Leadership Series: Introduction
Leadership Series: Introduction Darren Hardy, former publisher of SUCCESS Magazine, entrepreneur and motivational speaker once posed a powerful question that goes something like this, “What is the one skill that would dramatically change the quality of your life?” It might be communication, empathy, diligence, financial acumen, or perhaps a technical skill like programming or product engineering. But what if we told you that there is one skill that is the sum of all other skills–the culmination of them all? Well, there is. And it’s LEADERSHIP. Leadership...
Read MoreThe Business Model Canvas
The Business Model Canvas Now that we’ve spoken about the Business Idea Canvas, our next tool in line is the Business Model Canvas. This revolutionary tool is a simple, yet powerful method for setting structure to your business idea/new product/new branch of your existing business in order to understand your “business model.” Well, that’s a catchy, often over used term, but what is a business model? Investopedia defines it as: “The plan implemented by a company to generate revenue and make a profit from operations. The model includes the components...
Read MoreThe Profit Cycle
The Profit Cycle As a small business owner, investing in your people can sometimes seem far away from the bottom line. In this cycle, shared by Bob Nilsen, former President of Burger King and current CEO of Cafe Rio, the payoff of investment in employee training, morale and well-being is clear. Here’s a quick summary: 1. Invest in your people, helping them become trained and happy 2. Your people will treat your customers well 3. Satisfied customers generate sales 4. Sales generate profits 5. Profits can the be reinvested into your people, your customers, sales...
Read MorePutting the Thanks into Thanksgiving
Putting the Thanks into Thanksgiving As an American National holiday, Thanksgiving has root in the 1620’s beginning as a celebration in gratitude for a much needed harvest in combination with gratitude for much needed and recently acquired freedoms. Thanksgiving is meant to commemorate a life of opportunity and abundance. But, in reality, does thanks seem to be the focus of the day? Oftentimes Thanksgiving ends up being more about turkey, pie and side dishes—this year, let’s take on the “THANKS-giving challenge” and put the thanks back into Thanksgiving. Step one: Pick a...
Read MoreTips for Hiring Top Talent
Tips for Hiring Top Talent Every business owner knows how difficult, time consuming and expensive the hiring process can be. And on the other hand, every business owner knows how powerful and impactful a great new hire can be for the business. For that reason Andre Lavoie, CEO and Co-Founder of ClearCompany offers his advice on hiring. Here are his five key points: 1. Avoid basic, run-of-the-mill searches. “Generic skill or technical-based searches, while applicable, will result in people who simply mention those terms in their resumes. Instead, try including detailed...
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