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Helping business owners grow their companies and transition with confidence, added value and complete control.
Tag Archives: business planning
The Road Less Traveled
Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Perhaps Robert Frost’s famous poem isn’t a perfect expression of what I am … Continue Reading
Turning Plans into Realities
We’ve discussed some simple steps to getting started on your annual business plan. (see previous post: The Seven Questions of Simple Planning). Once you have the questions answered, you can begin moving towards the actions that transform your plans into … Continue Reading
Trimming the Customer Tree
Anyone who has shopped for a live Christmas tree knows the drill. They have some on display, but none look exactly like what you want. You start looking through the trees that are still bundled up. If one looks promising, … Continue Reading
Fighting on Level Ground
Poland has been conquered numerous times in history. Since the 11th century, it has been partially occupied, partitioned, or fully subjugated by the Germans, Russians, Austrians, Mongols, Tartar Muslims, French (under Napoleon), Prussians and Hungarians. The Poles aren’t a timid people, … Continue Reading
Dealing with “Malaise”
This starts out sounding like doom and gloom. It isn’t. I have come to the realization that the world of small business ownership is changing, and we have to change with it. For the next few weeks this column will … Continue Reading
“Intuitive” Doesn’t Work for Organization
Apple Computer has become the most valuable company on the planet by making products that are “intuitive.” Most Apple fans brag that you don’t even need a user’s manual to get started on their products. Intuitive is a relative term. … Continue Reading
Posted in Leadership, Managing Employees, Technology
Tagged business planning, employees, management, small business advice
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Here Comes Subscription IT…Like it or Not!
It was one of those conversations that changes my perception of my business and an industry in minutes. A client who owns an IT company was discussing his strategic model. “I can’t continue to serve the SMB market like we … Continue Reading
Big Brother is So 2000, but…
Big Brother is Old News This could easily be a post about technology invading our lives. How we are watched and examined and manipulated through out electronic connectedness. But why? If you aren’t aware of the erosion of your privacy … Continue Reading
Posted in Business Perspectives, Customer Relations, Technology
Tagged business planning, sales
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Black Swans and Small Business Plans
The term “Black Swan” has become immensely popular on Wall Street and in the media to designate a rare occurrence. Google “Black Swan Japan earthquake” (which is popular enough that Google will fill in the last 11 or 12 letters … Continue Reading
Posted in Economic Trends, Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Planning
Tagged business planning, small business
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The Peter Principle Goes All the Way Down
Every small business, if it is to be successful, needs a competent Second In Command (SIC). In many companies that position is held by dint of tenure or loyalty as opposed to pure ability. When we see a key employee … Continue Reading
Posted in Leadership, Managing Employees
Tagged business ownership, business planning, employees, leadership, management
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Does the Economy Affect Your Business?
I love this quote from Paul Krugman in a breakfast speech a few weeks ago. “The Financial Industry rolled along extending credit to everyone, until they had their Wiley Coyote moment. You know how that works. Wiley Coyote runs off … Continue Reading
From the Small Business Advocate newsletter
This is from Jim Blasingames “Small Business Advocate” newsletter, and is based on a show we did last week. If you don’t get Jim’s newsletter, or want to hear the show, I strongly recommenfd that you go to http://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com/ Here is … Continue Reading