Business Coaching Articles For Entrepreneurs & Small Business OwnersWho Else Wants More Referrals?Getting new clients by referral is one of the most effective, simple, and low cost ways to grow your business. So how many referrals have you received lately? How often do you ask for referrals? It’s exciting to open an e-mail or pick up the phone to find that unexpectedly someone you know wants to […] Do You See Through Your Client’s Eyes?It’s a big shock to realize that no one really cares about your business, at least in the beginning of the process. What people do care about, and want to know, is what your business can do for them. You can imagine that information about how long you have been in business or why you […] The Truth About Why Clients Choose Your BusinessAs a business owner you’ve probably heard about three criteria people use when deciding to do business with you. Consciously, or subconsciously, people do business with people they know, like, and trust. Of course you must deliver a quality product or service but that’s not enough. Options are abundant so when it comes down to […] Why Conformity is Bad for Your BusinessAs a business owner do you ever find yourself trying to act the way you think your clients want you to? Or even more dangerous, are you trying to be more like your competition? Trying to “fit in” is not a smart business strategy. Conformity is not profitable and frankly it’s no fun either. Think […] One Simple Way to Make Marketing EasierDisorganization costs your business money. Not only that, it’s just plain stressful. You know the feeling, you want to find a certain document or an article you need for a project but you can’t find it. Or, things may be in such a state that you’re discouraged from even trying to look for something because […] The First Thing You Say in MarketingPeople make snap judgments in all their interactions. According to Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink, you have two seconds before someone jumps to a conclusion. You have two seconds to state your initial marketing message. On your website, you have two seconds to convey who your web page is targeting. Make it obvious through the use of […] How Do I Set My Price?Most small business owners will agree that pricing is one of the most critical factors of any product or service’s success in the marketplace. It is also often the most confusing question for my clients who own small businesses. Pricing, I’ve found is more a science and a process rather than an art—you need to […] “I’m Sorry, I Just Didn’t Get to it Because I Didn’t Have Enough Time”This phrase is one of the most frequent things I hear from my clients at some point in the coaching process. The clients who utter this phrase are usually apologizing for an incomplete stretch (homework assigned by the coach), an unsent prep form (usually sent each week before every coaching session) or a really important […] A New Approach To Moving Up The Corporate LadderRecently, I received an announcement regarding a symposium for mid-career professionals on “Moving Up the Ladder.” Priced at $2,500, the three-day course was sponsored by a nationally respected business school. Rather than tie up three days, here’s a 15-minute short course. First, the Executive Summary … Someone stole the ladder. Today’s organizations are struggling to […] Why We’re Not Entering A Recession!I found it quite a struggle to decide which topic to write about in this week’s article as there are a couple of things that have really made my blood boil, but I decided in the end to write about this so-called ‘recession’ that the media would have us believe is just around the corner. […] Succeeding at Business: Selling Socks and Taking PunchesA lot of us dream of starting our own business. It’s not easy. It’s not safe. That’s why so many of us do little more than dream. But: A number of years ago, 45 cab drivers in Madison, Wisconsin were “tired of being ripped off” by the cab companies they worked for. They pooled every […] Why Mission Statements are SO Important!I entered into the world of mission statements a few years ago when someone asked me what the mission statement was for my business. I said, “It is written down in my office somewhere, I don’t know it off the top of my head.” The look on their face was surprising then and of course, […] CEO’s Need Coaching!CEO’s have not been using a service that can provide them with great value. Historically CEO’s have relied on mentors and consultants for guidance and help learning the ropes of the lifestyle that is a CEO. After the ropes are understood there is no need for mentors or consultants, CEO’s are hired because they are […] 10 Ways to Beef up Your Leadership SkillsHave you ever heard someone say, “Actually, I have to admit that I think I am really bad at managing other people. My staff all hate me and I’m incapable of doing my job”. The answer is no, of course. No one says this either because they don’t believe it, or because they don’t want […] 10 Strategies for Beating OverwhelmHow many of us have been in a position where we have more to do than can realistically fit into one day, or week. So we spend all of our time feeling rushed, being rushed, and wondering how on earth we are going to manage. If you are having that feeling of overwhelm in your […] 10 Critical Elements of a Successful BusinessThe rules that a successful business operate by today are very different from the rules of 20 to 30 years ago. The widespread use of technology has dramatically cut response times and elevated customer expectations of service. Competitive advantage is the catch cry, but most business owners struggle to articulate what their point of difference […] Don’t Let Passions Rule When Buying a BusinessFor many, the American dream of owning a business is in queue right behind owning a home. I was a teenager when I owned my first business. Since then I have bought or started many businesses and helped others do the same. Here are some common mistakes I have witnessed or committed myself. Paying too […] Find Your Hidden WealthWhat is hidden wealth? Hidden wealth is an unused, dormant or under utilized part of your business that contains great value. All businesses have at least one hidden wealth. Even the best businesses in the world contain hidden wealth. The key is to determine your hidden wealth and begin to mine the potential gold that […] How to Build Trust During a Time of ChangeChange and uncertainty often foster an environment of fear which leads to a lack of trust. The lack of trust can slow things down and create a higher cost of doing business. Building trust and restoring confidence can significantly impact bottom line results. Here are some solid suggestions for building trust during a time of […] 7 Ways to Raise Small Business Startup FinancingStarting your own business takes cash. Sometimes, it takes lots and lots of cash. For many would be business owners this need for startup money feels like an insurmountable hurdle. The good news is that there’s no reason to let the need for cash derail your business before it gets started. These 7 tips and […] |
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