Data-Driven: Building a Successful Business by the Numbers
It’s not much of a stretch to say the lifeblood of a successful business is data.Data gives you direct feedback on what is working, what’s not, and how time is affecting each. Gathering and using data to refine your business decisions are key secrets to success. It’s amazing how many business owners don’t track vital […]
Networking 101: How To Get The Most Out Of It
Networking is as vital to your business as cash flow. While cash is the currency of tools and supplies, networking is the currency of leads, ideas, and support. When you find the right networking groups, they become supportive and valuable communities in which you can gain influence and credibility, meet collaborative partners, learn and give back. […]
Building a Business Takes a Village: When to Ask for Help
You decided to start a business and now all of a sudden you are not only the business owner, but you are also the bookkeeper, marketer, admin assistant, and sales team. Knowing how to do all these things can feel overwhelming if you struggle to prioritize. What comes first? What do you need to get done […]
Roadmaps and Strategies: What it Takes to Get You There
For all the talk about roadmaps and strategies, you’d think being an entrepreneur would look a little more glamorous than a trip to the local coffee shop. Roadmaps and strategies aren’t sexy but they will get you where you want to be — a successful business owner. What is the difference? A roadmap is an overview […]
Are You Business-to-Business or Business-to-Consumer?
Your choice of who you serve will have a big impact on your branding, marketing, sales, and delivery methods. This is the difference between business-to-business (also known as B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C). Do you want to serve Nike or the runner that wears Nike’s shoes?Does your product or service serve places like law firms, commercial […]
Be Smart About Your Business Model
It seems like you should have some business before you have a business model, right? Suppose it’s your dream to create a business unique enough to eventually franchise and grows so big an investor wants to buy you out. That’s a great dream, but that dream won’t come to fruition without a solid structure from the […]
What’s In a Brand?
Well, almost everything is part of your brand. Your brand is the unique look and position your product has that allows your customer to find you among all the noise. Branding simplifies your customers buying process. When they see the brand they are familiar with they won’t see all the competition sitting next to it. They […]
Sales vs Marketing: What’s the Difference and Why it Matters
It’s common for people to use sales and marketing interchangeably, as though they mean the same thing.In fact, they are very distinct in nature — two parts of a profitable whole. We often talk about both as if they are verbs, something you do when in reality they are a process that you and your […]
Want to Start a Business? 3 Business Models You Must Consider
Starting a business requires more than a good idea. It requires strategy. Part of your business strategy needs to include what type of business you want to run. You want to choose a business model that compliments your strengths, honors your time and budget, and allows you to keep the best things about your prior […]
Reasonable Business Expectations: Set Your Sights on Average
Books, blogs, and podcasts tend to sensationalize how much fast money can be made as an entrepreneur. When you are employed you don’t start at the top of the pay scale — you work your way there. It is the same with starting your own business. #goalsetting #business #expectations Click to Tweet Sure, there are […]