All Topics
Management
All Projects Are Created Equal
My old boss has a saying, "We are in business for fun and profit. If we are not making a profit it's not any fun." All projects start out fun and profitable. What happens next is really up to us.
Operations
Ten Things Operations Managers Should Manage
Operations Managers and Directors are invaluable to the success of your evolving business. Here's what to look for when building your operations team.
Strategy
Customer Experience as a Strategy
Have you ever walked into a store and been immediately pressed by a salesperson or greeter with offers of help? It is a practice that generally yields quick results for the shoppers that want to expedite their search. "Can I help you?" the greeter asks. "Could you tell me where the coats are?" you reply. There was a time when "Just looking" wasn't allowed.
Strategy
The One Mistake We Repeat Every Year
The end of the year is a special time for me. It is time for reflection and I don't do it often enough. Next week - the New Year - will be time for new directions, but the week between Christmas and New Year's has always saved for thinking...and cleaning.
Sales
My Five Top Salesmanship Tips for Owner-Operators
When I ask, what prompted you to start your AV business? The answer I hear most often is, “I started this company because people wanted my expertise.” They will quickly add, “I was never trained in business. I don’t think of myself as a salesperson.” Designer, programmer, technician, visionary, or specialist – small business owners are typically everything other than a salesperson. Yet, every business owner I have worked with is by far the best salesperson in their company.
Management
3 Financial Metrics You Should Be Tracking
I have a love-hate relationship with financial dashboards. The longer a specific report has been in use, the more likely I am to find a stagnating metric. You see, dashboards have a magical power to keep numbers in check, which on one hand is intentional, but on the other hand - corrosive.