Most entrepreneurs expect to face the “normal” challenges of starting a business, which include finding the right opportunity, building and executing a winning plan, and financing their venture. But many forget the pitfalls associated with traditional business jobs which can apply even to the smartest and most dedicated people running their own business. Often these [...]

Making the decision to become an entrepreneur is a major commitment, with huge implications for skills and lifestyle.  Yet there is no standardized testing or certification required or available anywhere to help you decide if you are a good fit for entrepreneurship, or entrepreneurship is right for you. An MBA or other academic credentials just [...]

There is little that’s more important in business than trust. Whether we’re talking about communication between a company and its customers, employees, suppliers, or the public at large, communicating with integrity is vital. Without it, relationships suffer, and business, ultimately, is all about relationships. It’s not just the words that are used in communications that [...]

There are a million and one ‘systems’ and ‘programs’ out there that claim to hold the secret to having a successful business. For a price, consultants, gurus, and experts of all kinds will tell you what it takes to be at the top in business and in life. But it’s been my experience that it [...]

A common thread that often runs through conversations with entrepreneurs—especially younger ones—is their desire to make a difference in the world. Indeed, entrepreneurship itself makes a difference. Business owners create jobs, purchase supplies, buy and rent commercial real estate, and help to keep the economy afloat. When unemployment rates are high, the ability to start [...]

The road to business success can be a fairly rocky one. But as with most rocky situations, there is a lot to be learned along the way. Unfortunately, one of the lessons many entrepreneurs learn the hard way is the proper way to handle their finances. As financial issues, including lack of funds and financial [...]

It seems like there are thousands of people out there dreaming of becoming the next Internet sensation.  Specifically, there are countless people trying to turn their personal passions into content-driven websites. If you search the web, you’ll find hundreds of sites devoted to sports fans, foodies, travelers, book lovers, love and sex, and parenting (to [...]

Ah… lawyers. One of the most ridiculed professions there is. But if you’re a business owner, the right attorney at the right time can save you a ton of money and heartache. There are so many lawyers, and they charge so much, because we need them. And the good news is that they’re not all [...]

Who are your best customers? Are they the ones who spend the most? Are they the people who you enjoy dealing with? You might think this is a subjective question, but there is a methodical way to identify the customers that are doing your company the most good. At a conference in Phoenix a while [...]

Every entrepreneur needs to be honest about their strengths and weaknesses, and realistic about their reasons for choosing the startup route. For any entrepreneur, even the best business opportunities, if entered for the wrong reasons, will likely fail.  Some of these reasons seem obvious, so forgive me for restating, but I still hear them too [...]

Mental clutter, like physical clutter, is distraction and reduces your ability to focus and get the work done. Mental clutter forces you to keep redirecting your brain to the task at hand. Mental clutter makes our productivity weaknesses – procrastinating, getting distracting, getting off focus, being intimidated by big projects – much harder to fight. [...]

As a brand strategy consultant for a few small companies, I’ve recently seen a worrisome trend growing progressively worse: business stratification. Typically businesses stratify for two reasons – sometimes they stratify for growth, but more commonly to prevent a collapse. Both have their dangers and both can be risky and pose detrimental side affects on [...]