Should We Tell Them about Nanna?
Disease is visiting my family.
I’ll spare you the details; it’s life and we all must live it.
The question is, do our private lives concern our customers?
Family Feud
Fonnie and I differ on so little, it’s significant when we retain opposing views.
Hers is that family affairs have nothing to do with business.
Mine is that clients appreciate candour [...]
Elevate My Mind
Going … Going …
In response to my recent topic struggle, Naomi kindly offered some suggestions.
Top of her list was: Elevator Pitch.
As someone who avoids cities, buildings, elevators, people, hands, eyes and conversations, I’m not the best possible ambassador for this important business tool.
This, however, creates a magnificent opportunity for you to step in.
Definition
Wikipedia’s (Empire-abridged) [...]
What Does Exclusive Mean?
Not with those shoes!
As we’ve gathered a galaxy of brilliant brains to this blog, there’s something I wish to ask.
Something that’s been bugging me for decades:
Does exclusive actually mean anything in business?
I’m not sure it does.
A Lot of it about
Google yields 0.9 billion results for exclusive. That’s thrice more than for bread.
It’s obvious exclusive [...]
Interesting Conflicts
Have you been tempted?
These days, ‘conflict of interest’ seems to mean:
If it’s in my interest, there’s no conflict!
I don’t quite see it that way.
But I have.
Old School
When working for an ad agency, I was surprised to find myself writing for two BIG FIVE* clients in the same week.
I strive to do my best. So unless [...]
What Lovely Teeth You Have!
Do you sing your clients’ praises?
We know it’s vital to make customers feel good.
But how often do we make them feel fantastic – like life is beautiful and the world is a happy, marvellous place?
Too seldom, I’ll wager.
Dear God
I don’t pray often, but once a year I always do.
It’s when I’m stiff with fear [...]
The Pud is in the Proofing
The writing’s on the wall.
When it comes to good English, there are two schools:
It’s a load of useless nit picking.
It’s utterly vital.
When it comes to good English in business, I have one thought:
Get it right, or else.
It’s not just me who thinks this. Check these quotes:
I’m not going to apply for a company that [...]
Facing the Music
I had it, but lost it.
Early adopters are where it’s at.
While fairly hip to the groove, I got a very nasty shock on dipping my toe in the iTunes pool.
The following lesson may save you from losing your entire music collection.
It also teaches the value of taking extra special care of customers new to what [...]
The $30,000 Horse
Information → Power → Money → Time → Freedom → Joy
(Click pic to enlarge.)
Our Judy Oldmeadow is going great guns with her dream to breed the world’s finest Morgan horses.
Last time I visited her farm, I asked what her financial goal was.
It took a while to extract, but we got there.
She wants $30K [...]
Thy Will Be Done!
Have your muesli and eat it too!
Our Flip Shelton just had a HUGE win with her new all-Australian breakfast range.
And all we had to do was ask.
This good news story proves it’s possible to change a system from without.
Which is very good news for you.
Made to Measure
Flip said to me:
I’d love your thoughts on [...]
Turning the Page
You’re SO welcome!
We share many stories on this blog.
It’s so nice when one has a happy ending!
Previously on Small Business Owner …
In June 2009, I described my struggle to avert the Yellow Pages juggernaut.
Seems I wasn’t alone.
We thrilled as Steve@Sensis kindly (and bravely) fielded our questions and illuminated the path to freedom.
Despite [...]
