Starting a Business in 2018: Preparation and Pointers
At the close of 2017, countless people will take a look back at the year behind them and begin making resolutions for the year ahead. For some, that means leaving their old job behind and going into business for themselves, and for others it means starting a gig on the side. For others, still, it…
Read More10 Clues That It May Be Time to Seek Outside Help
If an entrepreneur doesn’t find themselves in over their head at least 20% of the time, they are probably not pushing the limits, not taking enough risk, and probably not working on an idea that’s worth doing. The challenge in to know when and how to ask for help, and not let bravado and ego…
Read MoreNuance So Subtle We Often Miss It
Nuance is important to our ability to connect with impact to our customers and our people. Yet, too often, we miss it, or completely ignore it. Let’s start with what nuance is: 1 :a subtle distinction or variation “Nuances of flavor and fragrance cannot be described accurately …” —Scott Seegers “… these terms have certain…
Read More13 Small Business Grants You Need to Know for 2018
Running a small business is a lot like powering a car, and the only way to keep it moving down the road is to fuel it. Capital and funding are the fuel that drives small businesses, and your financial strategies can be the difference between opening a second location in the new year or laying…
Read More7 Essential Steps to Develop the Art of Leadership
The ability to be a leader is an art, which can be mastered and can be learned and sharpened. Leadership has nothing to do with a title like CEO, Vice President, Manager, General Manager, etc. As Peter F. Drucker said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” Here are some of…
Read MoreHow to Make Small Business Bookkeeping Easier
For many small business owners, bookkeeping is considered a necessary evil that is often ignored until the end of the fiscal year. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to simplify your day-to-day bookkeeping processes — giving you more time to focus on growing your business. 1. Open Dedicated Bank and Credit…
Read MoreHow to Receive Website Form Submissions by Text
Get website form inquiries to you through text. Most, if not all business websites have a contact form so would-be customers can get in touch. Most business owners are happy to receive and respond to correspondence by email, if not by phone. Not every business has someone seated in an office ready to respond to emails…
Read More5 Ways to Protect Your Construction Business Against Cybersecurity Threats
Admit it—you’ve clicked on a questionable link, answered an unnecessary online survey, or been too lazy to update an app. Everyone’s done it. If you’re feeling a bit queasy about these lapses in cybersecurity judgment now, imagine if one of these errors cost your construction business millions of dollars. What if responding to an illicit…
Read MoreHow Can Businesses Get Behind the Paris Agreement?
Scientists are predicting a rise in global CO2 levels this year for the first time since 2013 posing the question of whether or not actions are being taken to combat climate change. Despite the Paris Agreement and targets being in place for emission reduction by 2020, a rise in CO2 levels is expected this year.…
Read MoreContinuing the Cycle: How to Develop the Skills of Future Leaders
In our last article, we discussed building your change management plan. Now let’s discuss how to continue the cycle and develop the skills of future leaders. Maintaining Strong Leadership – Building from Within In my experience as a leadership expert, an organizational culture that reflects your vision and values as a leader is sustained over time only through the internal…
Read More