How to Solve Your Business Lending Problems
Asset-based finance is big business these days. Since the financial crash of 2008, banks have significantly tightened their lending criteria and become much more risk-averse – with the result that SMEs are looking to other sources of finance. As a result, the asset based lending index has risen by 14% in the second quarter of…
Read MoreCan Your Business Survive the Traditional Life Cycle?
Successful startups seem to follow similar paths to greatness, and unfortunately all too often that path leads them back down the hill much faster than they went up. Big company powerhouses, like IBM and Xerox, took fifty years to make the cycle, but new companies today, in the age of the Internet, often make the…
Read MoreHire as if Your Survival Depends on It
Aside from visionary management, this is your most important job. Many of us go through the motions of hiring to fill a position, trying to use our intuition and skills to find the best candidate for the job. Sometimes we use consultants or recruiters; often we use internal talent to fill most positions. And over…
Read MoreHow Does the Alternative Finance Industry in the US Compare with Europe?
It is fair to say that each geographical market is growing at its own unique pace, depending on attitudes, trends and the adoption of technology. In this post we will look at the alternative finance markets in the United States, Europe and the UK, and ask why the latter two are lagging behind the former.…
Read More12 Unspoken Rules for Creating Catchy Business Names
A name that sticks is a name that will win. With so much competition in almost every industry, it is difficult for upcoming businesses to get recognized. Naming is one way to do that, as a catchy business name is unique and memorable for your customers. Finding such a name is going to take a…
Read More8 Ways to Ensure Your Display Booths in Trade Shows are Effective
Small business owners know that trade shows are a great way to market your products and services. You meet a lot of people over a three- or four-day period. You get prospects and customer feedback. Trade shows also let you see competitors and how you are different. You are able to network with colleagues and…
Read MoreRoadmap to Opening a Franchise
Opening a franchise business is not for the faint of heart. It is indeed a family decision that requires a great deal of preparation, planning, and self-evaluation. The entrepreneurial process requires that you evaluate the decision personally, sociologically, organizationally and environmentally. Personal Evaluation Level of Achievement – Degree of commitment – Entrepreneurs have a higher degree…
Read More6 Ways for Leaders to Create Organizational Change
Helping leaders navigate organizational change is one of my favorite activities as a leadership consultant. There is no doubt that forward thinking organizations understand that change will always be part of doing business, especially as new technologies and ways to do business emerge in an increasingly competitive marketplace. As I have discussed in previous posts such…
Read MoreThe Tragedy of “No Decision Made”
Depending on the research you read and believe, the number of buying journeys ending in “No Decision Made,” is around 50-60%. Think about what that means. Sure, we’re disappointed—it’s a lost opportunity for us. We may have invested a lot of time, resource, and energy in competing to win the decision from the customer buying…
Read More7 Common But Vital Tips to Becoming the Perfect Business Leader
Many of today’s startups were developed by young entrepreneurs with entrenched invincibility. They excel in technology and innovation, but lack leadership ability. There are many strategies to help with effectively leading an organization, but leadership starts from within. Below are some tips for increasing leadership abilities. Scrutinize Data before Deciding Leaders are required to make…
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