Clarity
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 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 More“HOW I GREW MY COMPANY BY 30% IN 2020” – A COVID PIVOT STORY
I speak with dozens of business owners every month, but one recent conversation stood out. Mike Mogell, the owner of Clean Sweep Office Cleaning, surprised me by saying he grew his business by 30% in 2020! The Covid-19 pandemic hit Clean Sweep Office Cleaning hard as companies closed and employees were sent home to work,…
Read MoreI’M SEEKING 10 BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE TIRED OF PRETENDING THINGS ARE “FINE.”
I’m seeking 10 business owners who are tired of pretending things are “fine.” It is a common situation. More than one might think. Not always from the same cause, but for the same reason. For example: • The company is successful, but you are frustrated at the slowness or lack of growth. • The company…
Read MoreEMBRACING FAILURE
I was having lunch with a friend of mine. He asked, “Have you ever failed at anything?” “Yes,” I said. He seemed surprised, “I mean something really big, something that matters.” “Absolutely,” I said and gave him a couple of examples. My friend spent the rest of the meal trying to convince me that either…
Read MoreWHEN YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN
Covid-19 has hit us in a way that was scarcely imaginable. It also has humbled us to know how little control we have over our businesses and in life. You’ve been knocked down by this situation. You are not alone. Step 1: Get Up. Don’t lay there overanalyzing what hit you. If you don’t get…
Read MoreSELL LIKE A 5-YEAR OLD!
250 adults attended a conference, each in pursuit of making connections to bring their business, service, dream, product or idea to life. Another attendee had brought her 5-year old son, Gabriel, with her to the week-long event. One evening, while seated for dinner, Gabriel walked over to my table and stood next to my chair.…
Read MoreMY HEAD EXPLODES!
There is a conversation that happens all too often when I speak with business owners that makes my head explode! It goes something like this. I’m usually speaking with an owner who is struggling with getting something done for the betterment of their business. The business owner says, “I tell them what to do. But…
Read MoreDOES THE END JUSTIFY THE MEANS?
I thought it was obvious the answer is no. Yet a Google search produced 111,000,000 results of debate, justification, and philosophizing in less than one second. Regardless of the discussion, the end never justifies the means. This belief is an essential part of humanity. I know you already know this. Still, sometimes amid the…
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