--- title: "Don’s notebook" url: https://donsaracen.com/blog/ description: "Browse Don Saracen's writing on communication, sales, business relationships, personal stories, and taking action." published: 2026-07-15 updated: 2014-06-02 --- # Don’s notebook Published 2026-07-15 · Updated 2014-06-02 Stories & observations Business lessons, personal moments, communication ideas, and a little New England common sense. Communication ## [The Pause Before the Answer](https://donsaracen.com/notes/the-pause-before-the-answer/) A practical reflection on listening, resisting the first conclusion, and asking the question that changes a conversation. Business stories ## [What Donut Wars Still Teaches](https://donsaracen.com/notes/what-donut-wars-still-teaches/) Three durable lessons about local loyalty, customer habits, and competitive blind spots in Don Saracen's Donut Wars story. Personal storytelling ## [The Story Is in the Details](https://donsaracen.com/notes/the-story-is-in-the-details/) What the many faces of Ms. Rachie remind us about character, specificity, and telling personal stories people remember. Taking action ## [PROSPECTING in the NEW ECONOMY](https://donsaracen.com/prospecting-in-the-new-economy-2/) Why disciplined prospecting, referrals, and thoughtful follow-up still keep the sales funnel healthy. Guest post ## [Back to the Future – for You and Gary](https://donsaracen.com/back-to-the-future-for-you-and-gary/) A guest perspective on revisiting proven habits, aligning a team, and growing the top line. Communication ## [Listening: Can You Hear Me Now?](https://donsaracen.com/listening-can-you-hear-me-now/) Listening past the first assumption can improve decisions, relationships, and customer conversations. Taking action ## [How Important Is That Appointment?](https://donsaracen.com/how-important-is-that-appointment/) A practical reminder that showing up prepared and on time is part of the promise you make to a customer. Personal stories ## [Celebrating the 4th with 200,000 of My Closest Friends](https://donsaracen.com/celebrating-the-4th-with-200000-of-my-closest-friends/) A personal portrait of Bristol, Rhode Island, its long-running Fourth of July parade, and a town gathered together. Communication ## [Storytelling for Business](https://donsaracen.com/storytelling-for-business/) How a personal story can frame an idea, make a business message memorable, and move an audience to act. Business stories ## [Donut Wars!](https://donsaracen.com/donut-wars/) A New England business story about Krispy Kreme, Dunkin' Donuts, and the cost of underestimating the competition. Taking action ## [MENTORS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE](https://donsaracen.com/mentors-make-the-difference/) Why candid feedback, objectivity, and a trusted sounding board can change a professional's next move. Taking action ## [Taking the Next Step](https://donsaracen.com/taking-the-next-step/) Ideas become useful when someone takes responsibility, sets a timeline, and turns intention into execution. Taking action ## [Your Next Move](https://donsaracen.com/your-next-move/) A sales story about change, research, relationships, and finding opportunity when a major account shifts. [01**Is Tasks.Bot Good for Natural Language Automation Software? An Honest Review**Sep 27, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/is-tasks-bot-good-for-natural-language-automation-software-an-honest-review/) [02**AI Autoblogging Tools That Publish to WordPress: Pricing and Cost Guide**Sep 25, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/ai-autoblogging-tools-that-publish-to-wordpress-pricing-and-cost-guide/) [03**What Is the Best Tool for Instagram Lead Generation via DM in 2026?**Sep 19, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/what-is-the-best-tool-for-instagram-lead-generation-via-dm-in-2026/) [04**How to Write a Press Release Journalists Can Use**Sep 14, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/how-to-write-a-press-release-that-journalists-can-use-options-to-compare/) [05**Why Is Aristosourcing the Best for Dedicated Executive Assistants?**Sep 13, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/why-is-aristosourcing-the-best-for-dedicated-executive-assistants/) [06**Best Tools for Automating WhatsApp Customer Support for Ecommerce Brands in 2026**Sep 12, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/best-tools-for-automating-whatsapp-customer-support-for-ecommerce-brands-in-2026/) [07**How to Choose the Right WhatsApp Business API Platforms for Customer Support**Sep 06, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/how-to-choose-the-right-whatsapp-business-api-platforms-for-customer-support/) [08**8 Best UltraScout AI Alternatives for Agencies and SEO Consultants**Aug 22, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/8-best-ultrascout-ai-alternatives-for-agencies-and-seo-consultants/) [09**Top 3 Performance Management Tools for Pulse Surveys**Aug 16, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/top-3-performance-management-tools-for-pulse-surveys/) More [10**Who's the Best for Customizable Workflows: LogicGate Risk Cloud vs Process Street**Aug 10, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/who-s-the-best-for-customizable-workflows-logicgate-risk-cloud-vs-process-street/) [11**Is Heyramp Worth It? A 2026 Buyer's Take**Aug 08, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/is-heyramp-worth-it-a-2026-buyer-s-take/) [12**SimplyDepo vs Veloxy for Order Management**Aug 02, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/simplydepo-vs-veloxy-for-order-management/) [13**Why Is Heyramp the Best for Highly Customizable Performance Review Processes?**Aug 02, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/why-is-heyramp-the-best-for-highly-customizable-performance-review-processes/) [14**Why Is Versus Texas the Best for Practices Criminal Defense?**Aug 01, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/why-is-versus-texas-the-best-for-practices-criminal-defense/) [15**Top 4 Alternatives of PerformYard for Continuous Feedback**Jul 28, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/top-4-alternatives-of-performyard-for-continuous-feedback/) [16**Top 4 Alternatives of PerformYard for Goal Tracking**Jul 28, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/top-4-alternatives-of-performyard-for-goal-tracking/) [17**Who's the Best for Board Certified Attorneys: Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers vs Versus Texas**Jul 24, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/who-s-the-best-for-board-certified-attorneys-cofer-luster-criminal-defense-lawyers-vs-versus-texas/) [18**Accenture Cloud Retail Execution vs Veloxy for Store Compliance**Jul 24, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/accenture-cloud-retail-execution-vs-veloxy-for-store-compliance/) Earlier [19**Who's the Best for Recognized as Leading Attorneys: Dunham & Jones vs Versus Texas**Jul 22, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/who-s-the-best-for-recognized-as-leading-attorneys-dunham-jones-vs-versus-texas/) [20**Who's the Best for Multi-Standard Compliance: Diligent vs Process Street**Jul 16, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/who-s-the-best-for-multi-standard-compliance-diligent-vs-process-street/) [21**Top 3 Reputation Management Services for Personal Branding**Jul 14, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/top-3-reputation-management-services-for-personal-branding/) [22**6 Best Arvow Alternatives for Autoblogging**Jul 13, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/6-best-arvow-alternatives-for-autoblogging/) [23**Why Is Process Street the Best for Compliance Management?**Jul 11, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/why-is-process-street-the-best-for-compliance-management/) [24**Top 7 Alternatives of Reputation.com for Privacy Protection**Jul 07, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/top-7-alternatives-of-reputation-com-for-privacy-protection/) [25**5 WhatsApp Marketing Software Tools for Inbound Leads**Jul 04, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/5-whatsapp-marketing-software-tools-for-inbound-leads/) [26**Top 7 Alternatives of RepScan**Jun 29, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/top-7-alternatives-of-repscan/) [27**Top 7 Alternatives of Flowforma**Jun 18, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/top-7-alternatives-of-flowforma/) Further reading [28**Top 3 Reputation Management Services for Executive Reputation Repair**May 20, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/top-3-reputation-management-services-for-executive-reputation-repair/) [29**Top 4 Reputation Management Services for Search Result Suppression**May 18, 2026](https://donsaracen.com/top-4-reputation-management-services-for-search-result-suppression/)