As business owners, we network a lot. Networking means different things to different people, but it's suppose to help you build relationships that will turn into tangible business either directly or indirectly. The problem with networking is that if your aren't careful you can waste your most precious commodity, your time. Here are a couple of tips that I have found to decide … [Read more...]
The Tao of Business
People think that entrepreneurs are incredibly brave and that we have a plan for everything. The truth is that most days we feel like people are going to find out that we have no clue and that we are just trying to keep from drowning. We are all really good at something that’s why we started a business, but the one thing some of us are not so good at is building ourselves up … [Read more...]
Female Entrepreneurs Are Making Business Boom [Infographic]
More female entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses in 2013 than ever, and the aggressive growth trend for women-owned businesses that started in 1997 shows no signs of slowing down. Today, women-owned businesses can be found in every industry and the statistics are truly amazing, as you can see in the infographic below from CreditDonkey. However, there are still … [Read more...]
Is there a strategy to communication?
I had a wonderful conversation with a colleague this morning about how communication fails in organizations. Whether you are a one man band or a conglomerate, there is a need to be able to effectively communicate with your staff and your clients. Do you know how to do that? According to Kim Mozingo at the Conwell Group, there is a lot that I need to know about strategic … [Read more...]
Business by Perception
This week has been a blur of promotions for the Lance Armstrong interview and I’ve begun to wonder, how do you protect the image of your company when your company is you? There is an old adage that says ‘you are the company you keep’, but in this increasingly global marketplace how realistic is that? Is it reasonable to assume we can manage all of our partnerships and alliances … [Read more...]
The Ties that Bind
As I had a conversation today with a colleague about the benefits of releasing negative company, I wondered does the same theory apply to entrepreneurs? As individuals we know that we have to be aware of the people we surround ourselves with and the energy they bring, but can we bring that thought into our business as well? Maybe we can and here’s where I think we should … [Read more...]
The Trouble with Talent
As entrepreneurs the thing is, we can see talent. The moment it walks in front of us, we know that this person has exactly what we are looking for. The problem with talent is that if the person has it, they inevitably want to use it. There is a fine line between being a person who requires little oversight and being a rogue employee who thinks they know everything. So how … [Read more...]
Raising Capital Through Crowdfunding
The search for capital has been significant among the business community. As the recession reared its ugly head in 2007 businesses started to see capital tightening up and were unable to get the standard loans and lines of credit they counted on for help with cash flow, equipment purchases and expansion. Large investors saw a crimp in their disposable cash as they had to shore … [Read more...]
Managing an Entrepreneur
There is an inherent fear for people that aren’t entrepreneurs. They believe that hiring an entrepreneur will somehow infect the rest of the staff and cause them to defect. While this may be true to a degree, there is so much more your company can gain from having an entrepreneur in its presence. Here are my go to lessons learned. Be More Entrepreneurs expect more than … [Read more...]
Back to Basics
As small business owners we routinely perform tasks that larger companies would associate with assistants and receptionists. I answer phones, research client questions as well as conduct meetings and business development. As the economy continues to stall I have found myself performing tasks that even I have had to sit back and wonder if I should be doing them. What I have … [Read more...]