Are you an expert? Says who? There are ways to take something simple you already know how to do and turn it into expertise that applies to your business. But many of you are already experts. You have a niche in your field. You know a lot about an area of study. You’ve done your research and built experience. But who is calling you an “expert”?

Creativity is in short supply — especially in the AV business. We engineer, work systems, and follow protocol. And in the midst of that, it’s really hard to be creative. In fact, that’s why a lot of AV companies bring me in for a consultation — they need a creative perspective. People ask me to help them work through their challenges, review their proposals, and weigh in on their opportunities because I bring a lot of creative ideas. So, what’s the secret to my creativity?

Cash flow is one of the main obstacles to growing your business. We’re familiar with the phrase “cash is king” for a reason. With cash, you hold the power to take your business to the next level. Payroll isn’t a problem. Marketing becomes more intentional. Decisions are made based on what’s actually best for business (not just what you can afford). Cash flow is probably the biggest challenge for small business owners — but it’s not the biggest challenge for all business owners. Some owners have grown their business from “small” into extremely profitable companies.

We’re in the age of instant gratification, but can you really expect to grow your AV business immediately? It seems a little unreasonable — yet we sometimes aim for instant growth anyway. Maybe you’re frustrated with your sales team because they don’t have the numbers you want. Or maybe you feel like your company is stuck in a rut. Whatever the reason, you’re not satisfied with your business and you want to know how to grow your business now. So, is it possible?

Have you ever suspected some of your salespeople are just winging it? If so, how would you know? Maybe you’d look at the consistency of their sales numbers. Maybe you’d talk to clients that have worked with them. But how do can you tell if their success (or lack thereof) comes from a real understanding of your company’s value to customers and how much of their success is just smooth talking?

You want to be a successful person. You want to own a successful business. But can you really do both? The combination of a successful person and a successful business isn't the holy grail. Anyone can have this, but balanced success requires intentionality.