Latest Posts

Planning Your Exit

  “Know when to fold ’em, know when to hold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run. . . “ When I think about business exit strategies I think of the old Kenny Rogers song The Gambler. While Rogers is talking about playing cards and knowing when the right time is to get out of the game,...



Pricing Tips and Warnings

One of the major goals for small businesses just getting started or those revisiting a pricing strategy is to successfully make a profit.  Pricing refers to the process of setting a price for a product or service.  This strategy,  more than any other element of your marketing plan, will have the biggest impact on the amount of profit you make....



Public Relations Can Bring Big Attention to Small Business

BY GUEST BLOGGER: Susan Shelby, FSMPS, CPSM is the President & CEO of Rhino Public Relations In today’s business environment and media landscape, companies are vying with each other for attention from a myriad of audiences: customers, suppliers, consultants, and prospective employees to name a few. It can be especially difficult for small businesses to make a big impact in...



Building a Strong Staff

“People are definitely a company’s greatest asset. It doesn’t make any difference whether the product is cars or cosmetics. A company is only as good as the people it keeps.” Mary Kay Ash – Mary Kay Cosmetics It’s no secret that high-performing companies have high-performing teams.  How can business leaders ensure that they are building a strong staff and team...



Impact of Robotics on Business

Robotics are all around us.  We drive cars that are, in part, built by robots.  We use computers, laptops, tablets and phones that are built by robots.  We order products from large warehouses that are assembled, sorted and mailed by robots.  Robotics impact our social and business lives in powerful ways.  Robotics of the future could bring society self-driving cars...



Effective Communicators

Business leaders are expected to have many skills to draw upon in their role as owner, manager or department head.  One of the most important tools that every business leader should is the ability to be an effective communicator.  Facilitating information sharing in a positive and easy-to-understand manner can substantially contribute to the success of a business. Let’s look at...



Challenges of Leaders

Business leaders wear many different “hats” on a daily basis.  They are motivators, coaches, moderators, and sometimes disciplinarians.  Regardless of the type of business or role that the leader is currently “playing,” there are always challenges that crop up.  Challenges may be extremely  common or extremely unique to your field. They may be  temporary glitches or or ongoing issues.  Let’s...



Leadership Styles

Throughout history leaders have: inspired followers to work hard, motivated followers to succeed at a common task, guided followers toward a common goal and challenged followers to be the best at what they do as a part of a larger team.  Leaders use their strengths to accomplish all of these things including their: charisma, values, intellect, and vision.  Business leaders...



Blogging: Best Practices

3 million blogs are published monthly (Source: Spokal) 81% of U.S. online consumers trust information and advice from blogs. (Source: BlogHer) 92% of companies who blog multiple times per day have acquired a customer from their blog. (Source: HubSpot) B2B marketers who use blogs generate 67% more leads than those that do not. (Source: InsideView) Once you write 21-54 blog...



Benefits of an Editorial Calendar

Looking for ways to stay organized in your business?  Many companies use document management tools, password tools, and financial tracking apps to stay orderly.  If you need a way to manage content such as your business blogs, publications, and social media postings, an editorial calendar may be the right choice. An editorial calendar is an excellent place to brainstorm, track...