If you expect to jumpstart business in the new year, you have the next three weeks, period, to plan and strategize. But it’s barely November, you’re thinking; there’s plenty of time for strategic planning. Right? Wrong. In 21 days we will be knee-deep in Thanksgiving festivities. Depending on your traditions, this may mean massive grocery […]
There are many approaches you can take to create a strategic plan. You may elect to focus on your ultimate business goals, or past experience; or you can base your plan on a SWOT analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. An alternative option is to focus on your customer. The core premise of this […]
Implementing a breakthrough idea can be the pinnacle of achievement, or the train wreck of the century. You’ve explored and analyzed, checked the marketplace and competition, pulled ideas from other industries and thought way out of the box. Or perhaps a bolt of lightning struck you with a transcendent “Wow!” moment during your morning shower. […]
Creating your career isn’t what it used to be. For decades, you could work diligently, pay your dues, learn the ropes, and move up the career ladder. There was a beautiful wedding cake of promotion possibilities – from lead worker to manager, to supervisor, division director, vice-president and beyond. Then things changed. The career ladder […]
Creating a holiday work-life balance can seem beyond impossible. Indeed, work-life balance at any time is a challenge. But for many businesses, the 4th quarter means closing out the fiscal year, meeting sales quotas and deadlines, and setting budgets and plans for the upcoming year. Meanwhile, on the home front, there are family gatherings, winter […]
Does your business create marketing “Wow!”? Are you constantly thinking about new ways to delight your customers? Do you have an edge? Competition in every field is fierce. Even if you dominate your market, there are always others ready to enter, offering something new and enticing to your steady customers. Your predictable, dependable product suddenly […]
The fourth quarter is here, fall is in the air, and in the business world, it’s time to jumpstart strategic planning for the new year. Do not permit yourself to be lulled into complacency. Yes, the weather is still balmy at times, and yes, the trees still hold some fall color. But year end is […]
Change Management: Danger Ahead Change management is like sailing into a minefield. One wrong turn can take a simple project and transform it into a bloodied mess. You’re progressing on schedule and on plan, only to be blindsided by something that throws you into damage control. A critical component has been discontinued. Contractors find asbestos […]
When is the right time to implement a business expansion? When do you pull the trigger and invest in staff, or facilities, or other resources? How do you take the next step from where you are to where you want to be? Growth is wonderful. You’ve achieved success in serving your market and avoided major […]
Get a Head Start: What is your 2017 strategic plan? We all have at least a vague idea of what we want to accomplish in our business and professional lives. But what exactly do you want to achieve? Where are you now, what is your vision, and what is your strategic plan for 2017? Forging […]