When any economic bubble bursts, a recession is likely to follow. Economists have been monitoring economic factors and signaling a coming recession, and potential bubbles that will drive it include the student loan bubble and the resurged subprime lending bubble. Yet while some industries suffer or even collapse during economic downturns, others survive and even […]
Startup
The Advantages of Opening Your Own Dental Practice
Training to become a dentist is a long process that requires a lot of hard work. Once you become qualified, you need to find the right job for you. Which practice will you join? How will you prove that you are the right person for the job? These are all challenges that you’ll have to […]
Developing Buyer Personas: A Guide for New Businesses
Buyer personas are a powerful tool for small businesses that are trying to reach a broader consumer base, but for those companies that are just getting started, it can be hard to get a sense of who your buyers are. Does that mean you should wait until later to develop your buyer personas? Or can […]
Franchise Succession Planning: What’s Your Exit Strategy?
Planning to exit a franchise system is just as important as choosing to be part of one. While passing down your business to a loved one can strengthen your relationship, it can also be a pretty complicated process. To make the process even more complex, most franchisors must approve your successor. William Slater Vincent, a […]
Love the Franchise Model, Not the Product
When searching for a business to own that you are sincerely interested in, look deeper than the product. While demand for the product or service is an important piece of the successful business formula, it is not what the business owner is going to live, eat and breathe every day…it’s the franchise model of the business. How […]
Your Core Competency and Why Not to Stray
Consider your core. It is the one skill, process or advantage you have over your competition. Then think of all the things you do to surround that core with people and assets that complete your company and allow you to release your product or perform your service. Which of your IP assets is your core? […]
How to Survive in an Open Office
The open office is now the most common office layout across the UK and the USA. So, does the open office make for a more collaborative and egalitarian workplace? Or is the open office a nightmare of noise and discomfort for employees? So, does the open office increase or decrease productivity? The jury is still […]
10 Business Plan Tips Too Many Entrepreneurs Forget
If you want people to invest in your idea, then my best advice is first write a business plan, and keep it simple. Don’t confuse your business plan with a doctoral thesis or the back of a napkin. Keep the wording and formatting straightforward, and keep the plan short. For minimum content, see my original […]
Franchising Basics: Understanding Franchise Territories
While researching franchise opportunities, you’ll come across many using verbiage similar to “ask about exclusive territories” or “protected territories available.” It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that “territory” means no other franchisees in your franchise system can open a location in your exclusive/protected geographic area. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Although “exclusive” and […]
Recession-Proof Businesses
The year 2009 marked the end of a global recession that hit America hard. Most people believe that starting a business during a recession is just as good as throwing your money into the sea. But, there are still recession proof businesses that can do well during economic downturns, also known as counter-cyclical businesses. Many […]
