Why leaders should look like Monty Python

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April 10, 2012 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF Share | Sign up | Archive | Advertise The Leaderboard    Why leaders should always look on the bright side of life Leaders must maintain an optimistic attitude to be successful, writes S. Anthony Iannarino. "An organization's vision is provided by its leadership. If the leader is pessimistic and full of doubt, the organization will share those beliefs." TheSalesBlog.com (4/4)       Leveraging Cloud Security to Weather Threatening Storms Web attacks and retribution campaigns are on the rise, and they have become more frequent, more random and more extreme. This paper assesses the current cyber threat environment and discusses the use of distributed cloud services as an effective means to protect against evolving, modern-day IT threats. Sales Strategies    Inside the minds of salaried, commissioned salespeople Salespeople who work on commission may be motivated to increase their performance if they have financial obligations to meet and want more money, writes Dave Kurlan. But salaried salespeople are in a safe position where they always know what they will bring home and are unlikely to embrace a change to a commission-based approach. OMGHub.com/Understanding the Sales Force blog (4/6)       Marketing can help sales with the phone challenge If what appears to be a well-qualified lead never turns into a sale, it could be because the handoff from marketing to sales has been fumbled, writes Kathy Rizzo. Marketers should consider making the phone appointment for sales before dropping the lead into their lap. Marketing also can do some preliminary work on when leads would be most ready for a sales pitch and send an introductory e-mail before the phone calls start. MarketingProfs (4/6)       The secret to building sales through referrals Getting referrals from your current clients can help you to find new sales contacts, writes Joanne Black. "If you don't include your current clients in your referral-sales team, you leave money on the table -- every single day." It's critical to ask your satisfied clients for these referrals, she writes. National Underwriter Life & Health (4/6)       Small-business owners can seize opportunities to help reduce their taxes, lower their expenses and reinvest in their businesses this tax season. This free white paper brought to you by American Express OPEN, will help you learn how to navigate changes in tax legislation, leverage often overlooked deductions and strategize for the coming years. SmartBrief readers: Download your 2012 Small Business Tax Strategy white paper now. Daily Data Points    Global spending on Internet ads increased 16%, reaching $85B Worldwide digital-ad spending increased 16% in 2011, to nearly $85 billion, and it is expected to increase 16% more this year, according to GroupM. Digital accounted for more than 17% of all global advertising last year. Adweek (4/9), MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily (4/9)       Other News Survey finds increased confidence in housing market Housing Wire (4/9)       Learn How to Cut HR Costs Without Cutting Production Entrepreneurial execs know that they need to follow the rules, but they may not realize which decisions will lead to the two vital components that help keep HR costs low. The following paper focuses on minimizing human capital expenses in four key areas. Download the white paper, An Executive’s Guide to Cutting HR Costs to learn more. On the Road    Airlines upgrading, improving their airport lounges Airport clubs and lounges are being upgraded and improved with "innovative and cool" offerings as the airlines take steps to attract the revenue-generating business passenger. "As competition for the lucrative business traveler has intensified, airlines are pumping money into their lounges, adding more comfortable seating and power outlets, plus upgrading snacks, drinks and other amenities," Nancy Trejos writes. USA TODAY (4/10)       Word-of-mouth can be a salesperson's best friend. Get your customers talking! - Join this April 16 teleconference with WOM legends Andy Sernovitz and Guy Kawasaki on the secrets of buzz for just $35 - and get Sernovitz's book "Word of Mouth Marketing" and Kawaski's e-book "What the Plus!" free. Sign up now! App Update    5 tips to protect sensitive data from mobile apps Some unscrupulous companies and individuals are using mobile applications to steal personal information from smartphones, but you can protect yourself by only looking for apps in the app store available on your operating system, writes Riva Richmond. Also, research companies before downloading apps that they have created, and don't buy apps that require excessive access to your data. Entrepreneur online (4/9)       Other News Google Chrome apps that boost business productivity PCWorld Business Center/Simply Business blog (4/9)       Download our free report “How to Stop Webpage Speed from Killing Your Marketing” and see how decreasing the time it takes to get customers interacting with your online campaign can increase engagement, response, and conversion. Featured Content    The 10 Mistakes Most Likely to Get You Sued Courtney Rubin Putting Your Business Savings on Autopilot Annie Mueller Social Media and Startup Advice From the Founder of Social Media Week Jana Kasperkevic Small Business Innovation Lessons From 3 Big Companies Anita Campbell How to Stretch Startup Money Into Salaries for Rockstar Talent Scott Gerber Making Small Talk  Company creates frozen beer foam to keep beverages cool Japanese beer company Kirin has developed a method for creating frozen beer foam to create cool heads to top glasses of beer. The foam can keep the brew cold, and, unlike ice cubes, it won't dilute the flavor as it melts. MSNBC/Future of Tech (4/9)       Position Title Company Name Location Director of Sales – eDiscovery Corporate Recommind Washington, DC Director, Federal Sales PC Mall Gov Chantilly, VA Click here to view more job listings. SmartQuote  Great leaders have a steely-eyed, pigheaded optimism that allows them to maintain a belief that they can face the harsh, cruel, unforgiving, and unrelenting realities their organization faces and win." --S. Anthony Iannarino, president and chief sales officer for SOLUTIONS Staffing, writing at TheSalesBlog.com       SmartBrief on Sales Partners SmartBrief delivers need-to-know news in over 100 targeted email newsletters to over 3 million readers. All our industry briefings are FREE and open to everyone—sign up today! 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