If I ask you to think of affluent communities, there are some names that come to mind. One that jumps to the top of my list is Carmel, California. The entire Monterey Peninsula is nothing short of spectacular — and, in many locations in that region, it’s quite expensive and elite.

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In my book, “Create Distinction,” I write about a phenomenon I called “The Ebert Effect.” It’s based upon a powerful lesson I learned from the famed movie critic, Roger Ebert, who passed away at age 70 after an extraordinarily valiant battle with cancer.

As I relate...

I recently received mail that included a business card. Interested in the organization — as it is a business very similar to the one my late wife, Sheri, worked in for many years — I visited the website address listed. I noted something that really struck me…

It was the...

When I was about 16 years old, the manager of the small-town radio station I worked for told me that we were going to be emceeing the concert of a gospel quartet. As you can imagine, to a teen unfamiliar with the group we were going to hear, it didn’t sound too appealing.

All that changed,...

Take just a moment…right now…and write down the names of your two biggest competitors.

My guess is that if I could look at your list, I would see that you’ve listed other players in your specific industry. You have just proven that we stereotypically define our competitors...