The passing of Steve Jobs had an impact on me. The “Information Age” developed during my business career and the entrepreneurs, innovators and founders are a source of inspiration to us all. The world will miss the inspiration and energy of Mr. Jobs. He ranks with Great American Entrepreneurs: Ford, Carnegie, Morgan, Vanderbilt, McLean, Gates, etc.
Business Succession Planning
Starting and running a small business is an emotional experience. The business contains a lot of the founder which makes it hard to pass on. Succession planning is something most small business owners don’t think about. Listen as Russell Ball, Founder and owner of ACB Solutions, a 25 year old business tells the story of his plan and how it involves Tim White, the company’s Chief Technology Officer. Find out more by visiting: www.akcb.com.
Go It Alone
Listen as Geoff Burch, author & business expert, talks about “Big Decisions” from his book Irresistible Persuasion. As usual, Geoff has some great advice along with a great story. Visit Geoff atwww.geoffburch.com.
“It has never been the intention to make this column a political platform, but the ‘unusually uncertain’ or more aptly, ‘political uncertainty’ is crushing our economy. If the reasons for this uncertainty were simple economics, then business would move on looking for effective ways to address the unknown. In this case the uncertainly is by design– creating circumstances where we are competing with ‘one arm tied behind our back.’”
To keep your business healthy, you need to do a business health checkup. In my article, I explained the 7 steps to a healthy business, starting out:
Take a deep breath, clear your head, relax, and then take stock of what you have. How is your business performing now? Have sales slowed? Do you have enough cash? Is your business ready to face a future where business growth is not the key to success? What is the overall health of you and your business, both mentally and financially?
In 2008, the United States and the world economies went into a steep downward tailspin. This economic downturn, despite earlier confusion, misstatements and missteps is very real and had a significant impact on your business. This sudden shift changed what we considered “business normal”– signaling that the old way we operated as a business will not work in the future.
March’s Business/News & Views® has very informative business tips and advice to help you with finances, marketing and technology. First, get the scoop on Pay-Per-Click Advertising as Amanda Cullen explains Google, Bing and Facebook.
Get your business in shape with David Weatherholt’s “7 Steps to a Business Health Checkup.” Learn the state of the economy with David’s economic news summary and learn how to increase browsing speed with our technology article.
To be the best at your level is a unique achievement requiring above average commitment and performance. A business that stands alone at the top of its market earns above average profits, making it something of value and worth the extra effort needed to become a “Peerless Competitor.” I have identified seven steps to become the best in your field.
Recognize the Process
Formalize the Process
Simplify the Process
Repeat the Process
Flawless implementation
Measurable results
Continuous improvement
Read my articles, Be the Best and Be the Best II to learn how to organize your business structure to be able to accommodate success. Then use this solid base to grow. My seven steps are based on my Peerless Competitor pyramid:
August’s issue of Business/News & Views® brings articles on marketing war, conflicting economic news, being a peerless competitor and some internet tips and tricks. Here’s a quick summary of each article:
Amanda Cullen asserts that “Marketing isn’t war on your customers,” and tells small businesses why using warlike metaphors could cut into their profits. She suggests more realistic alternatives and shows recent, real-life examples.
There’s “Good News & Bad News” on the economic recovery front. David Weatherholt analyzes the data and gives the economy a D+ grade for August. Read the article to find out why.
David weighs in again with his article “Be the Best II.” If you stand alone at the top of your market, your business will enjoy above average profits and regard.
Finally, “Protect Yourself with a Strong Password” gives you all the advice you need to keep your password-protected data safe.
Are you one of the few who wants to be at the very top? This is the question I ask in my article Be the Best – and this article is for the high-achievers:
Do you ever wonder what it is like to be on a world championship team? How would it feel to be part of the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Saints, New York Yankees, Chicago Blackhawks, or “The Red Fury” Spanish National Football team? To know that you are the best at your level is an awesome feeling. It also means better than average profits.
I introduce the 7-step the process to get to the top of my Peerless Competitor Pyramid:
There are 10 concepts that describe the “Paradox of Leadership.” These paradoxes help make sense of the sometimes hectic world of entrepreneurship. As a serial entrepreneur, I understand this all too well. The entrepreneurial vision sometimes feels like a curse, and at those times these ten concepts will encourage you to keeping going.
All small business people manage issues that are beyond their areas of expertise. Interior designers need to manage finances. A CPA firm needs marketing. But how can you know you’re making the right decisions? You need a mentor who can help you “Learn How to Fish.”
Learn the benefits of business mentoring for you and read the full article here: Learn How to Fish
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Editor David Weatherholt brings you business ideas, economic news and views from across the business community. We're proud to bring you advice you can use.
Expert business planning for small businesses and start-ups.
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Starting and running a small business is an emotional experience. The business contains a lot of the founder which makes it hard to pass on. Succession planning is something most small business owners don’t think about. Listen as Russell Ball, Founder and owner of ACB Solutions, a 25 year old business tells the story of his plan and how it involves Tim White, the company’s Chief Technology Officer. Find out more by visiting: www.akcb.com.
Listen as Geoff Burch, author & business expert, talks about “Big Decisions” from his book Irresistible Persuasion. As usual, Geoff has some great advice along with a great story. Visit Geoff atwww.geoffburch.com.
