stevebuelow.com
Okay, so you've reviewed the goals you had coming into 2008. You know why you hit some... and missed others. You've studied the circumstances that diverted your attention, stole your thunder, or maybe even sidelined you for part of the year. But more importantly, you have created a plan to deal with those obstacles in the future. It doesn't mean you won't be tested; it does mean that next time... you'll… 
A few additional thoughts as you finalize your list of goals for the new year. First, be sure that they are important to you; that they are worthy of the sacrifice you may need to make in terms of time, energy, and expense. Second, organize them into bite size pieces...
Just forty-eight hours to go. Forty-eight hours in which to put the cap on all the goals that were set for 2008... back when we still had 8784 hours (thanks to the leap year) to accomplish them. During this week, people naturally reflect on the past twelve months, make decisions about priorities, and prepare for the coming year. It's a process that leaders constantly go through. ************************************************************************************************************… 
As we're out and about, going from store to store... the same two-sentence conversations are happening everywhere. The question is familiar to all of us, "Can I help you?"... as is the response, "No thanks... I'm just browsing." I recently noticed that I seem to be giving that answer more and more these days, but alas... I must now admit that it is not really true. You see, it may be just me, but the fact is that if I am… 
Seasons are important. Many small businesses do half their annual volume during 'their' season, whenever that is, and however long it lasts. If you are involved in retailing... web-based or traditional, the last six weeks may have been your season. If you are an accountant, your season begins next month. Tourism, sports, construction, and recreation all have seasons, as do all of the businesses that support them. Even churches… 
The lead story at every news break today was that Black Friday was back... this time for real as retailers braced for a flood of returns the day after Christmas. Talk about dedicated and loyal customers... and the stores' response? The airwaves were full of marketing messages... well, it was really just the same old message, repeated by everyone: WE'VE SLASHED PRICES EVEN FURTHER!!! TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 50% OFF! Wait... MAKE THAT… 
The news media continues to try and be relevent by telling people what they ought to do, ought to buy, and ought to spend (or not), based on what other anonymous people are doing, buying, and spending. Of course, the mainstream are less relevent each day, though they will still do their best to scare and depress the dwindling numbers of remaining faithful. So now that they've all but stripped Christmas out of Christmas, we hear that… 
I got a call today from someone who raved about the service they received yesterday while flying United Airlines through Chicago. This... on one of the busiest travel days of the year, in the middle of a major winter storm that cancelled 500 flights at O'hare in the last 24 hours. Service so excellent, they're telling everyone... and planning to blog about it too. The customer is… 
You would love to have me for a customer. It's not just because of the volume of stuff I would buy, though of course that's important to you. And it's also not just because my understanding of your need to make a profit means that I won't nickel and dime you every step of the way, though that certainly makes life more pleasant for you. No, you would love to have me as a customer because, if I am satisfied... if I am treated well... if I feel appreciated...… 
One of the most common frustrations I hear from small business owners is that their employees just don't treat the business with the same degree of care that the owners do. These concerns generally come from one of two areas... finance or marketing, and are often expressed by statements like: "I can't believe they did, or said, that... couldn't they see how that would affect the customer... isn't it obvious what the right course of action should… 
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