8 09, 2015

How Coaching Keeps You on the Road to Success

2016-12-11T16:09:18-08:00

You’re an entrepreneur.

You got into business for yourself so that you could call all your own shots. You relished the idea that every last decision about the business to be made by you.

But when you began your business you had no idea how many different hats you’d have to wear to make your business successful. Now you’ve got too many decisions to make and you’re worried you’ve begun to second guess yourself. Which decisions […]

How Coaching Keeps You on the Road to Success2016-12-11T16:09:18-08:00
3 09, 2015

Creating a Fresh Face for a Salon Business

2016-12-11T16:09:18-08:00

The Need for Peace vs. The Need for New Customers

Your eyes are closed, muscles are slack, as creams and ointments are gently massaged into your skin, giving you the most luxuriant feeling of total relaxation and calm. All of the sudden the sound of a hairdryer firing up blasts through the quiet, breaking your mood. Next, you hear several voices chattering energetically further shattering your sense of sanctuary. And the thought begins dawn on […]

Creating a Fresh Face for a Salon Business2016-12-11T16:09:18-08:00
12 08, 2015

Fundamentals of Marketing: Where to Get Started

2016-12-11T16:09:18-08:00

Some would say marketing is EVERYTHING you do for your business that makes any kind of impression on your target market, from the way that the receptionist answers the phone, to your advertising and customer service. And while it’s true that anything public-facing will make either a positive or negative impression on prospects and customers, that definition is so all-encompassing it’s not particularly helpful at understanding where to focus your attention in order to […]

Fundamentals of Marketing: Where to Get Started2016-12-11T16:09:18-08:00
30 04, 2013

Are You Showcasing?

2016-12-11T16:09:19-08:00

Last week I attended the Napa Chamber of Commerce’s Napa Valley Business Showcase and Women in Business and Technology Symposium at the Meritage Resort. My visit had a number of purposes. (Tip #1: If you plan to attend a trade show, you better go with some specific goals in mind. Otherwise you get mighty disappointed, especially when you have to walk a long distance from where you parked your car to attend the event.)

Are You Showcasing?2016-12-11T16:09:19-08:00
24 10, 2012

Mission Possible: Big Strategy

2018-01-17T15:31:10-08:00
"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." Dale Carnegie

I mentioned I’d been in need of a bit of inspiration and nudging as I tackle my big project. (What about you?) Mr. Carnegie (above) seemed to have the right idea: (paraphrasing) Keep at it and don’t leave your boat tethered to […]

Mission Possible: Big Strategy2018-01-17T15:31:10-08:00
2 08, 2012

Successful Marketing Is a Two-Way Street

2018-01-17T15:31:11-08:00

Brian Signorelli’s Why I Fired My Marketing Agency article on Hubspot got my attention right away. After all, I wanted to know what big mistake(s) this guy’s agency made and what I should do to avoid it myself. (All those negatives don’t add up to a positive.)

Since I got a lot of feedback on my piece last week, Using the 80/20 Marketing Rule to Vastly Increase Sales, […]

Successful Marketing Is a Two-Way Street2018-01-17T15:31:11-08:00
9 11, 2011

Are There Holes in Your Marketing?

2011-11-09T17:05:40-08:00

Holes in a Wall

In a couple of weeks I can expect to begin seeing many blog posts, webinars and white papers on goal-setting for the new year. Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

It’s not that I don’t like setting goals, I think it’s essential as a tool leading to success. But it’s mighty difficult to squeeze in the time for this task.

January came and went with a flurry of activities, making goal-setting and review a […]

Are There Holes in Your Marketing?2011-11-09T17:05:40-08:00
3 11, 2011

Delivering on Your Brand Promise

2011-11-03T23:43:48-07:00

Promises Ave.

Last week’s post on Truth in Advertising briefly touched on the importance of delivering your brand promise, but I didn’t give you much explanation about it. (Not exactly fair, is it?)

We all know many brands which either deliver their brand promise on the nose (Apple), or get close but miss the mark a bit (Microsoft). The problem with the latter brand is our […]

Delivering on Your Brand Promise2011-11-03T23:43:48-07:00
13 10, 2011

What’s Behind Your Curtain?

2011-10-18T21:19:05-07:00

Behind the Curtain Pic
Ten years ago we wouldn’t have dreamed of revealing what’s ‘behind the curtain’ in our businesses.

Did Walt show us Mickey without his pants on? No!

Point made.

Funny thing’s happened on the road to (and through) 2011: Between the 9/11 tragedy forcing all of us to figuratively (if not literally) get naked for the TSA if we want to fly anywhere and the 2008 Economic Tragedy (at least it is for […]

What’s Behind Your Curtain?2011-10-18T21:19:05-07:00
29 09, 2011

The Magic Formula for Great Business Success

2011-10-13T02:33:44-07:00

Stack of Money with Ladder
Everyone likes a formula. It makes everything seemingly easier than without the formula (except, of course, if this formula involves math, which is why I’ve avoided writing this article like the plague).

Business is easier and life is easier when we have a yellow brick road to follow. There’s no thinking involved.

When we’re told to just follow the instructions or drop the numbers into the formula, […]

The Magic Formula for Great Business Success2011-10-13T02:33:44-07:00
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