Manage All Stages of the Customer’s Buying Process

by | Oct 9, 2015 | Business Profit & Cash Flow Tips, Cash Flow, Sales & Marketing, Small Business Owners

Successful marketing requires that a business owner truly understand the buying process prospects go through before reaching a decision to buy. There are normally six stages to the consumer buying decision process.  Making the purchase is only one stage of the...

You Must Get Them to Refer Their Friends, Family, and Associates

by | Oct 6, 2015 | Business Profit & Cash Flow Tips, Business Success Series, Sales & Marketing, Small Business Owners

The best way to get referrals is to do such a good job solving problems, in a way that is both enjoyable and convenient, that people just want to brag about you to their friends.  I call this earning the referral. Then simply ask them for the referral....

My Business Is in Trouble! What Should I Do?

by | Oct 2, 2015 | Accounting & Bookkeeping, Books, Business Profit & Cash Flow Tips, Cash Flow, Sales & Marketing, Small Business Owners, Small Business Success Series

Since the economic downturn in late 2007, many of my meetings with small business owners have started with them saying, “My business is in trouble!  What do I do?” One mistake almost all small business owners make is waiting too long to decide that they have a...

It’s Not a Sale Until the Money Is in the Bank!

by | Oct 1, 2015 | Accounting & Bookkeeping, Books, Business Profit & Cash Flow Tips, Sales & Marketing, Small Business Owners, Small Business Success Series

Creating a receivables collection system eliminates most cash problems. A recent study found that half of all small businesses are having trouble collecting receivables.  During good times this is an annoyance.  During bad times it is often the path to an...

Unlock Your Hidden Profits

by | Sep 30, 2015 | Accounting & Bookkeeping, Business Profit & Cash Flow Tips, Business Success Series, Sales & Marketing, Small Business Owners, Small Business Success Series

How spending 15 minutes per week reviewing five reports can increase your profits tremendously.  Nothing is interesting if you’re not interested. – Helen Macinnes About the last thing most business owners are interested in is spending some quality time with...

Startups: Building the Business You Want Before You Start

by | Sep 24, 2015 | Business Profit & Cash Flow Tips, Business Success Series, Sales & Marketing, Small Business Owners, Small Business Success Series

When the economy is struggling and unemployment is high, many people who can’t find work choose to start businesses. This is the first in a series specifically for startups and the issues they face while trying to survive the tough early years. One of the first things...