You are the greatest strategic asset in your business. Businesses invest huge amounts of money in all different things...new equipment, latest technology, marketing, inventory, signage, vehicles, research services, association dues, publications, etc. Owners, however, frequently overlook one of the most important investments they can make in their business...an investment in themselves. You spend money on your business, but what do you spend in educating yourself? Business co

Building strong customer relationships is a must for any business management strategy. Although in certain businesses such as retail, e-commerce, or walk-in service establishments (restaurants, dry cleaning, etc.), it might seem less important. Regardless of the type of business, however, building relationships does matter. This is an important discussion to have with your business management consultant sooner than later. The success of any business strategy...even those inv

Don't let expense reports negatively affect the bottom line Perhaps, there is no other area in a business that is more prone to deception than expense reports. If not handled properly, employees can take advantage of their employers by submitting personal expenses or inflating legitimate business expenses feeling confidant no expense item will be questioned. In many businesses, expense reports are routinely approved without review or questions asked of doubtful items. Expense

Don't let a closed mind open the door to business failure. Last month I was reminded of an essential tool for driving continued success and good business management...positive energy. It's difficult to leave our ‘comfort zone’ and accept the risk inherent with new opportunities. This is true in both professional and personal endeavors. Now buying a new brand of yogurt at the grocery may not qualify for daredevil status, but starting a new career or suggesting a major strateg

It's a constant struggle in any small business to improve operations, keep customers satisfied, grow revenues, and improve profits. But, many times these very things that are so important to a small business cost money...just what a small business doesn't have, but here are 10 business consultant recommended, no-cost ways to accomplish these very important results. 1. One chance – Customers are finicky. Businesses have to make a great first impression because they never get a

Leveraged conflict can be a good thing for your business strategy. As someone who’s held both business strategy and project management roles, I appreciate the unequivocal purpose and value of each. Likewise, I see the importance of keeping the Ying -Yang relationship purposely in place. The opposing, and hopefully balanced, relationship of strategy and tactics has been present in human culture for centuries. It's the same in business in many ways. Strategy brings the vision

Dream big...but deliver through sound business management. Small business owners like to dream big. If they didn’t dream big, they would never commit to the bold act of becoming a small business owner in the first place. Dreaming, or more realistically what should be called goal-setting, helps a small business owner grow the company and pursue ever-expanding and long-range business strategy. Here are some thoughts from a business consultants viewpoint: Goals May Be Unrealist

Any business owner or leader needs to be practiced in the art of the deal. We all are negotiators to some extent. Some are better than others and children are the masters. Every business will require some sort of negotiation at some point. Being prepared for such situations could be the difference between business success and disaster. Negotiation skills are important to any business strategy and daily business management. When contracts and agreements are well defined and ea

You are the greatest strategic asset in your business. Businesses invest huge amounts of money in all different things...new equipment, latest technology, marketing, inventory, signage, vehicles, research services, association dues, publications, etc. Owners, however, frequently overlook one of the most important investments they can make in their business...an investment in themselves. You spend money on your business, but what do you spend in educating yourself? Business co