When I start work with a new client, we almost always talk about raising their prices. If you and I started working together, we’d have that conversation! Why is that? Because you are likely undercharging for your services! Having these conversations with hundreds of business owners, I’ve found four beliefs that undermine our willingness to…
I just got back from a long vacation with my family where we spent time in the mountains seeing beautiful sights, having experiences we’ll remember for a lifetime, and getting lots of rest. On the plane home, I reflected that I spend a lot of time working hard to bring money in to spend a…
Over the last few days, we’ve talked about creating an openness to finding the right new opportunities to grow your business. But even if you keep your glass-half-full and know what kind of opportunities your business is looking for, there’s one surefire way to make sure you neither see nor execute on any growth opportunities. Busyness…
Businesses grow through stages. Just like babies become toddlers, who become kids, teenagers, and eventually adults, businesses grow through distinctive phases. In each phase, there are particular opportunities that the owner needs to focus on to maximize their rate of growth. Let’s look at each phase with some examples. The start-up phase Every business starts…
Almost every owner I talk to wants their business to grow. That’s especially true when you are under $2M in annual sales – where growth is imperative for survival (for you and the business)! Some owners are amazing at this. They are spotting growth opportunities all the time! They tend to have a “glass-half-full” approach…
Saying no to our pet projects or marketing tactics that attract our eyes is one thing, but saying no to clients; that’s something else. I’ve thought of four times when you absolutely need to say “no” to a client or opportunity. 1. When it moves you off of your mission or values This one is…
I had lunch with a friend this week who’s been attending to his father, whose health is failing. During lunch, he told me that his father’s big advice to him during this time has been to “not wait.” If there’s something you’ve been meaning to do, something that you want to accomplish, do it now!…
The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say “no” to almost everything. ~ Warren Buffet If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about being really successful it’s Warren Buffet. He was a millionaire by 30 (in 1940, when there were a lot fewer millionaires), he’s made…
When you put together a proposal for a piece of work you’d be perfect for, how long is the document you are creating? Do you wax poetic about your “proprietary process? Do you include bios of your key people? Have you added case studies of similar projects? Or do you create a one-page summary that…
Our workplaces are changing; whether you are planning to be fully remote or partially remote, there will be more of your team working away from the office in the future than there was in the past. One of the fears leaders have is how this shift will impact company culture over the long term. Is…