Stop trying to stop making mistakes

Mistakes should never be your primary goal.  If you know that something is the wrong thing to do, don’t do it. You don’t have to chase mistakes because they’ll happen anyway, regardless of your planning and precision.  When we don’t make mistakes, we get to do things right. When we do make mistakes, we get…

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Why does a small business need a business plan?

…  It’s just that… It seems like a lot of work. Especially for a small business.  To spend all this time writing out a detailed plan for the next five years when you can’t even predict the next 5 months, let alone stop working for 2 weeks to complete a plan that will live at…

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Decisions, decisions, decisions: start by saying no.

Decisions. What to eat for breakfast. How much coffee to have. Which route to take to work. What to listen to on the radio. What to do first. What to do later. When to take a break. Which shoes to wear.  Just some of the decisions we have to make within a few hours of…

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The ten minute business plan

Let me start by pointing out that you will not write a “Business Plan” – big B big P – in ten minutes. Not something an investor or a bank would accept.  But you can write a preliminary business plan – small b small p – in ten minutes.  And that business plan will be…

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The three pillars of a sustainable business

When you search for images of an ancient Greek temple, most of what you see will have at least a foundation and columns remaining.  This image springs to mind when I think of a sustainable business.  The foundation is the mission.  The columns are the business pillars of happy employees, loyal clients, and business goals. …

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How to make your business pass the So What test?

New year, new you, new resolutions, new goals.  But all in the service of what, exactly? As you start the new year – or any new day – make sure you know why you do the things you do and why others should take interest.  Make sure your business passes the so what test. What…

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How to be the smartest person in the room

Who is the smartest person? The person who knows the most? Or the person who learns the most? Conversation  When you are trying to connect with somebody, you probably won’t pull out a PowerPoint and give them a 20-minute presentation.  You will engage in a conversation, which means more than one person speaking and some…

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It’s easy to find out what your clients value

Value is a highly subjective attribute.  It is about significance, worth, and usefulness. And each person makes these determinations in their way.  When you are writing your value proposition, and are deciding what your clients want to accomplish, don’t forget to consider their personal needs.  Personal Value When I train clients on writing their value…

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Why scaling is better than growth for your business

Growing your business means adding parts. More clients, more employees, more desks, more anything.  Scaling your business means that your revenue increases, but your resources stay about the same.  More clients, but without more of everything else.  Why scaling is better than growing If doubling your client numbers means doubling the resources you need to…

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