Perhaps you’re familiar with the so-called 80/20 rule. But have you ever applied it to marketing? Have you considered the implications of the rule on sales? What, exactly, is the 80/20 rule? Simply put, the rule states 80 percent of your referrals, sales or revenue comes from 20 percent of your marketing efforts or customer […]
Do you have an advisory board for your small business? If not, have you considered creating one? Perhaps you’re thinking, “Why would I want or need an advisory board?” Or maybe you thought about it and then did something else until the idea went away. In an uncertain environment, small business owners need every edge […]
Did you write a business plan when you started your firm? Have you kept this valuable management and planning tool current? Given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing difficulties for many owners, your business plan is more essential to and vital for your success than ever. What does updating your business plan do […]
You have only 30 to 60 seconds — that’s 75 to 150 words — to grab someone’s attention. That’s about the amount of time it takes to ride an elevator a few floors — hence the term “elevator pitch.” It’s crucial to make your pitch concise, jargon-free and focused on what you provide rather than […]
And no, I don’t mean fake it. BLUF — sometimes called headlining — is an acronym for bottom line upfront. In other words, put the most important part of your message out there from the outset. Too often marketing and sales pitches take the form of a long-winded explanation of where, why, when, who and […]
Have the effects of the coronavirus outbreak got you thinking about ditching your 40-hour-a-week traditional job and going out on your own? Perhaps you’ve been thinking about flying solo for some time, but events of the past few months provided the nudge you needed to take off. Or maybe you lost your job and need […]
Have you ever dreamed of setting up an office at home and working in your pajamas? For better or worse, this dream has suddenly become a reality for many people. While working from home can be productive, it also can be unproductive and even problematic. It all depends on how you approach working at home […]
You’ve finished writing that proposal, report, manual or other documents. Now you want to make sure it’s clear, correct, readable and audience-focused. So do you need the services of an editor, reviewer or proofreader — or some combination of all three? You get what you ask for, so make sure to ask for the right […]
Do you own or control a small business? Do you have a business owner’s policy (BOP)? If not, you might want to look at getting a BOP. Why? Because too many things can happen that could affect your bottom line and financial stability. Once while walking down Main Street, I spotted a sad sign. The […]
The most valuable asset for almost everyone is their ability to earn income. If you earn $50,000 a year and plan to work another 25 years, that’s $1.25 million without compounding for inflation, raises or promotions. A more realistic number is probably $2.5 million. What can you do to protect this asset? Consider purchasing long-term […]