Over the years I have worked with a number of startups. It's interesting to watch entrepreneurs get ready to open their doors. They form an LLC (or some other type of company.) They get their insurance and whatever licenses are required. They jump through all the hoops. The last thing they often think about is [...]
I've always liked the quote by Reinhold Niebuhr, the U.S. Protestant theologian who said, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” I think it applies in a very real way to business. I worked in [...]
Can you state in 20 words what you do (in your business) and who you do it for? If you can't, you should really consider tightening your focus. If you can say, “We sell widgets to aircraft manufacturers that are used for navigation in general aviation aircraft,” or something similar, you know who you are [...]
When it comes to businesses, you can count on people judging the quality of the business by what they see. If they come into your place of business and it is cluttered, dirty, disorganized, disheveled, etc. they are going to conclude (and rightfully so) that your business isn't the type of place that puts a [...]
How much does it cost you to find a new employee — especially a key employee? If you use a recruiter, you know your costs (and they can be brutal.) But then, of course, after you've paid the recruiter there are the costs associated with spinning up the new employee so she's working at full [...]
I made reservations to stay at the historic Sun Valley Lodge in Sun Valley, Idaho. If you haven't stayed there, you need to go ASAP. This place is heavenly. It's old. It's quaint. It's very romantic. And most of all, there's plenty to do and see no matter what time of year you go. Do [...]
Well, after almost two weeks, I'm back and kickin'. WordPress did an update and I was scheduled to automatically accept updates, and . . . the world went dark. I still can't get in. So now I'm using another program to keep things going. Sorry for the lack of material. I should be back online [...]