The present is big with the future.
–Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
It never ceases to amaze me. Lesson’s that we can apply as entrepreneurs to our small businesses are all around us.
I was listening to Fresh Air the other day on NPR. Terry Gross was interviewing the painter Chuck Close. Close is most famous for the very […]
Part 6 of my 10-part series Top 10 Mistakes Small Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them.
Mistake #6 - Not Having A System of Continuous Improvement
I have two parts of my brain. One is the neurotic CPA-guy. This guy loves checklists, systems, order and discipline.
The other side of my brain, the black turtleneck […]
Learn the Formula for Customer Satisfaction in 6 Minutes.
As business owners we focus a lot on customer satisfaction.
Unfortunately, not many of us understand exactly what defines customer satisfaction. And if we don’t understand the dynamics of satisfying a customer, our hopes of delighting a customer are slim to none.
The sure way to miss success is to miss the opportunity.
-Victor Chasles
Say what you will about Ellen DeGeneres’ and her emotional pleas for the return of Iggy, the now famous Brussels Griffon terrier mix that was taken from the family of her hair dresser for a violation of the adoption agreement.
I’m a dog person. […]
Part 5 of my 10-part series Top 10 Mistakes Small Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them.
Mistake #5: Small Business Owners Don’t Know Their Next Step
It’s not like it’s complicated and it’s not like it’s secret. In fact articulating your next step only really takes a moment or two. But it’s what David […]
The Small Business Guru Video Podcast.
‘Trying something new this week. I recently had the opportunity to read
Michael S. Malone’s book,
Bill & Dave: How Hewlett and Packard Built the World’s Greatest Company.
I really enjoyed the book and take a few moments to share some of the lessons I took away after reading it.
We define time management as a personal issue in our culture. Stressed out? Incredibly busy? Take care of it. Or don’t. Just be sure to pay your bills and show up for work on time.
Life is full of “urgent” matters that really don’t make any difference in the long or short run. Yes, you’re […]
It takes vision and courage to create — it takes faith and courage to prove.
—Owen D. Young
The traits of a successful business owners vary across the board. But common to all are vision, courage, and faith.
It takes vision to see the possibilities before you. To sense an opportunity where some may only see a […]
Part 4 of my 10-part series Top 10 Mistakes Small Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them.
Mistake # 4: Small Business Owners Don’t Articulate Successful Outcomes.
Most people will fight tooth and nail to avoid stating the end game for the projects they’re working on.
Why we resist it , I have no idea.
I suspect […]
One should count each day a separate life.
–Seneca
In his book, How to Stop Worrying & Start Living, Dale Carnegie discusses the concept of ‘Day-Tight Compartments.’
The idea comes from the watertight compartments found in naval vessels. At any point, the captain standing on the bridge can press a button and seal off various parts of the […]
Surely, you’ve heard the term “prepaid legal services,” but do you know what they are? To help, we’ve not only provided a definition, but also some pros and cons for using these types of services for your small business.
Pre-paid legal services refers to individual or group employee benefit legal plans in which members pay […]
While perhaps not a massive decision, selecting your business address is nevertheless critical to consider.
Of course, when running a business out of your home you’re going to have to put an address at the top of your letterhead. Other than using your home address - which has the potential of having clients show […]
The Power of a Great Checklist
It’s no secret: the checklist is the stereotypical secret passion of many “type A” personalities. These individuals are usually the ones you see wandering around the office supplies store looking for the next best organizational gadgets.
Yet, checklists are frequently underrated. Many business owners think they have their job “down.” But no matter how well […]
With the inevitable blur between work and personal life, many business owners often work straight through lunch. They come in an 8 a.m. and plow through until the late night. The best case scenario is that some find a way to eat lunch at their desks, yet even then, there is no separation of […]
Make the Most of Your Marketing: Google’s Website Optimizer
If there’s one thing a professional marketer will tell you, it is test, test, test. One great tool—for testing both online and offline marketing efforts—is Google’s Website Optimizer. Website Optimizer helps you find out which web page headlines, images, and layouts convert the most visitors. Not only is it a great tool to […]
