Archives: October 2008

Preparing for Change

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 31

An essential part of preparing for change is examining your corporate culture to discover any impediments to change. Realize that some of your company's traditions and practices may need to...

Remember Small Touches

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 30

When was the last time you received a handwritten note? I bet you remember it. I do. After a brief conversation with the chief executive officer of a well-known franchiser,...

A Vision Is Not a Mission Statement

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 29

Consistently delivering a simple, memorable, and concise vision can make the difference between a successful business and a failing business. Not a mission statement, but a vision. I'm about to...

Surviving a Downturn

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 28

No one likes to think about a downturn in business. But if it happens, the sooner you react, the better. Here are some tips on what to do to handle...

Prepare for Growth Spurts

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 27

Growth can be tricky and stressful for small business owners, and the best way to handle it is to prepare. Start by hiring ahead of the need. If you're growing...

Making the Most of Your Business Plan

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 24

Here are five hints on how to make the most of your business plan: 1. Take the long view and do long-term planning. Map out where you want to be...

Effective Business Planning

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 23

When your business is still in the planning stages, it is important to know your mission. Start by clearly defining your business idea and being able to articulate it succinctly....

Developing Policies for Your Business

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 22

Here are some insights on how best to develop your company's business policies: • Think ahead. Establish policies before you need them. Doing so helps avert crises and awkward situations...

Using YouTube to Promote Your Business

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 21

YouTube, at its best, is a free medium where low-cost productions garner millions of views and get picked up on newscasts. Does your campaign have potential? Here are three approaches...

Belonging and Diversity

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 20

The drive to belong and feel a part of something larger than ourselves is fundamental to being human. In a small business, a sense of belonging leads to cohesion, innovation,...

Digging In

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 17

Circumstances often confront small business owners with the unknown. Those who overvalue the appearance of knowing what they're doing tend to respond with bluster or defensiveness. Over time, such reactions...

Falling Down

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 16

Small business owners are usually overachievers and tend to be tough on themselves. While high standards are admirable, many take them too far—being fearful, intolerant, or ashamed of making a...

Going Wireless in the Workplace

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 15

Whatever your motivation—whether you want to improve worker productivity or reduce operating expenses—the right computer networking decisions will have a long-lasting impact on your budget and business. One way to...

Getting the Most Out of Your Online Advertising Dollars

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 14

Online advertising has become an increasingly important part of the small business marketer's toolkit. With the receding economy imposing budget cuts for large and small businesses alike—especially any program aimed...

Tips for Setting Up a Cash Reserve

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 13

If you're looking to generate a cash reserve, the most important thing is to create a habit of saving each week. Start by adding up all your monthly expenses, so...

Ways to Stimulate Ideas

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 10

There's a famous direct mail offer that began: "They all laughed when I sat down at the piano, but when I began to play...". In our studio, we consider stepping...

Why It's Smart to Delay Categorization

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 09

Sometimes the noun that describes what your company is is very different from the verb that describes what your company does. As consultants whose work integrates strategy, design, communications, branding,...

Great Supervisors

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 08

It has been said that employees join an organization but they leave a supervisor, and you may be nodding in agreement. Supervisors and managers have a tremendous impact on the...

The Best Employee for the Job

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 07

When the going gets tough, do you have the best people in your organization in place to manage the work and do the job that needs to be done? Here...

Building Good Working Relationships

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 06

Each of us strives to form good working relationships, to be a cooperative and constructive member of the group, to control anger and other counterproductive impulses, and to increase our...

Why You Need to Hear the Bad News First

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 03

Surprises in business are not a good thing. For a manager and supervisor, surprises are always best when they come with some warning. Of course, that almost never happens. The...

Teleworking Tools for Small Businesses

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 02

In today's business climate, the demand of a global economy requires that small companies be available at all hours in order to compete. How do you respond without forcing your...

Should You Use a Finder to Obtain Venture Capital?

Posted by: Rod Kurtz on October 01

For early-stage entrepreneurs looking to obtain venture capital, an important decision to make is whether to use a finder. A finder (aka broker) is someone who offers to help an...