June 2009
43 posts
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Business Tip for-06/30/09
Today’s tip was inspired from a question posed from “Bev”, a regular reader.
More and more businesses are moving out of offices, storefronts, and warehouses to open operations from their homes. This is saving them money, which in this sour economy, is a very wise idea.
There is a challenge however. If your home is also your workplace, for all intense purposes, you are at...
Shopping malls have no vacancies →
Have you read reports of growing empty storefronts? Before you accept this as fact, please read my article and investigation. While there may be empty stores, there are plenty of causes for this that…
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Business Tip for-06/29/09
This is not a “dead week”!
I stopped for a cup of coffee this morning around 6:30am and overheard two guys talking. In referring to the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend, they proclaimed that it will be a “dead week.” I can’t imagine starting my week, especially at 6:30am with this kind of attitude!
For you, this will be a GREAT week if you follow these...
$170 billion dollar industry loses its top... →
A hero to small business died earlier today. While his passing will not necessarily garner the attention devoted to Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett or Michael Jackson, his contributions to direct-response…
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Business Tip for-06/28/09
Why are women are smarter then men?
To answer this question properly, I would really need to devote 1,500 to 2,000 words in my response!
In the context of a daily business tip, I will offer one small, yet important piece of the puzzle.
Most women I know are very good at sharing information. In other words, they talk to many people (usually other women) about a given situation, solicit...
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Business Tip for-06/27/09
Don’t be shortsighted, or it will cost you far more in the long-run.
A few years ago we bought a new kitchen fixture. It has 3 glass shades. The shades always seemed too heavy for the fixture, and a few times we literally had to catch a shade as the collar holding it in could not support it.
Several months ago one of these shades cracked in my wife’s hands as she caught it...
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More job loss, less hope for small business →
The unemployment news and report today were not good. Reports from small businesses are discouraging. Congress gets ready to vacation, and the President ponders a health care program at a time when…
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Business Tip for-06/25/09
Pick up the phone, and save yourself time, money, and grief.
With the proliferation of mobile devices (iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, etc.) to check and send email, it has become much more common to deal with people via email or text messaging than telephone, much less in-person.
If this sounds like you, I ask you to reconsider this approach.
It is difficult to express true...
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Business Tip for-06/24/09
What do your employees’ actions say about you?
If you company has vehicles on the road bearing your firm’s name, and/or you people wear uniforms or embroidered shirts, beware!
Why be concerned? Simple, the public will judge your business based on their actions.
If a vehicle cuts you off, and it has your company name on it, will they blame “John” or...
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Business Tip for-06/23/09
Whether I write a masterful article, appear on television, or am a guest on radio, I am totally comfortable in any venue that I appear in. This is a gift, trust me!
I tell you this not to impress you, but to impress upon you how important it is to know your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your own comfort zone.
Recently Meghan McCain (daughter of Senator John McCain) appeared on Bill...
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Business Tip for-06/22/09
What is today’s special? Building loyalty among customers!
Today’s tip is dedicated to “Jack”, who has become a big fan of the daily tip, and regularly shares his opinions.
Jack recently opened up a restaurant. Business is going well, but, there are very few “regulars” patronizing his restaurant. Jack asked me what he can do to improve the frequency of...
Senator Landrieu helping to create jobs →
Is help on the way for small businesses? It appears as it will if Senator Landrieu has her way! Will her colleagues in the senate and congress support her, as well as the President? Lets hope and…
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Business Tip for-06/21/09
Are you transactional or relationship oriented?
I am always stunned when I am in a group and someone walks by who obviously knows the group, or least some people in it, but, they don’t stop by to say hi, or to make any type of acknowledgment.
When you break this down, the person ignoring the group is someone who doesn’t feel that these people can help him or her, or bring him...
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Business Tip For-06/20/09
Do you convert web and blog traffic into actual sales?
I met someone earlier today and through our conversation I learned that this person has tremendous, and an admirable number of followers on her website and blog. However when I asked how much business was derived from all of the traffic, she was clueless.
As background, she sells products, but not through her website or blog.
...
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Business Tip for 06/19/09
Make the rain work for you!
If by chance you are based in the Northeast or Mid-Atlanitc region, you well know the misery of the seemingly never ending rain in June. Its been a very hot topic on Twitter and Facebook.
There is a great opportunity at hand in between the rain drops, if you are willing to be creative! Here are some examples.
If your company focuses on “Green”...
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Interview with Stitches Magazine →
Please check out the Q&A to this piece. You will see my responses towards the bottom of the article.
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Business Tip For-06/17/09
Be patient, but persistent, and good things will happen!
I am posting this from my Blackberry while attending the SBA’s “Business Matchmaking Event” in New Jersey.
Our first appointment with a buyer did not happen as the buyer did not show up.
I calmly let the event organizers know of my experience and that I would REALLY appreciate their help in helping me to...
Stop garbage surveys →
Are you receiving more survey invitations than lunch invites? Me too! In this piece I focus on the state of the market research industry, especially relating to web-based research.
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Business Tip for 06/16/09
Just Do It!
Hard to believe that it was approximately 21 years ago when Nike came up with that slogan. For many people, it is less a slogan, and more of a mantra.
All too often today I am seeing entrepreneurs, business owners and individuals ignoring that sage advice, and instead, spending way too much time on minutia.
While I endorse good planning and preparation, there comes a time...
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Business Tip for 06/15/09
Every action has a reaction —- beware!
In the last 11 days I have received no less than 6 phone calls/email messages from people seeking my assistance in locating a new job after they were laid off from their present position.
Given our growing jobless rate, and the economy in general, this probably does not come as shocking news to you. Here is the rub though.
In every single one...
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Business Tip for 06/14/09
Can you use some help?
Earlier this week I have the privilege of speaking to a small group of business owners. They each paid a minor fee to hear me talk, and they were extremely focused and eager.
As I took questions from the audience it was clear that 75% of the participants needed assistance with their business —- today! Some were clearly hanging on by a thread, and others were...
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Bethlehem doesn't relish hot dogs →
Dateline Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Trouble brewing as out-of-work construction worker opens a hot dog stand. Other eateries up in arms, and Mayor Callahan is questioning the damage done to the city’s…
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Business Tip for 06/12/09
Is sorry enough?
Without boring you with all of the mundane details, this morning, I spent just over 2 hours trying to have technical problems with my “high-speed” cable modem service resolved.
After being disconnected, given short-shrift, and generally treated like dirt, in a nutshell, I was told that there was nothing more that could be done. When I said very emphatically...
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Business Tip for 06/11/09
The power of now.
A potential client advised me yesterday that they would not be engaging my services. While I was disappointed, I was actually more upset for them.
Due to a road project, their business has been severely impacted. Sadly, this work is scheduled to continue for the next 2 years.
After meeting with them, I had no doubt whatsoever that I could help them replace the lost...
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Business Tip for 06/10/09
Be there —- in mind, body, and spirit!
Have you encountered a store clerk who, while was suppose to be taking care of you was sending/reading text messages? Perhaps in a business meeting someone was busy with their Blackberry or iPhone, and was not really paying 100% attention.
Besides being rude, it also wastes everyone’s time. Statistics show that 51% of the time people are...
No more 401k's for small businesses →
Will small businesses be forced to cutback on 401(k) contributions, or cut back matching completely? I examine this in my article, and also review the likelihood of seeing major job cuts in small…
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Business Tip for 06/09/09
Would you smile for me?
I never ceased to be amazed at how many times I walk into a retail store, a restaurant, an office, or any other place of business and the person who greets you, and/or is attending to you is just miserable.
Everyone has a bad day now and then, but, some how, some way, you need to put that on the back-burner while you are at work.
Whether you own a business, work...
Business News Examiner: Obama screws small... →
More disappointing news arrived for small business today thanks to President Obama. We learned that Venture Capitalists are being rewarded with powerful positions in the Federal Government for their…
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Business Tip for 06/07/09
Would you lend a hand?
I admit it; it doesn’t matter where I am, or whom I am with, or if I am even known to the people around me —- if I hear someone struggling with a business or career situation, I attempt to offer some help.
Sure, 1 out of every 10 times I am rebuffed, but in those 9 other cases, my input is welcomed and appreciated.
I tell you this not to impress you,...
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Business Tip for 06/06/09
Just say No!
Every day in business we have to make a ton of decisions. Usually we can make them very easily, sometimes though, we wrestle with reaching a conclusion on something, and it consumes a huge part of our day and thoughts.
Based on my research, in most of these cases, in the end, we decide “no”, and we are right in nearly every scenario. The problem is that this...
Business News Examiner: Unemployment at 9.4% - and... →
More and more Americans are jobless, homeless, and overwhelmed by hopelessness, yet our President, Congressmen and Senators seem to be oblivious to the conditions on the ground.I examine this, and…
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Business Tip for 06/04/09
What’s up Doc?
In the last week or so I have set forth with plans to change several of my medical providers. In each case, I called the office and asked them to fax me the necessary paperwork to have my medical file transfered to another provider.
Shockingly, or not, NOT ONE OFFICE ASKED ME WHY I WAS LEAVING!
Is my experience the exception, or the rule? According to a nationwide...
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Business News Examiner: Economy further crippled... →
Thought that Washington was the only one attacking small businesses? Wrong! Between new taxes, tougher zoning laws, and less incentive to stay in their current location, more and more businesses are…
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Business Tip for 6/2/09
Feeling stressed today? I was!
The root of my stress was feeling guilty for not posting this “tip of the day” earlier.
Normally I post very early in the morning. Today, my day started at 4:45am and I have been moving rapid-fire all day. In fact, I am adding this tip from an Apple Store as I will not be back home before midnight.
So today’s tip, for both you and I; do...
Business News Examiner: Dump Obama, elect Soprano... →
In this article, I examine the current situation with GM, and offering alternate management solutions.
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