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- It’s Time To “Just Say No More” To Intrusive Abusive Government - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2009 from Geoff FickeA fitting metaphor for the young 21st century, and the ever-increasing intrusiveness of government at all levels, is this weeks news stories detailing the total lack of progress in rebuilding the World Trade Center. This is the cherry on top of the proverbial bitter bureaucratic sundae. Is this ...
Views: 1109(1 vote) - When the Customer Won't Pay - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2009 from Janet Attardby Janet Attard As the recession grinds on, more and more businesses and consumers are feeling the pinch. Hit by a double whammy of lower-than-expected sales and difficulty in getting credit, some businesses and consumers are trying to solve their cash problems by paying their bills more ...
Views: 1125(1 vote) - Small business coach or mentor? Which is the right choice for me? - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2009 from Hannah McNamaraThe terms small business coach or business mentor are often used interchangeably within the business world, but what do people really mean when they talk about small business coaching or business mentoring? And how are they different from executive coaching or life coaching? Countless ...
Views: 1007(2 votes) - 4 Ways to Gracefully Set Boundaries In Your Business - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2010 from Alicia ForestOne of the many things I discovered when on my recent private retreat with my mentor coach Kendall Summerhawk was that I sometimes still have a tendency to bend in situations where I shouldn’t. Not actually bend-over backwards, but enough that I end up not feeling good about the situation. I’ve ...
Views: 1062(1 vote) - Great Entrepreneurs Build Strong International Brand Names - by Submitted on Aug 31, 2009 from Geoff FickeTheir Successors Often Lose Focus And Greatly Damage These Franchises If you are of a certain age you will vividly remember the following names: Helena Rubenstein, Faberge, Germain Monteil, Trigere, Revlon, Elizabeth Arden, Max Factor, Schwinn, W. T. Grant, Montgomery Ward and Chuck Taylor. ...
Views: 2041(3 votes) - “What Is Our Aim? Victory, Victory at all Costs..! - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2009 from Geoff FickeWinston Churchill’s Famous War Cry Is Fully Applicable for Today’s Entrepreneurs Arguably, the courage and moral leadership provided to the western world by Winston Churchill was the key instrument essential to keeping World War 2 from ending early, and ever so badly for the cause of ...
Views: 2228(5 votes) - How to Turn an Ancient Scottish Peat Bog into Marketing Gold - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2009 from Geoff FickeHow to Turn an Ancient Scottish Peat Bog into Marketing Gold Many years ago, as a young entrepreneur seeking to launch my very first consumer product, I discovered the importance of having a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to establish my brand’s niche. My partner and I had developed a very ...
Views: 2663(6 votes) - “Mad Men” Provides a Market Concept Tutorial on Television Each Week - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2009 from Geoff FickeThe hit television drama “Mad Men” recently began its third season to rave critical reviews and spectacular viewer ratings. The program, which is focused on the professional and personal lives of the associates of a New York City advertising agency in the early 1960’s is a magnetic period piece, ...
Views: 1503(4 votes) - There Is No Such Thing As Time Management - by Submitted on Aug 26, 2009 from Ann ShipleyWow! How many times have you been told that you need to learn to “manage your time better” or “time management is the key to success?” At some point we have all had those dreaded words thrown at us, from past teachers, mentors, parents, etc. I’m here to tell you that I believe they are all ...
Views: 2491(4 votes) - How to Tame the Niffler in You - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2010 from Alicia ForestWhat's a Niffler, you ask? Well, if you've read Happy Potter and the Goblet of Fire, you might remember that a Niffler is a critter that hunts treasure. Once it finds one treasure, it moves on quickly in search of the next prize. Do you do the same thing in your business? Meaning, are you ...
Views: 1390(2 votes) - Keep Business Operations and Logistics Simple, Streamlined and Agile - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2009 from Geoff FickeMost of the entrepreneurs we interview in our consulting business have a very unrealistic conception of what excites and disappoints investors. The dream of many inexperienced inventors seeking to fund their opportunity is to build a substantial infrastructure. Their business plan identifies the ...
Views: 1240(1 vote) - Napoleon and Alexander the Great Are Innovative Role Models Even Today - by Submitted on Aug 23, 2009 from Geoff FickeDuring the 18th century the royal courts of Europe were starved for exciting and fresh entertainment formats. The staid choral recital, piano concerto, plays and opera had been standard fare in all of the great palaces for centuries. Each court strove to offer something more modern, more cutting ...
Views: 2870(3 votes) - A Business Model That Really Succeeds at Warfare - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2009 from Geoff FickeMercenary soldiers have been used by nation states since Biblical times. The Romans used Goth mercenaries to fight Hannibal and his Carthaginian army. The English used Celtic warriors to defend them against the Vikings. The British used Hessians during the Revolutionary War here in the United ...
Views: 2321(2 votes) - What Modern Marketers Can Learn From A 100 Year Old Artisan Auto Maker - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2009 from Geoff FickeH. F. S. Morgan launched his eponymous car manufacturing company in England in 1909. For a century, through world wars and great economic turbulence, Morgan Motor Company has produced some of the most stylish, desirable automobiles ever produced. Unless you are a classic car enthusiast, you ...
Views: 1320(2 votes) - 5 More Guaranteed Ways NOT to Sell Your Business - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2009 from Andrew RogersonThis is the second of three articles that discusses what NOT to say or do if you own a business and are trying to sell. The first article was called “5 guaranteed ways NOT to sell your business.” The third article is called “5 things to avoid when trying to sell your business.” All articles ...
Views: 1369(2 votes) - How An Immigrant With Just a Few Canaries Builds a Vast Fortune - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2009 from Geoff FickeIn the 1920’s Germany was in tatters. The formerly great empire was dismantled, the powerful army humiliated by its defeat in World War I and the population starved, cold and living in despair. Businesses that had been successful before the war were decimated by the outcome. There was no way to ...
Views: 1356(2 votes) - A Marketing Axiom: You’re Never the Greatest, Only the Latest! - by Submitted on Aug 18, 2009 from Geoff FickeMy first professional job after finishing college and Marine Corps service was with a small cosmetic company in the early 1970’s. The beauty industry at that time was in the golden age of its creativity, growth and competitive balance. There were numerous firms able to exist and flourish by ...
Views: 1595(2 votes) - ***Help! I Need to Make a Decision! - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2009 from Garrett CoanMany people who come to my office say they have a difficult time making decisions. I have developed a process to help my clients master this skill. I recommend that people follow these four steps: 1. Identify the real issue. For example, you are trying to decide which movie to see, but you ...
Views: 2011(1 vote) - 5 Guaranteed Ways Not to Sell Your Business - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2009 from Andrew RogersonSelling a business is not easy. Here’s a look at 5 guaranteed ways you will NOT be successful. 1. It is unclear exactly what is being sold. Make sure it is clear exactly what is being sold. For example, have a list of all the Fixtures, Furniture and Equipment. If any items are not being ...
Views: 1384(2 votes) - First-Time Home Buyer: Obama's Tax Credit, Home Values, & Mortgage Interest Rate - by Submitted on Aug 15, 2009 from Betsy MooreIn today's economy, it is easy to be gun-shy about buying a home, especially if it is your first home. Who wouldn't be? This is your biggest debt but, remember, it is also your largest asset. There are five major reasons why the time is now: First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit ...
Views: 1569(3 votes) - 5 Tips for a Successful SBA Loan - by Submitted on Aug 09, 2009 from Andrew RogersonThere are five critical areas an SBA lender considers in detail when deciding whether to underwrite an SBA loan. These five areas are Cash-flow, collateral, credit, management experience and liquidity. If you plan to apply for an SBA loan make sure you consider each of these areas. You don’t ...
Views: 1784(1 vote) - Great Ways to Become Poor and Stay Poor - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2009 from Paul SloaneNobody plans to become poor and yet a great many people end up poor. Here are some of the best known ways of ensuring a life of penury: 1. ‘We don’t need no education…’ If you drop out of school or fail to achieve a basic education then you will severely restrict your chances of ...
Views: 1438(1 vote) - Blueprint Your Business By Creating An Operations Manual - by Submitted on Aug 05, 2009 from Lisa MontanaroCan Your Business Run Without You? What would happen to your business if you became ill for an extended period of time? Could someone else man the shop for you easily? Would you be more relaxed on vacation (or at the very least, take a vacation!) if you knew that the business could be ...
Views: 2346(2 votes) - The New Distribution Strategies Your Product Will Need to Succeed - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Geoff FickeAmazing changes in the retail marketplace over the last 15 years has created new, different obstacles to successfully launch a new product. Marketing romantics muse glowingly about the old days when there were supposedly multiple placement opportunities in every level of retail. True, there ...
Views: 1767(2 votes) - Business Planning Mistakes You Need to Avoid - by Submitted on Aug 04, 2009 from Clay NelsonSo you have a business plan; a solid direction and strategy for achieving the goals you have set for you, your team and your business. But, have you taken care to make sure you avoid getting trapped by the most critical of the business planning mistakes? Don't panic. While many people make ...
Views: 987(1 vote) - Cultivate Both/And Thinking - by Submitted on Jul 27, 2009 from M.J. RyanAs I’ve written about before, our brains are not always our friends. They have various habits that can really get in our way. One is what’s called bifurcating, the tendency to think in either/or: either I am happy or I’m sad; either I am trying hard or I’m giving up; either I am a success or a ...
Views: 1971(3 votes) - "Commodities- Alternative Actions and Investing for Today's Mega Information Era." - by Submitted on Jul 24, 2009 from SCOTT LIFERCommodities—Alternative Actions and investing for today’s Mega Information Era: To begin any new venture, we must first learn the language and lingo of the discipline. Commodity Trading is nothing more than a huge supermarket of tangible goods (cocoa, sugar, coffee, lumber, ...
Views: 1513 - Fiat Money System Must Be Abolished and Adopt Exchange for Value - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2009 from SCOTT LIFERDoes the government "really" believe a "bailout of the banks" is going to elucidate our total monetary collapse? If "we the people" are going to have any hope of surviving and thriving in this current "debt based society" we MUST WAKE UP to our surroundings and educate ourselves to what is "true ...
Views: 1919(1 vote) - Is Multi-tasking Overrated? - by Submitted on Jul 21, 2009 from joshua m estrinThe ability to take on more than on project at a time has long been hailed in both the professional and personal arenas as the mark of greatness and the “Holy Grail” of for any CEO on the rise. In fact, nearly 90% of all job descriptions speak in one form or another for the need to attend to ...
Views: 1782(3 votes) - Save Up to 50% on Your Advertising Costs with Co-op Advertising Funds - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2009 from Jim WallertIf your small business buys inventory, products or equipment that you resell or use in providing your products and/or services, you may be able to save up to 50% on your advertising costs by using available co-op advertising funds. Co-op advertising is a cost sharing program between a ...
Views: 1201(2 votes) - Fire Your Broker Immediately - A Financial Mentorship Program is the Wave of the New Paradigm - by Submitted on Jul 17, 2009 from SCOTT LIFERAs we enter into the summer of 2009 our entire socioeconomic lives are feeling the strain of the financial meltdown. There has never been a better time to rethink and reposition our efforts and mindset with respect to our portfolios, or lack thereof. The old school concept of financial broker ...
Views: 1306 - Tips to Successfully Buy or Sell Your Next Business - by Submitted on Jul 05, 2009 from Andrew RogersonSelling and buying a business is rarely a simple and straightforward process. When I sit down and try to categorize each of those experiences, be it from my own personal experience as a Business Broker in Sacramento or the experiences I’ve heard from the 14 Business Brokers that are part of my ...
Views: 1771(6 votes) - 8 Places to Look for Systems to Maximize Your Success - by Submitted on Jul 03, 2009 from Laura WestAs a creative business owner, you want to spend your time doing your "great work." This is the work of your passion and your purpose. Often, a successful business owner can get caught in the trap of doing the "good" work That means you get caught in the trap of "I'll just do it" because it's ...
Views: 967(4 votes) - What Color is Your Brand? - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2009 from Lelo PaulThink about this: What colors come to your mind when you hear the names McDonald's, Kit Kat, Target, IBM and UPS? Doesn't take a lot of thinking, does it? Colors have always been an essential aspect of any branding effort and the reason we associate a particular color with a brand is because ...
Views: 1046(1 vote) - ***What Makes a Good Entrepreneur? - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceThe path to becoming a millionaire in the field of business is a rough road. As anyone engages in business, they will tell you that it’s easier said than done. To be successful, you must develop certain distinctive qualities to make you a good entrepreneur. You may already have been equipped ...
Views: 5595(7 votes) - ***What Entrepreneurs Need to Know to Succeed? - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceHow do you get the best out of your business life? Is it having endless calls of requests from your consumers? Is it being named as the highest business grosser of the month? Or is it having featured in a business magazine as a man to beat in the industry? A lot could define success. But very ...
Views: 785 - ***Top 5 Reasons why Entrepreneurs Fail and How to Avoid Them - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceA lot of people dream of having their own business no matter how big or small it may be. 9 out of 10 persons will say that getting rich and being successful is their main goal in their life. Well, you can’t blame them. To be able to provide quality life for the family, one must need money. It is ...
Views: 2084(6 votes) - ***The Significance of PR manager to Business Relation Optimization - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceIf you are planning to put yourself in the public visibility then you are most likely to be indulging yourself to the development of your public relation skills, principles and standards. The need to maximize your reputation is essential because you are not just an ordinary person, you are part ...
Views: 910(5 votes) - ***The Most Effective Marketing Strategies Revealed - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceThe accomplishment and the growth in the business world completely require that a business entrepreneur must be able to set out efficient visions and marketing strategies that are in accordance to the business plans and operational plans. Effectively plotting the direction and marketing ideas of ...
Views: 797 - ***The Importance of Communication Skills in the Entrepreneurial Marketing - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2009 from Donna PricePeople often neglect the significance of the four communication skills that should be developed in any entrepreneurial setting. The opportunity to make your small business grow faster is a stone’s throw away if these skills are utilized in the right process. Read on and find out how you can ...
Views: 5604(8 votes) - ***Surviving and Thriving in a New Economy - by Submitted on Jun 29, 2009 from Donna PriceThe world of business is one of the most unpredictable areas in our society. The global financial crisis we experience right now attests to that. The unstable financial conditions and the escalating prices of commodities are vastly observable. The economy poses new challenges and difficulties ...
Views: 1066 - ***Strategic Planning Focuses your Results - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceIn today’s highly competitive business environment, the strategic planning of any business can be an opportunity for an in-depth business organization planning. Effective strategic and mission planning are crucial considerations to ensure a planned pattern of growth for your company business. It ...
Views: 851 - ***Simple Tips for Succeeding in Small Business - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceMajority of people admire successful small business entrepreneurs and are sometimes even envious of their success. What they often fail to understand is that successful entrepreneurs have worked long and hard to get where they are. Small business requires dedication, hard work and ...
Views: 968(8 votes) - ***Seven Reasons to be an Entrepreneur - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceIf you try to look around maybe you will see an employee who has been employed for years but it seems that he hasn’t achieved that much. He is still the same employee who receives a certain amount every month. Another is the typical story of an employee who looks so dignified and works in a ...
Views: 802 - ***Revealing the Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PricePerhaps, when there is a way for you to know whether you can be a successful entrepreneur, or you would be far more successful working on others, you will strive to find it out. Unfortunately, success has no formula! However, many successful entrepreneurs share certain characteristics behind ...
Views: 773 - ***Owning a Small Business - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceA business that is run privately, with relatively small income, small investment, and fewer workforces is categorized as a small business. In many countries, small businesses are common, and their operations largely depend on the economic system. They are typically privately operated ...
Views: 1271 - ***Optimize Your Team with the Top 10 Leadership and Team Building Strategies - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceThis post reveals ten strategies for optimizing your team in order to meet the extreme and dramatic development of your business. Read on and benefit from the information. These might keep you in tempo with the new breakthroughs that the business world offers. Become skilled at every detail ...
Views: 1057(10 votes) - ***Marketing your Small Business - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceStarting to market your small business requires a large number of strength of mind. Marketing of the business should be done continuously so that business gets easier. Learning every detail of your business is a general rule because it helps you bring about little ideas that can bring about big ...
Views: 787 - ***Lead the Way and Connect with your Employees - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceWhat does the word leadership mean to you? Is the leader a person who is the boss? Is it simply the person who is an authority figure? the loudest? the biggest? the standout? Well, actually, all of the answers to the abovementioned questions vary. The only similarity in the answer is that ...
Views: 884(5 votes) - ***How to Hire a PR Firm for your Business Growth - by Submitted on Jun 30, 2009 from Donna PriceTo provide a long-term improvement of your business, it is important that you take into consideration the hiring of a PR firm. Public relation firm is important because it helps in the business production. In one way or another, business entrepreneurs want an encouraging reputation. Their goal ...
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