The Freestyle Entrepreneur

I don’t think I’m the only one.  As a business owner, I find myself pretty much constantly thinking about (actually, worrying about) money, about sales, about taxes, about getting clients, about losing clients, about making sure that every project is top notch. In other words, I’m a bit paranoid.  And that’s good.  That keeps me [...]

[The following article originally appeared in the February 2008 issue of NEW North B2B: www.newnorthb2b.com.] Are skyrocketing prescription drug costs destroying your benefit package and your bottom line … and giving you an ulcer (not that you can afford the medicine)?   You are not alone.  The federal government reported in January that total health [...]

  I’ll admit it; I am prejudiced on the subject of men and women in sales. We’ve got to continually show the love to our agents/producers/sales reps!All too often I have heard corporate home office people complain about, ”All we have to do for them and the too generous commissions they receive.” I want to shout from the [...]

We all sell something, and we always sell all the time. When we smile, we sell a relationship.  When we short-change a customer or client, we sell doubt and distrust.  When we fail to persuade prospects to buy our product, we have sold them on our lack of ability to meet their need.  The bottom [...]

A recurring dream:  Employees who go the extra mile, take pride in their jobs, seem not just satisfied, but enthusiastic and, most of all, productive!  Just a fantasy, you think?  It’s called employee motivation, and, when achieved, it can transform a business into a dynamic, growth organization.  The question is how…and at what cost?   Does [...]

Today’s essay is directed mostly at the small-business owner who has employees, but its message is relevant to each and every one of us—employees or not. I heard almost identical stories twice within a few months from two managers who have never met and for whom I have the utmost respect. The first was from my friend and manager, [...]

Written on 3/15/2008 by Dan Paulson of InVision Business Development. By now you have probably heard the “R” word.  The papers, magazines, TV and radio are all talking about it.  So it must be true, right? So if we are entering a recession, does that mean all businesses are going to suffer?  My guess is [...]

This is one politically hot election year.  Everyone has opinions.  People have even gotten into fisticuffs over their fav candidate.   As an SBO, what do you think?  Can you afford to have an opinion or should no one know how you will vote or why?  I say zip the pie hole, unless you know that your [...]

jettison   tr.v., -soned, -son·ing, -sons. 1. To cast overboard or off: a ship jettisoning wastes; a pilot jettisoning aircraft fuel. 2. Informal. To discard (something) as unwanted or burdensome: jettisoned the whole marketing plan.I had not heard the word before space travel became the norm in the 1960s. It occurs when the capsule comes to a point [...]

Have a written job description before you hire an employee.  This helps both you and the candidate properly define responsibilities.  Also, have current employees write their own job descriptions.  You may both learn a lot.

Read John’s recent writing in other publications: When the Check’s Not in the Mail from Lake Winnebago Business To Business. The Joys of being a Solo Entrepreneur from Corporate Report Wisconsin. The Fine Art of Evergreen Planning from Corporate Report Wisconsin. Take the Business Owner’s Vacation Pledge from Corporate Report Wisconsin. Ten Survival Principles: How [...]