“Time is the scarcest resource, and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed.” Management expert Peter Drucker said this, and I agree. If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you probably feel there are rarely enough hours in a day – no matter how hard you work – to get things done. Being distracted doesn’t…
Leadership means doing a lot more than making hiring decisions, signing paychecks, and taking care of your team and your company. True leaders motivate others to take action. When you think of leaders in your community, who comes to mind? Public officials? Civic group presidents? Pastors? These are fine choices, but many entrepreneurs don’t realize…
Football lovers are in a frenzy this time of year. The NFL and NCAA playoffs are in full swing, and the Big Game is just weeks away. While most fans focus on the players and their exploits on the field, a lot can be learned from the men on the sidelines who devise strategy and…
Each year we look forward to certain family traditions, like baking Granny’s gingerbread cookies or watching It’s a Wonderful Life with the kids. But sometimes all those fun traditions can get overwhelming. That’s why we’re giving you permission to choose what you want to do this year. Ignore the pressure to people-please, and instead pick the traditions that…
For most entrepreneurs, owning a small business means you also own a small marketing budget. But having a limited amount of cash to get the word out doesn’t have to be the kiss of death for an organization. When it comes to marketing in today’s world, the old adage “Work smarter, not harder” truly applies…
As a small-business owner, setting goals is a vital part of your job description. Good leaders understand the importance of having a vision that will keep their companies moving forward. Whether your goals focus on sales, hiring, or increasing income, they won’t work unless they each have five important attributes. Each goal must be yours,…
As a small-business owner, trying to maintain a work-life balance can be like walking on a tightrope. At any given moment you have to lean one way or the other to maintain your overall balance. It’s often tempting to work around the clock to make your company the very best it can be. After all,…
The greatest generals in history knew that wars could not be won without the loyalty of their troops. Likewise, you cannot and will not win in business without the loyalty, respect and determination of your team. Loyalty is not gained by simply barking orders. Respect is not the result of instilling a sense of fear…
Learning and Living Dear Dave, I’m a recently retired widow, and my husband always took care of most of our finances. We never had any debt, but after starting to learn a little bit about how money works, I’m worried that there may be too much of it invested in CDs (certificates of deposit). The…
One of the keys to building a dedicated team that will pull together and do whatever it takes to get the job done is making sure they’re properly compensated. Treat your staff the way you would like to be treated, and you’ll find yourself surrounded with passionate people who willingly go the extra mile. A…
