THE VALUE PROP BLOG
Business Shut Down? Plan For Brighter Days
With COVID-19 sweeping the country, shut down business owners may (begrudgingly) find more time on their calendars. Here’s how they should use their time to plan for brighter days.
Only a few weeks ago, I bet your schedule looked very different than it does now. Perhaps you were burning the candle at both ends because there just never seemed to be enough hours in the day. And then, of course, came Coronavirus and businesses across the country are shutting down.
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Don’t Panic! Six Truths for Business Owners in Crisis
As business owners, we’ve always known that the greater economy is beyond our control. And when things look rosy, this fact isn’t so scary. We have plans and strategies. We know our markets, our target customers, and...
Yep, we all have Coronavirus now!
Hey friends,
I wanted to check-in on how you’re feeling in the midst of the Coronavirus and all that goes along with this pandemic. I know it’s all over the news. It’s all over stock market reports. And preventative measures have been ramping in the U.S. and around the world. With all the coverage and (rightful) concern, it’s easy for panic to set in…
But, I don’t want you to panic. I want to share with you my observations and advice as a fellow...
3 No-Stress Tips for Preparing Strategic Planning
Preparing for strategic planning can be stressful. Before you book your conference room, spend time reflecting on these 3 ideas.
Strategic planning preparation is all about having the time and space to reflect on your business. But, we know that business owners are busy people. According to The Leader’s Calendar, the average CEO works 62.5 hours a week. As a result, a lot of business owners plan on the fly and when it comes to their strategy meetings, they struggle...
When You’re Too Busy for Strategic Planning
Failure to plan is planning to fail. But how do you carve out the time for the strategic planning process?
I often run into business owners that have a sense of urgency and purpose about their business. They are committed to growing their company and are working hard at it. They have a growth mindset, just like we talked about. But within that desire for growth, they also have a fatal flaw.
It’s a failure to plan. And, as the saying goes, a...
Why Every Owner Needs a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset in business means you are actively pursuing growth on a daily, quarterly, and yearly basis. Are you serious about growing your business?
While it may surprise you, the answer is actually no, not everyone wants to grow.
There are three types of owners I see:
5 Questions to Define Your Business’s Mission
Defining your mission is one of 7 Critical Priorities that an owner-operator must consider when thinking strategically. But how do you do it?
Not sure what should be a priority in your business? Review this post.
What’s the first answer that comes to your mind when I ask, “Why does your company exist?”
For a lot of people, this can be a tricky question. The answer might be as simple as, “To make a living. To provide for my family, put food on the...
How to Set Your Small Business’s Priorities
Decisions you make now will affect the future of your company. Here’s how to set your priorities and stick to them.
Imagine you’re the captain of a boat in the middle of the ocean—and your boat springs a leak. Your crew begins to panic. They bombard you with questions.
- How fast are we sinking?
- How can we fix it?
- Are we going to die?!
In this dire situation, only one question truly matters: Where is the hole? ...
Hiring A Salesperson Is Easy
In a small business, hiring a salesperson is easy...provided that you have great candidates to choose from, an incredibly compelling compensation package, stellar references, and preferably some prior experience with the candidate you’re hiring – so you know for sure they’ll produce.
Oh. You’re not sure you have that all lined up for your next hire?
OK. The simple fact is that working with many business owners and professional sales managers throughout the years,...
Strategic Perspectives: Why You Need Both Optimism and Pessimism to Grow Your Business
Is the glass half full or half empty, and does it matter to your business?
I think it does matter, but maybe not in the way you’d initially think.
As an entrepreneur, my default is optimism. Optimism is an essential part of an entrepreneur’s “DNA” – how else are we supposed to persevere despite the many forces that push back against our ideas? I have persevered again and again. I have dreamt new dreams and tried them – I have taken risks, I have...
