While working with several new clients (item creators) whose main thrust was to maintain the creative posture of their business and have others sell their products, I found the root of their problem, a bad presentation. In developing this blog I researched firms that were service providers and found that they also had a need for a presentation process. While there is not “one way” to put together an effective presentation, there has to be a worthwhile presentation to obtain the new … [Read more...]
The social media button…a must for small businesses
May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Last week we looked at how to brand your business; the many different options should help you create a brand that now can be marketed. Today we will focus on a magic window that can project your brand and story to everyone in the world. Keeping track of a small business, the production part, is such a major undertaking that names such as Facebook, Twitter, linkedin, e-newletters, and blogging seem like a playground for young people of the high tech generation. Few people thought that it … [Read more...]
Strengths and Weaknesses, a ncessary evaluation in forming a small business plan
May 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
In the development of our Strategic Focus Plan an important exercise is assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the owner(s) or management team. (Both individual and business strengths and weaknesses are to be included in the formation of the list). I ask the participants to be honest with me and with themselves when creating this list. Once the list is complete, the next step is to prioritize both the strengths and weaknesses. The strengths are prioritized based upon their importance to the … [Read more...]
No such thing as a “Boiler Plalte Business Plan”
May 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
There is no such thing as a boiler plate business plan, nor, for that matter a business plan that is completed by a business owner himself. They may be called business plans, but in the long run they serve no useful purpose other than to have the business owner say, “Yes, I have a business plan”. I have spent over 25 years facilitating the creation of personalized, value based, strategic focus plans. In those years I found that the level of success a company has is directly proportional … [Read more...]
More than one option, why yours?
May 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
In the business world, each of us has a goal of making our product or service better in some way so that our target market will select us and even, be willing, to pay a price premium. Marketing is telling our story to our target market. We can make changes in our products and services, but unless our target market understands the benefits, how our products and services will provide greater value to them, we will not gain market share. Price, the cost of the service/product, is usually one … [Read more...]
Business owner, retirement is coming…be prepared
May 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
According to a survey by the Society of Actuaries of 1600 retired or close-to-retirement investors 45-80, just 35% said they have a detailed retirement road map designed to manage the risk of running out of money. This survey, along with increasing life expectancy, rising health costs, inflation, and a very uncertain economy, should make every business owner very concerned. This survey was conducted with current investors; many small business owners are fully invested in their business … [Read more...]
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