Keep Up
I was recently asked to give a presentation on what students can do/learn so they can keep up with the ever-changing landscape of business and marketing today. As I was preparing the material to deliver, I quickly realized that my counsel wasn’t just for today’s students. It’s what all of us, whether we are a…
Read MoreSmall Biz Interviews: Build It and They Will Come
Architecture is a unique field that combines artistry with mathematical precision; it requires long days of bouncing between loosened up creativity and buttoned up exactness. Design too requires a similar blend of left and right brain skills—on the one hand, you need to find the right solution for your client at the right price, and…
Read MoreHow Kickstarter Can Give You New Business Ideas
Before I explain the theory behind this idea, as a bit of a disclaimer I do enjoy prowling through Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Largely out of curiosity, but I am often left in awe. I love seeing how a new product progresses with a launch, and genuinely enjoy seeing new companies do well. I find it…
Read MoreIs Your Leadership Limiting Your Organization’s Ability to Grow?
Leadership capacity is more than simply skill development; it’s about performance, growth, transformation and change. For the purpose of our discussion in this series of articles, let’s define it as; “Leadership Capacity is the skillful use of leadership attributes for the growth and development of ourselves, our colleagues and our organization.” Great leaders not only…
Read MoreA Year-End Customer Service Inventory: 5 Questions to Ponder
As we approach the end of the year and look forward to the next year of serving our customers and building profits, the following self-inventory will build our success: Are we becoming more or less connected to individual customers? Customers are not served as a group, they are helped one at a time. Thus surveys…
Read More9 Surefire Ways to Make Your Customers Happy
There is an oft-told legend about how Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos likes to make sure there is an empty chair at every company meeting: the chair represents the customers, so the most important ‘person’ is always ‘in the room.’ It’s the kind of visual stunt that sets apart great leaders from good ones, and also…
Read More5 Tips for Applying for an Online Loan
It’s no secret that small businesses are critical to the nation’s economic prosperity. After all, they employ nearly half of all U.S. workers. With so many relying on the success of small businesses, it’s more important than ever for owners to have quick and convenient access to funding that can keep their businesses running—and growing—smoothly.…
Read MoreHow to Make Yourself Work When You’re Just Not Feeling It
Running a small business can be a lonely affair. If you’re working out of your home office, it can be difficult to make the distinction between work and personal time. Even if you have premises and a small team, you probably bear the weight of responsibility – creating a necessary divide between yourself and your…
Read MoreYelp Killed the “Soft Opening”—What Can You Do About It?
I have a friend who spent most of his life in California. He lives in Tennessee now and loves it, but he’s always on the lookout for a good Mexican restaurant. He’s only found a few that live up to his expectations. He was excited when he saw that a new Mexican Restaurant was about…
Read MoreAre You Building High-Level Business Relationships?
In the world of entrepreneurs and startups, high level relationships are everything. You can’t start a business alone. You need partners, team members, investors, vendors, and customers. But people don’t realize that all relationships are not the same. There are people you only recognize on the street, business friends, and then close friends whom you…
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