Archives: November 2007

Cut Software Costs While Making Employees More Productive

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 30

You've probably heard or seen the classic business rule dubbed "The Golden Triangle." Picture a triangle, with one label on each of the triangle's three angles. The first label reads,...

Automate Your Business Without a Computer Consultant

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 29

Computer consultants are good for two things: helping your small business become more efficient through intelligent use of computer technology and charging you for it (which is understandable, given they...

Effective Training Programs for Managers

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 28

The ability to manage people well can have a huge financial impact on a company. Employee turnover rates, cost of talent retention, litigation experience, and employee tenure are just some...

Centralize Your Business Data to Transform Your Business

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 27

Small businesses live or die by the sword of efficiency. Large competitors can afford to be less efficient but still leverage economies of scale to provide higher service levels or...

Create a Customer-Service Culture

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 26

There is a high correlation between customer service and customer loyalty. A study by the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business found 70% of online customers rated themselves "very...

Benefit from a Trusted Adviser

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 23

Highly effective small business owners trust advisers to help them explore new ideas and discover critical solutions. The candor, talent, expertise, and heart of those we choose as advisers helps...

Take Time to Celebrate

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 22

Successful small business owners take time out to celebrate. They know that celebrating makes their employees feel like winners. Employees who feel like winners tend to win more often. Despite...

How to Conduct an Effective Sales Meeting

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 21

The purpose of a sales meeting is to prepare your sales staff to sell. Yet all too often sales meetings turn into boring lectures and redundant wastes of time. Meetings...

Using a Hosted Phone System

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 20

When someone calls a business, his or her first impression is based on how the call is answered, placed on hold, and transferred, as well as what additional options are...

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 19

The Role of Supervisors It is often said that "Employees join an organization but leave a supervisor." This is no surprise, as it is supervisors and managers who set the...

Dealing with Unpleasant Facts

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 16

Excellent leadership means having the courage to face facts on a regular basis and take appropriate action. As humans, we are all prone to simple avoidance—if not some level of...

Leading from the Heart

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 15

Leadership is about heart. Small business owners who believe that business is separate from heart are missing vital information that can lead them to achieve their goals: greater effectiveness, ethical...

Franchising Still Fraught with Pitfalls Despite New FTC Rule

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 14

Ever since Ray Kroc flipped his first hamburger and launched what eventually became the McDonald's () restaurant chain, an untold number of small business owners have adopted the same franchising...

Improving Your Customer's Experience and Your Bottom line

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 13

Most consumer businesses contend with a tremendously difficult competitive environment. Consumers have more options and information than ever before. As a result, they can switch vendors easily. Consumers are also...

Securing Critical Business Information

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 12

No matter how much data and information is kept by your business, information security is a topic that needs to be addressed. While large companies may have entire departments dedicated...

Finding Your Place on the Mobile Web

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 09

In an increasingly competitive business environment, staying connected to your customers is more important than ever. As mobile Internet use goes mainstream, it will change the way consumers communicate—both with...

Get Your Small Business in Front of Technology Providers

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 08

In comparison with their mid- to large-sized counterparts, small business have often been ignored by technology vendors when it comes to new product releases. However, with the widespread use of...

What Is a Foreign Corporation?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 07

A corporation conducting business in one state when incorporated or chartered in another is considered a foreign corporation. If your corporation will conduct business in any state or states other...

Turn Your Business Green

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 06

Take small steps when taking your business green. Doing small things can make a big difference in the long run. One idea is to try to see how many places...

Could You Work with Your Spouse?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 05

We can't make any promises about the ultimate success of your husband- and wife-run business—or your marriage. But we can tell you that so far our marriage and our business...

The Benefits of Workplace Rituals

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 02

Think about your typical day: You take the same route to the office, listen to a specific radio station in the car, buy a cup of coffee or newspaper from...

Develop a Civil Work Environment

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on November 01

It seems that today's casual business environment has endangered civility, professional courtesy, and regard for others, leaving rudeness, disrespect, and other inappropriate behaviors in its wake. Common complaints include interruptions,...