The Art of Being Strategically Selfish
I was having lunch with a friend of mine, and he casually told me he’s played 56 rounds of golf this year. I nearly choked on my Cobb salad. Seriously? In the past, this type of apparent indulgence would have resulted in an eye role from me, followed by a comment about work ethic. But…
Read More5 Team Building Exercises Your Employees Will Actually Enjoy
A brand is only as good as the employees that are powering it. And, since many obstacles cannot be surmounted by any single employee, good team collaboration is imperative to undertake obstacles with precision and efficiency. But having a well-put-together team doesn’t come overnight. The quality requires consistent participation and exercise to be permanently embedded…
Read MoreHow to Find, Buy and Operate an Independent Route Business
Independent distribution routes are often referred to by a number of different terms. Independent route, distribution route, delivery route, independent operator (IO or IBO) route, sales route, bread route, chip route, cookie route, vending route, ATM route and the list goes on. If you’re feeling entrepreneurial and looking to become an independent operator, this article will…
Read MoreSmall Business Funding Options: Business Credit Cards vs. Consumer Credit Cards
Credit cards are a common part of daily life, in both a personal and business respect, for many. Small business owners have the option to finance much of their day to day on a credit card. Should they use a business credit card or their personal credit card? What is the difference? Which one is…
Read MoreCritical Selling Skills That Distinguish Top Performers
Last week, Tim Ohai and I were talking about the future of selling. We got onto a discussion of the critical skills needed for high performers. I’ve continued to think about this over the past few days. I’ve narrowed things down to the top 3 skills critical for top performers. I’d like your take on it,…
Read MoreThe Next Wave of Manufacturing Industry Trends
Time and technology wait for no one, especially when you’re talking about the ever-evolving, fast-paced world of hardware manufacturing. Not only are advances being made in materials and connectivity capabilities, but hardware VC firms and incubators such as Bolt and Lemnos Labs are flipping the script on the traditional way of doing business—from seed funding to expensive tools and…
Read MoreHow to Make Your Sales Team More Productive, Part 2
Well-trained sales personnel who are equipped with sound product knowledge, soft skills, and customer-centricity are in the best position to drive sales while maintaining long term relationship with the customers. Part One of this series discussed 5 ways to make your sales team more productive and enhance their performance. Here are 3 more: Customer Relationship…
Read MoreTop-Paying Side Jobs for Entrepreneurs and Employees
Many people combine their full-time work with side jobs that can bring in some extra cash and offer an exciting opportunity. Even if you’re a small business owner, there is ample opportunity to fit a lucrative, enjoyable side job around their schedule, with some of the best-paying side jobs also allowing for plenty of flexibility.…
Read More5 Small Business Bookkeeping Tips for New Business Owners
Raise your hand if you absolutely love handling your small business bookkeeping requirements. There sure aren’t many hands up—and that’s pretty common. Documenting all payments, expenses, deposits, and withdrawals can make your head spin. The good news is that there are some easy ways to simplify this process. Consider these small business bookkeeping tips for…
Read MoreIs It Still Possible to Be Original?
Entrepreneurs and potential small business owners are faced with a difficult challenge in modern society: is it still possible to be entirely original with our thoughts and creations? Are we all just stealing, copying and borrowing or can we still sample others works and inspire new ideas? Originality, by definition, is the ability to think…
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