How do you like to be sold to?

If we take a step back and get reflective, then we may realize that how we sell is the way we like to be sold to and vice verse.

In today’s vlog post, I share a recent negative experience with a sales interaction that went poorly due to lack of proper follow-up and changing terms at the last minute.

For me, it’s massively important that terms and conditions be included in written communication to ensure that the salesperson can meet expectations.

How about you? Can you think of a terrible sales interaction that has occurred? Where was it that it went south? How might that salesperson salvaged the deal?

Now, how do you apply these knowledge to your own business development style?

Contact me if you want to learn more…

#terribleBDexperience #badsalespeople #walkthedeal #BDcoach #BDconsultant #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

What’s the #1 roadblock to doing BD?

It’s the balance of project execution to client outreach, cultivation, and advancement.

In today’s vlog post, I address the challenges faced by technical doer/sellers in balancing work delivery and client acquisition, highlighting time management as the primary obstacle in business development.

I emphasize the importance of client retention while pursuing new opportunities and share my own struggles with BD when I get busy. (I’m a doer/seller too!)

How about you? It’s ok. It happens to us all.

Contact me for more strategies and tactics for your success!

#balancingworkandBD #BDhurdle #1challengetoBD #BDcoach

#BDconsultant #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

Are messages becoming overwhelming for you? How do you turn them off?

My #1 CliftonStrengths is Input. It’s a fantastic strength in that it’s a collector and acts as a resource.

However, Input’s blindspot is that it can get overly taxed with too much information so that I become distracted from doing what’s important.

In today’s vlog post, I share communication tips about how to handle the bombardment from all of the various forms, formats, and frequencies. (What’s coming next — an AI version of a carrier pigeon?)

How about you? Any other tips or tools that you use to parent yourself? I’d welcome an opportunity to learn from you!

#communicationnuances #informationoverload #InputStrength #CliftonStrengths #Gallupcoach #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

Today’s vlog post is all about managing information overload for to preserve our mental well-being.

In it, I share my recent struggles with consuming too much news, similar to how I experienced the early days of the pandemic. I was reminded that I needed to “parent my phone.”

So, I proactively made the decision to remove the Facebook app from her home screen. Watch to learn what I replaced it with!

As promised, see the link here for the blog post that I reference: https://www.dawnflandry.com/articles/information-overload-my-strengths-as-a-weakness?rq=information%20overload

How about you? Any other tips or tools that you use to parent yourself? I’d welcome an opportunity to learn from you!

#parentyourphone #parentyourself #Facebookdeletion #Biblereplacement #informationoverload #InputStrength #CliftonStrengths #Gallupcoach #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

There’s an entitlement epidemic going around. I am constantly amazed at the conclusion of my training sessions how participants just leave their trash behind for someone else to deal with it. It’s down right gross!

Want a simple way to determine if a prospect (whether it’s a job candidate or a potential consultant/vendor) is a cultural fit before you actually hire them?

Recently, I came across the “Kitchen Test” and it’s brilliant in its simplicity.

As promised, see the link here for the article: https://fortune.com/2025/04/06/job-interview-coffee-cup-test-recruiters-hiring-green-flag-red-flags/?utm_campaign=fortunemagazine&utm_source=linkedin.com&xid=soc_socialflow_linkedin_FORTUNE&utm_medium=social

The higher the rank of professional you are interviewing, the more important the necessity to test this human trait, as it can reveal if a candidate has a servant leader mentality or an entitled attitude.

What about you? How do you assess your candidate’s alignment?

It begets that adage, “Hire slow, fire fast.” If we hire for fit to begin with, we save ourselves and our organizations a lot of headaches in the long run…

#culturalfit #entitlement #programmedforsuccess #thekitchenttest #jobinterview #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

How do your clients perceive you — as a solid, problem finder and solver, or as a negative, naysayer?

Perception is reality and our client experiences are human experiences.

If your brain automatically goes to a “No way; that’s impossible” response and you need to be pushed to challenge yourself to come to a solution, then let me also challenge you today.

I didn’t grow up thinking this way. I had to train my brain to be more open-minded with “Yes! Let’s try that” solutions.

It’s always important to balance that positive attitude with realistic solutions. The answer may not always be Yes, but rather than going to No first, perhaps consider offering a Maybe.

We’ll been seen as a more open, willing resource to those we encounter AND people will want to be around us because we fill their tanks and rarely drain their batteries!

#NObrain #Yesbrain #programmedforsuccess #clientexperience #problemfinder #problemsolver #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

In today’s vlog post, we’re getting candid as I ask you to reflect on two career tips from a former blog post of mine.

Specifically, I emphasize the importance of being intentional by surrounding ourselves with supportive and reputable professionals, regardless of their generation, and by maintaining a good brand name in our communities.

As promised, here is the blog post "30 Pieces of Advice": https://www.dawnflandry.com/articles/30-pieces-of-advice-id-give-to-my-30-year-old-self

Who are your mirrors that keep you accountable? I have mine and I couldn’t do life without them. My future successes ride on it!

#hitchyourwagon #alignment #legacy #significance #mirrors #career #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

We’re digging deep in today’s vlog post where I emphasize the importance of recognizing warning signs and red flags in our personal and professional relationships.

People reveal who they are to us — IF we pay attention.

It is critical to recognize our alignment from an integrity, ethics, and morality standpoint in our relationships before we take a leap into working with them. Otherwise, we put our businesses and our careers at risk.

How about you? Do you recognize the red flags? Have you set boundaries for alignment with your own integrity, ethics, etc.?

There’s no time like the present to take an assessment of all of the relationships in our businesses. Our future successes could ride on it!

#redflagwarning #alignment #warningsigns #integrity #ethics #morality #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

There’s a recurring theme that I am hearing in many of my executive and business development leadership coaching/consulting sessions.

The theme involves the importance of recognizing and challenging self-limiting and negative thoughts, particularly those related to anxiety and self-doubt. By replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations including being mindful of the words used to describe oneself, we can change the trajectory of our futures — and definitely our future happiness.

How do I know? It’s a topic that I have dealt with that continues to try and show up now and then.

In today’s vlog post, I share my personal experience of dealing with a demanding inner voice during a challenging time.

It’s unrealistic to think that we won’t ever have negative thoughts. The goal is to quickly recognize and deal with the times when these self-limiting thoughts hinder us from achieving our goals.

What about you? What recurring thought themes have you noticed in your life? What are you going to do about it?

Like me, flick that thing right off your shoulder so that you can become all that you were created to be!

#selflimiting #selfsabotage #negativethoughts #hinderingmyfuture #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

As you can see from this photo here, I am super animated when I discuss the topic of how we make people feel.

We have a choice — Do we fill their tanks or drain their batteries?

In today’s vlog post, I emphasize this point as I discuss my recent trip to my CPA’s office. I know that I am probably in the minority because of I LOVE visiting him each year.

Because he’s more like Woody (from Toy Story) than Eeyore (from Winnie-the-Pooh), I always leave there with some much energy and encouragement.

AND, because he is so authentic and credible, I have entrusted him with my business and personal affairs for a decade now.

How about you? Can your clients feel your passion and excitement for their work through your actions?

#fillthetank #don'tdrainthebattery #IlovemyCPA #taxseason #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

I’ve got my green on for Spring and for St. Patrick’s Day. (Happy Day if you’re watching on March 17th!)

We’re talking time management and motivation in today’s vlog post. It’s a topic that is recurring in all of my client coaching conversations.

Personally, I am hardwired to procrastinate. However, through much work and lots of years, I have learned how to command myself to do the things I don’t enjoy first. (Yes. In that instance, I’m “eating the frog”.)

As promised, here are some other great resources for strategies to motivate yourself when you have the “don’t wants”!

1. Essentialism – Greg McKeown

2. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey: Book

3. Getting Things Done – David Allen

Happy Spring Cleaning!

#eatthefrog #closetprocrastinator #thedontwants #springcleaning #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

“Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life!” — that’s the subtitle of Jim Murphy’s Inner Excellence book. And, it does NOT disappoint.

Now who wouldn’t want the best possible life?

Of course we all do, but what roadblocks get in our way to sabotage that success? Murphy explores that and so much more including tactical ways to stay present and not get too ahead of ourselves.

BTW - the Philadelphia Eagles player (and Superbowl winner) who was reading this very book on the sidelines is AJ Brown. He’s the reason for this new resurgence of Murphy’s book.

Good for all of them! I hope you enjoy this book inspiration as much as I did.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can help you in any manner.

#jimmurphy

#innerexcellence

#ajbrown

#philadelphiaeagles

#superbowlwinner

#authentizity

#dawnflandry

#winningwithwhiskers

Is your organization prepared for potential turbulent times that come from uncertain market shifts? To create truly sustainable companies that stand the tests of time, we must diversify our market sectors where it makes sense.

Three ways to diversify may include: expanding geographically, offering complementary services, and/or transitioning existing services to new client bases.

The need for long-term planning and relationship-building takes time and effort. No companies can turn on a dime.

Want to learn more? Check out my prior blog post here and/or contact me if I may ever be a resource to you: https://www.dawnflandry.com/articles/can-you-pivot-transform?rq=pivot

#marketdiversification #sustainablebusiness #BD #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

In today’s vlog post, I share and break down a common BD term called “zippering”.

The concept of "zippering" describes multi-layered relationships at all levels in an organization, not just with the CEO. It is truly vital to the longevity of our businesses to maintain relationships with key decision makers but also focus on the next generation.

Want to learn more, including strategizing with decision makers, influencers, and champions at various levels? I’m here as a resource to you!

#zippering #sustainablebusiness #BD #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

What an amazing 8 years it has been! I couldn’t have planned such an adventure in my wildest imaginations.

This week, I’m celebrating and I am so grateful to you for your continued support, interest and friendship of Authentizity (and me.)

By the numbers, we have successfully:

• Collaborated with 77 clients,

• Guided 565 participants in BD Dynamics Doer/Seller Trainings,

• Facilitated countless CliftonStrengths Teambuilders, as well as BD Strategic Plans and Other Corporate Visioning and Alignment Sessions,

• Worked with numerous executives in consulting and coaching sessions one-on-one,

• Presented as Keynote and Breakout Speaker on many national and even a global (virtual) stage, AND

• Published Two, Bestselling Books.

WHEW! It’s been exciting, but I know the best is yet to come.

Thank you; thank you; thank you. Here’s to the next 8 years and beyond!!!

#unlikelyentrepreneur #8yearanniversary #celebration #grateful #bythenumbers #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

Do your firm have a clearly defined, go/no go process to ensure that you and your colleagues remain disciplined in your business development?

As I highlight in today’s vlog post, we can talk ourselves into and out of just about anything.

Without a process, we can waste our time and resources on pursuing a lot of “dead on arrival” opportunities that were either never ours to begin with AND/OR are terribly misaligned fits for our firms and their futures.

Sooo, what about you? Does your firm need some help with this from a strategy standpoint?

Can you JUST-SAY-NO?!?

Reach out to me if I can be a resource to you in any manner.

#businessdevelopment #go/nogo #deadonarrival #justsayno #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

What's the Lowest Hanging Fruit for Business Development?

In today’s vlog post, I highlight the significance of client retention as a form of business development, encouraging the team to create a culture around the client experience and to be proactive in communication.

Emphasizing the importance of understanding and gauging the client's expectations and experience with your firm throughout a project, rather than just at the end, I suggest having an eyeball-to-eyeball conversation (not a SurveyMonkey email) with clients at about the 25-35% completion juncture in the project to ensure their expectations are being met and to make necessary adjustments.

I also share some tactics including:

• Leadership to establish a company-wide culture centered on an exceptional client experience.

• Team members to create and deliver processes for gathering qualitative feedback from clients beyond standard surveys.

• Team leaders to develop strategies and systems for proactive client communication throughout projects.

• Account managers to customize client experience programs for each client.

• Business development leadership members to integrate client retention strategies into their overall approach.

What about you? How are your client relationships — REALLY? Don’t forget to ask them. Also, reach out to me if I can be a resource to you in any manner.

#businessdevelopment #lowesthangingfruit #clientretention #clientretentionisBD #keepyourclients #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

I-LinkCP’s 2025 Invest in Women Forum was held last week in New Braunfels, Texas. Organization leaders created an insightful and inspiring program to a record-breaking group of AEC professionals from throughout the state.

I had the pleasure to provide the keynote luncheon presentation on my topic “EMPOWERED in 2025: Embracing Your Unique Design to Harness Long-Lasting Success.”

I also had a book signing with my bestsellers, Winning with Whiskers™ and ARMORED, during the closing reception. All in all, attendees (present company included) expressed it was a valuable conference!

Need a keynote speaker for your upcoming event? Contact me for booking availability. I’m here as a resource to you!

https://www.dawnflandry.com/events-list/0v7hi9l40psuwc8wjmz7jvip87dw5m

#keynotespeaker #I-LinCP #InvestinWomen #2025EMPOWERED #booksigning #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

In today’s vlog post, I take you on a behind the scenes tour of my office and how I prepare for keynote presentations — especially when I’m learning new material or familiarizing myself with prior content.

I also share my tried and true tactics including:

• Living inside my slide deck for 10-12 days prior to the big date.

• Ensuring that I know the first 2 minutes of the presentation thoroughly to give myself the early “wins”.

• Paying attention to the areas where the presentation flow stops so that I consider rearranging those sections.

• Rehearsing my presentation with my coach.

How do you prepare for your presentations? Contact me if you need any advice or counsel. I’m here as a resource to you!

#keynotespeaker #behindthescenes #presentationprep #liveinyourslidedeck #winningwithwhiskers #authentizity #dawnflandry #BDDynamics

Your Top 10 

Authentizity Vlog Posts of 2024

Last year was a very busy year for Authentizity's vlog. 

Here are Your Top 10 posts, ranked by your viewing from most to least.

Let me know which is your favorite and/or if there's a subject that you'd like for me to cover soon…

Thank you again for your continued interest and support,

Dawn