When recruiting, I look for a combination of drive, curiosity, and ethics— qualities that all seem fairly typical. But there is an additional attribute that I believe is essential for...
If you are a startup in a competitive marketplace, you probably don't have enough money to engage in branding, but you must have funds allocated to generate leads. The question...
Being acquired is a big deal. It can be scary for the entrepreneur, for employees, and for clients. A plan for navigating this critical transition should be part of any...
Protecting your company's culture is a huge priority when selling the business—especially if you're the entrepreneur who built it. But it's naive to believe that an organization can undergo a...
One of the biggest challenges facing any small business that has become part of a larger organization is making the numbers month in and month out. The level of discipline...
As the recession sets in and consumers continue to tighten their belts, retailers and restaurants are left wondering how to pull more customers through their doors. While many merchants' immediate...
Having a customer who comes back to you time and time again is great. But even better are those customers who tell their friends, write positive reviews, and blog about...
Think for a minute about the companies you're loyal to. It could be the neighborhood pharmacy where the pharmacist knows your name. Or the coffee shop where the barista starts...
As the leader of your small business, your beliefs determine many of the key actions taken and the results generated each day. Although we measure results, rarely do we measure...
Look closely at an unacceptable behavior pattern, and you will likely find a positive intention taken too far. For example, someone who is overly controlling may simply be taking the...
Leadership often means riding a curve ball—so it helps immensely to be flexible about the exact form your desired vision or goal will take. Indeed, small business owners who are...
Want to price your product right? Start by going shopping. Find out what your competitors are selling, and for how much. If you can, buy the competing products, take them...
Your product is most likely priced wrong. The only way to know if it is priced right is to know the production and support costs and add on the profitability....
Networking is an essential activity for any successful entrepreneur. However, while almost everybody networks and eagerly hits all the big events with a fistful of business cards, ultimately the success...
When you choose to enjoy your work, you lead with greater power and you change lives for the better. Small business owners who make enjoyment a high priority are energized...
Typically we think of promotions as a way for new customers to learn about our business. So it's worth remembering that retaining customers and growing revenue within your existing client...
As audiences continue to fragment, integration is increasingly essential to the success of a promotional campaign. One-off promotions and offers have less of an impact on your prospective and existing...
Consumers are increasingly searching for information about local small businesses online, so it makes sense for you to think about your search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. At the same time,...
If you truly want to prepare your workforce for the future, you need to look at it in terms of the generational supply chain. This means you need to have...
The face of the workforce is changing. What's the best way for small business owners to deal with this increasingly diverse environment? Embrace it. There are two ways companies can...
Subconscious assumptions or negative messages that convey an expectation of poor performance are usually made unknowingly by managers. They are often directed toward an individual over time and have the...
Businesses rely on seasoned workers to take the lead in their businesses. However, it's crucial that companies take into consideration the benefits that "millennials" (those born from 1980 on) can...
Want to improve the way you run your business? Entrepreneurs, academics, and consultants from diverse industries offer practical advice on a variety of topics each business day.
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