In July I did a profile of celebrity chef and entrepreneur Wolfgang Puck (You have to live up to your own expectations - Wolfgang Puck). I wanted to continue the profile today by discussing one of Puck’s success secrets: Keep It Simple.

Puck has never been one for pretensions. Despite being a gourmet chef who caters to the who’s who of Hollywood and many of America’s other elite, Puck has refused to succumb to the glitz and the airs of many of the other top chefs. He has kept his recipes simple and their presentation equally so, his restaurant designs unfussy and his overall message clear-cut: “I think people can walk by, and they see the menu. It’s not intimidating and the food is interesting. If they get good food, friendly service in a nice environment, people will come back and tell their friends.”

Indeed, for over 25 years, people have kept coming back and telling their friends. It is the casual yet sophisticated nature with which Puck approaches all of his businesses that has endeared him to the American public as well as his culinary peers. His priority has always been on creating simple, innovative and tasty food and to share that with as many people as possible. Everything beyond the food is an afterthought. “The design is really the backdrop to great good and great service,” he says. “It is the happy customer who makes the ambiance of the restaurant inviting and exciting. So I always believe great food, great service and wonderful customers put into the right space, will make a successful restaurant.”

Many of the most elite chefs pride themselves on the presentation of their dishes, fussing over even the minutest of details and creating complicated and intricate displays to wow the diner’s eye. While Puck is too a believer in a nice presentation, he believes that good food is the most basic of requirements, and with that the presentation comes secondary. “I really believe food has to look good by itself,” he says. “If you buy good, fresh green beans, you don’t have to line them up in a row or anything like that. Just put them out on a nice-looking plate.” Class and simplicity, but never pretension, he insists.

Part of keeping it simple for Puck means knowing one’s own limits. No matter who his client may be, Puck knows what will and wont work for an event and won’t succumb to pressures to create extravagant dishes that are simply not feasible. “We could do almost anything for a smaller party,” he says. “For example, with a party of 100 I can do a chocolate soufflé.” But, for the Academy Awards Governor’s Ball, for which he has been the official caterer for 12 consecutive years, “I’d say, ‘Forget about it.’”

Puck’s commitment to innovate and create exciting new recipes is never overrun by his desire to maintain the minimal style for which he has become famous. He remains determined to bring diners “a mixture of things they are familiar with, and new things, too.” But, in the end, having a simple and reliable product is what Puck has proven will keep the masses coming back for more. No gimmicks, no fancy advertising – simply good food.

Have you kept it simple at your business?

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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This week’s Entrepreneur University comes thanks to Max Kalles. Max is a certified internet consultant and conversion marketing specialist with WSI. He has presented at internet conferences around the world, and his workshops and seminars have helped hundreds of business owners improve the results from their website.

Today Max discusses how web marketing and communications will fare through the current hard times:

“Isn’t it cute? The (relatively) infant marketing medium that is web 2.0 is starting to live through the first economic crisis of its lifetime. Even when the tech bubble burst, web 2.0 was still just a glimmer in Google’s eye. Besides, the tech bubble was far too focused to be a crisis; more of a lesson learned.

In previous economic tough times, marketing took some big hits. When businesses panic, they often look first at the bottom line and the quickest ways to improve it. We are sure that “keep what’s essential, ditch the rest, starting with marketing!” has echoed through more than one boardroom. Internal communications didn’t stand a chance either. Wanton slashing of brochure, newsletter and video budgets was common. The thinking was that companies could get by without all the “communication” and pretty pictures.

So how will web marketing and communications fare through the current hard times? Even in previous crises, there was always those voices who insisted that marketing and communications were needed “now more than ever”. It’s more important during tough times to keep the brand in consumers’ minds. It’s a big world and somewhere in it, someone’s spending money. Sustaining the brand flame keeps a company visible as all the other lights go out.

But, can web 2.0 keep your business turned on? If anything, this crisis might be the coming of age for internet marketing. Even in previous crises, if companies could afford it, they would keep their marketing channels open and flowing as much as possible. The advantages are obvious. Cost is the main reason for cutting marketing programs in tough times - not because they are a bad idea.

This is where the bloom might never come off the internet rose. Any company; your company, can keep the marketing flame burning bright through any crisis because of web 2.0. Why? Because it doesn’t have to cost anything.

Web 2.0 allows your company direct access to your customers without any intermediaries – and it’s the intermediaries that usually gobble up the budget. Your customers are there, on the web, throughout the crisis, and you just need to get online and connect with them.”

Are you worried about marketing yourself and growing your business with the current economic slowdown?

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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Here are the results from our most recent Young Entrepreneur poll asking you: “Who is your business role model?”

Famous Entrepreneurs (15)

John D. Rockefeller (3):

“Sam Longiotti, Warren Buffet, John D. Rockefeller and Bill Gates”

“John D. Rockefeller, Warren Buffett, Cornelious Vanderbelt, and a few more”

“Donald trump. And john d. Rockafeller.”

Donald Trump (3):

“Donald Trump, how to turn your name to a brand!”

“I second that. (Donald Trump, how to turn your name to a brand!)”

“Donald trump. And john d. Rockafeller.” 

Richard Branson (2):

“Richard Branson is such a free spirit in what he does in the business world. He’s not afraid to try things, and he’s not afraid of failure. He always has the energy to continue what he’s doing if he does fail.”

“Richard Branson & Jack Welch.”

Warren Buffett (2):

“Sam Longiotti, Warren Buffet, John D. Rockefeller and Bill Gates”

“John D. Rockefeller, Warren Buffett, Cornelious Vanderbelt, and a few more”

Soichiro Honda (1):

“I always admire Soichiro Honda. I use the products.”

Others:

“Sam Longiotti, Warren Buffet, John D. Rockefeller and Bill Gates”

“John D. Rockefeller, Warren Buffett, Cornelious Vanderbelt, and a few more”

“Dave Thomas”

“Richard Branson & Jack Welch.”

Nobody (2)

“Your question has got me thinking… I don’t really have a business role model, but perhaps I am in search of one!”

“I need to find one. They always say its good if you can find a role model.”

Family (2)

Grandfather:

“Great poll. My business role model is definitely my grandpa who has had a plethora of entrepreneurial success and most importantly, did it the right way through hard work, ethical relationships, and being smarter than everyone else (seriously, I wish I was 1/100 as smart as he is).”

Great Uncle:

“My great uncle (my father’s uncle)..but he was great too! hehe He grew up in a poor family and persevered to build a powerful Publishing Company in India called LIFCO that is still very successful and being run by his sons. I only met him once and I was too young to remember well but his legacy has inspired me.”

Authors

Tim Ferriss:

“There is no other person who would best personify many of my financial and life goals than Tim Ferris, author of the 4-Hour Workweek. I recommend that book to any persons who wants to own/start their own business (and not run one!).”

Thank you everyone for casting your vote - it’s an impressive list of mentors and for those of you who don’t have a business mentor yet, it’s time to get searching!

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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I frequently get asked about the relative importance of the Page Rank of a website versus the traffic to the website. This becomes especially important if you’re looking at revenue sources for your online business or if you’re looking at selling your website.

Question: Would you rather have a Page Rank 3 with 100 visitors per month or a Page Rank 1 with 1,000 visitors per month?

The Case For High Page Rank

• It’s often easier to sell a domain (and get a better price) if you have a high Page Rank and low traffic than the other way around.
• It’s easier to monetize the site by selling links which pass Page Rank to advertiser webpages
• It makes your website looks more prestigious and important

The Case For More Traffic

• It’s easier to monetize the site through pay per click, affiliate programs, and banner advertisements.
• It’s also easier to sell your own products or services to help monetize the webpage
• It will help your Alexa ranking which will give you additional credibility

My own preference is to focus on traffic as opposed to Page Rank. Page Rank is sexy but high traffic will make you more money unless you’re in the niche business of website flipping or selling links (which is a no-no in Google’s eyes).

What is your preference? As online entrepreneurs we obviously want both Page Rank and traffic but if you had to pick only one, which would you prefer?

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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Yesterday afternoon I was interviewed by a franchise related magazine and was asked my opinion on why so many people were starting businesses now since being let go from their regular work.

I was also asked what advice I would give to a new entrepreneur in these tough economic times. I thought I would share my thoughts with you as well.

Why are so many people starting businesses now after being let go from work?

1. Control Your Own Destiny.

When you work for someone else you don’t have control over your destiny. You’re always tied to the success of the organization and when the company has problems you could be let go for no fault of your own. When you run your own business you make the decisions and your hard work is in return rewarded with profits.

2. Young Workers Want Opportunity.

Many of today’s young workers were hired during the boom times and haven’t seen an economic recession. Now they are realizing that life isn’t always so great working at a big company. They know they are still young and are using the chance to start off in a new area by doing their own business. If not now then when?

3. Necessity Is The Mother of Invention.

Many people cannot find work anywhere else so they start their own business more out of a necessity to survive than out of a desire to be an entrepreneur. There is nothing so powerful as the need to put food on the table when your back is up against the wall.

What top 2 tips would you give to new entrepreneurs starting out?

1. Build Around A Customer.

Find someone to buy what you are selling and get the cash coming in right away. Do not waste time thinking and planning endlessly. Find a problem and solve it. Many people have found that their old employer is actually a good potential customer if you can solve their critical needs.

2. Do Not Spend Until You Earn. 
Especially if you have been let go from work, you do not want to get into anything that will require a large capital outlay. Find ways to get profitable and start filing up your bank account. This may mean starting with a service where you are trading your time for money and eventually moving into a product based company once you have the capital to expand.

Why do you think people are rushing to start new businesses? What advice would you give them?

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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If it were not for the ingenuity of W.K. Kellogg, the world today might never know flaked cereal.

A master marketer and inventor, Kellogg revolutionized the breakfast food industry when he decided to start his own company and sell toasted corn flakes back in 1906.

Today, that same company has grown to include almost 26,000 employees and earns over $11.5 billion in revenue.

He dropped out of school and was always considered to be the “dim-witted” child in his family.

So how did this boy so destined for failure rise to become one of America’s most well-known entrepreneurs?

“As a boy, I never learned to play.

I confess at the time I little realized the extent to which the food business might develop in Battle Creek. I was so overloaded with work that I am conscious that very little, if any of it, was performed satisfactorily. I did the work as business manager of the Sanitarium and got no glory and very little money. I was always notified when insane patients succeeded in getting away.

For twenty-two and one-half years, I had absolutely lost all my individuality in you. I tried to see things through your eyes and do things as you would do them.

I never, at any period of my life, aspired to become wealthy, but the fierce competition perhaps developed a fighting spirit, and in the effort to secure our share, the business has succeeded. It is my hope that the property that kind Providence has brought me may be helpful to many others, and that I may be found a faithful steward.

Dollars have never been known to produce character, and character will never be produced by money.

I sort of feel it in my bones that we are preparing a campaign for a food which will eventually prove to be the leading cereal of the United States, if not the world.“

Do you “feel in your bones” that your business will be successful?

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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This week’s Entrepreneur University comes thanks to Debra Gould. Debra is an internationally recognized home staging expert also known as “The Staging Diva.”

Today Debra shares her lessons learned from the gym:

“I belonged to a gym for years and rarely made it there despite all my best intentions. Every month, the membership fee on my credit card reminded me how I’d failed to follow through yet again.

Then last year I had major surgery. What a wakeup call to pay more attention to my health! It took 4 months to fully recover and I decided that no amount of wishing and promising was going to get me to the gym until I did something different. So, I purchased 50 training sessions with a personal trainer and made appointments to work with him three times a week.

It’s been a difficult journey toward becoming fit, but it reminded me of a few lessons that apply equally to building a business.

1. Even the slightest adjustment can make a world of difference.

I would think I was doing an exercise correctly until my trainer had me change my arm position by an inch or less. Suddenly I was using a whole new set of muscles. I could have done the exercise incorrectly for months with no results and concluded that exercise was a waste of time!

That’s not unlike someone having a website and giving up after a year or less, thinking it’s a waste of effort when the problem wasn’t with being on the web, but with the content of their site. Sometimes all that’s needed is a little fine tuning to get the results you want.

2. Having an appointment or a deadline keeps you focused.

I’ve blocked off 2 hours three times a week for my personal trainer. There is no way I would have gone to the gym that often if he wasn’t expecting me and I hadn’t already paid for the time. But now I’m in better shape than I have been in 20 years.

I still fight with the little voice in my head that says, “This is too expensive and too time consuming.” But the reality is that there’s a huge payoff. It’s keeping me healthy, so how can I afford NOT to do it?

This is not unlike someone saying “I can’t afford to promote my business or learn how to charge properly for my services.” If you don’t do these things you won’t have a business, so how can you afford NOT to do them?

3. Having an objective third party give you expert advice and encouragement can keep you motivated no matter how hard you’re working or how hopeless it can sometimes feel.

Just when an exercise is getting easier, my trainer ups the weight, speeds up the machine, or makes me do more repetitions. I get discouraged because then it’s hard work all over again and I want to quit. But the trainer keeps me going and encourages me to push through the hard part. Little by little my muscles get stronger and my heart rate recovers more quickly. I’m now on my third set of 50 training sessions and I feel fantastic!

That’s what it’s like in business. You finally figure out something you were struggling with and it gets easier. You’re proud of yourself but you know coasting along will not generate more progress and growth. You have to take on new challenges.

With each new hurdle that you tackle, you get stronger and more confident. Then you go through a period of feeling like a beginner again as you take on some new challenge. But remember, success is a process not a final destination.”

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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4 comments

Last week I asked you who your business role model was and I wanted to share the results so far:

Famous Entrepreneurs (13)
Richard Branson (2):

“Richard Branson is such a free spirit in what he does in the business world. He’s not afraid to try things, and he’s not afraid of failure. He always has the energy to continue what he’s doing if he does fail.”

“Richard Branson & Jack Welch.”

Warren Buffett (2):

“Sam Longiotti, Warren Buffet, John D. Rockefeller and Bill Gates”

“John D. Rockefeller, Warren Buffett, Cornelious Vanderbelt, and a few more”

John D. Rockefeller (2):

“Sam Longiotti, Warren Buffet, John D. Rockefeller and Bill Gates”

“John D. Rockefeller, Warren Buffett, Cornelious Vanderbelt, and a few more”

Donald Trump (2):

“Donald Trump, how to turn your name to a brand!”

“I second that. (Donald Trump, how to turn your name to a brand!)”

Soichiro Honda:

“I always admire Soichiro Honda. I use the products.”

Others:

“Sam Longiotti, Warren Buffet, John D. Rockefeller and Bill Gates”

“John D. Rockefeller, Warren Buffett, Cornelious Vanderbelt, and a few more”

“Dave Thomas”

Nobody (2)

“Your question has got me thinking… I don’t really have a business role model, but perhaps I am in search of one!”

“I need to find one. They always say its good if you can find a role model.”

Family

Grandfather:

“Great poll. My business role model is definitely my grandpa who has had a plethora of entrepreneurial success and most importantly, did it the right way through hard work, ethical relationships, and being smarter than everyone else (seriously, I wish I was 1/100 as smart as he is).”

Authors

Tim Ferriss:

“There is no other person who would best personify many of my financial and life goals than Tim Ferris, author of the 4-Hour Workweek. I recommend that book to any persons who wants to own/start their own business (and not run one!).”

What do you think about the results so far? If you have someone you’d like to add to the list or vote on the current nominees please comment below!

You can cast your vote by commenting below or by voting in our forums at: New Poll - Who Is Your Business Role Model?

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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It’s time for another SEO Advice post! Last week, I offered free SEO advice to Teach and Still Grow Rich . I’m going to continue my SEO Advice series today by helping out another YoungEntrepreneur.com blog reader Mus, from VUW’s School of Information Management.

Mus (Mustaqeem) Mohd. Adam - http://international.sim.vuw.ac.nz/

This is the URL: http://international.sim.vuw.ac.nz/

Please provide SEO advice for URL above. Thank you.

Mus

My Recommendations

1) Choose Your Keywords

Looking at the page, I have no idea what keywords you’re trying to target. Is it Information Management? Is it Victoria University? It doesn’t seem like you have targeted a specific set of keywords that you want your website to rank #1 in Google for. If you’re trying to attract students to find your school, think about what keywords they would be typing into a search engine for you to show up? Pick your top keyword choices and start the optimization process!

2) Use Your Title Tags

Your title tag on the homepage reads “About SIM”. The title tag is one of the most important components of SEO for a webpage because you only have so many characters (keep it under 100) to describe what’s on the page so Google gives more weight to what you put in the title tag. It’s also a great case where SEO doesn’t interfere with design because most people don’t look up at your page title (unless you’re in the SEO industry). Once you’ve figured out your keywords, put them in the title tag and use them throughout your content as well - a good rule of thumb is once every second paragraph.

3) Good Page Rank

The good news is your Page Rank is a 5 out of 10 which is pretty good. This means that you have a respectable website in Google’s eyes and you have other authority web pages linking to you. A higher Page Rank gives you a better chance of showing up in the search engines for your keywords if you optimize for those keywords properly (see point #2). Of course it’s all relative. If you competition (other schools) are all Page Rank 5’s or above then you’ll have to work on building more quality links to your site to give your Page Rank a boost.

Good luck Mus!

Readers, what do you think about VUW’s School of Information Management?

To learn more about how to get SEO tips for your website please read my post: Need SEO Advice? Submit Your Site!

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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2 comments

One of my favorite HR books is 1001 Ways To Reward Employees. It goes through 1001 ways that you can recognize your team starting from ideas that cost no money to others that start getting more expensive.

One thing I’ve found with my team is the actions that you reward get repeated so you want to make sure you’re rewarding the right thing!

I have two high school interns, for example, who work with many of my customers. What I started doing a few months ago was putting a line at the bottom of all the emails that they send out that reads:

“How am I doing? If you’ve had a good or bad experience working with me please tell Andrew at (email).”

Every time they do a good enough job for one of my customers to write in, I print off the customer email, make a small announcement in the office and reward the intern $10 for the job well done.

For a high school student, it’s a nice reward and it can quickly add up as they continue to do a good job! Yes, I’m out of pocket a little bit of money but how much is customer satisfaction worth? The interns now have an incentive to provide better service because they know they will get rewarded for doing so.

Every quarter I also give all my staff members different appreciation gifts - some get Amazon gift certificates because they are big book readers, others get ebay gift certificates because they are constantly bidding on different items, and others get gifts based on what they’ve been talking about in the office (ie. movie passes for one team member who has been working very hard and needs a break!).

These gifts are usually pretty small in monetary value ($20-$50) but the recognition helps motivate them to continue to perform and keeps the morale high in the office.

The quarterly gifts have worked out well as a general “Thank you for your loyalty” but the performance based ones are having an even greater impact! My next challenge is figuring out how to implement a performance based reward system for technical and editorial staff who are not directly tied to customers or revenue. The behavior I reward will get repeated over and over again so I want to make sure I’m picking the right behavior!

If you haven’t already established a rewards program you should try it out! It can be as simple as someone getting a trophy on their desk until someone else earns the right to have it or giving people hand written, thoughtful notes. You can promise to do something out of character if you reach a certain goal and money, of course, is also a great incentive but remember it doesn’t have to be much to get them going.

Have you tried any kind of performance based incentive programs with your team members?

Evan Carmichael
YoungEntrepreneur.com Blog Manager

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4 comments