Archives: July 2008

How Much Technology Is Too Much?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 31

In theory, giving your employees a new technological device such as the BlackBerry is an ingenious idea. The trouble lies in its ability to blur the lines between the workplace...

Communicating Difficult Messages

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 30

It's inevitable that at some point business owners, managers, or supervisors have to communicate a difficult message. This can range from layoffs or an employee's termination to announcing your team...

Look Ahead—Stay in Charge

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 29

Most businesses have been in some way affected by the current downturn in the economy, and small businesses that provide discretionary products and services which are marketed directly to the...

Using Analytics to Identify Additional Revenue Channels

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 28

Managing and utilizing customer data is becoming increasingly more complex. As an increasing number of customers use alternative buying channels other than brick-and-mortar stores, companies need to get more creative...

Perception Management

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 25

Many entrepreneurs spend time trying to manage what others think of them. Unfortunately, it does little more than interfere with their ability to make decisions for the greatest good. While...

Silence

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 24

It is not unusual for a successful small business owner to lose track of the need to ask questions and listen to others. Being on stage often, holding court among...

Think Systems

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 23

We all live and work in complex systems and if we aren't already doing it, we need to think in systems. A system (or organization) is a physical or social...

Right Thinking

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 22

What you believe drives what you achieve. How you think about yourself, your core purpose, your people, your work, and your organization—leads to your feelings, actions, and, therefore, directly to...

Managing Up

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 21

Here is a sound career tip no matter where you are on your career ladder: Focusing on your relationship with your boss is a smart idea that pays off. It...

Communicating in Times of Crisis

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 18

Effective communication is not only a key element of best business practices but should also be a critical component of your business continuity management plan. Begin by developing a common...

What Workers Want

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 17

Strategic workforce development is a common theme in organizations today. This is true in spite of changes in the global marketplace, soaring and plunging economies, and the shifting demographics in...

Make Your Web Site More Visible to Offline Customers

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 16

Online contests in which consumers vote for their favorite local businesses give business owners a great opportunity to market their Web sites by asking their customers to go home, log...

What to Know About Managed Service Programs

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 15

With the current concerns about the economy, many small businesses are looking to reduce costs any way they can. One of the biggest costs for the small business owner is...

Cultivating Rising Stars

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 14

We consider young team members on the client side of a consulting engagement to be ideal prospects as annuity clients as their careers mature. As bright stars take new positions,...

A Simple Model for Branding

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 11

We have adopted a simple model for helping clients think more expansively about bringing their brand experiences to life. Our model builds on the familiar visual aspects of a brand...

Why You Should Host More Meetings

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 10

As travel expenses rise and budgets tighten, it behooves client-relationship-based companies to look for opportunities to host client meetings. In our experience, home games help us manage fixed costs, focus...

Driving Sustainable Innovation in Tough Times

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 09

While many companies are hunkering down during the current economic storm, smart companies understand that it is critical to drive the market, instead of being driven down by it. CEOs...

The Case for Direct Mail Marketing

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 08

As more and more of one's work and personal life shifts into the digital zone, it's easy to consider abandoning direct mail marketing initiatives. But it's important not to be...

When Advertising, Appeal to Senses

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 07

You don't need to be a big company to make a big impact in advertising. But you do need to be smart about how to catch people's attention—and that means...

Dealing with a Dead Server or Workstation

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 04

Every day, some unlucky small business owner finds himself with a dead server or workstation and asks himself that dreaded question: Now what? All too often companies are without a...

Prevent Business Disruption

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 03

You wouldn't think about not locking the doors to your facility at night, right? So why would you leave your business wide open through unprotected data and poorly maintained systems...

Using Video to Market your Small Business

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 02

The production and distribution of video has long been a mainstay in the marketing campaigns of global brands, governments, and NGOs. Now, thanks to the Internet, small businesses can also...

Reducing Paperwork in the Workplace

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on July 01

It's hard for businesses to keep some paper records and some electronic records. It means double search time. Companies cannot afford to maintain both. Since business processes almost always involve...