Posts Tagged ‘Planning’
Why the Old Marketing Funnel is Broken
The good old fashioned marketing funnel doesn’t have the relevance it used to. I can’t remember the last time that I saw an advertisement on TV or in a newspaper and then went into a store solely based off that ad and made a purchase. Today there are dozens of channels. The traditional linear funnel is now…
Read MoreThe Essentials of an Effective Business Disaster Recovery Plan
If there’s any guarantee in life, it’s to expect the unexpected. Small businesses are the most impacted when it comes to disasters because they do not usually have a formal disaster recovery plan. As a result, 40 to 60 percent of small businesses close permanently after a disaster, according to Liberty Mutual Insurance. Do what…
Read More5 Strategies for Starting 2018 Off Right
About a year ago, I realized I wasn’t spending enough time doing the things I love: hanging out with my kids, surfing, traveling. Life started to feel lousy. I’m a founder of a fast-growing contract management software company that more than triples its revenue each year. When founding the business, I thought, “I’m going to…
Read MoreMolding the Next Generation: More Than a Third of Business Owners Lack a Retirement Plan
Retirement is a subject many small business owners either deliberately shelve or shy away from taking any meaningful action. Research conducted by online resource center Manta indicated that 34% of nearly 2000 small business owners surveyed do not have a retirement plan. Of this group, another 36% said that they would still seek other job…
Read MoreDoes Your Small Business Fit One of My Stereotypes?
I was thinking about all the different types of small businesses where I’ve been through my life and began to wonder if I could categorize them – even stereotype them. It has a lot to do with ownership, the kind of business, the management style, the community, and probably several more factors I haven’t even…
Read MoreHow to Avoid Closing the Door on Chance
Inherently, we entrepreneurs are an optimistic bunch. We paint visions of success in our minds and we set exuberant goals to get there. Sometimes things go wrong and we write them off as bad luck. But how many times do we stop to wonder whether or not we could’ve changed the course of events? Are You…
Read More5 Customer Service MUST Dos for 2018
At the conclusion of any year it is wise to look back a successes and failures but also to move forward with a specific strategy for improvement and growth. The five steps below are critical for review of 2017 and planning for future success in 2018: 1. Study and prepare for your customer journey Identify…
Read MoreHow to Use a Checklist to Build an Innovative Startup
A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. I wish it was that easy. The challenge is that every new business needs to be innovative and different, in order to rise above the crowd, bring…
Read MorePayroll and Tax Issues to Be Aware of at Year-End
With an overhaul of the nation’s tax system in full swing, it can be difficult for small businesses to know what to expect when it comes to tax laws and regulations next year. But, if you manage a business, you know you still need to take care of the current year’s payroll and tax issues…
Read MoreBest Tax Tips for Small Business Owners in 2018
Doing your taxes is not something people typically look forward to. In fact, if the word “taxes” is even muttered, you can usually expect an audible “ugh” to follow. Whether you’re a small business owner, first-time freelancer, or simply self-employed, you have to handle your own taxes. And we all know filing your taxes can…
Read More