Trend Hunter’s Megatrends for 2017

'Designing Strategies' Newsletter November – December 2016                      Volume 13 – Issue 74   2016 is coming to its end and 2017 is emerging on the horizon just behind. Out with the old, in with whatever will be new. Baby New Year is trying on his sash for final alterations as Father Time shuffles to his finish line. I started off the day with an exclamation of “Egads, it’s almost December!” Thanksgiving is already behind us and a plethora of year end events and holidays are ahead. On the business side, we rush to get year-end [...]

By |2017-01-11T01:19:09-05:00November 28th, 2016|Newsletter, Strategy, Trends|

Create a Small Business Bucket List to Get What You Want

'Designing Strategies' Newsletter September - October 2016                      Volume 13 -- Issue 73 Have any of you written a personal bucket list? A bucket list is pretty simple, it is just a list of things you want to do and places you want to see during your lifetime. It’s a matter of putting down in written form those hopes and dreams you don’t want to miss out on. Writing them down improves the likelihood they will actually become a part of your reality. Wait! How about creating a Small Business Bucket [...]

By |2017-01-10T01:05:44-05:00September 20th, 2016|Newsletter, Strategic Management, Strategic Planning, Strategy|

Strategic Planning According to Dilbert – Dilbert Asks: “Why Bother?”

'Designing Strategies' Newsletter May - June, 2016                      Volume 13 - Issue 71 One of my favorite comic strips is 'Dilbert' by Scott Adams. Day to day, Dilbert represents corporate America in a way that has never been done before in a syndicated comic strip. My take on the strip is Dilbert represents Generation X, dealing with management in a corporate world run by Baby Boomers.  He has all kinds of opinions, most of which are ignored by his supervisors.  Of course he would have an opinion on strategic planning and [...]

Strategy and Strategic Planning – Critical Processes for Growth & Success

Most successful small businesses owe their growth and success in large part to use of strategy and strategic planning.  This is accomplished through a combination of strategic thinking, planning and management.  Adopting a strategic approach to business operations clearly defines the direction a firm needs to take to achieve leadership's vision of success. So, exactly what is this concept called Strategic Planning?  It is an organized system that begins with envisioning the firm as it will be when it is all grown up. That Vision of your company in its long-term ideal state is further defined in terms of its [...]

By |2018-06-04T02:30:27-04:00January 28th, 2016|Strategic Management, Strategic Planning, Strategy|

Sustainable Small Business Growth – 7 ‘Must-Haves’

'Designing Strategies' Newsletter January - February, 2016                      Volume 13 -- Issue 69 In order for your small business to be wildly… or mildly… successful, it is important to grow the company. A company that grows at a steady pace increases its chance of success. For some small businesses, growth will be successful. For other small businesses, their growth plan may be a complete failure. You might ask: “Why shouldn’t all companies on a growth path be successful?” That does seem logical, doesn’t it? However, without well developed planning and attention [...]

By |2018-03-29T06:36:51-04:00January 19th, 2016|Growth, Newsletter, Strategy|

Marketing: Most People Don’t Know You or Like You – Yet

Is there ever a tipping point when you’ve saturated the market and you no longer need marketing or advertising for your company, its products and services? According to Christopher Ramey, president of The Home Trust International, the answer is no. “The more you’re seen where you’re not expected to be seen, the more you indelibly imprint your brand on your best prospects’ minds.”   Think about some of the big corporate names that have made millions - even billions - selling their products:  Nike, Coca-Cola, Ford.  They certainly have not stopped marketing to put their names in front of consumers. At the [...]

By |2016-12-27T18:24:54-05:00January 8th, 2016|Branding, Marketing, Strategy|

Are You Selling Stuff or Providing Solutions – Very Valuable Solutions?

'Designing Strategies' Newsletter July - August, 2015                     Volume 12 -- Issue 66 "Do you really know what business you are in?"  I ask this question of small business clients on a regular basis. Often I get that 'deer in the headlights' look as they try to decide why I would ask such a question. There I am, sitting in their office or studio where their company name and identity is clearly posted. I know what they are thinking: "Is this a trick question?" or maybe: "Have I hired the right person?" [...]

By |2017-01-09T01:21:38-05:00July 18th, 2015|Customer Experience, Newsletter, Sales, Strategy|

Raise Your Fees – Today!

Every small business owner operating under a consulting business model of one type or another - interior designers, architects, accountants, website developers, coaches and others - either wants or needs to make more money. The problem is, if they are still operating in a solo capacity, they seldom have any time open in their schedule to take on more customers.  With little time to work on their company because they spend so much time working in their company, important things like figuring out how to make more money gets pushed to a back burner.  Hmmm, maybe it's time to raise your fees. They [...]

By |2016-12-27T18:50:25-05:00May 28th, 2015|Pricing Strategy, Strategy|

Important Best Practices for Small Business Success

'Designing Strategies' Newsletter May - June 2015                     Volume 12 -- Issue 65   9 Important Best Practices for Small Business Success We have been in and out, then in and out again, of an economic recession that just doesn’t seem to want to give up. When you think about it, that is exactly how the economy works – it has ups and downs over and over again throughout the life of every small business. That’s just the way it is. Company leaders who decide to operate all the time in [...]

By |2017-01-08T05:55:11-05:00May 19th, 2015|Growth, Newsletter, Sales, Strategy|

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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