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
How to Perform an End of Business Quarter Evaluation
As you come to the close of a business quarter, small business owners and managers must make the time to evaluate how well the quarter has gone to begin the next business quarter with confidence. This … [Read more...] about How to Perform an End of Business Quarter Evaluation
How to Repair Your Failing Digital Marketing Strategies
As a small business owner or a corporate pro; there will come a time when you will have to repair something that is negatively affecting your digital marketing strategies. It will never be as easy as … [Read more...] about How to Repair Your Failing Digital Marketing Strategies
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
Succession Planning Tips From Popular Television
After the final season of the acclaimed and award-winning series Game of Thrones, many die-hard fans, such as myself, were somewhat underwhelmed with the ending. As dedicated fans, we have invested … [Read more...] about Succession Planning Tips From Popular Television
Accomplishing The Uncomfortable
Recently I've found several of my clients doing their employees jobs while neglecting their duties as an owner. The most typical reason I hear is, it's easier to do it myself, or I really needed it … [Read more...] about Accomplishing The Uncomfortable
Creating a Business Plan 101
A business plan is a document that spells out the direction the business will take and the actions that will execute the plan. Creating a business plan is not an arduous effort, the challenge for an … [Read more...] about Creating a Business Plan 101
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
Net Cash Flow for Small Business Owners
Net Cash Flow for an SMB/E is a critical component of a correct cash flow analysis. To make a correct Net Cash Flow for an SMB/E the SMB/E’s accounting needs to be in at least good order. In general, … [Read more...] about Net Cash Flow for Small Business Owners
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
Business Goal Examples For Any Small Business
Business goals are more than just numbers, they are what drive your business forward. As an SMB/SME owner, you have a purpose with your business just as you have a purpose in your life. Goals are … [Read more...] about Business Goal Examples For Any Small Business
One Page Business Plan
A one page business plan is a document that in a short form format identifies what the business is about and how it will succeed. In today's business environment, the need for concise and … [Read more...] about One Page Business Plan
Excel Features Less Known For Entrepreneurs
An SMB should use every useful tool that makes sense; the critical test is to make sure the tool makes sense for your business and is not just an over-promoted feature that will take hours from your … [Read more...] about Excel Features Less Known For Entrepreneurs
Strategic Planning Process
Strategic planning sounds like a difficult task though it mainly is common sense. Though as a serious business owner putting structure to common sense is also common sense. This blog will review the … [Read more...] about Strategic Planning Process
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 keep once you have … [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?
Sales Performance and Improvement
Nearly all companies in business today prepare some forward-looking type estimate of what they believe their sales and gross revenue will be over the next revenue cycle at a minimum and most go out … [Read more...] about Sales Performance and Improvement
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
How to Deliver More Net Profit for your Business
Despite what you hear on the news, small business owners are thriving in very real ways. This article details three client case studies on how these small business owners have successfully delivered … [Read more...] about How to Deliver More Net Profit for your Business
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
Break-Even Point: The Secret To Success
Business owners who do not know their break-even point will eventually find themselves asking, "I’m making money, so how come I don’t have any?” The answer for most owners is simple - because you … [Read more...] about Break-Even Point: The Secret To Success
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
Which Fiscal Year Methodology is Right For You?
When you start a company, one of the first things you must do is to determine how to define your fiscal year for financial reporting. There are several ways in which a company can define a fiscal … [Read more...] about Which Fiscal Year Methodology is Right For You?
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
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
Standard Operating Procedures Enable Success
There is not much in business that is as unexciting or demotivating as figuring out, writing and enforcing a standard operating procedure (SOP). But, standard operating procedures lead directly to … [Read more...] about Standard Operating Procedures Enable Success
Cash Flow 101: Introduction for Business Owners
Cash flow planning is one of management’s most important, ongoing duties. In a simple comparison, Cash Flow is like checking your bank statement for money going in and money going out every … [Read more...] about Cash Flow 101: Introduction for Business Owners
Making Business Decisions: The Tenuous Triangle
One of the most common, yet critical, mistakes that small business owners make is to blur the boundaries between three related but dramatically different decision-making forums. One key to long-term … [Read more...] about Making Business Decisions: The Tenuous Triangle
Organizational Resistance and Accountability – Part 2
If you recall we left off with our business owner being told by the sales rep, all the other customers pay their employees based on the time they log against the tickets, in fact, most bill their … [Read more...] about Organizational Resistance and Accountability – Part 2
Organizational Resistance and Accountability – Part 1
Are you thinking about changing out your time tracking, quoting, or sales system? Are your computer systems one of the top complaints of your staff? Maybe you are using spreadsheets for estimates … [Read more...] about Organizational Resistance and Accountability – Part 1
The Road to Bankruptcy Is Paved with Bad Budgets
Business owners who do not like to talk about, put together or follow a budget are more common than one may think. If left too long, the situation degrades into a position where owners are on the … [Read more...] about The Road to Bankruptcy Is Paved with Bad Budgets
Does Your Brand Message Speak to Your Audience?
It's difficult to imagine the number of devices and content verticals your clients/customers interact with. In a day or even a few hours of any given day, they may interact with ads on TV, radio, … [Read more...] about Does Your Brand Message Speak to Your Audience?
Want More Sales? Improve your Brand
The idea to improve your brand isn't new, but it can be a confusing concept for business owners. They think of branding as an “it.” They believe a thing (i.e., website, logo, catchphrase, … [Read more...] about Want More Sales? Improve your Brand
How to Be a Great Manager
I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my career to work for some truly great managers. And most of the managers that I have worked for would probably say the same about the managers that they've worked … [Read more...] about How to Be a Great Manager
What is a Business Plan Outline?
A business plan outline is an initial overview of what goes into the business plan. An outline is created as the first draft and is likely a result of a “napkin” discussion or some other non-formal … [Read more...] about What is a Business Plan Outline?
Marketing Terms for Business Planning
Not all small business owners/managers are familiar with marketing terms and how understanding their meanings will benefit them as they continue to grow in the global electronic community. We would … [Read more...] about Marketing Terms for Business Planning
What Do Your Employees Want from You Anyway?
There seems to be a shift happening in the consciousness of the employment world. Humankind has decided that they deserve to live their lives as opposed to life driving them; living a life where they … [Read more...] about What Do Your Employees Want from You Anyway?
