Let’s begin by defining the term. Cash Flow is the net amount of cash and cash equivalents going in and out of a company. The cash inflows are the revenues or income generated by the sales of goods … [Read more...] about Cash Flow Planning: Why, How, And What?
Supply Chain Management For Manufacturing
Good Supply Chain Management is the Backbone of Well-Run Back Office Operation Business Analytics. All the functional areas in an organization are essential to driving a well-run and profitable … [Read more...] about Supply Chain Management For Manufacturing
Cash Flow Management
A cash flow management brief history. "Cash is King!" You probably have heard this old saying many times. Before there were ERP systems, computers, green ledger paper, balance sheets, profit & … [Read more...] about Cash Flow Management
Improving Operational Systems – The WAY: Cash Management Is The Prime Contributor.
Improvement is only possible with adequate control and proper data collection and analysis. I will explain why cash management and financial control are the prime contributors to any operational … [Read more...] about Improving Operational Systems – The WAY: Cash Management Is The Prime Contributor.
Startup Funding: How do you get funded?
From funding for startups to an ongoing business, the principles of getting funded are the same; you must understand and explain how you monetize your dream. This article describes the basic options … [Read more...] about Startup Funding: How do you get funded?
How to Help Solve the Labor Shortage – Hiring People with Disabilities, A First-Hand Account of Employing the Physically Disabled
In a time when labor shortages are at an all-time high, now is an excellent opportunity for hiring people with disabilities. Small business owners, HR staff, and those who need a person to complete a … [Read more...] about How to Help Solve the Labor Shortage – Hiring People with Disabilities, A First-Hand Account of Employing the Physically Disabled
Organizational Culture: What to know about Company Culture That Works
Organizational culture is one of the most important aspects of any business. It helps keep employees happy and motivated to work and fundamentally impacts how people perform in the company. Whether … [Read more...] about Organizational Culture: What to know about Company Culture That Works
The Recruitment Strategy for Hiring in the Current Economy: What Employers Need to Know
The current job market is challenging for both the candidate and hiring managers. There are more available jobs than qualified applicants, and the demand for skilled workers continues to outpace the … [Read more...] about The Recruitment Strategy for Hiring in the Current Economy: What Employers Need to Know
Adding a Happy Hour To Your Business
The Happy Hour ConceptHave you ever wondered why bars have Happy Hours or restaurants have early bird specials? Why would anyone want to discount their food or drink offerings and make less money … [Read more...] about Adding a Happy Hour To Your Business
Manufacturer Case Study – Business Process Management
Manufacturer Management ConsultingThis business process management case study is about a manufacturer providing custom metal fabrication and parts assembly located in Indianapolis, IN. … [Read more...] about Manufacturer Case Study – Business Process Management
Strategic Planning – Clear examples of Success
What is strategic planning?Let’s start with the most basic. Strategic planning is the process in which a business defines and executes a long-term plan to achieve organizational objectives through … [Read more...] about Strategic Planning – Clear examples of Success
How to Design Incentive Programs that Work
To use incentives or not to use incentives, that is the question often being asked by managers in today’s competitive marketplace. Combating high turnover and looking for ways to increase productivity … [Read more...] about How to Design Incentive Programs that Work
Two Ways to Make Your Business More Successful
You know what is odd? Nobody expects successful experts - doctors, electricians, sports figures, lawyers, plumbers - to just wing it. We know they put a lot of time into learning about and training … [Read more...] about Two Ways to Make Your Business More Successful
How to Increase Profits Without Raising Prices
While it's undoubtedly true that one way to increase profits is to raise your prices, it's rarely the most reliable. It can be difficult to predict the effect price increases will have on your sales … [Read more...] about How to Increase Profits Without Raising Prices
Two Uses For a Business Consultant
Founders and owners of privately-held companies are experienced, proud, and capable people who have shown that they possess the drive, fortitude, and business smarts to start a company and then to … [Read more...] about Two Uses For a Business Consultant
Weaving the WHY into the Workplace
Why... three letters which are utterly simplistic and valuable though often not communicated in the business world. When questioning clients or tasking employees, the "why" is often dismissed by those … [Read more...] about Weaving the WHY into the Workplace
5 Signs You Chose The Right Business Mentor
These days, we can look up mostly anything on the internet, and this has led a lot of people to now turn to YouTube videos, DIY blogs, and online courses whenever they need to learn something new. … [Read more...] about 5 Signs You Chose The Right Business Mentor
Take Control! Motivation to Improve Cash Flow
Cash flow is the primary responsibility of the business owner, yet many owners aren’t motivated to improve it. Everyone knows more money must be taken in each month than sent out, but many owners make … [Read more...] about Take Control! Motivation to Improve Cash Flow
Effective Coaching To Win Big With Your Team
In 2019, New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick was the highest-paid coach in U.S. sports with a $12 million annual salary. Dabo Swinney negotiated a $93 million, 10-year coaching gig at Clemson … [Read more...] about Effective Coaching To Win Big With Your Team
Business Plans Provide Small Business with Direction
Are you a small business owner who has not taken the time to develop or update a formal plan for the business? Do you understand why business plans are essential? What could it mean for your business? … [Read more...] about Business Plans Provide Small Business with Direction
Consistency: Two Sides to the Same Coin
What are the benefits of consistency to a small business? Most will answer it is a critical element for forecasting revenue, and that is true. It is impossible to plan for profitability without … [Read more...] about Consistency: Two Sides to the Same Coin
Ask for an Advisor
If you are in the market for a consulting firm, then you should always make sure that you are in control of the conversation. To ensure that you are getting actionable guidance rather than a flimsy … [Read more...] about Ask for an Advisor
Empower Employees by Giving them a Voice in 3 steps
The workplace can seem like a tug of war between who gets heard from one day to the next. This can seem like it is even more true for a small business where each role has more weight, and delegation … [Read more...] about Empower Employees by Giving them a Voice in 3 steps
Charge Up Your Workplace With Effective Feedback
“That particular receiving clerk is always charged up and looking for a way to help!”“Bill is so distracted and negative that he cannot get charged up about anything!”Businesses can count on … [Read more...] about Charge Up Your Workplace With Effective Feedback
Creating A Leadership Perspective
The transition from employee to supervisor involves many changes that require both hard-work and concentration, but the payoffs are enormous, both personally and professionally. It is the beginning of … [Read more...] about Creating A Leadership Perspective
What’s Not Being Said- Body Language
Despite the amount of attention directed to numbers, schedules, and plans, the most important aspect of business is the interaction among people. It is during face-to-face interaction with other … [Read more...] about What’s Not Being Said- Body Language
Committing to Commitment- “Burn the Ships”
A business owner will make many commitments along his/her journey to building a successful company. The first, and foremost, compromise is often leaving somewhere, or something, behind and venturing … [Read more...] about Committing to Commitment- “Burn the Ships”
Leading Your Employees
Are you a small business owner? Are you frustrated when your employees and leadership aren't working towards what you think are the company's priorities? If you answered 'yes' to both of those … [Read more...] about Leading Your Employees
Attract, Hire and Retain Employees
Having the ability to attract, hire and retain quality employees will always provide significant benefit to any small business who can master this ability. High employee turnover within a small … [Read more...] about Attract, Hire and Retain Employees
Leading to Success or Managing Fires
In The Missing Piece of Leadership by Doug Krug, a leader is defined as someone who has a responsibility to produce results through people. As an owner, regardless of the size of … [Read more...] about Leading to Success or Managing Fires
Business Continuity For Small Business Owners
Business Continuity is a highly relevant concept for any business. For an SMB/SME, it is even more critical as the SMB/SME typically has less duplication and redundancy than a Fortune 500 … [Read more...] about Business Continuity For Small Business Owners
The Dream vs. The Reality of Entrepreneurial Control
For many people in our country the American Dream of owning their own business and gaining entrepreneurial control is still alive and well. Moreover, they're not just dreaming, they're doing something … [Read more...] about The Dream vs. The Reality of Entrepreneurial Control
For Lead Generation, Look for the 3 A’s
A company’s sales plan is only as good as the people who execute it. Sales talent acquisition is an on-going problem for business owners. Too many companies have order takers who wait for the customer … [Read more...] about For Lead Generation, Look for the 3 A’s
Time Study For Small Businesses
Where does the time go? Can a procedure be more efficient? How long does it take an employee to finish a task? These questions and many more are posed by business owners every day. One of the best … [Read more...] about Time Study For Small Businesses
U.S. National Small Business Week 2019
Remember U.S. National Small Business Week May 5, 2019, through May 11, 2019 Each year since 1963. the President of the United States makes the National Small Business Week proclamation. As of the end … [Read more...] about U.S. National Small Business Week 2019
3 Steps to Effective Time Management
“Time Management” is one of those phrases that a lot of people throw around, but very few know what it means, and even less practice effective time management.The concept of time management is not … [Read more...] about 3 Steps to Effective Time Management
What Banks Want You To Know About Money
When it comes to working and growth capital, business owners get frustrated with banks and banks get frustrated with business owners.Banks get frustrated with owners who expect to get a loan or line … [Read more...] about What Banks Want You To Know About Money
Company Vision Should Emphasize Customer Service
How can you create a customer-centered culture that promotes quality customer service? This is one of those things that a lot of owners have heard about, sort of know they need but have no idea how to … [Read more...] about Company Vision Should Emphasize Customer Service
Train Your Mind for Business Success (Part 2)
You know the old saying, “If all you have is a hammer then everything looks like a nail.” It reminds us that we need several tools in our “successful business toolbox” to get the job done right. We … [Read more...] about Train Your Mind for Business Success (Part 2)
Train Your Mind for Business Success (Part 1)
Are you looking for the secrets to long term business success? If so, you are not alone, many business owners are. You know that success can be hard to find, and is even harder to … [Read more...] about Train Your Mind for Business Success (Part 1)
Understanding the Concept of Business Development
Business development is one of those strange business concepts. When you ask someone to define it, depending on their occupation, you will get different answers. People usually describe it based on … [Read more...] about Understanding the Concept of Business Development
Plan for a Successful Capital Investment
There are many “things” a business owner needs to grow a company successfully. Some of them include equipment/machinery, warehouse/office/shop floor space, trucks, a new product line, land, etc. In a … [Read more...] about Plan for a Successful Capital Investment
Talent Acquisition – Why is it Hard to Find Good People?
Talent acquisition is an on-going problem for most business owners. One of their biggest complaints is - I can’t find good people to work for me. What if they could change that? They can do so by … [Read more...] about Talent Acquisition – Why is it Hard to Find Good People?
Why Your “Laid-back” Management Style Isn’t Working
One of the first decisions - consciously or unconsciously - people make when they become the boss is what their management style is going to be. Some decide theirs is going to be “laid-back.” … [Read more...] about Why Your “Laid-back” Management Style Isn’t Working
Four Strategies for Managing Cash Flow
Did you know that profitable, growing businesses regularly go bankrupt? One main reason is cash flow mismanagement. The typical business owner is not trained for, nor understands cash flow management. … [Read more...] about Four Strategies for Managing Cash Flow
Diversification – Stack the Deck in Your Favor
Too many businesses stagnate, decline or fail because they are not adequately diversified. Diversification is one of the most challenging decisions a company can make, which is why most business … [Read more...] about Diversification – Stack the Deck in Your Favor
“Are You Ready to Sell Your Business?” Checklist
Are you an owner who is thinking of selling your business? If so, do you know how to sell your business?If you are like a lot of owners the answer to the first question is, “Yes, I’m ready to go … [Read more...] about “Are You Ready to Sell Your Business?” Checklist
A Managing Partner is Key to Success
In most architectural and engineering firms the person who is “in charge” ends up that way by default, and is not a trained managing partner. They are usually the person who founded the company, or … [Read more...] about A Managing Partner is Key to Success
Time Management Tips for Small Business Owners
Do you remember the time management Quadrants given to us by Dwight Eisenhower and Dr. Stephen Covey? Sometimes known as the Eisenhower Matrix or Urgent-Important Matrix.So which Quadrant are you … [Read more...] about Time Management Tips for Small Business Owners
Effective Employee Training = Fewer Meetings
Employee training is an effective way for a business owner to ensure his company’s stability, growth, and long-term success. When done correctly - initially upon hire and consistently afterward - it … [Read more...] about Effective Employee Training = Fewer Meetings