Create Small Business Success

Did you ever notice how, no matter where you go, there is always at least one person who knows everyone in town and knows exactly what they do? You know who I’m talking about…  that one person that comes to mind when you need to find someone to fix that leaky toilet or when the roof needs repairing. They’re just the person to call when the sprinkler system breaks down or when your pool water turns green. They’re the person whose number is always handy the inevitable need for an accountant or lawyer arises. They’re valuable because they can guide us when we’re lost and don’t know where to turn.

We all need them and we all love them. And guess what, it’s no mistake that this person knows everyone in town. Because it’s most likely from years of networking and getting to know people on a personal level that they have this endless rolodex of useful contacts and connections. Read the rest of this entry »

After a recent trip to Orlando with my family I came to a newfound understanding that children truly are the best networkers. It was in simple observation of their natural interaction that I understood this and then I realized that we as adults can definitely all learn something new about networking simply by watching them.

After enjoying a few hours at the swimming pool we decided to participate in a bomb fire with all the works, marshmallow roasting and sing along included. Read the rest of this entry »

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Hold it over the QR Code below.

Whether you have been in business for ten years or one year, I’m pretty sure at some point or another you have been faced with this exact question. “What’s one more hat?” I’m already doing this, that and the other… I can do this one other thing too! And so your list of things to do keeps growing, yet your hours in the day doesn’t.

You take a look back at your busy day and you stop to ponder and wonder “Can anyone do this job as good as me?” And by this job I mean; answering the phones, bookkeeping, scheduling, working in the field, sales, marketing, accounts payable, accounts receivable,  networking, training new hires, customer correspondence etc…. you get the idea! Read the rest of this entry »

How many times have you heard a prospect utter those dreaded words “Can you give me a better deal? The other quote I had was cheaper”. Or how about the “What’s your lowest price?” line, that always puts a smile on my face! Or not!

Don't be the low price guy!

In the last few years I guarantee you’ve heard it more times than you care to count or remember. Am I right? Now a day’s everyone is trying to save a buck and cut corners, understandably so, but this can’t be good for everyone’s business. Read the rest of this entry »

It all starts out with good intentions and the desire to not only survive but succeed. In today’s challenging economy many of us do it. We lose sight of our specialty in an effort to please everyone in every way possible. Sometimes, without really realizing what we’re doing, we slowly start adding to our list of services and what we don’t already know how to do we simply learn as we go.

You know who you are… The “I CAN DO IT ALL” company that does just about everything! What we don’t realize is that we end up overwhelmed and overworked because we’re cutting corners. Read the rest of this entry »

Is your marketing campaign failing you these days? Do you feel like you just aren’t getting the response that you’re looking for? Do you feel like something is missing? Are you out of ideas and not sure what to try next?

If you answered yes to any of the above then this blog’s for you!

Did you know that every business has a pain point? If you just answered NO then you might not be tapping into yours. Read the rest of this entry »

Google Maps is a great way to find local businesses and get driving directions to where you want to go. Google Maps is also a great way for your company to get new local business since millions of people search Google Maps every day! If you have a business that caters to local customers in your city, a free listing on Google Maps makes it easy for them to find you.

Whether you’re a large company or a small “Mom and Pop Shop” start thinking locally because that’s where your customers are. If you’re not promoting your business on Google Maps (and Yahoo! Local), now is the time. Read the rest of this entry »

Back in 1984 I had a small business selling golf balls in Longwood Florida. What I would do is go out at night to the golf course with nothing more than a bathing suit and a snorkel. I carried with me only the ambition to rid the lake of any and all golf golf balls and the desire to make a few bucks in the process. This was a great job if you could overlook the occasional water moccasin and the friendly Florida alligator. Ohhh to be 14 again!

Nowadays you couldn’t pay me to swim in those lakes. But what I did back then was take all the golf balls I could find, clean them up, sort them, and put them into egg cartons. I would then sell them for $5.00 per dozen to the passing golfers. Not a bad gig considering I was my own boss at such an early age.

Read the rest of this entry »

As business owners we often find ourselves wearing many hats during our daily routine. We might spend some time dealing with a disgruntled employee or discussing our latest accounts receivables with the bookkeeper. Sometimes it’s going over our spending budget or planning next quarter’s sales goals, whatever the case may be we certainly have our hands full.

I know that you at times, much like me, feel overwhelmed and don’t need another thing added to your ever growing “To Do” list. However, I recently learned that I was overlooking a very important part of my business – The Follow Up Phone Call. Read the rest of this entry »