Tag Archives: business planning

Tough Times Call for Tough Tactics

My motto for this recession, quoted previously in this space, is “You don’t have to outrun the bear.” As the recession lingers, and the slow, jobless recovery trickles in with a whimper, my clients are finding it both tiresome and … Continue Reading

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‘A Recovery Only a Statistician Can Love’

This editorial, from the The Washington Post talks about some of the same things I am concerned about going into 2010. While we will get some positive GDP numbers, perhaps as soon as this quarter, it won’t feel much like … Continue Reading

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Cabin Fever

My mom lives in New Jersey. Around February or March of every year she gets cabin fever. Too many cold and miserable days spent indoors, and she starts climbing the walls. It’s August in San Antonio, and we are in … Continue Reading

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You can’t keep a good saying down.

“There are lies, damn lies and statistics.” It’s a great saying, and in the USA is typically attributed to Mark Twain. He, in turn, attributed it to Benjamin Disraeli. That credit is undocumented. What is certain is that it was … Continue Reading

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See Spot Run- A simple approach to up and downsizing

In a TAB Board meeting yesterday we were discussing how you know when it’s time to add an employee. I recalled an old method I’ve used, and it occurs to me that it can also work in reverse if you … Continue Reading

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Through the Eyes of a Reporter

We had David Hendricks of the San Antonio Express News at one of our Board meetings last week. It’s always interesting to see yourself through someone else’s eyes, David’s column is fair. It accurately describes what actually went on in … Continue Reading

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Freedom Isn’t Free

When asked what they like most about owning their own business, the majority of entrepreneurs put “freedom” at the top of the list. They describe it in a number of ways, working for myself, being my own boss, making my … Continue Reading

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It’s a crisis…uh, no it’s not. Wait…

The Washington Post today announced that the UN’s World Health Organization has upgraded the H1N1 flu virus to a Category 6 Pandemic. It is worldwide, and appears to be gearing up for the Southern Hemisphere’s winter season. For those who … Continue Reading

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Key Performance Indicators

I developed this piece for my peer group clients in The Alternative Board® A number of them have said it’s greatly clarified their understanding of what Key Performance Indicators were, and how to approach them. So I share it here… … Continue Reading

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Is It Time for Courage?

A friend of mine occasionally shares his copy of EcoTrends®. This research newsletter tracks 41 different economic indicators. Since I’m not actually a subscriber, I refer you to their site if you’re interested in the details of their analysis. The … Continue Reading

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Is Less Bad Good?

The government is proclaiming the beginning of the beginning of the end. “Only” 540,000 new people lost their jobs last month, instead of 620,000. The somewhat panicky tone that has characterised these communiques continues. A one month drop, especially following … Continue Reading

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Small Business can Sell in a Recession

This was an article I had published in the San Antonio Express News yesterday. Guest Voices: Small businesses can sell in recession Many business owners think that the current recession has ruined their exit strategy. While the climate may be … Continue Reading

Posted in Business Perspectives, Entrepreneurship, Exit Options, Exit Planning, Exit Strategies, John's Opinions, Selling a business | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment