We’re all familiar with focus groups. But getting together a group of people in a room with a moderator for guided discussion is expensive for the small entrepreneur. [Read more…]
Turn I’m bored into I’m board . . .
Let’s face it. The kids are bored. Scrolling through 115 television channels, each of which has nothing on, was never your idea of “family time”. Why not spend some quality time with your children that doesn’t involve some form of video screen? [Read more…]
When is a distraction good?
If you are trying to get some work done, a distraction is generally perceived as something getting in the way. Whether an interruption from a coworker, an e-mail arriving in your inbox marked “urgent”, or a ringing phone, distractions and interruptions typically make us less productive. [Read more…]
If you critique it, can you boutique it?
So often these days, entrepreneurs are focused on growth. Don’t make the better mouse trap, make the bigger one. We all have dreams of being Donald Trump. Plus, it’s always been drilled into our heads that business is business, and you need to take it all the taking is good. Some of this may be a result of having weathered the most severe economic downturn since the 1930s. Many of us may be operating from a position of fear. [Read more…]
What wage do you seek?
I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged it evening
When I counted my scanty store. [Read more…]
Do something!
You walk into your office, and staring back at you is a massive pile of files on your desk. Or, if you are digitally inclined, you have the equivalent number of files in your “inbox” on your laptop. You know that the experts tell you you should prioritize, calculating which matters require attention first, and then proceed in an orderly manner. [Read more…]
Tip of the day for the entrepreneur
So often we entrepreneurs spend 80% of our time servicing the clients that earn us 20% of our revenue. Set aside some time to take a hard look at your “chart of accounts.” See which clIents you have that take much more of your time then the dollars in justified. Then, ask yourself the following questions: (1) why do I spend so much time on these clients; (2) is the time spent justified for reasons other than revenue; and (3) what would my business look like if I stopped servicing one or more of the time-sucking clients. You may be surprised at what a little pruning might do for your business, your work-life balance, and surprisingly, your bottom line.
Three interesting thoughts to ponder for today. . .
Here are three random thoughts you might ponder today, in no particular order: [Read more…]
How fella got his groove back, part two. . .
In addition to the pithy maxim “fake it until you make it,” another bit of advice comes from a slightly more formal source. An Eastern proverb, somewhat paraphrased, essentially tells us to always cast our hook into the water, even if you are not sure that there is anything there, or even if it’s been there a while and the fish aren’t biting. When you least expect it, you’ll catch a finned friend. What this is speaking to is perseverance. No one prospers without perseverance.
Are you burned out? (part 1 of 2)
You fall violently ill one day and there are two physicians who are available to treat you. To your right is Dr. Black, who has no experience whatsoever in the disease that ails you. To your left is Dr. White, who is expert on the diagnosis and treatment of your disease, but really doesn’t care about patients, medicine or healing the sick at all. You are really stuck like Buridan’s ass, aren’t you? [Read more…]