February 2010
16 posts
Are you in a bad relationship? →
Feeling disgusted by how large banks are treating individuals and small businesses? Wondering how you can make a difference? Please read this post to learn about some simple things that you can do…
Are you in a bad relationship? →
17 tags
Are you in a bad relationship?
Despite the rhetoric from both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, individuals and small businesses alike know that they have a better chance of wining the Powerball lottery than getting credit from large banks and government (i.e. SBA) programs.
Many people feel helpless and resign themselves to remaining in a bad banking relationship with their current bank, many of which have received large sums...
Vancouver Now - Emergency shipment of condoms... →
When not to use market research →
Avoiding a slow death →
When not to use market research →
Is market research applicable in all situations? No! Personal experiences can not be replaced by actual experience. What is the right balance? Please read on to learn more.
Avoiding a slow death →
How do small businesses avoid going out of business? Generally speaking it is by avoiding the body blows versus worrying about the TKO. Please read my latest piece to gain some tips to help your…
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Avoiding a slow death
Over the last few weeks the demand for the services that Confidential Counselor offers has increased significantly. In theory I should be very happy about this. All too often though the calls are from small businesses that are in dire straights and their future prospects are very bleak.
On one hand I could use the old axiom of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” but when we are...
21 tags
Starting a business 101
In my work at Confidential Counselor, as well as my role in strategy for the Hatchery, I regularly have the opportunity to work with new and would-be entrepreneurs. With the economy still stalled and hiring frozen, increasingly, people are seeking to start their own businesses. I wanted to share with you some of the most common mistakes that I see.
Too much focus on seeking outside...
Stop conducting surveys! →
Stop conducting surveys! →
If you are unwilling to change, why bother asking people what they think? This is the question that I pose in this post regarding surveys and market research in general.
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Sales accountability
A colleague recently asked me to complete a review of a sales team of one his clients. What I found was surprising, but sadly, not very unusual.
Average time to respond to new sales inquiries: 2.2 days
Rate of missed deadlines for quotes and bids: 41.8%
Likelihood of not communicating customer needs to support departments: 68.1%
Median time to respond to customer email: 5.2 hours
Some...
23 tags
President Obama still hates small biz →
President Obama as well as his economic team and senior advisors have taken to the airwaves to tout what they are going to do to supposedly help small businesses. The vehicle that they have chosen to do this is to provide TARP money to community banks for small business lending.
On the surface, this sounds like a grand plan. Unfortunately, in reality, based on what we know so far, this...
Doctor heal thyself →
It is often said that it is the small things in life that get you. Using that saying, I believe that its also the small things that can help your business grow with little effort or cost. Please see…
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Plan more events for your business
In this economy it is easy for companies to easily dismiss company functions such as client gatherings or networking events. Before you take this harsh step, let me offer some advice.
Over the last 6 months Confidential Counselor clients have actually increased their events based on our counsel. Specifically, they have partnered with other firms to produce successful functions.
As an...