Business startup

Business Startup Advice – Plan Like You’re Going to Fail.

I started a business with a forty thousand dollar loan from a friend of mine. The business meteorically grew to over one million in sales per month within a year. I had nothing to complain about, right? Except… I was rotating my inventory 4-6 times a month. Cash flow issues were the order of the day. I went through three “bookkeepers” and as many accounting programs. Within a year and half I had over 50 employees and 4 locations. We tried to slow things down to only find that there is no “slow” with business. You’re either climbing or you’re declining. Within 4 years this same business failed due to bad accounting advice and practices, poorly designed loans, theft, and lack of a solid core business direction. We grew too fast. My business startup was a disaster. I should have planned to fail… let me explain.

sales networking

Sales Networking with Your Business Posse.

As a business owner you make huge efforts participating in boards, associations, and sales networking meetings of all types. Sometimes in group settings and sometimes just simple one on one facetime lunches or cups of coffee somewhere. A good thing. With that said, however, I would guess most of you are missing some of your best sales networking, lead generation, opportunities and don’t even realize it. Let me explain.

voicemail

4 Tips for Killer Voicemail.

When left with no choice but to leave a message… Do you leave an impromptu message? Or even worse… Do you simply put the phone down and hang up, expecting to catch that prospect at a later time? If so… Why? Do you believe voicemail’s a waste of time? I have a question for you… Is it leaving a voicemail that’s a waste of time or could it be the voicemail you’re leaving? Let’s make sure it’s not the later.

increase sales

Get Healthy and Increase Sales.

I have recently found myself dealing with health issues. Suddenly, like a car that wasn’t maintained well, my “warning lamp” has started to glow and I’ve had to “pull over”. For some time now tenacity has been my instrument towards achieving personal and career goals regardless of aches and pains. It seems that’s simply not enough any longer. I need to increase sales and my health is definitely in the way now. How did I get to this point?