Information about me

Chicago, Illinois, United States
I have worked to improve professionals and international interaction centers since the mid-90s. I have worked with organizations to grow newly formed organizations to 300% their initial inflow of customers and support personnel and helped others reduce the life of open issues by 1/3. I have aided multiple start-up ventures through planning and initial phases of opening their doors. Occasionally, I work with individuals on improving their resumes, interviewing skills and professional presentation. I believe in a core principle that you should always be looking for the next rung above you and guiding somebody to make a change in their lives as they approach where you have been. Kaizen is the Japanese principle of continual improvement, I call mine ‘the next one up’.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Book Review: Brag!: The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn without Blowing It

Brag!: The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn without Blowing It by Peggy Klaus

OK, a book with a few hints and tips that helps you refine your elevator speach and reminds you that every conversation is a pitch or ad requesting interest. Really, not that bad of a thing.

Any office hall way, any two people, the first says, 'how's it going?' as they cross in the hall. Possible responses...

  • grunt : Person is having a bad day, or does not care much about the day.

  • 'hi' : I have seen you before but your name escapes me.

  • 'hey naaammmeee' : I know who you are but have nothing interesting to tell you.

  • 'super day!' : To excited to be trusted.

  • 'Exciting, new movement means the project is expanding, looking up to the new challenge. You?' : Damn straight I know what is going on here, where I am needed and where I can help & grow. Can you play the game or waste my time with little hallway chat?


  • That is the value of "Brag!", you learn techniques for when you find yourself on the elevator with the CEO and every other a-hole tells him/her about the weather. This also serves in developing your opener at parties and building the intro other people use for you.

    In my classification of books this is a 'Library' class book. Worth the cash, maybe, but you want to know where to get it when you want it... like your local library.