Not surprisingly for a business conference, the state of small business was the topic of much discussion at GrowSmartBiz. The anchor: the Small Business Success Index, a survey of the competitiveness of small businesses (defined as privately-owned, with 100 or fewer...
It's not often that I spend a full day listening to other people talk--and sit through it all (or at least most of it). But the GrowSmartBiz conference yesterday held my attention. There was a lot of terrific content, and I'll post more fully over time. But I thought...
I love that there's an iPhone app that lets you exchange contact information just by bumping phones. But does this mean that business cards are becoming obsolete? Business cards speak to me, especially when it comes to small businesses and solo practitioners. The...
Do you negotiate over rates? If so, then you may be selling your business in the bargain basement bin. Every now and then I'm queried about my rates only to have a prospect come back and try to get me to drop then. The irony is that (a) it's always a small project;...
Interesting article from Business Week on Accenture's new partnership with tech startup Bug Labs. The deal allows Accenture to customize technology solutions. I can't speak to the tech side, but here are three takeaways from a business perspective: 1. Smart companies...
A friend remarked the other day that my last employer did me a huge favor by throwing me out the door. Otherwise, she said, it might have taken me a long time to find my passion. She's right. That one post-graduate-school job wasn't fun. It wasn't pretty. Looking back...
Sometimes it's useful to have a simple screening process. Today I want to thank all the people who: Announce their job searches and ask for help via generic e-mails to blind-copied recipients. Send updates to multiple people. Don't say "thanks" when you take the time...
So you're at a networking event, and someone comes up to you, introduces themselves, and immediately asks for your business card. What's your first impression? Mine: oh, oh, someone is about to try to sell me something. Why? Because they haven't even bothered to chat...
Interesting takeaway from the Interbrand survey of consumer attitudes toward 32 major banks and financial services companies.* Turns out that the survey of 2000 households found that 53 percent don't trust their own bank; and even more--64 percent--don't trust...
Many independent consultants and small business owners are notoriously bad at delegating, whether it's because they don't want to spend the money or they don't know where to start. Yet building a successful business means focusing on those tasks that make the most...