Very often we think that we know what our client needs, and maybe it is, but unless you hear it from your client specifically you are still only guessing. Here are some needs that can be addressed: Read the rest of this entry »

Here are five ways to fire yourself so you can tap into more energy and results:

1. Consider what you are doing that isn’t effective. Do you make many mistakes? Does it tire you out? Would you rather go to the dentist for a root canal than complete the task? Get real with yourself and stop doing these tasks. Find someone else to do them faster, better or cheaper than you can. Read the rest of this entry »

Most business owners wear several hats. They are not interchangeable, and you can’t wear them all at the same time. You must continually be asking: “Who am I here?”

For your business to grow and be successful, you have to eventually settle on the one with the best fit, and pass the others off. Read the rest of this entry »

I think it would be a frightening statistic to know how much productive life force is squashed in unproductive, rudderless, meandering, ineffective, blathering, brain-numbing meetings. Yet well-organised gatherings of prepared and fully engaged minds can be the most productive activity of your workday. Read the rest of this entry »

Many business owners that are of the baby boomer age have now lived through about 3 or 4 recessions, depending on their industry. Read the rest of this entry »

This is an excerpt of a speech I gave recently. It highlights one important aspect that is missing in business and our lives ….. read on. Read the rest of this entry »

Many business owners get into their business because of the thoughts of self-sufficiency, more free time and of course, making more money.

Obviously, as the business owner and leader, you have a unique stake in the success or failure of the business because it is tied to you as an individual. You therefore go though the tough times filled with the excitement of what is to be once your vision for the future is realised. Read the rest of this entry »

Some of the top business leaders in the world say “70-90% of my time is spent on strategising – in my office with the door shut – about growing the company; how to sell more, how to reach new markets, how to support our field reps, how to attract top-notch consultants from across the country.” Many small-business owners and leaders don’t spend the time they should thinking about their business, they spend their time being a doer in their business. But as this example demonstrates, thinking about the business, strategising about it, is the most important work you can do. Read the rest of this entry »

In my on-going blogs on Entrepreneurial Alchemy I am focussing on Professional Services Businesses, which, in general have a poor marketing strategy and mainly rely on word-of-mouth referrals or walk in the door business to grow their businesses. Very often the principals of a professional services firm say that they have too little time to spend on marketing and advertising and feel that it is “beneath them” to be involved in this as they have are too busy looking after other things or clients to get too involved in this very important aspect of the business. Read the rest of this entry »

These character traits are important because without these it would be impossible to create a relationship where a customer can come to like and trust you. Read the rest of this entry »