In the early days of your business, you probably had the time and motivation to get to know every customer personally. You didn’t just provide exceptional customer service, you “connected” with your customers in a way only small businesses can. But as the head of a growing business, you can’t do it all anymore. Now…
Managing a business, especially a small business, is like coaching a sports team. Like any team, you have your stars, and inevitably, you have your benchwarmers. While both groups have a place in your organization, they should not be managed in the same way. We all know our stars. They bend over backwards to get their work done and…
The creative services business requires managing and selling a rather unpredictable product – people. But, this doesn’t mean your business and its success must be equally unpredictable. Creative services companies can realize steady growth and success – even with the uncertainty and variability that accompanies managing and selling people’s services. Here are four key strategies…
The words “I quit” may signify the end for an employee, but for an employer, the words can mean the beginning of a long, often painful process. When I was General Manager for a 120 person manufacturing company, my right-hand man left for a promotion at a nearby company. Almost immediately after, half the team followed him. I was…
Fifth Anniversary Celebration It’s hard to believe, but Anchor Advisors, Ltd. is turning five this month. In recognition of this milestone, I would like to share the top five lessons I’ve learned as a business owner during the past five years. 1. You Can Never Have Too Much Cash. Cash is my best friend. That’s because it’s always bailing…
There’s nothing better than being a business owner and your own boss, right? That’s what I thought when I started my business – but then I learned. As a business owner, I work for a demanding, unsympathetic and controlling person – myself. It’s understandable. Business owners, bear a lot of burden. We have to fulfill both the role of…
When you get new customers, do you know what happens to them? Are they thrown into a sea of impolite customer service representatives and employees? Are they getting the high-quality product or service you promised them? New sales are but a small part of a successful business. While new customers are important, actually critical, to every business, properly managing and…