What’s the plan, Stan? Do you have a plan to make sure next year is better than this year? Or are you looking at much of the same? I know from working with business owners for over 20 years that it’s hard not to repeat the same actions. Especially if they’re locked into deeply held … Read More
Howie Jacobson has a great article on “Gratitude as a Business Strategy.” Read it. I wish I had written it. He says, We’re all hungry for appreciation and thanks. We want to know that we matter, that our efforts are making the world a better place. Who has made your world a better place? Maybe … Read More
Originally seen in What’s in it for me? I don’t see enough business owners asking themselves that question. They’re so excited about getting started—and then so overwhelmed with running the business—that they don’t ask What do I want to get out of it … when I’m ready to get out of it? The results … Read More
Did you ever lose a client when you thought you’d done nothing wrong? Sure, you can understand it if you completely muck up an assignment. But sometimes, it’s the breach of “micro-commitments” that turns a client off. This happened to Chris, who runs a web development firm. Overall, they’re terrific. Solid problem-solvers. Efficient. Current with … Read More
Have you ever gotten excited about a business goal … only to find your enthusiasm wore off after a few months? You’re not alone. I was speaking to a group of entrepreneurs about goal setting. Several were concerned because they had started with such robust passion for their goal, only to find they lost their … Read More
When you really think about it, negotiating isn’t that hard. It’s simply a process where each side wants to get as much as possible from the other at the least possible cost. Which is something many business owners claim they do well. Maybe. Even though many can establish a good rapport, few have a system … Read More
I just got off the phone with a client who wants to close his landscaping business. Brian is successful and talented. And relatively young (late 30s). But it was just too much darn work, and Brian was growing to hate it. He had tried shifting his model from taking new projects to focus only on … Read More
Every business has investors. Yes, even if you own it by yourself. As you know, running a growing business can be a 24/7 proposition. You work on the weekends. Have your vacations (such as they are) interrupted by staff. Lose sleep in the wee hours. On a recent call, my client Frank rationalized his all-in-all-the-time … Read More
I ran the Tunnel to Towers 5K race this past weekend. It’s one of a number of 5K (3.1 mile) races that I run during the year with my husband, Joe. Maybe one every 4-6 weeks. Now, I’m not trying to come home with any medals. I run them to stay in shape, have fun … Read More
I love Fall. Back-to-school time. School supply shopping. Fond memories of walking across my leafy green Wellesley college campus with a knapsack full of notebooks. (Yes, I’m a nerd. And proud). One of my newer clients, Denyse, hates it. She runs a social media firm based outside of Boston. For her, it’s “come-to-Jesus” time. Because … Read More
Do you ever reach the end of a day and have no idea where the time went? Have a to-do list that’s longer than your arm? Once you cross something off the list, you pile 3 things on? (That last one is DEFINITELY me. Just ask my husband.). If so, you’re in good company. Great … Read More
My client, Cate, runs a graphic and web design firm. On a recent consulting call she complained, I feel like an accordion. When clients pour in and I need to ramp up, I’m stretched. When times are thin and I need to pare down, I’m squeezed. And it seems like I never have the right … Read More
