Sunday, January 11th, 2009
As small business owners and leaders, not only are we charged with
creating the vision for our organization... but also for ensuring that the vision becomes a reality. It is the heart of leadership. This requires a three step process which is continuous for the duration of the business: 1) Make Plans 2) Take Action 3) Evaluate…
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Tags: accountability, actions, challenges, coaches, coaching, commitment, dedication, evaluation, game plan, goal setting, micro-goals, monday morning, obstacles, performance review, plans, processes, scenarios, small business, small business leadership, small business owner, solutions, strategic goals, tactics, team, threats, vision
Posted in leadership
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Friday, November 21st, 2008
"But Mom... everyone else gets to go! Bobby gets to go!!!"
"And if Bobby jumped in the lake... would you jump in too?"
my mother calmly asked.
I hated that question... but looking back, it was probably good advice. Just replace the "jumped in the lake" part with any number of activities that were sure to lead to trouble.
In fact, as I think about it today... Mom's old adage is probably good advice for marketers as well.
You…
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Tags: best customers, big boxes, bold moves, conventional wisdom, customer expectations, customer needs, customers, employees as marketers, game plan, industry standards, jump in the lake, leader, leadership lost, main street, marketers, marketing, marketing discipline, marketing errors, marketing plan, mom, small business, small business owner, wal-mart
Posted in leadership, marketing
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
In another post, we talked about the dangerous volume of accounts receivable being carried by many companies, as well as the importance of setting up business terms that not only make sense for you and your customers, but also ensure that you stay in business long enough to accomplish your missions and make an impact. We covered seven steps, which you can
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Tags: accounts receivable, banker, business owner, cash, cash flow, coaching, collections, competition, competitors, conversations, customer needs, customers, danger, defensiveness, diligence, economy, excellence, expectations, fixes, game plan, growth, habits, honesty, improvements, incentives, innovation, listening, new accounts, new business, opportunities, peace of mind, performance review, processes, relationships, repairs, respect, success, terms of business, testimonials, training
Posted in getting it right
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
"We've got some cash flow issues, and I'm really getting concerned... especially now with the credit crunch", a small business owner related.
"What's the average age of your receivables?" I asked.
"Forty-five, maybe sixty days." Two clarifying questions later, we determined it was actually closer to ninety days.
"And what are your terms?" I inquired.
Immediately he responded "Net 30."
Here is a firm that is…
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Tags: accountability, accounts, accounts receivable, agreement, ambiguity, analysis, benefits, billing, business, business owner, business terms, cash flow, challenges, clarification, coaching, competition, competitive advantage, confidence, confusion, consistent, credit, customers, details, economy, excellence, expectations, fees, financial, fiscal, game plan, habits, incentives, industry standards, leader, market, message, money, on-boarding, optimizing, options, orientation, payment, purpose, receivables, respect, service, stability, staff, terms of business, training
Posted in getting it right
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