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Unexpected Paths to Growth

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These strategies might sound counterintuitive, but they're proven to work for both large and small businesses, unexpected paths to growth. Whenever I think about crazy business ideas that succeed, I remind myself of the brave individuals who raise their hands when the boss asks for “new ideas.” One of these nameless heroes is the executive who thought it would be a good idea to put cafés into bookstores. Imagine telling a Vice President of Operations or a Sales Director at a large bookstore … [Read more...]

Introducción al PIB para los dueños de negocios

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El Producto Interno Bruto (PIB) representa una de las medidas más importantes de la condición en que se encuentra nuestra economí­a. Tanto el PIB en términos de dólares como los cambios en el PIB en el tiempo pueden ayudarnos a entender cómo están las cosas hoy y cómo probablemente estarán en los próximos años. Como empresarios, pasamos la mayor parte del tiempo analizando los números de nuestra empresa. Pero de vez en cuando —digamos una vez cada trimestre— es muy valioso dar un paso atrás y … [Read more...]

How Self-Auditing Your Sales Process Can Save Your Business

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Want to grow your sales? Take a close look at your sales track record-the results will be illuminating. Self-Auditing Your Sales Process. When small business owners have difficulty growing their sales, they often take one of three actions related to their process: change everything, change nothing or a hire a consultant. Any of those strategies could be the right approach for your business, but none make for a good first step. You should instead start by taking a close look at your sales track … [Read more...]

Deal: Payroll Tax Cut to Continue for 2012

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The contentious extension for the payroll tax cut seems to be headed for passage. How will it affect small businesses? The contentious payroll-tax-cut extension appears to be headed for passage after legislators reached a compromise in Conference Committee negotiations. It appears that Congress can indeed work together and reach consensus. In Conference Committee, leaders from the House of Representatives and the Senate negotiate differences in the versions of a proposed law passed in each … [Read more...]

Deciphering the Latest Jobs Report

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The most recent employment report by the U.S. Dept. of Labor looks good on the surface. But let's dig into the numbers of the latest jobs report With so much uncertainty about the direction of the economy in 2012, everybody jumps at the slightest possibility of good news. Investors, employers, politicians, business owners and job seekers all want good news. The most recent Employment Situation report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that we added 243,000 jobs during the month of … [Read more...]

How To Increase Productivity And Reduce Your Response Time

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Give these internet tools a try to visibly decrease your response time and get back to those who seek your attention. How To Increase Productivity And Reduce Your Response Time About a year ago I made a conscious decision to improve my response time. My inbox was filling up with anywhere from 12 to 20 e-mails per hour and my voicemail was filling up regularly, as I don’t answer the phone while in meetings out of consideration to my fellow participants. (Speaking of meetings, they were taking … [Read more...]

Mike Periu hopes 2012 will bring better days for business.

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Mike Periu hopes 2012 will bring better days for business. 3 Small Business New Year's Wishes The new year is just around the corner and I couldn’t be happier to bid farewell to 2011. It wasn’t an easy year for businesses—big or small—and its departure won’t be missed by anyone who tried to grow revenues and turn a profit this year. As I get my business ready for 2012, I’m taking the bold step of telling 2012 what I expect from her. Wish #1: Political campaigns where economic growth is … [Read more...]

The Myth: Taking Time Off During Holiday Season

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A new study suggests that small business owners will spend this holiday season working instead of resting. Every year, studies show that Americans are overworked compared to our European counterparts. U.S. workers average just 13 days’ vacation a year, according to a recent study by Expedia. Some European countries enjoy three times as many days off. During the holiday season, this difference between U.S. and European workers widens. Most small-business owners do not intend to spend the … [Read more...]

Employee Retention: Warning Signs That Your Employees Are About To Leave

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Don't let the poor job market fool you. Employee retention is not an issue to be put on the back burner. With the poor state of the job market, many business owners take it for granted that their employees won't quit. This relaxed attitude towards employee retention has reduced employer engagement on addressing employee-related issues. It’s a mistake to assume that your most talented employees, especially your superstars, won’t consider offers by competing companies. Assuming that a poor job … [Read more...]

Does The Occupy Wall Street Movement Have A Point?

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The Occupy Wall Street Movement: Who is the 1 percent, and should they pay far more in taxes because of their successes? The Occupy Wall Street movement appears to be losing its steam due to evictions and bad weather, but their rallying cry of the 99 percent appears to have struck a nerve—at least with the media and some politicians—and will likely be a key theme of the 2012 election season. The central issue that these people are raising is fundamentally one of perceived fairness. In their … [Read more...]