In these uncertain times, now more than ever we need to set a game plan for our business for the upcoming year. The goals you made in the past may need to be adjusted for the current and future situations. Focus on increasing your marketing to make up for the decrease in sales you may
Management
Good management skills are crucial to having an efficient and productive team. The following articles focus on proactive management, thinking outside the box, and problem solving strategies to foster a more successful business.
Be Proactive Not Reactive
How often do we hear that we should be more proactive and wonder how we could possibly be more proactive than we already are? In this article I would like to explore the ways in which we are reactive and the ways in which we can turn that around to be truly proactive. Unfortunately there
Business from Outside the Box
How often have you been frustrated because things are just not going the way they are supposed to? I hear this lament from clients all the time. Another common complaint I hear is: “there isn't anything I can do about it because … ." You can fill in the blank. I have heard reasons for
Keeping It Simple
By focusing on the positive aspects of our businesses and all areas within our businesses, we can create an environment that fosters success and personal fulfillment. Although we recognize that there are bound to be some problems and setbacks, it's how we handle them that determines success or failure. Let's see how this would apply
Taking Measure
With the end of the football season behind us and the start of baseball just around the corner I am reminded of some of the things these sports have in common with our businesses. For one, they are both games with the goal of winning. Although you may not always think of your business as
What You Don’t Do
We often think that it's those things that we do that can hurt us; but what about those things that we forget? We are all familiar with the saying "ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law". This is equally true with regard to running your business. Let's look at some of those important things
Predicting People
The one common, underlying aspect to all areas of business and life itself is people. Whether we are trying to market, sell, run a business or handle employees, we need to understand people. How often have you produced a wonderful ad only to be disappointed in its results, or thought you had a great sales
When Danger Looms Ahead
There come times in all of our lives or businesses when we feel drastic actions are needed. When faced with continually declining situations or ongoing trouble, we often feel the need to do something, but the question often is what? Sometimes an ongoing non-optimum life or business situation can be tolerable for awhile and then
What’s Normal?
What is normal and how do you know whether or not your business is normal, below normal or above. There are probably as many answers to this question as there are businesses, so let's look at how you can actually define what normal is for you. Unfortunately, in the light of the economic conditions we
Affluence – When Things Go Really Well
When things in our lives and businesses go really well, what do we do? I have often seen people who have suddenly sold a big job or "hit the jackpot" go out and spend it all, or worse, buy something on credit. The reasoning is if things are so good now, they will continue to
Measuring Success
As we ushered in the New Year, I am sure many of us made the typical New Year's Resolutions, and are looking forward to a successful year for our businesses and ourselves. Hopefully we have all established or renewed our goals and plans for this upcoming year. This is the perfect time of year to
Recipes for Success
Although defining and measuring business statistics is a very important tool in managing and leading a business to success, it is even more important to use these statistics for improving your business. Rather than just looking at the numbers which represent the various areas of your business, and celebrating the ups or bemoaning downs, we
Remodel Your Business For Success
What comes to mind when we say remodel? A new kitchen or bathroom perhaps or maybe an extension on someone’s house? Why remodel? People remodel for a number of reasons: greater functionality or efficiency, more space, aesthetics, and so on. Often it’s to make room for a growing family, but sometimes it’s to support a
