I would like to start off today’s post with a quote from Will Rogers, American cowboy, performer and humorist, who said “Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.” In other words, don’t waste your valuable time by dwelling unnecessarily on the past. We have all been guilty of wasting time. When we are young, we believe that we …
Can I Do This for Another Year? How To Keep a New Business Going
I hope that everyone is doing well and having more fun than I am at this moment. I am currently at the computer, working on bookkeeping late at night. While QuickBooks is far from my favorite pastime, it is a necessary evil of life as a small business owner. And while I may rather jab myself in the eye with …
Guaranteed Success
At a recent continuing education class, I was speaking with some other home inspectors, and one of them asked the group what was the one trait that made them successful. Most of the group gave predictable answers, touting their experience or explaining how thankful they were for their rewards. I didn’t provide an answer at that moment, as I couldn’t pick …
The Complete Product (Part 2)
Note: This post is the second of a two-part article. Click here to read part one. A complete product. What do we mean when we say that our business has a complete product? This means that our product is not only profitable enough to sustain (and grow) our business, but it also helps our business and our customers in many ways. …
The Complete Product
In business, our success is tied to our ability to juggle our numerous responsibilities, ensuring that many different things come together at once. The main thing that you must have, the one thing that no business can survive without, is a product that is ready for public consumption. The simple fact that you have a product, however, does not guarantee success. While …
Developing Trust. The Importance of Relationships in Your Business (Part 2).
Note: This post is the second of a two-part article. Click here to read part one. It is impossible to go down to your local bank, open a savings account with $100 and then turn around and attempt to withdraw $500. The teller would look at you like you are crazy! Your business relationships work the same way. As a …
Developing Trust. The Importance of Relationships in Your Business (Part 1).
Trust. It is one of those words that evokes a certain, unique mental imagery for most people. Some people will immediately think about a parent or favorite family member, some will think of lifelong friends and others may think of a pet or a favorite place. The point is that trust can be hard to define and even harder to …
Expecting the Unexpected
I hope that this post finds everyone in good health. Today I wanted to talk about a near-miss that I had on my morning commute. I was traveling east on a two-lane interstate, and traffic was not too bad, so I was going (about) the posted speed limit of 70mph. As I was approaching a major off-ramp, there were vehicles in the right …
Here We Go Again… Why Effective Communication Trumps All
I hope that everyone is well and enjoying some activity that excites them. I, on the other hand, just finished an eight-hour re-certification class for my pest control licenses. While the vast majority of us must undergo some type of continuing education or re-certification classes on a regular basis to keep our licenses/certifications in effect, the benefit and knowledge …
Right Place, Wrong Customers
Customers. They’re the lifeblood of any successful business. Without them, we’re just standing around, thinking about how great our business ideas are. Without them, we’re soon on the way to the unemployment line. No business can survive without cash flow, and that means customers. Unfortunately, customers can also be the worst part of our business, often causing untold grief and pain. I’m …