Think Like a Banker and Get the Loan
Jim Blasingame is a small business owner’s best advocate. Jim and I caught up last week and these are the three small business tips every business owner should know, but doesn’t. Apply for a Loan When You Don’t Need It That’s not a typo. Apply for a loan when your small business is flush with…
Read More5 Ways to Build a Business Customers Fall in Love With
Running a business is no easy task. You need the right dose of attitude and charisma to lead a team that builds products people love to buy. You need to connect with a lot of people to jointly march ahead for business success. The “Everybody” mentioned in the title includes employees, customers and anybody connected…
Read MoreIdentity Theft’s Hidden Victim: Your Business
Regardless of how it’s executed or who is affected, one fact is universal: identity theft leaves its victims feeling violated and insecure. However, the true victim of identity theft isn’t always as obvious as one might assume. A Well-Established Threat While it may seem as though the threat is a relatively new phenomenon, the roots…
Read MoreLeadership Skills: How to Provide Corrective Direction
When discussing the “How to’s” of building an engaged culture, we hear lots of talk about “reinforcing the positive” and “catching people doing things right,” but what happens when people are doing things wrong and we need to provide corrective direction? Specific steps need to take place to get the person moving in the proper…
Read MoreClosing the Sale
Earlier today, I was interviewed for an article on “Closing The Sale.” The article is in a publication focused on small business owners. As we concluded the conversation, the interviewer said, “Your answers were completely different than I expected.” I think too many of us, entrepreneurs and sales people, alike, have mistaken impressions of closing…
Read More9 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Business Partner
Launching a business is both one of the toughest and most rewarding experiences an entrepreneur will encounter. For that reason, many entrepreneurs join forces with a partner in order to defray costs, build creativity and keep their sanity. Starting a business with a partner is like getting married. Before you say “I do” to just anyone, consider…
Read MoreHashtag Etiquette for Businesses on Social Media
The use of hashtags on social media has become a common practice not only for regular users but brands as well. Hashtags are great social media marketing tools that help tie campaigns to certain keywords, allowing content to be discoverable. Further, it gives people an easy way to join conversations and engage with other social…
Read MoreHow to Plan the Most Effective Sales Coaching
The vast majority of sales talent is usually developed in the field, since very few people are able to learn sales techniques simply through education. As a result, most businesses realise the importance of good quality sales training and do their best to deliver it through their own specialized training programs. However, repeated studies have…
Read More6 Best Practices in Billings and Collections
One area where most small-business owners can improve their cash flow is in billings and collections. A thorough credit check before you offer payment terms is not enough. Here are six best practices that can make a real difference in your cash balance at the end of every month. 1. Get it right. One legitimate…
Read MoreWhy Software Subscription Serves It Up Fresh
Take General Mills and its goal to eliminate artificial flavors and colors in cereals due to the consumer demand for simple ingredients. That’s easier said than done when entire product lines, food production, and recipes require overhauls on a massive scale. But, in the end, it’s a matter of market survival and a better product. Waves of…
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