Budgeting
Budgeting is always relevant, but especially during a recession. Here are a few tips for success.
Leverage the Transferability of Best Practices
It has recently occurred to me that businesses are missing a huge opportunity to leverage the transferability of best practices. Although as a business consultant, leveraging best practices has been an "assumed" part of the value I provide clients, even I missed the boat and forgot to leverage this [...]
The Value of Customer Service
The value of customer service might not be clear until it's necessary - after all, it seems like not a big deal to potentially sacrifice a bit of service in order to gain a good discount. How many of us shop for discounts at the store? Or, in a [...]
The Power of Focus
As we are nearing the end of the first quarter of 2010 and continuing to teeter on the edge of a recovery of sorts, it is a good time to think about the power of focus. Ideally, your company developed and clearly articulated the top priorities for 2010, and [...]
Business Development
What could be more important in today's new normal business environment of lackluster sales, strained liquidity and elevated customer service expectations than business development. Here are a few tips: Pick up the phone - as Sandi Brooks, a successful real estate broker even in today's weak market says, there [...]
Often Overlooked Options to Drive Revenue Growth
In today's new normal business environment, characterized by sluggish growth, tight liquidity, elevated customer expectations and a general theme of "more for less", there's no doubt revenue has to be a top priority. Add demographic trends, and revenue becomes a critical priority. As baby boomers begin retiring, spending will [...]
Prominent Business Trends for the New Year
As 2011 winds down, it is an opportune time to evaluate this year's progress and to think about strategy for 2012. I find that in order to get ahead of the curve (NO longer a nice-to-have in today's new normal business environment); it is vital to incorporate the latest [...]
Top Strategies to Ensure Success in the New Year
As we start the New Year, I thought it was worthwhile to discuss critical yet often overlooked blocking and tackling maneuvers that ensure success. As most are debating New Year's resolutions and how to reengage after the holidays, why not get a leg up on the competition by excelling [...]
8 Don’ts in Leveraging Social Networks Successfully
I've yet to meet a manufacturer or distributor that didn't want to improve customer service and operational performance - and preferably yesterday. In today's new normal business environment, it is a tough competitive environment - you must be ahead of your competition in understanding your customers' desires and provide [...]
Duke University & CFO Global Outlook Survey Suggests Optimism
March 23, 201 According to CFO, Duke University and CFO Global Business Outlook Survey suggests strong optimism! In fact, the survey's optimism index for the quarter jumped to 69 (on a 100-point scale) which is the highest level in 14 years. This is also significantly higher than the long-run [...]