Business with Class

by Michael Hess - August 2, 2011

Nokia's new (er, old) marketing direction is to make product naming a numbers game. Are digits the best way to sell widgets?

by Michael Hess - July 28, 2011

You want that sale so badly it hurts... but if you get too desperate, it might just hurt a lot more.

by Michael Hess - July 18, 2011

Last week we thought we had alienated all of our customers in one fell swoop. Here's how we headed off a major headache.

by Michael Hess - July 12, 2011

A relative and advisor of mine told me that I'm too eager to please and it's holding back my business. What do you think?

by Michael Hess - June 28, 2011

When you focus on trying to make your competitors look bad, chances are you'll come out looking worse.

by Michael Hess - June 20, 2011

Check out some of these small enhancements that can have a huge impact on how the rest of the world views your business.

by Michael Hess - June 13, 2011

How do you base your pay increase decisions, and has the economy affected the way you handle compensation changes? Take this poll and let us know.

by Michael Hess - June 6, 2011

No matter what your process -- scientifically developed interviews, personality tests, essay questions -- you will never truly know, who you've hired until after their first day on the job.

by Michael Hess - May 26, 2011

If your employee is looking for a new job, chances are you're paying him to do so. Is that OK? And if not, is there really anything you can do about it?

by Michael Hess - May 12, 2011

Does your business have a little junk in the trunk? Here are three quick tips to improve your financials by avoiding flabby assets.

by Michael Hess - May 10, 2011

The airline upcharge situation is a fee-asco. But it didn't have to be. There are ways to address your pricing needs without alienating your customers. It's all in the presentation.

by Michael Hess - April 14, 2011

Most of our professional communication is now non-verbal, and that trend is going nowhere but up. It doesn't bode well for human relationships, and it's really bad for business.

by Michael Hess - April 12, 2011

This 80-year-old family business could teach a master class in how to make customers happy. Here's what they're doing right.

by Michael Hess - March 31, 2011

It's an admirable bit of encouragement but sometimes it's just bad advice. Here are three signs that it's time to quit.

by Michael Hess - March 17, 2011

Are you in business to make as much money as you possibly can? Is there such a thing as "enough?" Take this poll and let us know how much the dollar dominates for you.

by Michael Hess - February 11, 2011

Even if you're starting up from a home office, there's no excuse for not making your business look like a business. The first step: Ditch the bunny slippers.

by Michael Hess - February 3, 2011

Upselling is a tried-and-true sales tool that can pay dividends for many businesses. But do it wrong, and you risk alienating the very people whose business you're trying to increase.

by Michael Hess - January 27, 2011

How do you keep your head on straight, staying positive and focused, during the inevitable trials, tribulations, and stresses of business life? I asked and the small business community answered.