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Common Small Business Pain Points

If owning and operating a small business successfully was easy, everyone would be doing it.  So many entrepreneurs dive into the small business pool with little or no research or preparation under their belt.  That approach causes some entrepreneurs to sink to the bottom right away, or just tread water.  Either way will leave them in one place with no movement in a positive direction.  Somehow, they think they can do it – often alone - then find themselves struggling to survive.  Small business pain points can take you down if not addressed. Without pre-planning and setting up business processes, [...]

By |2019-08-22T16:24:50-04:00April 7th, 2019|Business Planning, Employees, Growth, Sales, Strategy, Systems and Processes|
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Small Business Experts to Call When Business Gets Dicey

No, don't call 'Ghostbusters' when you need help with your Small Business.  If you saw the original Ghostbusters movies back in  the mid- to late-1980s, you remember how messy and destructive that kind of help can be. Definitely not the kind of assistance you want. Unless poltergeists have invaded your company, it’s best to look for small business experts who can provide help in specific parts of your business that aren't going well. Small businesses operate on 'minimal' these days.  Minimal budgets, minimal time to get things done, minimal staff are typical of today’s modus operandi.  You name it; bare [...]

By |2019-04-23T17:41:30-04:00February 16th, 2019|Business Planning, Strategic Management, Strategic Planning, Strategy|
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Focused Planning for Success: 5 Important Steps

  Focused planning is a key component for every successful business. Business planning, strategic planning, marketing plans and  short term project plans count.  Even succession planning and retirement planning are important.  In whatever format,  all  focused plans include clear direction to a company’s efforts to succeed. Those who regularly read our 'Designing Strategies' newsletter and blog know that I am an avid believer in planning for success.  I am convinced that the planning process is the most important thing business leaders and managers can do to assure achieving their unique vision of success.   Here are five important steps that need [...]

By |2016-12-27T19:08:29-05:00November 27th, 2014|Business Planning, Market Planning, Strategic Planning, Strategy|
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The Business You Deserve – Have You Achieved it Yet?

"At age 50, everyone has the face he deserves." ~ George Orwell, Novelist   As a small business owner, you have visions and dreams of launching and building a successful business.  What Success means to you personally can vary.  But, can you honestly tell yourself that you have achieved the business that you deserve? I'm not entirely sure where Mr. Orwell got his perspective on faces being deserved. I doubt that in his heyday people were inundated with advertisements for facial creams and cosmetic surgery to improve their looks.  Back then, people believed a few wrinkles and age spots were signs [...]

By |2020-11-11T19:06:04-05:00February 29th, 2012|Business Planning, Strategic Planning|
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Will Your Solutions Work If You Can’t See the Problem?

"It’s not that they can't see the solution, it's that they can’t see the problem." –G.K. Chesterton   'Scandal of Father Brown' (1935) Back in 1935, English author and essayist, G. K. Chesterton  realized that many people had more difficulty recognizing their problems and challenges than in finding solutions for them.    Decades later, many entrepreneurs and business leaders continue to have this shortcoming. Even now,  in our modern world, many startups avoid analyzing potential challenges.  What could be better than analyzing potential problems and preparing solutions to deal with them?  Makes you wonder just how far we've come during those decades, doesn't it? [...]

By |2016-12-29T00:26:25-05:00December 29th, 2011|Business Planning|
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Do you know your core values? They’re a big part of your brand.

.Situations where your core values most closely align with customers and their needs will always result in a higher level of success.  Small business owners and entrepreneurs often all into the trap of taking on any project or client that comes along.  Often this happens out of fear that something that is a better fit may not come their way.  So, they agree to do the project even if the new opportunity doesn't align with their core values.   What are core values? In a chaotic world where constant, rapid change is fast becoming the norm, it is important for companies, even solo-preneurs, to [...]

By |2016-12-29T01:36:58-05:00July 12th, 2011|Branding, Business Planning, Strategic Planning|
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You Need to Define Your Value Now!

When you were getting ready to launch your business, hopefully you never had this conversation, 'live' or just in your head. "I want to have the cheapest product on the market." or "I want my services to be the least expensive." Surely you never intended to be known as offering the least expensive product or service  available.  Unless you are Walmart, K-Mart or another business based on a business model of deep discounts, think long and hard about your pricing and the value you bring to customers.  Clearly, you did not define value, so it's time to define your value [...]

By |2016-12-29T18:25:26-05:00June 25th, 2011|Business Planning, Pricing Strategy|
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