When the pandemic decided to mess with our businesses, I heard from a number of my B2B professionals and communications firm clients who had gotten comfortable in their office space and had to pull back to work from home. That was a headache … but the Pause gave them time to reflect in a new … Read More
The COVID-19 lockdown has forced lots of business owners to think differently about how their business operates. Because this may not be the last time there’s a lockdown, and no one wants to be taken by surprise like that again. A curious theme I’m hearing from some client recently is that while the quarantine was … Read More
Not knowing the fine print in your contracts could take a costly bite out of your business. Yes, I know you’re a busy business owner. Yes, contracts can be tedious. And, yes, I know that sometimes the font used on these documents requires an electron microscope to read it properly. But as a business owner, … Read More
As you may know, I live and work on Park Avenue, in the heart of New York City. But right now, The City That Never Sleeps … has gone comatose. So I do what I can each day, and then try to give myself a treat. Like the other night, I was chowing down on … Read More
It’s March 18th, 2020. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a whole range of feelings about this COVID-19 thing. Not unlike Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s 5 stages of grief. Denying there’s an issue because hey, I’m healthy and not in a high-risk group. Angry at the panic-inducing a**holes who create a run on basic necessities … Read More
As seen in … Tired of running out of money no matter how much you make? As my client Danielle complained, Why does it seem I can generate several million dollars a year … and STILL never have enough money in the bank? So what’s the solution to managing those cash flow ups and … Read More
A recent Wall Street Journal article reported on seismic changes befalling large law firms. Seems that under the new regime, “data and money rule.” Gone is the tightknit camaraderie. The three-martini lunches. Where “I’ll get around to it,” was the response to turning in time sheets and billing practices were lax. Where splitting profits at … Read More
Where does the day go? The time bandits steal them. No, not the ones from the 1981 Terry Gilliam film (a personal fave), where a young boy joins a band of time-travelling dwarves looking for treasure to steal. Time bandits, like client interruptions. Questions from staff. Tech glitches. Activity that eats away at good, solid … 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
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 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
