Competition is a good thing provided you are at the top of your game in your given field or industry. If you are a mediocre service provider and have competition, you're in trouble unless you begin immediately correct the problems. I did not attend some Ivy League School of Business or even earn a bachelors degree in business but common sense is very common for me. I would not want to go up against one of Donald Trump's aspiring apprentices but I know a few sensible ways to market one's product or service without an MBA. On second thought (a very quick second at that), I'd welcome the competition from a Trump wannabe!

Did you know that Schmoozing is an art form? If it is perceived as "kissing up" or "brown-nosing", you're not an expert and are ineffective. If you are known as a "smoooooth operator" because of your suave mannerisms or called a "silver-tongued devil", you should smile and say, "thank you very much!" You're an effective Schmoozer! I am only relating this to business not personal situations. An effective schmoozer has style, class and "know-how." Others recognise him/her as someone they want to know and enjoy being around. The common mistake by wannabe Schmoozers is that you can be insincere, deceptive and not faux-real. You will never make it out of the dugout with the object of your schmoozing if this is your style, or should I say, lack of style?

Any compliment given, should be sincere. All statements made should be true. Schmoozing can be learned if a person is willing to put in the time to develop their communication and verbal skills. The expert schmoozer knows it is not about them but paradoxically, it becomes about them. Others genuinely like a Schmoozer because the Schmoozer is an effective communicator; he/she listens well and focuses the attention on the other person. A Schmoozer does their homework to become a success at getting their mission accomplished. Do not mistakenly think a Schmoozer with someone who is a charmer. Coincidentally, a Schmoozer might be charming. This is usually true, actually.

There is nothing illegal about schmoozing. Schmoozers are not embezzlers. They would never consider being phony or insincere. A Schmoozer has perfected the art of putting other's before themselves to get a desired result or what is needed to achieve success in their pursuit or on someone else's behalf. Professional Schmoozers are an asset to any company. They are wordsmiths. They have excellent communication skills; orally and written. They are usually the ones who handle difficult situations with ease. They can resolve a brewing situation with swiftneess and finese and then invited out to lunch by the offended party. Some are born Schmoozers and others were taught by these masters.

Schmoozing is capable of opening doors and increasing profits. Schmoozing is also personally rewarding as you increase your contacts of "low maintenance" people who are a pleasure to know. If you are a professional Schmoozer, life is grand! If you are not a P.S. but want to be, begin by improving your verbal skills. Words are our friends.