Archive for March, 2010
Trust Me, I’m a Hoax Speaker
The quality of our guest bloggers continues to blow me away. Today we welcome the very talented and very funny Graeme Bowman, corporate comedian, MC and hoax speaker. What’s a hoax speaker, you may ask? Guess you’ll just have to read on .
How many times have you clambered onto an elephant in a Thai [...]
Policy Shift
After reading The E Myth by Michael Gerber a few years ago, I plunged into a flurry of business systemisation.
Adam codified my thoughts and added his own and we ended up with a 199-page brain dump called The Ways of Empire.
Today, I mainly use this mighty tome for buying pens and acknowledging client payments.
Broken Dreams
Gone [...]
What Clients Do You Want?
When I first went solo, my answer to this question was ANYONE!
As I got established, I gained the power to choose.
I’ve since sacked a few clients for wilful misconduct and worrying affiliations.
But it took me 12 years to sit down and describe my preferred client.
I should’ve done it at the start.
Opportunity Knocks
This wasn’t one of [...]
Marketing your small business: Step away from the Great Idea
I always love to intro a new guest blogger to Small Business Owner, and today is no exception. Please extend a warm welcome to Bambi Gordon, co-owner of a number of businesses including Regional Events Australia, The Brew, and her ‘baby’ The Woo.
You know how it goes. 3am. Pondering the big questions of life, like [...]
Boxing Clever
What’s NOT to like?!
Having ranted a bit lately, I’m delighted to share a great news story.
One that counters my recent poor service and bad packaging adventures.
Surprise
I ordered some stuff from Officeworks (after my debacle with the budget mob).
When the box arrived, I was elated to read:
You’ll like what’s NOT in this carton
You’ll like what [...]
Conditions Apply*
The devil’s in the detail.
I hate ‘offers’ whose conditions render them impractical, untrue or even pernicious.
For months I’ve collected samples for a post on this debilitating aspect of human nature.
Then my wife handed me One Offer to Rule Them All.
All That Glitters
The Gold Coin to Join* offer (see above) seems the soul of simplicity. You:
Pay [...]
Building Fences
You may think fence builders are too busy building fences to read blogs.
Having recently learned to challenge my assumptions, I’m not sure.
This post is designed to attract a fencing contractor.
Job
My two neighbours and I need new fences and gates.
We’re 3 km from the CBD, close to a freeway exit, and there are two wood yards [...]
Passing the Baton
Jude is passing her horse sense to Bo. Good for Jude, Bo, horses, clients and the industry.
Once someone becomes a Master in their field, they often feel a desire to pass on their expertise.
This mentoring ‘completes the circle’ of their journey from novice to expert.
It’s good for them and good for humanity.
It’s also very good [...]
Blood Money
Money talks. It sugarcoats unpleasantness and corrodes resolve. But it doesn’t ease guilt.
Action
I’m sacking a client.
Well, letting them die on the vine, really. I’m too gutless to tell them.
They’re bright, polite, appreciative and humble.
Their work is fascinating, they pay in seconds and they write beautiful Christmas cards.
So why must they go?
Uranium.
They don’t deal with it, [...]
