You’re excited about the promise of a new year and what it will hold for you and your business. But then you get back to reality and realize … “It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by a bunch of turkeys!” Well, it’s not really the whole crew, it’s just that one. It’s…
2012 is drawing to a close, and most business owners I talk to say it’s been a pretty good year. Most businesses are making money again, hiring new people and moving forward. That doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and unicorns. I don’t see anyone resting on their laurels. There’s so much change, so much to figure out. The…
The holidays can be a stressful time for business owners. While your employees (being the selfish people that they are) take time off to prepare for the holidays, travel and spend time with loves ones, you are left holding the bag. It’s clear that no one cares about the business the way you do. Another…
You get back from a meeting at 1:30 p.m. and your office is ghost town. Where did everyone go? You know your staff usually breaks for lunch around noon but they can’t be gone this long – or can they? About 15 minutes later, the whole bunch walks in, laughing and having a great ol’ time. They…
Your IT person, Carla, wanders into your office with a sheepish look on her face. She’s just been working on your Production Manager’s computer that’s been running slower and slower the last several weeks. “So what’s the story?” You ask. “I don’t know how to tell you this,” comes the reply. “I fixed Dwayne’s machine.”…
If I had a magic wand and could wish one thing for each of the business owners I work with, it would be, “Give them a strong team.” That’s because I know the quality of the team behind the leader can make or break a business. It’s the difference between slogging through mud and running effortlessly. Just…
Building and growing a business is hard work! You have to build a strong team, nurture client relationships, be strategic, turn a profit … the list goes on. You know what’s easier? Tearing your whole business apart. So, if you’d rather go that route, here are 10 ways you can destroy your business in no…
The most important part of any email is the subject line. This is the part of the email that will almost surely be read, often many times. It, more than anything else, determines what the receivers will do with your email. Interesting subject lines get opened. Vague or ridiculous subject lines may get trashed or…
Timeshave changed since I started working with business owners in the early 1990s. While I’d have to say I’m pretty “with it” when it comes to staying on top of new trends, there are some new-age things that I just won’t accept. And neither should business owners. I’m not the only one. Take a look…
It’s amazing to me how many business owners I have to order to take a vacation. And when I do, I’m usually met with this sort of reply: “But I’ve got too much work! It will just come back to bite me when I get back anyway … it’s not worth it!” Believe me, I…