There is no doubt about it. Everyone is in holiday mode. Clients are busy trying to wrap up their year-end and are pressing with last minute requests before budgets disappear. There are extended vacations. There are stops and starts because Christmas and the New Year fall within the week. Let’s face it… it is a […]
Take Some “Think Time” This Holiday Season Read More »
The business plan. It has been the “must” for every would-be entrepreneur. When I first started out, I read all the books about how to create the perfect one before I ventured out to get funding. While everyone has their own twist on what to include, there are some typical components. They range from an
Rethink the Business Plan Read More »
As the Owner and CEO of a small business, I have learned valuable lessons about running an effective organization. You learn quickly that you need to be able to budget and make decisions that benefit both your company and your employees. However, one of the most concerning issues facing American small businesses is the current
For me, time is a precious resource and I know I am not alone. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and not take the time to connect with suppliers and customers. This week, in the midst of a grueling work schedule, I decided to show up at a trade show in Chicago (a three-hour drive from
Too Busy to Connect? Read More »
Ask any small business person about the challenges they face and at least one of them will be access to capital. In simple terms M-O-N-E-Y. Often no one wants to lend you money when you need it. When you don’t need it, everyone wants to lend you money. Another issue is the paperwork and complexity
Show Me the Money- Fintech Read More »
If you want to know about the major issues facing small business a new survey by the National Small Business Association makes it clear. The top two are ones that I know well; the cost of healthcare and the amount of time I spend just trying to figure out regulations. When I testified in Washington,
Small Business Says…. Read More »
This time of year many are focused on the holidays, giving gifts to special customers and rewarding employees for the past year. I would suggest that this is the time to put something else on your “list”- a gift to your company. As we close out the year, here are some suggestions for things you
Give Your Company a Gift Read More »
This past week I had two very different interactions that caused me to think about how my business interacts with customers. The two customers have some common characteristics. They are both successful organizations with dedicated staffs and competent CEOs. But there are big differences in the way they work with outside resources. Customer #1 is
Supplier or Advisor? Read More »
If you knew you were going to get a big influx of business would you be more likely to hire people. If you had a handle on where interest rates were headed might you think about getting a loan for new equipment? If you thought the economy was going to improve would you launch a
The owner of an insurance agency I know did an experiment. Sheila VanZile of Watermark Insurance printed business cards with two different titles: President and Queen. Over the course of time, she used both… and Queen won out. That title engaged people, helped start a conversation and gave them a glimpse of her fun personality.
A Tale of Two Titles Read More »
