business owner
LESSONS FROM A TV SHOW
I enjoy watching the genre of reality TV programs where an expert helps owners fix their business. One show, “Restaurant: Impossible,” features an expert who helps a business owner turn around their restaurant with a budget of $10,000 and only 48 hours. Many aspects of the fix are glossed over in a one-hour show, but…
Read MoreA MORE EFFECTIVE ELEVATOR SPEECH
We are all taught that an elevator speech is a crucial sales practice. A well-crafted elevator speech will concisely communicate (1) who you are, (2) what you are looking for, (3) the benefit you provide, and (4) do it within 30 seconds. The two biggest challenges I have with this old approach are that it…
Read MoreWHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT IS NEW?
We just sold our house. It is a great house, and we enjoyed raising our family in it, but now my wife and I are empty nesters, so it is no longer a great fit. We are moving on to something new. Your personal life changes, and so do your needs. The same is true…
Read MoreHERE’S HOW TO LEAD WITH OPTIMISM
As leaders, we truly earn our positions and paychecks when things are not going well – even touching on failure. In these times, it is essential to be a role model for the business. People want to follow a leader who keeps going and keeps them going and motivated. It is distressing and depressing for…
Read MoreARE YOU READY FOR THE “GREAT RESIGNATION”?
As the economy continues to grow, experts are forecasting that as many as 30% of employees will voluntarily quit their jobs in 2021 (over 45 million people)! The phenomenon is called “The Great Resignation.” At first, I was skeptical about the projections, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported record job quits (almost 4…
Read MoreTRUE ENTREPRENEURS POSSESS AN AMAZING SUPERPOWER
True entrepreneurs possess an amazing superpower – a peculiar type of myopia that makes everything seem possible. The entrepreneur sees a gap, an inefficiency, an opportunity, and their passion fulfills the need better. Money is never their top priority. The entrepreneur sees the goal so vividly all the problems and obstacles fade into the background. …
Read MoreCOVID-19 IS NO LONGER A VALID BUSINESS EXCUSE
COVID-19 is no longer a valid business excuse. It is more than past time to move on. While today’s economy has not fully recovered, it is more than 90% there, and the momentum is more limited by a lack of supply and employment than demand. Economic factors have not all returned to pre-COVID levels, but…
Read MoreCULTURE IS PEOPLE
Culture is the beliefs and practices of a group. The group members agree to believe (or at a minimum) commit to behaving according to the culture. Culture is not the WHY the group exists (that is purpose) – it is the HOW. Culture is not the same as values. Rather they are the expression of…
Read MoreFIRST STEPS WITH DIGITAL MARKETING
Last week, I had a great conversation with Nimie Gill, a digital marketing expert and owner of Suncoast Web Marketing in Sarasota, Florida. We discussed how to help small companies design and implement an effective digital marketing plan. The only thing worse than no digital marketing is weak digital marketing, where money is spent without a…
Read MoreTHREE KEY QUESTIONS WHOSE ANSWERS WILL GROW YOUR BUSINESS
THREE KEY QUESTIONS WHOSE ANSWERS WILL GROW YOUR BUSINESS Here are three key questions whose answers direct you to growth opportunities. The answers don’t come from you. They come from your customers. No navel-gazing. 1. Who are your best customers? Your best customers are the ones whose needs you meet best and are the most…
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