I returned recently from a 10-day vacation. For me ten days is a good length of time. One day was "get there" day and one day was "go home" day...that left eight days for vacation. That was enough days to have some solitary beach time, some shopping and "do lunch" time and sightseeing. While resting and relaxing I noticed the variety of businesses associated with the … [Read more...]
Is your business Opaque or Transparent?
News of yet another possible meltdown on Wall Street in the U.S. is enough to make me yell 'oh my gosh!' And ask the question: why can't businesses realize that transparency is the preferred dressing and not opacity? In the art world, where I live some of my time, there is an easy test for transparency that I've used in teaching beginning painting students...it works for … [Read more...]
It takes a Beginner to write a Beginners Guide
I envy those people to whom numbers come naturally. In elementary school, arithmetic was not my strong subject and to this day I can't figure out how I got an "A" in my high school algebra class. My mother, however, was a genius with numbers - she had a successful home business offering bookkeeping and payroll services and doing taxes for folks. Mom didn't progress beyond … [Read more...]
How to Increase your Search Results through Social Media
Are you just "managing" your online social profile? Or are you taking a lead by collaborating and participating with others through comments, wall posts, Twitter feeds, blogging, and discussion threads? By adding a layer of proactivity onto our social media, we have the opportunity to use our social posting as a great way to increase the number of search results associated … [Read more...]
Are Business Principles important for the Solo-Preneur?
Ever heard the phrases, "standing on principle" or, "following principles," or "adhering to principles?" Have you considered that how you run your business is based on your idea of business principles? And have you considered that you are the architect of the principles upon which your business is built? Most businesses of more than 10 employees have organizational … [Read more...]
What is Your Business Committed to?
Are you committed to your business? That's an obvious "yes" or you wouldn't put out the welcome mat each morning. What is your business committed to? This is a different question. Is your business committed to fulfilling your initial start-up vision? Is your business committed to fulfilling a perceived need? Is your business committed to something beyond the framework of … [Read more...]
Are You a Problem Solver or a Problem Blamer?
I fly a decent amount and have had a lot of good and a lot of bad experiences with the airlines. The biggest issue I have with the airlines, especially my carrier of choice, is not that they make mistakes. I don’t expect any business to be perfect. At issue is how they deal with problems. Too often, their first reaction is to put the problem back with me. The protocol seems to … [Read more...]
Focusing on others to improve YOUR business
I’ve often emphasized in my business blog the importance of having a well-prepared “Simple Repeatable Statement of Value” (one that makes you memorable - seen here). It is of equal importance to get others to share their statement of value with you. There are a couple of critical reasons for this: • As humans, our favorite subject to talk about is ourselves (our lives, … [Read more...]
2 helpful guidelines for your business
The younger of my two daughters called this morning and told me about her excitement for the 2010 edition of the San Francisco International Film Festival to be held in April. According to their website, "...Founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival is the longest-running film festival in the Americas....." Her husband's company handled the tech solutions … [Read more...]
Your Non-Negotiables — Set Them and Abide by Them
What are your non-negotiables? What are the behaviors that you absolutely must-have and absolutely will not tolerate? Over the last five years, I've developed a "manifesto" of sorts that lists out the things that I am willing to work with and more importantly, the things that I will not work with --- at all. This list has helped me sort out "good" projects -- which are … [Read more...]