someone took a chance on you, but that chance was most likely calculated and based on more than a whim. The person that gambled on you knew that you were a really good bet. As I look back on my professional development, I realize that I have … Read entire article »

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Be Bright, Be Brief, Be Gone

In the current climate of shrinking budgets and limited resources, even language is being cut. With the emergence of electronic communication and social media where information has been reduced to 140 characters or less, language usage has by necessity become more economical. Proposals have more white space and bullet points. Laser-like, compact writing is generally favored over weighty paragraphs and long, winding sentences. Our eyes are now trained to seek out clean, uncluttered writing space that has the appearance of modern, minimalist architecture. The age of ornate speech and florid writing in business has gone the way of long lunches and snail mail. Our business culture demands brevity and economy when it comes to communication. For … Read entire article »

The Business of Networking

It is completely possible to go to a networking event nearly every business day and every waking hour of the year in San Diego. We love our networking events in this town. There are networking events for every age group, gender, sector of business, and time of day. You could conceivably network full-time without actually ever generating a single dollar for your efforts. Networking costs time and money. Without question, relationship development is critical to your business. People buy and do business from people they know and like, but networking events frequently do not translate into an authentic relationship, and if you aren’t creating business relationships and opportunities from networking, what are you doing? We … Read entire article »

We Are All Engaged in Selling Something

When I asked a new client this week to explain their sales process, I was told that they didn’t like the idea of “selling.” This is not an unusual statement. I regularly encounter entrepreneurs and even midsize companies that believe producing a quality product or service is enough. When I ask what they say when someone objects to their price or how they ask for business, I’m frequently met with a lot of chair-shifting and silence. They worry that selling will be uncomfortable or even offensive to their customer. You may have a phenomenal product or service, but if you can’t sell that product in the marketplace, it’s irrelevant. Despite the fact that we are a capitalist … Read entire article »

Interview with North San Diego Business

North San Diego Business at Large interviewed me and here is a link to the radio show. From the website: Ann Marie Houghtailing is a Sales Trainer, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur who has trained sales people all around the country in a variety of industries. Known for her high energy, humor and no nonsense style, Ann Marie has developed sales systems and built sales teams to generate revenue in every climate. She has trained people to sell everything from real estate and financial products to dry wall and event services. “Selling is not a talent, it is a measurable, teachable skill; and with creative, clear strategies everyone can learn to sell. Nearly every business and … Read entire article »

Blaze Your Own Trail: Meet Suamhirs

On Friday I met a nineteen year old young man named Suamhirs. He is a student, a legal assistant, an activist and a resilient force of nature, which is why I wanted to ask him to speak for my Blaze Your Own Trail Summer program. He was brought to this country against his will from his home in Honduras at the age of sixteen. He was held captive, abused and violated in ways that wounds your soul to even imagine. With his own money, a deep sense of duty and focus he is working to save a transitional foster care program that helped to save him. Suamhirs is not a victim and does not want … Read entire article »

Who We Are

Who We Are

The Houghtailing Group is transforming sales training forces across the globe with intelligently designed, results-oriented sales training programs. Our Blaze Your Own Trail program for raising a successful child is the opposite of helicopter parenting and will teach you skills for developing independent children. By uniting unique motivational strategies with solid business-school skill sets, our courses enable sales professionals to … Read entire article »

Partnerships

Partnerships

In January of 2010 The Houghtailing Group partnered with the University of San Diego to launch a professional certificate program and the Institute for Sales and Business Development. The Houghtailing Group is dedicated to raising the professional standards of sales and business development and is proud to be the alliance partner of the Institute for Sales and Business Development at … Read entire article »

Testimonials

Best trainer or teacher (including my college professors) that I’ve ever had. I have never been to a better class. Anais T. Clearwater, FL … Read entire article »