Operating a small business in today’s environment is a daunting task. There’s so much that we need to learn that, at times, is can seems overwhelming. We do the best we can, but it feels like there’s always something new to try, read, or listen to. The incoming information never seems to stop. Maybe the problem’s not the endless tide …
We’ve Got To…
Lots of times we get caught up. Caught up in the idea that we’ve got to win. We’ve got to be the biggest. We’ve got the be the best. We’ve got to leave every one of our competitors in our dust. While striving to lead the pack can be a worthwhile consideration, it isn’t always our best course of action. …
Irreplaceable
It’s tough to start a small business that can sustain us over the long haul. It’s temping, and often a really good idea, to simply mimic what other successful businesses in our industry are doing. However, if we stop a minute to think about it, if we’re just replicating something that’s already available, that turns us into an easily replaced …
A Good Place to Start
It’s unfortunate, but when you’re a small business owner there’s a target on your back. There are some people out there who see us as an easy meal ticket; basically a way to get free money. They know that they can accuse us of doing something, or not doing something, and sit back and wait. They are well aware that …
Sounds Like It
I’ve got a great idea. I just don’t have the time to implement it. If I only had more money, I’d do this. My schedule is so booked, I just can’t get to it. They all sound like good reasons, don’t they? Almost makes us believe that we’re doing so well that we can’t follow up on any of our …
Pretty Easy
As small business owners, we’re called on to provide our clients with information that they likely didn’t know before they hired us. In the role of “all-knowing sage” to our customers, it’s easy to fall into the trap of talking over their heads, offering them specialized information that’s second nature to us but often Greek to them. While we know …
Hit the Road, Jack
What are we to do with those customers that aggravate the shit out of us? We’ve all got them. Yes, they’re contributing to the bottom line of our business, but they’re way more trouble than they should be. Why can’t things just be easy, like when we’re working with the rest of our customers? The rest of our customers… Hmm… …
Running in Circles
Running a business. Kind of ironic that they call it “running,” because it seems like that’s all we do. Running here; running there. Trying our best to put out the fires before another one starts. Working hard to figure out what minor issue needs our attention, all while trying not to forget that the reason we’re working is to put …
Take It or Leave (It)
So many businesses in today’s world seem to be indifferent to their customers, acting as if they don’t care if someone gets offended, as they’re sure that another customer will come right along to take the place of the irate client. They seem to radiate a misguided confidence that since they’re the ones with the product, the paltry little customer …
Haunting Success
There’s a quote by Carl Gustav Jung that (shortened) says “You are what you do, not what you say.” That’s true in every walk of life, including the business world. But, when you’re operating a service business, and your product is based almost exclusively on what you say, the words that come out of your mouth become almost as important, …