Business Coaching Articles For Entrepreneurs & Small Business OwnersManaging Under Conditions of UncertaintyMost smaller enterprises grapple with mapping out future possibilities. All too often companies become wedded to a single outcome without really understanding the full range of possibilities they face. From our client experience, one way of dealing with an uncertain future is to consider a number of futures through a scenario planning exercise. One then […] Tough Times Never Last, Tough People DoRising food and fuel prices, unprecedented home foreclosures and a decline in the value of the U.S. dollar are current causes of consternation for economists and consumers alike. Business owners, too, are concerned about what declines in profitability may be in store. While some of the greatest minds continue to debate the length and depth […] Marketing vs Tech…Consumers Need Voice in Driving ProductsOn any given day you will find a group of engineers or programmers huddling in the back room, sitting in the corner of the coffee shop, or gathering around the most recently divorced individual’s kitchen table to plan the next major new company built on breathtaking technology. The hard fact is…we really don’t need more […] Achieving Extraordinary Results: It’s Just a SkillWhen you look at all the “superstars” our heroes, the people we emulate we tend to think they are endowed with Super Powers. They are able to achieve fame, success, fortune due to abilities beyond those that we have been given. They are simply blessed. However, that isn’t the case. The people who achieve extraordinary […] 15 Critical Leadership Traits Needed TodayIn today’s tough business climate, managers and executives are becoming obsolete and are being replaced by leaders. The new manager/executive must be an expeditor and leader rather than an order giver and manager of people. In this article, I have documented what I have found to be the leadership skills and abilities that are valued […] Company, Product Communications…Open Up, Loosen Up“Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” — Thomas Paine In theory corporate policy is to encourage creative thinking, initiative and growth. Their communications policy is to quickly and accurately support all of the audiences. Firms constantly seek new ways to efficiently and effectively accomplish that goal…as long as it follows corporate policy and […] How to Create a Clutter Free Trade Show DisplayWhen you’re getting ready to attend a trade show, it’s a good idea to spend some time thinking about how you are going to set up your booth. When preparing for a trade show, you have to find the fine line between an adequate display and one that is too cluttered. Many trade show participants […] Not Everyone is the Same in MarketingHave you ever heard a business owner talk about a marketing activity they’ve been doing and thought ‘if I try that it will work for me too’? Perhaps someone has tried cold calling or sending out sales letters and has found it has worked particularly well for their business – maybe you’re thinking about doing […] Process Mapping: Ten Tips for SuccessI see many organizations, both large and small, continue to communicate fragments of important policies and processes to employees through one-time emails and the like. This could include a new purchase authorization policy or a new data entry procedure. Expecting employees to forage through past emails and other transitory type documents only leads to wasted […] Strategic Planning in Troubled TimesStrategic Planning for Owners and Managers All companies are facing challenges as the country faces the most serious economic times in recent history. Take time now to sit down with your team. For large companies, this might mean your department heads and partners; for smaller companies, your bookkeeper, and your salesperson. Don’t forget outside advisers – […] Telephone Etiquette Tips for ProfessionalsEvery time that your business telephone rings, there is an opportunity to build or damage a customer relationship. When an existing or prospective customer calls your company, the way that you address him or her plays a major role in whether or not the outcome of the conversation will be positive or negative. No matter […] Top 5 Reasons to Improve Business Writing SkillsEffective communication has always been an important factor in career success, and the role of writing is more important today that ever before. The ability to write is one of the most important communication skills in the modern business world. Because so much business communication takes place via written methods of communication, writing skills are […] Why Everyone Needs a Professional NetworkMany people make the mistake of thinking that networking is something that only people who work in sales need to worry about. Even though this is a common misconception, the fact is that it just is not true. No matter what line of work you are in, it’s important to cultivate relationships with likeminded professionals […] What Are My Business Values?Have you ever stopped to think about your business values and how important they are to you in your business? They can help you decide whether or not to take on a project; help keep you motivated and focused; and values give you guidance for your business that can help keep staff and you on […] Management & Human ResourcesPeople often mistake by relating the term ‘Management’ with HR. Which I feel is not absolutely true. Management means managing, like how a HR Manager manages its employees, a Sales Manager manages its Sales, a finance manager manages flow of funds and an account manager manages its firm’s accounts. Management teaches the ways to manage […] Brand Yourself in 2009We all know that a brand is a customer experience represented by a collection of images and ideas; what might be less obvious is that each time somebody meets you they unconsciously create images and ideas about you which operates as a ‘your unique brand’. Companies spend large amounts of money to develop a brand […] Business and Sales Growth Secrets for 2009The jury is still out about our current economy. Some say we will be experiencing a mild recession and others say we are on the brink of a depression. It doesn’t matter where you fall in the debate, one thing is certain, business growth is not as easy as it once was. If you have […] How to Find the Time to Get the Skills You Need“I know I need to know how to create spreadsheets and update my database, but I just can’t find the time!” Does this sound like you? So many professionals and small business owners need to learn more about computer applications in order to function more effectively in their jobs. Finding a good time to get […] How To Be A Customer-Focused OrganizationWould you say that your customers are satisfied with the products and services provided by your organization? Do you think that having satisfied customers indicates that your organization is one that provides exceptional customer service? If so, think about what the word satisfaction really means. When your customers are satisfied, it simply means that you […] I Wish I Could Just Stop the Negative Thoughts!I find a surprising correlation between my clients’ challenges each week – a common theme always seems to emerge among them. It’s surprising because, in most cases, these clients have never met one another. Their shared concerns are often the inspiration for my e-zines. This week, the common theme among my clients was negative thoughts. […] |
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