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Helping business owners grow their companies and transition with confidence, added value and complete control.
Category Archives: John’s Opinions
Employ People; Don’t Adopt Them
I cringe when a business owner tells me “Our company is just like a family.” I have a family, and thankfully my business is nothing like them. Family members have the right to unconditional love. They can make mistakes (and … Continue Reading
Posted in John's Opinions, Managing Employees
Tagged business ownership, employee performance, employees, management
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It’s Your Money: Fighting Profit Guilt
A few weeks ago one of my peer boards was discussing the hiring of a new salesperson. One owner asked the others “What is the most important trait you look for in a new salesman?” Another member immediately burst out: “Someone … Continue Reading
Computer Technology: Curse You, Bill Gates!
Every business is held in thrall to its computer technology. In most white-collar environments a computer crash comes with the added expense of employees sitting dumbly at their stations, unable to function. When a function of our business becomes a core … Continue Reading
Should You Sue?
This column appeared as an op-ed piece in this week’s San Antonio Business Journal titled “Most Legal Battles Played by Risk Rules.” If you are in business for any length of time, eventually you will face a situation where the only … Continue Reading
When Independence isn’t Freedom
I owe the idea for this column to my friend Tom Morton, whose Harrowgate blog lends a considerable dose of dry Brit humor and keen business perspective to the issues of small business ownership. Give him a read. Sometimes the … Continue Reading
Where’s Waldo?
An old New Yorker cartoon depicts two men walking down the streets of Manhattan. “The think I like most about being the Boss is that you get to make your own hours.” one says. “Yes,” the other replies, “as long … Continue Reading
Posted in Business Perspectives, John's Opinions, Leadership, Managing Employees
Tagged business ownership, employees, management
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Tax Deductible- So What?
We have done ourselves a disservice as business owners. Too often we have justified an expenditure to non-owner friends as “tax deductible” to show how clever we are. In doing so, we have confused the public. They see the Federal … Continue Reading
Posted in John's Opinions
Tagged business ownership, entrepreneurship, politics, small business
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Employees aren’t Partners
Many of my clients are recovering from the recession. They are running lean, and have restored their profitability, even if at lower revenues than prior to 2008. Those that had to reduce or freeze employee compensation are seeking ways to … Continue Reading
A Return to the Handshake?
There are five words that strike fear into the heart of every business owner. They are “Let me call my lawyer.” I’m not talking about threats. If I had a nickel for every person who threatens “I’m going to call … Continue Reading
Do Goals Make a Difference?
To start the New Year right, let me tell you a true story about a goal. It was a little goal; or at least it started out that way. It certainly wasn’t a goal that was intended to be life … Continue Reading
Thanks for Everything
A British friend was commenting to me on how “odd” he found the American celebration of Thanksgiving. “There is no equivalent holiday in Europe, or anywhere else in the world.” he said. “You have an entire day devoted to conspicuous … Continue Reading