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Hi Brianna. Maybe you hate selling because you have a negative image of selling?

Perhaps the first tip I can give you is to approach selling in a new way. Approach it as problem solving. Don't consider yourself a saleswoman; consider yourself someone who's out to solve a client's problems.

Here's one of my favorite quotes:

"Selling is not manipulating...selling is harmonizing."

John Patterson - 1887 Founder/President National Cash Register Company

If you can see yourself as someone who's out there trying to create harmony, solve problems, help people, etc., you might find you don't hate selling.

I realize this is a long shot, but I hope it helps a little.

Just hire Chris Haddad. I could write lots of stuff here but that's the net result of how I would approach it :)

Yes there's money in podcasting. There are few podcasters charging subscription fees just like there are few web information providing content on web sites for a fee. But if you have very specialized information, targeted to a specialized audience, it can work.

There are of course many other ways to monitize podcasts.

You can sell ads within podcasts, banners and click through ads on your podcast landing page, you can do affiliate marketing, you can sell direct-response advertising, etc.

I'll be discussing some of these models in my talk this Tue. night at the Biznik event Podcasting Perfection.

Dan at first I didn't see anything wrong with the debate that happened in the thread you quashed. But then when they got personal and lost their civility, I decided it was time to stop following the thread and I am glad to removed it.

Everything I have seen posted here has been reasonably respectful. In the marketplace of free ideas, there are bound to be disagreements and people will from time-to-time express opinions that may offend some while thrilling others. I see great opportunity to learn from that as long as it is civil and so far it has been in my opinion.

I think the group is self-moderating pretty well and when there are additional categories as Dan promised, most of the perceived problems can be more easily dealt with.

Based on what I have seen so far, I don't see any reason to make major changes. Of course that's just my two cents.

No one in their right mind would hire me :)

Being direct as I can be - your husband is a VERY lucky guy :)

Seriously, the site seems to be attractive and it provides you with a way to say what's on your mind. My only thought is why not a blog? But otherwise, maybe someone in the web design business might have more constructive critiques for you.

Good luck.

This is a great question. I am a boss too and I've learned that it's the hardest job I have ever had.

I think a good boss is someone who makes it their mission to see to it that their employees have all the tools, training and support they need to do their job.

When an employee fails, I try to find out what they're lacking and I see it as my failure, not there failure. When I take steps to give them the tools they need to win and they still don't perform, I see it as their failure and try to get them back on course.

I have found that being "friends" with your employees makes you a bad boss. Crossing that line makes it difficult to enforce the hard decisions and creates confusion in the mind of employees. I don't like having to say that because at one time, I thought it would be the best way to go. I tried it and it failed so now I keep my distance from employees and just try to help them be the best they can be.

Hi Amy I have used Power Books for years. I now use the MacBookPro as my primary computer and love it.

I found some good deals on the Apple website where they frequently resell refurbed laptops.

I have also bought laptops in Portland no sales tax at the Portland Mac Store on Multinomah and 7th. They also sell refurbed units affordably.

The Power Mac Pack locally seems like a nice bunch.

My advice is get as much RAM as you can afford. It makes the laptop experience much more enjoyable and if you can afford a MacBookPro, buy one. Mine is FOUR TIMES FASTER than my old state-of-the-art 17" PowerBook.

Good luck.

I second Dan's comments completely!