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Helping business owners grow their companies and transition with confidence, added value and complete control.
Tag Archives: management
The 7 Sins of Entrepreneurs on TV
My interview with Eyewitness News in San Antonio about “The 7 Sins of Entrepreneurs” is up on You Tube. Take a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8knGXIRXUE
Posted in John's Opinions
Tagged business ownership, leadership, management, small business, small business advice
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Technology- Investment or Expense?
I regularly hear one of my small business owner clients saying something like this. “Dammit! I have to buy another computer. I just spent (fill in) on this one just (fill in) years ago.” Why are we so offended at … Continue Reading
Another small business owner defrauded
I’ll be in Denver, sharpening my saw all weekend at the semi-annual conference of The Alternative Board®, so I’m posting early this week. I had an evening call from a client last night. He recently discovered fraud in a small … Continue Reading
Stoplight 360
I recently saw a fast and easy way to rate your employees that makes the high performers and low performers stand out in a way that can’t be ignored. It uses Stop light Methodology: a red-yellow-green marking system. The advantage … Continue Reading
The influence of one man
I promised to return with the true story of the difference one man can make. If Sam knew that I was talking about him in my blog he’d be embarrassed. Recognition isn’t his thing. In fairness to Sam, I’m not … Continue Reading
The Ghost of Ebenezer
Last week three of my clients implemented staff reductions. All three are financially healthy service companies, but they had far more capacity than they had work to fill it. In a service company, of course, capacity means people. Naturally there … Continue Reading
Gifts are not incentives, and incentives shouldn’t be gifts
I knew a couple who owned a company with about 20 employees who had what may be the worst incentive distribution plan I’ve ever seen. The company gave out large holiday bonuses every year at the company party, which was … Continue Reading
A 35K guy is a 35K guy…
I had breakfast with a client this morning. He was planning a new training initiative for his sales team. “How much do the make now?” I asked. “About $30,000 to $35,000 a year.” he replied. “What are you trying to … Continue Reading
Posted in Leadership, Managing Employees, Sales
Tagged business ownership, employees, management, sales, sales management, small business, small business advice
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Attrition Opportunities
A client of mine used a great term in a conversation last week. Someone asked him if he had instituted any reductions in force (layoff, for those on the receiving end) in his company. “No,” he replied “but we’ve had … Continue Reading
No instant replay in small business
There was a great play in the Yankees-Angels game last night. I’m not a huge baseball fan, so relax, this is really about business. Alex Rodriguez rounded third on a base hit and headed for home. The throw beat him … Continue Reading
Here’s an exercise
Nothing fancy. Just presume, for a second, that my last post was substantially right. We will have a technical recovery from an economic perspective, but it won’t feel anything like prosperity. Ask yourself two questions: 1. What will my business … Continue Reading
The Rhythm of the Sales Process
With so many of our clients trying to boost sales in a tough environment, we’ve been having lots of discussions about sales incentives. It’s surprising to me how many business owners create incentives that don’t fit their business, simply because … Continue Reading