7 Surprising Reasons to Hire an Executive Coach

Hiring an executive coach is a big decision. Let’s face it: we typically don’t come cheap. But the transformations that can occur as a result of hiring an executive coach can be profound. Here are seven surprising reasons why you should consider hiring an executive coach—immediately. Reason 7: You’re Doing Really Well. Many people think that if…

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Standard Business Plan Financials: Important Cash Flow Vocabulary

As I continue with my series on standard business plan financials, I want to look at the basic cash flow. These words put some people off because they sound like accounting and financial analysis. But they’re good terms to know, especially if you’re running a business. This is important cash flow vocabulary. Cash in business planning and…

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Work on Your Three Levels of Leadership

Another leadership development bit? Yup. But if you have no time or are impatient, here are the three levels: visionary, strategic and tactical. Skip or stay, but think about your balance in leadership either way. As a leader, you have to worry over issues from mundane to strategic, constantly reordering your priorities to accommodate competing…

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How to Become an Entrepreneur with No Business Background

You don’t always need a fancy degree or lengthy resume to realize your dreams. A background in business is not a prerequisite to entrepreneurial success. Sure, a relevant background and some formal training can give you an industry edge, but what your success really boils down to is perseverance, resourcefulness, strategy, and flexibility. And these…

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Do You See What I See?

Some time ago, I wrote a post generating a lot of interest titled “Have You Called Your Office Lately?” The post centered on the fact that we must experience what our customer does when calling our business in order to determine if any changes are needed. Another critical activity is walking around our own business…

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How Much Do You Focus on Your Customers’ Needs and Wants?

Do you know your customers’ needs and wants? No, I mean really know their needs and wants? It appears that 38% of marketers find this their number-one challenge, regardless of company size or industry. According to the newly released global report, The 2016 Digital Marketer from Experian, “Customer-centric brands are shifting the way they think about “customers” or “consumers”…

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How Are You Sharpening Your Saw?

Are you consciously sharpening your saw every day? Maybe it’s just because I’m living through it, but I truly believe that there’s never been an era that has experienced the rate of change that we’re enjoying/enduring now.  It presents us with some remarkable opportunities to explore new tactics and tools but it also presents us…

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A Day in the Life of a Startup Owner

Some days will be smooth sailing; others will be an uphill battle. Just like when you take a new job in any area, when you start your own business you’re bound to face some challenges. It’s a fact of the learning curve. For startup owners just getting their companies off the ground, you have the…

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How a Good Leader Can Become a Great One

Truly excellent leaders are developed over time, and while high-quality leadership training will provide someone with all of the necessary tools to succeed, development is a continuous process. In fact, even a team leader with 10 years’ worth of experience should want to improve and evolve in order to reach the next level. So when…

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How Asking Questions Leads to Success

I have often said that I have never had an original idea. I can’t speak for anyone else, but in my life everything I’ve learned has come from what I see, what I hear, and what I read. But above all, I like to learn from watching and listening, so I make a point of…

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