The boutique was packed, perhaps more than usual for even a Saturday afternoon due to the gray drizzle keeping everyone from the beach. My shopping companion, Julia, had found a pair of earrings she liked in a locked case. She asked whether someone could help her take a closer look. The reply was instantaneous. “We’re very busy helping some other people right now so it … [Read more...]
The Most Effective Way to Improve Your Marketing
We are just past the midpoint of the second quarter of 2010. Are you on track? Is your business showing the returns and growth that you want to see? If not, consider changing your relationship with your marketing plan. Work With A Written Marketing Plan I’m assuming you have a marketing plan and that it is current. In other words that your marketing plan is in … [Read more...]
Planners vs. Actors – How to find a profitable balance between over-thinking and jumping the gun
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing Are you doing without planning or planning without doing? My own first reaction is to take quick action without taking the time to plan – a “Let’s Do it Now” mentality. I constantly have to stop myself from acting without planning, and allow some time to think through the strategy first. Others spend so much time … [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...]
Resources For New Entrepreneurs
If you have always thought about becoming an entrepreneur, or have recently started your own business, there are many resources you can use to help guide you. I have gathered together some of the sites that I visit and that I think are useful for those interested in taking the entrepreneurial route. Do I have what it takes? Some fun online tests to help you determine … [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...]
Check-in To Harness the Power of the Start
It seems that someone is always keeping score. Conversations about projects focus on outcomes, deliverables, and take-aways. We're asked "can you beat yesterday’s numbers? Or last week’s time? Or last year’s results?" Incentive programs encourage us to do more, go faster, be better. We say we’re tracking progress but we are really constantly measuring … [Read more...]
Being in Business is Risky Business
Having a business of your own is a bit like being a creative writer. A creative writer loves to ask and answer the question: what would happen if....? What would happen if: the title character were a woman instead of a man the title character were 75 years old and slightly deaf the title character had a side-kick who was independently wealthy all the action took … [Read more...]
Top 10 US Cities to Capture Small Business Recovery Act Dollars
Uncle Sam wants small business entrepreneurs to lead the nation to economic recovery--and has billions of dollars to make it happen. Small business owners are in line to receive low-interest loans and government contracts through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To secure your little corner of the recovery, you'll need to be at the right place with the right … [Read more...]
Business Women Re-Evaluate and Re-Energize for a New Year
Post by Liz Cullen, contributing Women On Business writer As the holidays approach and we look to 2010 for a new start and new goals in business, business owners have the opportunity to review the past year, and even the past decade, to re-evaluate and re-energize for upcoming challenges. One thing the first decade of the millennium has shown us is that we have to be ready … [Read more...]