Tag Archives: entrepreneurship

Goals are More than Just Resolutions

Most of us (at least those who don’t own retail businesses) are in low-power mode at this time of year. Double midweek days off and decompression following the holiday rush allows us time to think. For many, that thinking naturally turns … Continue reading

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

2 Responses to Goals are More than Just Resolutions

  1. Frank Benzoni P.E. Retired says:

    Once again a great adaptation of what to do and why – Excellent writing John !!

    Frank

    Merry Christmas and a Happy 2015

  2. Claud Gilmer says:

    Hi John!
    Good info & timely reminder!
    Here’s to a successful 2015!
    Thanks, Claud

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Is Uber Really Disruptive Technology?

I attended a technology awards event a few nights ago. The speaker extolled technology as the engine of change and economic development, while attendees posted pictures of each other for the Pinterest feed on the screens to either side of … Continue reading

Posted in Thoughts and Opinions | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

2 Responses to Is Uber Really Disruptive Technology?

  1. David Basri says:

    I am generally in agreement with Awake at 2 O’clock articles, but respectfully disagree with this one. What Uber has done is clearly disruptive to the traditional taxi industry. Previously the only phone number that would connect someone who wants a ride with someone who could provide one, was to a taxi company. Taxi company are a silo or vertical business model. Uber, and the other ride-share companies, have made it much more horizontal. The barrier to becoming part of a ride-share fleet is very low.

    John correctly identifies that as a serious issue that will need to be dealt with. The barrier is very low and government is largely out of the dynamic (which is both good news and bad news). Of course one could argue that it is a classic case of a consumer accepting increased risk in return for decreased cost. The industry will have to evolve to deal with the issues, but it has pretty clearly been a disruptive shift in a long’standing business model.

    • John F. Dini says:

      Thanks David, but I still don’t see how Uber inherently does more than a taxi company (match people wanting a ride with affiliated drivers who are willing to do so for pay.) Some folks read my article as an argument against Uber. Not at all. I’ve used the service, will again, and think it is terrific. The artificial market constraints of medallions that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in return for a middle-class wage should be removed. Uber is shaking up the industry, and I applaud them. Like you, I worry about the impact of claiming a right to work outside the public safety system. Working outside other regulations that exists merely to stifle competition? Go for it!

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The Secret to Growing a $1 million company by 5X

In my work with hundreds of small business owners, I’ve noticed that there are two “danger zones” where an owner may, consciously or unconsciously, prevent his or her company from growing any further. The first zone lies at about $1 … Continue reading

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3 Responses to The Secret to Growing a $1 million company by 5X

  1. Larry Amon says:

    John, Very true. Setting and achieving growth goals as part of every day business is what it takes to grow from a $1 Million a year company to one 5 times larger. This was a practice that we used to grow my company from $100K to $5 Million in less than 5 years and be on the INC 500 list as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S.
    Larry Amon

  2. John H. says:

    Although occasionally I have run into a business owner with a personal bias with regard to anything perceived as “corporate”. So implementing processes, or giving up tight control, is avoided. But for many SMB’s the observations shared in your post should are exactly what is needed.

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How Can You Sell a Business to a Buyer Who’s Broke?

According to a recent report from the Federal  Reserve Bank, over half (52%) of Americans could not pay for a $400 car repair without borrowing. We can assume that most of these folks would not be legitimate prospects to purchase … Continue reading

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3 Responses to How Can You Sell a Business to a Buyer Who’s Broke?

  1. Neil Arthur says:

    can you identify the source of the chart stats? thanks, N

  2. What John Dini writes is so true. Seller financing sells businesses. Savvy buyers expect the seller to have some skin in the game post-acquisition.

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The Luxury of No Resources

Among the Baby Boomer business owners who are beginning to plan their retirement, there are millions who founded the companies they plan to sell. Many of these were technicians when they started. They began as employees, and then used their … Continue reading

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