Measuring Outcomes Not Activities
We’re proud of the marketing and sales metrics we have in place. I sit in meeting after meeting with people going through endless charts showing their performance across any number of metrics. Too often, however, we see huge disconnects in what the metrics show and the most important performance metrics: revenue/profitability attainment, growth, share, customer…
Read More5 Mobile Checkout Guidelines to Maximize Conversions
Let’s do some number crunching. According to Criteo’s Q1 2015 State of Mobile Commerce Report: Mobile accounts for 29% of all eCommerce transactions in the US and 34% on a global scale. By the end of 2015, eCommerce is slated to grow up to 33% and 40% for US and other countries. In many countries,…
Read More6 Keys to Determining if Your Business Can Be Franchised
If you’ve gotten to the point of exploring franchising your business, let’s take a moment and celebrate your success. You’ve worked hard to develop your company, spending long nights and weekends toiling to build something successful. That accomplishment speaks volumes to your drive and resilience in the world of business. Congratulations! But is it time…
Read MoreThe Technology of the Modern Business
There is no denying the importance of technology in any modern business setting. It has become abundantly clear that the companies that use the latest technology are the ones that are most successful. Of course there is more to it than that, but you can be sure that today’s business giants are not still relying…
Read More6 Easy Ways to Increase Your Business Credit Score
Maintaining a high personal credit score is something we all strive for. But in the small business world, it’s just as important to keep your company’s credit score as high as possible. Business credit bureaus use a scale of 1 to 100 to determine the credit worthiness of a business, unlike the 300 to 850…
Read MoreShould You Incorporate a Startup? 5 Times When the Answer is Yes
Getting a new business off the ground is challenging enough, but it can feel downright overwhelming when you consider the legal ramifications. While not every startup needs to take the step of incorporating or forming an LLC, it’s a good idea if your business will expose you to risk or you want to approach certain…
Read More12 Top Tips to Protect Your Small Business from Cyber Attack
Cybercrime makes headlines every day, but while it’s usually the large corporations and government hacks that are noticed, small businesses are also at risk. In fact, companies with smaller security budgets are often targeted specifically for that reason. The first step for any small business is to make cybersecurity a priority. Some of the most…
Read MoreSetting Goals for Your Employees
As a manager, the important thing is not what happens when you are there, but what happens when you are not there. ~Ken Blanchard I am continually surprised by how many businesses do not set any goals for their employees. Without goals, there is no accountability, and employees will just do what they think you…
Read MoreFocusing on the True Objectives of Entrepreneurship
A while back I flew to San Francisco to attend a pitch competition hosted by Plug and Play Tech Center, one of the largest startup incubators in the country. But when I arrived, I realized I hadn’t brought suitable clothes for a business presentation (pants in particular). So I improvised. I ran to the nearest…
Read MoreWhere to Go When the Bank Says No
A recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found 90 percent of small businesses have had their loan request rejected by their bank in the past year. It’s an extraordinary—and alarming—number given the role small businesses play in the national economy. Access to capital is a challenge for most small business owners.…
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