Why I Hate New Year’s Resolutions
As we look to our own or our clients’ businesses, keep in mind that New Year’s resolutions should be realistic and incorporated with a well thought-out plan of action in order to be successful.
Scenes from a Wedding – A Different Approach
Just like a wedding planner, as a business consultant, I am familiar with the common elements that all businesses must have. And I have seen all the choices, the challenges, the mistakes and the victories that countless teams have made. And the things all of them have to do to be successful.
Scenes from a Wedding
Weddings are a lot like business. Every business is different. It has a unique offering, a different market, a different set of players and a different culture. But every business has to market, sell, serve its customers and keep the organization running efficiently. And they all take a lot of planning.
Summertime – A Different Approach
Knowing where your company falls into this set of three groups is a major part of the battle. But the big question remains—once you know, what can you do about it?
Summertime, and the livin’ ain’t so easy
Business owners and the advisors who serve them need to acknowledge where their companies stand. Here are a few sign posts to look for in each area.
Marathons and business ownership
Building a business, like running, is easier if you’re not doing it alone. If you’re not hitting on all cylinders for business (or your career), consider getting a proven business coach to improve your results. Remember, in down business cycles, you have to think differently to achieve outstanding results.
Who’s Got Money – A Different Approach
Now is not the time to take your lender’s word on the safety of your financial relationship. It is time for your company’s finance people to meet with other bankers and get them familiar with your company—just in case your current banker pressures you to refinance elsewhere.
Reading List: Disrupting ClassDisrupting Class by Clay Christensen, Michael Horn and Curtis Johnson
In this book, he and his co-authors make the case that the entire field of education will be disrupted by computer-aided learning.
Coping with Recession – A Different Approach
Instead of being paralyzed by fear and the day’s headlines, get feedback on who’s doing what. Keep an ear out for which weakening competitor you can exploit by taking customers or standout employees. Access to capital is crucial these days and if you have it, you can take advantage of it.
Coping with Recession
I met with a business owner/client last week. He described his business outlook by saying, “I can’t see the bottom. 2009 will be about survival for my business.”
