How to Get What You Want

I am across this article which proves a great point. By using “because“, you drastically boost your odds of getting what you want. You can bother people all you want with your best words; but to really influence people, they want the real reasons why you want what you want. Unfortunately, they will see right [...]

How to Make a Great Elevator Pitch

If you’ve got a great idea but need some cash to get it going, you’d better start working on your Elevator Pitch. Even if you don’t need the cash or you have figured out how to use bootstrap capital, you still need to be able to sell your idea to: clients and customers, potential suppliers [...]

Business Plan Components

Whether you’re just starting out and want to monitor the health of your business, creating a business plan is your first step on the path to success. Once you determine a business plan is a necessary tool for your company, you may wonder, “Where do I start?” The structure and content of a business plan [...]

How Does the Trend of Weather Affect Business?

Ten percent of workers feel that their productivity suffers during rainy and cold conditions. Also, employee absenteeism is higher on rainy days with twenty-one percent of workers admitting to calling out sick to avoid facing the elements. Ultimately, it depends on every business. For example, when there is a snow storm a landscaping business can’t [...]

Perception is Reality

Matrix is one of my favorite movies. I watched it for the first time in New York while on business with my father. The movie completely blew me away, not only due to the visual effects, but the story line. This idea that people can break through reality through a paradigm shift from dependence to [...]

How Does Soccer Compare to Running a Business?

I have been coaching soccer now for about five years. I started with our oldest boy and have continued on with the program in the spring and fall. I would have to say that I look forward to soccer more than the boys do. There is something about bringing together a team and working towards [...]

What’s Wrong With Hard?

I love this expression. I heard it at a conference I attended with our franchisees by our keynote speaker. The speaker participates regularly in triathlons, marathons, iron man style races. I have to say that I admire anyone that can put their body through that kind of rigorous, disciplined exercise regularly once, and then keep [...]

Passion or Projections?

I don’t know where I heard this from, but ever since it has stuck. In fact just the other day I was in a conference call with a very wealthy angel investor and a business associate seeking to raise capital for his business. I had assisted in putting the projections together and he had the [...]

Look Ma, No Hands

Have you ever watched Yogi Bear as a kid, or maybe you’ve recently seen it on YouTube? How many times have you watched Yogi Bear running away from Mr. Ranger Sir on his bike with his picnic basket, and that huge grin on his face. At that moment Yogi Bear is the happiest bear on [...]

If You Want The $$ Don’t Take It, If You Don’t Need The $$ Take It

I doubt this is good advice for all of you, but for some of you it certainly is. When is the best time to look for money to grow your business? It is likely when you don’t need it. Why? Because that is when you are in the best position to use the money for [...]