Small Business Success

When the Economy is Hurting, Do This More Than Any Other Thing...

2008-11-15T20:15:36-05:00

When the economy is in rough shape, one of the primary considerations of business owners is to "cut back." Cut back on expenses, cut back on staff, cut back in any way they can. I'm here to tell you one...

What To Do When the Economy Is Hurting

2008-10-21T18:52:49-04:00

Before giving advice on this important subject, I want to step back and get a bit of perspective on this economic "meltdown." As I write this (Oct 21, 2008), I've heard more times than I can count: "this is the...

Online Marketing Glossary

2008-08-31T16:11:23-04:00

If you are currently marketing your products or services online or are looking to do so in the future, it's a really good idea to understand the key terms involved with online marketing. The likelihood of succeeding with a subject...

Social Bookmarking Simplified

2008-05-05T11:24:00-04:00

This next video from Common Craft explains "social bookmarking."

Social Networking Simplified

2008-05-03T12:42:00-04:00

This next video from Common Craft explains "social networking."

Blogging Simplified

2008-05-01T18:51:57-04:00

I ran across a great site called Common Craft. They create short and very easy-to-understand videos on a variety of online subjects such as blogging, bookmarking, social networking, etc. I decided not to re-invent the wheel and instead provide you...

Networking and Schmoozing

2008-04-21T01:09:41-04:00

I just read a superb post by Guy Kawaski, entitled The Art of Schmoozing. Guy makes several excellent points including: The key is to establish a relationship before you need it. A reference to what he considered the world's best...

Marketing Online

2008-03-10T13:09:44-04:00

There are millions upon millions of web sites out there. In an earlier post we talked about those remaining businesses that do not have a web site and what may be holding them back from having one. But let's say...

The Fair Tax Updated

2008-02-14T19:26:48-05:00

In an earlier post, the importance of the Fair Tax was discussed in some detail. That's a good post to read if you haven't seen it yet. Cutting to the present, we are eight months or so away from a...

The Power of Your Vote

2008-02-05T20:43:24-05:00

Voting is a statement that you care, that you choose to be involved, that you prefer responsibility over apathy. These happen also to be qualities essential to a successful business. Seth Godin put together a nice post on this subject....

If You Don't Have a Web Site...

2007-12-19T18:33:38-05:00

If you don't have a web site yet, you probably fall into one of the following categories: 1) You firmly believe your product or service would not be benefited by a web site. 2) You'd like to have a web...

Substituting Machines for People

2007-10-24T22:40:55-04:00

As I type this, I'm on hold with Delta Airlines. When I first called, I simply wanted to talk to one of their reps and get a couple of fast questions answered about traveling over Thanksgiving. You're given the option...

A Legitimate Solution to the Steroids Problem

2007-07-09T17:27:52-04:00

Today I wrote a letter to the Commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig. I sent a copy of the letter to Don Fehr, the Executive Director of the Baseball Players Union. I also sent a copy to various media points. In...

Reciprocal Marketing

2007-06-19T15:49:35-04:00

You scratch my back. I'll scratch yours. A time-honored philosophy that very definitely applies to marketing your business. If you're a retailer, place some brochures on your check-out counter for other retailers. They of course will have your brochures on...

Not My Responsibility!

2007-05-20T18:40:46-04:00

Every so often, I like to spend an hour or so at my local Barnes and Nobles or Borders bookstore. I can be seen enjoying a mocha or caramel Frappacino while typing away at my laptop. As I come inside...

Good Manners — A Lost Art for Some

2007-04-05T16:02:05-04:00

It seems I forgot to pick up a couple of shirts at a local dry cleaner. I still had the claim checks, though they seemed like they might be from a few months back. So I headed over and presented...

More Lessons from the World of Sports

2007-03-27T14:48:12-04:00

I love sports. I loved playing baseball, football, basketball, even soccer. When I was a bit younger, I was pretty good. But I still immensely enjoy watching a Stanley Cup playoff, some March Madness, a really tight World Series. I...

Knowing the Score Can Make a Big Difference

2007-03-07T17:58:27-05:00

In an earlier post, I mentioned a book by John Naisbitt: Mind Set! Reset Your Thinking and See the Future . In reading his book, I recall agreeing wholeheartedly with his love of sports. At the end of the game,...

Customer Evangelism — When It Works, It Really Works!

2007-01-31T17:43:44-05:00

I'm reading another very interesting book: Creating Customer Evangelists: How Loyal Customers Become a Volunteer Sales Force . The authors tell us something we've known for awhile, but perhaps haven't really taken full advantage of: "The marketing world has changed...

Good Clients and Bad Clients...

2007-01-26T18:21:57-05:00

Now that's a bit of a strange title for a post. If a client is a client, then how could there be a "bad" client? Perhaps using the adjective "bad" is not quite appropriate, but when you have a client...

A Couple of Excellent Books

2007-01-19T07:13:55-05:00

Two books I'd like to recommend: Leadership by Rudy Giuliani Mind Set! Reset Your Thinking and See the Future by John Naisbett Rudy Giuliani of course was the Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2002. And John Naisbett,...

If You're Using a Mac, Then Here's a Great Tool to Reduce Spam

2006-11-18T17:23:44-05:00

I've been using Macs for over 20 years. I could go on and on why I think so highly of them, but right now I just want to let you know of a software item that can GREATLY reduce the...

Don't You Make the Same Mistake

2006-11-16T19:02:35-05:00

Over the last few months, I've had to call a variety of places to get a question answered about an account or a little tech support, something along those lines. In the vast majority of these calls, I was immediately...

Recent Election Results

2006-11-08T19:06:46-05:00

As I type these words, the Democrats have taken "control" of the House of Representatives and depending on the outcome of the Senate race in Virginia (awaiting voter certification) could also take over the Senate. First of all, I'm not...

Simple Ideas Often Have Powerful Results...

2006-02-21T21:33:17-05:00

If you have the phone number of your customer (or patient, client, etc.) here's a really simple idea: When they leave your office or store after completing some service (or having purchased from you), have someone give them a call...

Secrets of Online Success Revealed...

2005-10-06T20:41:09-04:00

I've had my web sites online for a number of years. I've had this blog up and running for about 6 months. My experience online has been interesting, educational, and even somewhat profitable. In an effort to make this online...

New Free eBooks from Seth Godin

2005-09-10T03:05:25-04:00

Seth Godin, a very bright author and marketer, has two new eBooks that are currently being given away at no charge. One gives helpful info on web sites and the other on blogs. Get them here (while they are still...

Supporting a Winner Versus CREATING a Winner

2005-08-29T13:47:38-04:00

The following is an article I wrote a few years ago that was published in the sports section of The Tampa Tribune. After reading it recently, I saw how it also applies to business owners... Fans express themselves in two...

Where NOT to Go For Advice

2005-08-26T22:48:29-04:00

Let's say you've got this great new idea for a business. Or you've come up with a new and exciting way to accomplish something with your current business. And you'd like to get some advice on this. If you go...

The End of the IRS...The End of Income Tax...Are These Things Really Possible?

2005-08-23T22:02:21-04:00

When all forms of income and payroll tax are eliminated, when the IRS is no more, when a national sales tax becomes the central instrument for financing the US government, when all of these things become a reality, the amount...