Small Business Help | Obama’s Public Health Plan

Each year the cost of health insurance increases, placing a huge strain on the American public, who are forced to choose between paying astronomical insurance premiums or facing financial ruin if someone in the family becomes ill. It’s hard enough for employees of large companies to pay their portion of the premiums.  Small businesses, who… Continue reading Small Business Help | Obama’s Public Health Plan

Are you running a business or just freelancing?

An interesting dialogue appeared on the Open Forum a while back which brought to mind the distinction between the mindset of a business owner and a freelancer.  In my experience, the business owner mindset positions you for success because you build an entity that will survive long term.  A business owner has a vision for what they want to achieve and takes… Continue reading Are you running a business or just freelancing?

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Relationship Marketing | Cultivating Your Referral Base

Alex is a financial planner with a solo practice in Chicago.  He’s been in business for about 4 years, but his income has taken a beating over the last 6 months or so, since the recession hit.  He’s lost a bunch of clients, and can’t seem to find new ones to replace them. Geoffrey’s financial planning practice is going great… Continue reading Relationship Marketing | Cultivating Your Referral Base

Niche Marketing | Why trying to serve everyone doesn’t work

When a general practice attorney named Joan called me about 9 months ago, she was a bit concerned about the future of her small firm.  Like many solo attorneys, she left a larger firm to go out on her own, only to find that landing new clients was difficult.  Joan had been surviving on some referrals, but… Continue reading Niche Marketing | Why trying to serve everyone doesn’t work

Soft Skills Training | Interpersonal skills make all the difference

Liza runs a graphic design studio in lower Manhattan.  A competent and talented professional, she’s always kept up with the latest design trends as well as the most cutting edge technology.  But as her business grew larger and demands increased, Liza began to feel as though she was out of sync with her staff and her clients.  She found it uncomfortable to… Continue reading Soft Skills Training | Interpersonal skills make all the difference

Marketing Ethics | Balancing Effectiveness and Values

Rob really wants to fire a difficult client who’s sapping his energy and taking too much time, but can’t afford to, so he finds himself working to keep them instead. Victor’s marketing isn’t working and he desperately needs more clients, but since he’s not comfortable with any of it, so he stays stuck. Andrea is bearish on the market and… Continue reading Marketing Ethics | Balancing Effectiveness and Values

Business Motivation

The subject came up the other day about what drives business motivation, and a client came to mind whose story is well worth mentioning. Charles is a software engineer who has been running a consulting business for about 6 years in New York City.  Busy with the day to day details of keeping up with the work and managing the business; time flew by;… Continue reading Business Motivation

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