Business PerspectivesBranch Mentality and Sanctuary Cities Every multi-unit company suffers from branch mentality. I’ve worked with many, and no matter how much they promote a corporate culture and team spirit, branch mentality creeps in sometimes. It comes in two versions; the outposts’ attitude and the headquarter’s … Read More » The Entrepreneurship Meritocracy For those of us who compete in the entrepreneurship meritocracy, listening to the complaints of those who are employed can sometimes be irksome. I recently sat at an open table for an event. One of the other guests there was … Read More » Employee Experience: Is Bigger Better? Small businesses provide much of the initial employee experience. We take younger folks and teach them decent work habits like showing up every day, being on time, and working to deadlines. As owners, our personal skills may not be sufficient. We … Read More » |
Exit PlanningExit Strategy – Harvest or Grow? In every internal transfer, whether to family or employees, the owner/seller has to make the harvest or grow decision. We’ll presume that your business has already reached a point where its value meets or exceeds your financial objectives as the … Read More » Owner Obstacles to an Exit Plan Owner obstacles to the implementation of an exit plan are often unconscious, but they can be dramatic. Their attachment to the business can be difficult to break. An advisor spends a lot of time and energy developing the vision for … Read More » Entreprenuers Don't Use Rearview Mirrors Entrepreneurs don’t use rearview mirrors. All business owners are goal oriented. From the day you founded or assumed control of your company, you set targets and achieved them. That is why you are successful. You know how to define a … Read More » |
Managing EmployeesReturn to Work Owner's Guide Return to work policies are a new COVID-related minefield for business owners to negotiate. As more states make COVID control measures less restrictive or optional, the “requirements” of a safe workplace, and what we can demand of employees, are becoming … Read More » Internal Leaders Affect the Value of Your Business Internal leaders may not be obvious and can influence your team either positively or negatively. If you fail to identify them, however, you could see a dramatic effect on the value of your company. Read More » Ebenezer Wasn't the Only Boss Each year I reprint a post from 2013 about the underappreciated boss of A Christmas Carol, Mr. Fezziwig. I hope that you enjoy it. Merry Christmas! This week was the 177th anniversary of the publication of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas … Read More » |
Marketing and SalesNever Fire a Salesperson The majority of business owners prefer linking pay to employee performance. The sales role in most businesses is the easiest and most obvious place to begin. Yet owners struggle with compensating salespeople in a manner that is affordable while still driving sustained performance. Building … Read More » Invisible Discounts In the words of the late, great Father Guido Sarducci of Saturday Night Live fame; “I canna teach you everything you need to know about business inna fiva minutes. You buya something, and thena you sell it for more.” A … Read More » Marketing for Trust Why are car dealer commercials so crappy? I’m not talking about the manufacturers’ ads. Those cost millions and have big-name professional spokespeople. The regional marketing association ads aren’t quite as flashy, but Ford Truck Month or End of Year sales for the … Read More » |