I probably have an advantage in small business that you just don't have. I grew up in a family that owned a small business. Okay, there's nothing you can do about it anymore than I can do anything about being 5 foot 6 inches tall. I'd love to be taller but it is never going to happen. I'm just not … [Read more...]
Small business resource that will save you time and money
A while back my Third Tribe Marketing friend Matt Mansfield interviewed me for his "The Elephant in the Could - How Safe is Your Data?" blog post. I enjoyed the "interview" because it turned into a conversation and Matt and I got a chance to know each other better. Matt is a man of integrity so it … [Read more...]
Small Business 101 Series – Revisited
Last July I took a week to share some of my favorite advice for small business owners. As I look back six months later I realize that these five posts represent cornerstones of how I do business. Perhaps it was the writing of the posts that refocused me. Instead I think it was me writing about what … [Read more...]
Databases for Business and MarketingThe Care and Feeding Of
When you are working with a database for business and find garbage data, just stop. Instead of trying to work around the problem data, take the time to fix the information before proceeding. Next time you need to work with the database you'll be glad you did. Move towards a single database. One way … [Read more...]
Marketing 101: Make the Move Online
The idea to make the move online is such a basic strategy it begs to be a 101 topic. The quandary lies in the fact that moving a traditional offline business on-line turns out to be 201 and 301 subject matter. There will be hard work and pain involved, I promise. Moving online should work with and … [Read more...]
Small Business 101: Twitter is Priceless
Seth Godin took the picture accompanying this post. These are some of the folks I attended the Linchpin Meetup(link to Seth's post where the picture came from) with. I knew one of them before Twitter. Now, in this picture of the Meet-MeMe autographed card set Cindi sent to Seth I am surrounded … [Read more...]
Small Business 101: Yes I Can!
You are presented with the opportunity to work on a difficult and challenging project. You can either say, "No, that's hard" or "Yes, I can make that happen." It's a simple choice that speaks volumes about you. If it was easy anyone could do it. Many years ago my friend and mentor Dean Eggert said … [Read more...]
Small Business 101: This is Not a 9 to 5 Job
Starting and running a small business is hard work. Forgot about 9 to 5 this is not a job. Success, in fact will be defined by working more hours than you dreamed possible and loving every minute of it. You want to change the world? Not in 40 hours a week you're not going too. My guess is you'll … [Read more...]
Small Business 101: Build Recurring Revenue Streams
WordPerfect had the best software tech support ever and they gave it away for free. Please don't do that, the second part anyway. Be the best and charge for it on an ongoing basis. Recurring revenue will sustain you through good times and bad. I can say this because it has worked for me. Several … [Read more...]
Small Business 101: Stop Chasing the Money
Small Business 101. In sixteen years running a small business I have picked up some business techniques I sometimes take for granted. This week I am sharing some of my favorite techniques to help you if you are launching or thinking about launching a business. Nothing will kill a small business … [Read more...]