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When You Think You Know Your Business
Like the Back of Your Hand,
It's Time for a HEADS UP!!
Business is about PEOPLE!! Owning a business is about bringing what YOU'VE got to the table, telling people about about it in some compelling way and getting them to buy it. This is where we talk to real people about doing real business. This is where the next generation of businesses that hold our world together will be born.
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Effects of Political Decisions and Your Income
Kevin Drum of Washington Monthly talks about the differences in economies under democratic and republican leadership in his article: "Your Salary in 2016 -- The Big Difference Between a McCain or Obama Administratio: Middle-class families will earn about $13,000 more in eight years if Obama wins and $5,000 if McCain wins." The article shares several historical studies that show that under Democratic Leadership, the economy has faired better, consistently. The Gross Domestic Product has grown each year, the stock market performed better, individual incomes increased and annual federal spending decreased each year the nation was lead by a Democrat. Conversely, Republicans tended to decrease taxes on the rich, and showed lower overall economic growth. Prior to election years, the Republicans were able to show great financial gains and controls, then return to less fiscally and nationally inclusive policies once they won the election. Looking at the situation, I have to wonder, based on history, why would I vote Republican. It is like surfing in shark infested waters. People do. I just don't know how much sense it makes.
IT and the Small Business that Could
When you are a small business, it is hard to get your head around some of the new technologies coming around the corner. You've got the obligatory cell phone and the ubiquitous office PC's and maybe some type of laptop computer. You've heard horror stories of losing data, security flaws and frankly contradictory information.  Sometimes, it simply comes down to, "What's the point?" I think that many IT pros will say, "yes, it will make your life better," while other business owners will tell you, "it's easier to do it on pen and paper. The computer is always breaking down." Well, both of these are true. More than likely, your computer will allow you to do all kinds of things much faster, and in a bigger way. The mere fact you can read this article is a testament to that. However, like anything else, you've got to maintain your system, be it you laptop, your server, your smart phone or your email systems. There is no reason to expect that these things won't break down. It would be quite unwise to not have a plan for when the systems do break down. What it comes down to is simple: if you are not an IT pro, you'll want to work with two people: 1- a management consultant like myself who will help you evaluate your entire business and strategies to help you choose the best technologies for your organization, and 2 - an IT consultant who can work with you to make your final decision, with the goal of getting the best solution for your organization, help you learn how to use the system and help you choose a maintenance program that makes sense. In most cases, there is no need to over-purchase your IT solutions. If you are a small business, you are probably not going to be the best candidate for SAP, a blade server system and a full-time tech person. Your consultants should help you make the best decision. Can you afford to hire two consultants? Is it worth it? Well, would it be worth wasting 10,000 on IT that is wrong for your organization that you cannot use? Trust the professionals. Welcome to the 21st Century. "The man who does things makes mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all-doing nothing. " ~Benjamin Franklin Labels: Business Growth Strategies, Process Improvement
Integrity and Sustainability
CNN - Powell Choice Of Obama A Slap To GOP, Analysts Say. One of the reasons for Powell's decision was based on the negative campaign being run by the GOP.  While his decision and explanation carry much more weight, there are many people - inside and outside of America who may feel the same way. Does this mean Senator McCain is less capable then Senator Obama? Not actually. But what does this say about his character, and that of the Republican Party? A "win at all costs" mentality could result in 305,461,482 losers (.t the time of publishing). No one exists in a bubble. As a business owner, you cannot expect to go around the community tearing down other business, customers and employees, and expect to achieve your full potential If you are a small business owner, and you act without character and integrity, your business will more-than-likely fail. I have seen it over and over and over again. I have seen the same business owner fail over and over and over again. You've got to take care of the people, business and communities that take care of you. That doesn't mean that you wait for them to do something - it is not a self-serving activity. You make the first steps without seeking your own objectives. You compete, but you do so with honor, character and integrity. As my friend Robert Rosner would say, be a "Friend for Life." Labels: Business Decisions, Business Path, Business Strategy, Extraordinary, Management and Leadership, Rant, Recession Buster
No Bailouts for Small Business...So What's Next?
Well, the reality is that you've got to evaluate where you are. Your business might be at a critical precipice, and you need to be aware of it. Many economists are  suggesting that this is the time where many poorly run or fly-by-night small businesses are going to be losing their shirts and going out of business. On the other hand, there will be lots of businesses that are going to thrive. They are finding new opportunities, partnering with other businesses and finding ways to move forward. Where are you, and what will make the difference? Is it time to sit down and review those processes and systems? If you need to cut costs, do you know where those costs are? Think about how you might cut costs without compromising the integrity of your organization. That means that you don't cut marketing, training, insurance, etc. You cut out the gourmet coffee service, the gourmet lunches and other luxuries. Take a look at your organization's want/need matrix. If you don't have one, do it now. Lastly, evaluate your organization's SWOT. Identify some new opportunities. Maybe, by taking your company virtual, you can increase some efficiencies and cut some costs. If you switched from land line service to VOIP and mobile services, could you still offer the same great quality products and services your clients come to expect from you? Maybe there is a struggling organization that would expand your organization's capabilities or capacities at some great efficiencies. Remember - this is business. The immutable law of business is just when you think you understand the situation, the situation changes. Labels: Business Decisions, Business Growth Strategies, Business Process, Business Strategy, Cloud Computing, Mobile Office, Recession Buster
Excelling in Your Elevator Speech
It's always interesting giving my own, or listening to someone else's elevator speech. Now, I don't profess to be an expert on the topic. However, I will say that observation and experience are great teachers. Inevitably, I end up in a room full of professionals who are there to evaluate me and my business. Great. This is where I need to stand up and be beautiful for less than three minutes, after going after someone with the linguistics abilities of Senator Barack Obama. What do I say? According to many people I have worked with, I am to memorize this speech that is about 30 seconds long. Well, that never reached the top of my priority list, although I did write something out. This went through numerous revisions, always saying what I wanted to say, but not in a way that people would "get it". Great...a useless moment in time. However...not useless. I learned a few things along the way: 1) don't write it to yourself. Write it so your fifth grader could understand it. 2) don't write it out and memorize it. Use bullet points that you need to cover. 3) don't make it sound memorized or like a commercial. People do business with people they like and trust. 4) don't get caught up in rhetoric. Tell them who, what, when, where and why (5 W's - scary thought, huh?) and get done. 5) don't make it sound like you are throwing up at them. People don't like to be spewed on. 6) don't get wrapped up in your company. People want to know why they might want to meet you, personally. Besides, you might get fired. Go for the relationship. 7) don't act as though you are about to pass out into your chair when you are done. 8) don't forget to smile 9) don't forget to make strong, confident eye contact 10) don't forget to pass out your business cards or refer to it, often. If you can squeeze an offer in there, all the better. Your elevator speech is going to be your first informal conversation with someone. Believe me when I tell you that the relationship is as important, if not more important that the sale. Be clear, act with integrity, and you may have built yourself a better mousetrap.
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