4 Initiatives to Hone a Business Innovation Mindset
Why do a few entrepreneurs, like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, seem to come up with all the real innovations, while the majority of business leaders seem stuck in the rut of linear thinking? I have always wondered if innovation required some rare gene mutation, or whether I might be missing a simple formula for…
Read MoreEmpowering Employees
I have set a goal to read (or re-read) 1 business book every 2 weeks. I recently reread “Customer Mania!” by Ken Blanchard since it is the story of how YUM! Brands—owners of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver’s and A&W Restaurants in the US—is building a Customer-Focused company. I was rewarded by…
Read More6 Secrets to Maximizing Your Day
When you’re running your own business, you don’t always have organized procedures in place to complete each project efficiently. You have to develop these systems over time as your company becomes more successful and profitable. Time management and productivity can be a real challenge, as you have to execute even the most mundane tasks yourself.…
Read MoreYour Startup May Need a Surety Bond
Many new, first-time business owners don’t know about surety bonds until they find out they are required to have them—usually as part of the licensing process. Typically, a government agency in your state or county will require you to have a surety bond. So, if you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, chances are that…
Read MoreUsing Promotional Items to Build Client Relationships
A friend of a friend gave his wife a vacuum cleaner for Christmas. Relating this story to me, my friend wondered out loud how it was possible that his buddy was still alive. This is the classic husband mistake: giving his wife something that he thinks will make life easier for her and that in…
Read MoreHow to Do Due Diligence on Investors
This is my Quora answer to “How do I perform due diligence on investors?” Choose an Investor Like You Would a Spouse I’m so glad you asked this question, because it’s really important and vastly underemphasized. You should choose an investor like you choose a spouse. Due diligence is essential. First, tell this person you…
Read MoreFreelancers: Update Your Invoices to Look More Professional
One of the biggest challenges you’re facing as a freelancer is managing your own admin. There’s no HR department that does the dirty work for you—you’ll be responsible yourself for managing your projects, logging receipts and doing tax returns. Knowing how to invoice is a crucial skill you need to ensure your business is running…
Read More3 Must-Haves for Your Small Business Microsite
A microsite employs different branding techniques to reach a new target audience, produce more interest in your brand and result in new leads. According to the Content Marketing Institute and SproutWorth, over half of content marketers for B2B and B2C companies are seeing results from creating these sites, which typically have a URL separate from…
Read MoreLocks & Cameras Aren’t Enough: Maximize Your Security
Keeping your business secure is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. A single security breach, such as theft, can be enough to sink a small business. There are some basic and easy ways you can protect yourself, however, especially for the three most vulnerable areas: your virtual, physical, and legal environments. Keep Your Virtual World…
Read MoreAdvertise Where It Matters
There are more media options available for advertising today than there have ever been before. From social media to billboards, old school television to internet streaming, and old fashioned radio to internet radio, the decision on where to advertise is harder than it has ever been. Finding the most effective and cost efficient platform for…
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