Why Teams Led by Nice Guys Finish First
Robert Fulghum has probably made about a gazillion dollars from “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” and all the spin-offs it’s produced. His works remind me of a category that…
Be the Problem Solver
Here is the situation: you own a franchise or small business. It’s the first year, so you are working through the speed bumps every business faces. You have a handful of employees that are pulling…
From Small Business Beginnings to Big Brand Success
When you think about multi-million dollar companies like Dell, Apple and Google, you probably don’t also consider the commonalities they have to your small business—a business you grew and nurtured from your basement until it…
Why Your Employees Hate Your Open Office Layout, Part II
Last week we looked at some of the problems open office environments pose to productivity. Here are more thoughts on open offices and what you can do in your business. Other Problems with Open Offices…
Contrarian Advice on Investment Pitch from a Pitch Veteran
“We coach entrepreneurs ‘think big.’ ‘Think change the world.’ That doesn’t mean use adjectives that are not credible. Everybody’s revolutionary and everybody’s disruptive now.” That’s Bill Reichert, managing director Garage Technology Ventures, veteran investor, a…
10 Signs You Should Own a Business or Franchise
Being your own boss takes a special kind of person. We asked several industry professionals what they thought were must-have traits to successfully own a business opportunity or franchise and here’s what they came up…
Overcome Your Personal Worry Movie
I’ve always found that one of the easiest pieces of advice to give someone is, “don’t worry.” I’ve also always found that one of the most difficult things for me to do is…not worry. Sort of like…
10 Ways for Entrepreneurs to Meet Cash Flow Peaks
The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service…
Consider the Legal and Financial Aspects of Owning a Franchise
As with any major investment, the best decision can be made only if you’re as informed as possible. You need to spend a good deal of time researching, interviewing and exploring your options—and a part…