Let’s skip the fear-mongering and get straight to what matters. After watching countless businesses navigate multiple recessions, I can tell you this: The companies that survive aren’t always the biggest or richest – they’re the best prepared. Here are five battle-tested strategies that actually work. Line Up Your Capital Before You Need ItHere’s a brutal […]
Insights & Ideas
Sales Incentive Plans That Actually Work: Moving Beyond Basic Commission
Let’s talk about sales incentives that don’t suck. If you’re still running a straight commission program or throwing random spiffs at your team, you’re leaving money on the table. I’ve seen the right incentive structure double sales team performance – and the wrong one drive top performers straight to competitors. Here’s the hard truth: Most […]
The Art of Keeping Your Best: Employee Retention During Business Transitions
Let’s cut through the HR fluff and talk about what really keeps good people during tough transitions. Whether you’re scaling up, downsizing, or pivoting your business model, your success hinges on keeping your key players in the game. First, let’s destroy a common myth: Money alone doesn’t keep great employees. I’ve watched companies throw cash […]
The Power of 90 Days: Why Quarterly Planning Beats Your Annual Goals
Let me save you years of frustration: Stop obsessing over monthly reports and annual plans. They’re either too short-sighted or too far-reaching to drive real business growth. The sweet spot? Quarterly planning and measurement. Here’s why annual planning fails: January’s brilliant strategy is often irrelevant by June. Market conditions change, opportunities emerge, and threats materialize […]
The Art of the Reset: A No-BS Guide to Downsizing Your Business
Let’s talk about something business owners hate discussing: downsizing. It’s not exciting like growth strategies or inspiring like vision statements. But sometimes, cutting back isn’t just an option – it’s the difference between survival and failure and nobody likes to fail. I’ve been through it, guided others through it, and here’s what I’ve learned: Downsizing […]
The Hidden Costs of Micromanagement: How Control Freaks Kill Their Companies
I’ve seen it a thousand times: talented business owners who can’t get out of their own way. They built something amazing through hard work and attention to detail, but now those same qualities are strangling their company’s growth. Let’s talk about micromanagement – the silent killer of good businesses. Here’s a painful truth: if you’re […]
Understanding Business Rollups: Building Value Through Strategic Acquisitions
Ever wonder how some businesses seem to grow overnight? Let me introduce you to the world of rollups – a strategy that’s transforming industries but rarely makes headlines outside of Wall Street. Think of a rollup like building a snowball. You start with one solid company, then strategically acquire and integrate similar businesses, creating something […]
The Real Cost of Building Your Team: Outsourcing vs. In-House Hiring
Let’s talk about the decision that keeps many business owners up at night: should you hire in-house or outsource? After years of experimenting with both, I’ve learned there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are definitely some hard truths worth sharing. First, let’s bust the biggest myth: outsourcing isn’t always cheaper. Yes, that $40/hour contractor might […]
Beware the Digital Marketer: Why Likes Don’t Pay the Bills
I’ve sat through countless meetings where digital marketing agencies dazzle business owners with flashy presentations, promising millions of impressions, viral content, and “brand awareness.” They throw around buzzwords like engagement rates, reach, and social media presence. But here’s what they often forget to mention: none of these metrics pay your bills. Don’t get me wrong […]
The Convenience Premium How Convenience Drives Sales: Lessons from Amazon, Uber Eats, and Beyond
Running a business today has taught me one crucial lesson – customers will pay more when you make their lives easier. Think about it: Amazon Prime isn’t cheap, but we happily pay that annual fee for the convenience of two-day shipping and easy returns. It’s not just about the products anymore; it’s about the experience. […]