I know the title sounds like a stretch—how can you plan for the unpredictable? If it's unpredictable, it can't be predicted, much less planned for! But how many times a...
Denial, anger, sadness, and fear are the quiet yet powerful human responses to upheaval inside and outside a business. Unfortunately these strong feelings radiate among your people at the very...
Pay attention to the performance of your employees and offer them the appropriate praise when they do something well. Giving your workers credit when it is due will create a...
In today's tough economy, we all know small businesses need to go the extra mile and beyond to succeed. So how can it be possible that two-thirds of small businesses...
After spending years—sometimes decades—building a successful enterprise, you'll have to make countless decisions about choosing your replacement, such as the impact on your employees, your community, your customers, your financial...
How many times have you received a sales call in which the other person only wants to tell you all about what they're selling? Despite new savvy marketing efforts to...
We've all attended meetings that failed to start on time, ran over, or went off track because the agenda was not followed. When meetings go off course or drag on,...
An essential coping skill for staying cool under pressure—more important than ever in a downturn—is communication. W. Edwards Deming is reported to have once said: "People will do anything rather...
Before I give you a number, let me set the stage. We all get more work done when we are focused and uninterrupted. An effective time management strategy is to...
Ever find yourself in a room with a key prospect and you couldn't succinctly explain your business to her—in less than a minute? Perhaps you rambled on, never getting to...
How do your customers and prospects perceive you? Do you know this based on fact (meaning you've asked them directly or had a third party find the answer for you)...
In challenging times, one of your best resources for new leads can be companies that target the same audience that you do yet offer complementary services or products. By leveraging...
For most businesses today, the bottom line is the only line, and helping protect it is of utmost importance. It may even be tempting to cut safety programs and practices...
It is an established yet sad fact that the most life-threatening job in the nation is a truck driver. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), individuals involved...
With continuing advancements in search engine technology and changes in user behavior, it is essential to ensure your Web site is search-engine-friendly. By implementing the following fundamental organic search engine...
Being an entrepreneur is hard. You are a jack of all trades, master of some, and have more jobs than can fit under one title. To get help, many times...
Whether you're an owner-operator among the 12 million baby boomers poised for retirement or a young entrepreneur considering net worth, getting a read on your business' valuation can be a...
What is it? The Conficker worm (aka Downadup) is a Windows worm that can infect your computer, automatically spreading to other computers across a network. To date, the worm has...
Reports indicate that companies are relying on incremental improvements to existing products to maintain market presence. Research shows that it takes 12 product failures for one successful product launch. This...
Much has been reported in the news to suggest that the availability of outside financing for small businesses has tightened or dried up completely. But this is not the case....
Wanna win? Wanna be the best? Wanna become No. 1 at what you do? There is a way. It isn't easy, but it is simple. 1. Never graduate from grunt...
At one time or another, most small business owners seek loans to fund their companies. Approval of a loan request often depends on how well you present yourself, your business...
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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