Small Business Success Strategies

Business Startup Checklist

There are many tasks required when launching a new business and the process can seem overwhelming. This checklist will help you organize the startup process and keep your plans on track. You may want to challenge yourself by assigning a target completion date to each task.

___ Determine what kind of business you want to start.

___ Learn about the industry for your business.

___ Analyze the market for your business.

___ Study your competition.

___ Educate yourself on running a business.

Read Stephanie's entire article Business Startup Checklist

Stephanie Chandler, our official Small Business Growth Expert

Silver Serving Utensils

We are often asked by our clients and readers about proper serving utensils for formal (and sometimes informal) meals.  Here are a few common and yet not so common serving utensils that are part of most sterling silver services.


SILVER SERVING UTENSILS

Read Cynthia's entire article Silver Serving Utensils

Cynthia Lett, our official Business Etiquette Expert

Solo Entrepreneur Skill: Successful Business Decision Making

Some self-employed business owners make decisions without any difficulty, while others struggle. Are you having trouble making a decision? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the choices you have and aren't sure how to pick just one? No matter how big or small those decisions might be, I can teach you how to strategically:

    * Define your decision and come up with alternatives.
    * Determine what criteria you'll need to help you make the decision.
    * Make the decision.

Read Terri's entire article Solo Entrepreneur Skill: Successful Business Decision Making

Terri Zwierzynski, our official Solo-Entrepreneur Expert

RSS and Blogs are the topics of the moment. Seems like everyone is talking about it. Granted, there is too much hype about RSS and Blogs.

But where there's hype - there's interest!

And with good reason - RSS is posed to be the break out technology of 2005. Those who don't take full advantage of it will be left behind.

If you need convincing - here are 10 reasons why you should put RSS on your site:

Read Titus' entire article 10 Reasons to Put RSS on Your Site.

Titus Hoskins, our official Online Fax Expert

What makes a company brand magnetic -- one that effortlessly attracts customers, revenue, media attention and employees alike? A quick examination of the laws of nature will reveal the answers. Forces such as magnetism and gravity, while seemingly subtle, have a powerful and constant influence on our lives. They govern us without our awareness of their presence. Their “pull” is not overt and goes largely unnoticed, yet they govern so much of what we do. They are natural vs. mechanical, powerful vs. forceful and attractive vs. coercive.

Magnetism occurs when charged electrons align themselves in the same direction. As in nature, magnetic companies and brands are ones that are aligned and “pulling” together toward a common goal. Once that alignment takes place, the rest is easy. Target customers are no longer “targets”, since they will gravitate towards your message. The emphasis slowly shifts from artificially capturing customers to naturally attracting them.

Read Phil's entire article How to Magnetize Your Brand and Attract More Customers

Phil Davis, our official Branding and Naming Expert

Fast Track Your Journey to Home Business Success

No one has ever logged onto the Internet for the first time and started pocketing dollars in a really short period of time. As with all things in life, there is a learning curve.

SOME PERSONAL HISTORY

Just a few short years ago, I was a working stiff just like you.

One day, I bought and read a book called "Multiple Streams of Income" by bestselling author, Robert Allen. Immediately, I began my journey.

Read Stone's entire article Fast Track Your Journey to Home Business Success

Stone Evans, our official Home Business Expert

The 4 Foes of Your Message: How NOT to Say Your 30 Second Elevator Pitch

If you're in business, at some point or another you'll be asked what you do. The 30 second elevator pitch is your quick opportunity to share who you are and what you do, with the goal of getting the treasured follow up question: "Really? Tell me more." This is an extremely valuable skill for getting clients, dealing with the media, and finding referrals.

We sabotage our own messages by not being clear on what we do and the results our work brings others. You may say too much, not enough, or project an attitude that turns people off. I want you to meet The 4 Foes of Your Message. Understand that these behaviors not only keep people from learning how to work with you, they also repel opportunities and dilute your powerful message. If you resemble one (even just a tiny bit) then start taking the recommended steps to be clear and strong with your message

Read Nancy's entire article The 4 Foes of Your Message: How NOT to Say Your 30 Second Elevator Pitch

Nancy Marmolejo, our official Visibility Expert

How to Overcome Overwhelm and Information Overload

In this short video Felicia Slattery, Janis Pettit, Bob Jenkins, Shannon Cherry, Adela Rubio and I share our experiences with overwhelm in business and how we deal with it. If you're on information overload, how do you decide who to listen to and what to do next? Watch this video and then join us in Raleigh, NC April 28-30, 2011!

 

Success Mindset - 6 Experts Share 6-Figure Mindset Breakthroughs

What are the biggest mindset shifts you've had that have helped you succeed in business? In this video Adela Rubio, Janis Pettit, Bob Jenkins, Shannon Cherry, Felicia Slattery and I share our biggest mindset breakthroughs that have yielded 6-figure business success and beyond.  Join us live in Raleigh, NC April 28-30, 2011.

 

Mindset - Overcoming Self Defeating Behaviors

The number one thing that holds people back from success in business and life are mental, emotional and energetic blocks. We hold ourselves back and sabotage our success without even realizing that we're doing it many times. Old patterns from childhood, things our parents did (or didn't do), fears, insecurities, and unhealthy ideas about money, abundance and ourselves can all play a role in holding you back from being all you could be.

In this video, I share my "secret weapon" for getting rid of these mentail, emotional and energetic blocks.