5 Owner Competencies Required for Rapid Business Growth

Business Growth Improves with Planning

There are dozens of articles and blog posts written every day about what you need to really grow a business.  Most tout the most obvious aspect – more money and financing; better marketing; added sales; a raving customer; etc. Tell me something … [Read more...]

5 Questions Help You Get Past Shiny Object Syndrome

Shiny Object Syndrome

I see small business owners get distracted from their main vision all the time.  It’s amazing how many owners have attention deficit disorder (ADD). ADD can be a strength in business.  But, it also presents its challenges by creating what I … [Read more...]

4 Tactics to Jumpstart Your Sales

Woman on Phone

Ok, so how did Q1 sales end up?  Were they where they needed to be, or are you already behind on your 2013 goal? Well, your sales won’t just happen.  You have to plan and work the plan.  But, you want to work smart! There are only 3 … [Read more...]

What’s Your Greatest Challenge in Exiting Your Business?

Businessman with World on Shoulders

Is Your Business Ready for You to Leave? Last week I post a question, “What's Your Greatest Challenge in Exiting Your Business?”, on LinkedIn.  My intent was to get some feedback before writing the next few weeks’ posts on “exit/succession … [Read more...]

Tuning Your Revenue Engine – A Real World Story

Businessman Juggling

Last week I discussed how fear of taking action can be the killer of dreams.  One reason business owners don’t take action is they don’t understand the cause and effect of their business actions. The week before last I wrote about how you … [Read more...]

Personal Credit Card Usage for Business May be More Pain Than Relief

The number of people using their personal credit cards for business purpose is growing and that might just prove to be a disastrous financial decision given the risk of mixing pleasure with business. The National Federation of Independent Businesses … [Read more...]

Make Your Own Way Because the Time Is Never Right!

Businessman Under a Glass

It amazes me how many small businesses are frozen with fear of the unknown.  For years most businesses struggled.  First it was the weight of the financial crisis.  Then it was healthcare.  Next, it was the election.  Now, what is the … [Read more...]

Become Proactive Instead of Reactive with Your Revenue!

Forecasting Revenue Crystal Ball

Are You Watching the Wrong Business Metric? We’re almost at the end of the first quarter.  So, the smart businesses are beginning to look at their revenue to see if they’re on target for the year or not.  Are you going to make it? While … [Read more...]

3 Things You Must Know Before Engaging in Content Marketing

Small Growth Content Marketing Collage

Last week I discussed the process of developing personas so you understand who you’re talking to and what message that you need to be delivering to them.  Once you know who you’re talking to and what to say, who do you engage them? Today … [Read more...]

4 Steps to Speaking to Your Customer Personas

Customer Personas

Last week we talked about how to make your marketing 10 times more effective.  My point then was by refining your message to the personas that are your prospects improves your communication.  Thus, you have better results in connecting with your … [Read more...]

How to Make Your Marketing 10 Times More Effective!

Segment Your Target Marketing

OK, it’s been a while since I hit the topic of marketing, so I figured it was time again.  Plus, I read a pretty good article titled Small businesses use targeted marketing to contact specific customers It amazes me how many small business … [Read more...]

6 Step to Creating A High-Impact Growth Strategy

Business Growth Strategy

I have advocated for years that growing a small business is a defined and repeatable process.  The past few weeks I shared all the definitive research and available resource to support my premise. My hope is you now have an appreciation for the … [Read more...]

Finding Your Business’ Growth Stage!

Questions

Last week I set the stage for understanding contributing factors to growth.  Also, it’s important to understand what’s required in each of these factors changes as you move through the stage of growth. But if you don’t understand where you … [Read more...]

Do You Know Your Business’ Growth Cycle Stage?

Coming Soon Post It low res

This month’s focus is on the growth stages.  This is one of those critical topics that nobody really talks about. A business matures just like a person.  If left to chance you can see the level of maturity of people.  A business is no … [Read more...]

Do You Really Know What You’re Chasing?

Why

I was attending a local networking event today.  The presenter was a local serial-entrepreneur that shared his most recent success story and his philosophy on what he felt was important to entrepreneurial success. Everything he said was right on … [Read more...]

Is Your Goal Already Leaving You Behind?

Train Pulling Away

Ok, so it’s the week 3 of the New Year.  Did you make a New Year’s resolution for business growth?  If so, where are you tracking so far, and will you make it? Most will tell me, “it’s too early to tell?”  But, is it?!!! There are … [Read more...]

Leadership’s Most Important Factor

Ignite Passion

Last week a local story caught my attention as it exemplified the question often asked about leadership.  What is the most important factor that influences good leadership? A coach from a local high school with an tremendous record was hired by a … [Read more...]

Are You Missing a Piece of Your Business Growth Plan?

Putting the Pieces Together

Last week’s post was directed at those who set business growth as a goal for New Year.  While the 7 questions addressed in the post are critical, they are not all the pieces to the growth puzzle. The 7 questions only address the business … [Read more...]

7 Questions You Must Answer to Achieve Your Resolution for Business Growth

New Year Resolution

Many business owners enter the New Year with a goal of growing their business.  But, making this resolution creates many objectives that if not addressed early in the year will leave you without your resolution for growth unacheived at the end of … [Read more...]