In May of this year, visits to ecommerce sites were up 35 percent over May of last year, according to Goldman Sachs. Jupiter Media Metrix reported that Amazon's traffic was up 34 percent this May over last May, reaching 20 million visitors. Walmart.com visits were up 126 percent this May over last May.

So I received an email this week from Manuel Morales, owner of Sign3.com, a site that allows NFL fans to vote for their favorite team. He receives 1,000 visitors each day, which gives his site total page views of 4000 per day. And he's asking how to profit from this traffic. The simple answer is "Don't bother trying to sell adverting."

With his type of targeted audience, Manuel probably stands a better chance of selling official team products to create profits. He can likely obtain products through affiliation or direct inventory purchases. He can tie an individual team product page to votes for a particular team so fan sees only page for team selected. He can outsource product shipping to manufacturer or distributor.

The strategy of selling products to visitors is not foolproof, but given advertising statistics versus retail sales statistics, product sales are certainly strategy most likely to succeed. And given ability to use affiliation with product distributors as an alternative to actually buying inventory and filling garage with stock, product route may come with little risk.

Those directly around us affect our beliefs about ourselves and motivate us to greatness or hold us back. Do your surrounding entities have qualities you strive for? If not, why are you choosing this group or organization?

Making your company better and your group better will only make you better in long run.

The truth is when your parents said, “You are who you hang around” they were giving you excellent advice.

Utter Honesty

It takes a strong self-esteem to handle self-honesty as well as honesty from others.

I recommend asking trusted allies to assess your strengths and weaknesses. If you have trouble taking in advice, I highly recommend reading some self-help books on self-esteem. My personal favorite is Pia Mellody’s Facing Codependence (the title is quite deceiving).

It takes vulnerability to be open to learn and grow. And as crazy as it may sound, vulnerability actually takes strength of character.

Ability to Handle Criticism

Take it in stride. Criticism can be a tool of growth. ”How?” you ask. By using FLACK method.

1.Forget who is doing criticizing 2.Listen to what is being said 3.Assess what is true and what is not (Sometimes it is more about person doing criticizing, but see if you find any truth about criticism in your heart) 4.Change negative behavior 5.Know that you will have to fight old negative behavior for a long time before new behavior is easy habit

Fight criticism with FLACK!

Perpetual Search for Growth

A perpetual search for growth is absolutely necessary to BEING THE BEST. When searching ask yourself, “What do I need to do to make myself better?” “What do I need to do to make my company better?” “What do I need to do to make world better?”

Use a journal to track your growth. Write in it at least once per week. Write about where you want to go – plot your course and you’ll get there. Then review your journal monthly to see how far you’ve come. I make this guarantee…you will be surprised!

Keep searching and growing.

“If you don't keep moving forward, world will. Stand still for a moment and world will continue to pass you by. For to truly move ahead of pack, your pace must be twice as fast.”

Let’s Make A Difference! Sincerely, Marcella McMahon, COO Positive Results The b2b Sales Experts www.PositiveResults.com