Thursday, January 28, 2010

2010- Get Ready Message # 1

The third quarter of 2008 marked a total upheaval of our economy that included large decreases in the stock market, the failure of many businesses, several quarters of economic decline, and an increase in unemployment rates. Yet just one year later the third quarter of 2009 showed economic growth of 2.8% and a gains of 40% - 50% in major stock markets from their March 2009 lows. All indications are that when results are published later this month that the fourth quarter of 2009 will have growth greater than the previous quarter. In December when announcing no change in interest rates “the fed” indicated that while our current economy is still quite fragile, growth was expected to into 2010 and beyond.

Assuming no major catastrophes, 2010 stands to be poised as one of the most opportune times for businesses in quite some time. Is your business ready for the opportunities ahead?

GET READY!

This is the perfect time to commit to getting ready. You can start by joining a Business Boot Camp and setting your 2010 goals.

Call me, and let’s talk about how your business can Get Ready.

Recommended reading for goal setting: GOALS—The 10 Rules for Achieving Success by Gary Ryan Blair, published by Simple Truths.

Also, let me know if you know anyone who could use help Getting Ready in their business. I will be happy to send them more information or meet with them to get them started.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Remembering Glen Bell

Glen Bell Jr. studied McDonald's before opening his Bell's Drive-In in San Bernardino, Calif., in 1948. Three years later he added 19-cent tacos to the menu, but it took another decade before he opened his first Taco Bell using $4,000 scraped together from family and friends. Bell, who died Sunday at age 86, sold his company for $130 million after introducing millions of Americans to their first taco.

Veiw: Taco Bell's Message

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Calling All Hands On Deck

In the old sailing ship days, the captain’s cry of “all hands on deck” spurred every man on board into action, whether or not it was his watch. The welfare of the ship and all who sailed on her depended on it. The command is still used on naval ships and as a general call to action.

Mike Cough, serial entrepreneur and SCORE business consultant, recently issued the command “Calling all hands on deck” to the American small business owner. His opinion is that the needed economic turn around is dependent on small business. He then asks business owners to issue the “all hands” command to their team.

Clough goes on to point out that change will only happen when people take action.

I would like to take Clough’s idea one step further. Not only should business owners call on their team, they should also issue the command to their fellow business owners.

I have created the Business Boot Camps to bring business owners together and give them the opportunity and place to develop their “all hands on deck” strategy.

Read: Clough’s All Hands On Deck Blog

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Impossible Dream

“The annals of American business are filled with ‘impossible dreams’ that have come true. I believe in those dreams, and most importantly, I believed in my dream.”
Mary Kay Ash, The Mary Kay Way


Every business owner has a dream for their business.

When was the last time you thought about the dream you have for your business.

This is why I created the Business Boot Camps. The Business Boot Camps are designed to give small business owners the opportunity and place to think about their dreams and do the learning and strategic planning necessary to make those dreams come true.

Get together with a group of fellow entrepreneurs to enhance your CEO skills and become a more effective business owner. Start to think about your dreams, believe in your dreams, and make your dreams come true.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Get Ready To Be Exceptional

"Nobody can prevent you from
choosing to be exceptional."
Mark Sanborn
The Fred Factor
Studies have shown that the most successful entrepreneurs are those who are in a constant state of learning, and will take chances on attempting the impossible. Read about the Stanford Graduate School of Business research.
The results of studies like these are exactly why I created the Business Boot Camps. The Business Boot Camps are designed to give small business owners the opportunity and place to do the learning and strategic planning to do the impossible.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

It's Always Nice to Get Feedback

I received the following note from one of my students:

I would like to thank you for a wonderful class. I truly enjoyed learning because of your enthusiasm and sense of humor. I also appreciated your patience with each of us. I have never taken a college class where the instructor has involved everyone in the class. It was very refreshing and made the class interesting. I will definitely recommend your class to anyone wanting to take an accounting course.

Saturday, January 2, 2010