Carol Bartlett is a senior level executive with broad experience in the oil & gas and transportation industries who manages more than $200M in annual sales. Using a combination of proven techniques, Ms. Bartlett focuses on growth results. She bridges theoretical business principles and philosophies to strategic actions that give profitable results. By deploying integrated proven strategies, she adds value to companies that want to grow sales and increase profits.

Jol Hunter has spent a large portion of his career as a partner with the national firm of chartered accountants and business advisors. In the past few years, with three other gentlemen, he has owned a substantial Atlantic Canadian business and so he is experiencing the joys and challenges of the ownership and operation of a medium-sized business.

Chris Spurvey spearheaded the growth of Plato Consulting to the point that it was acquired by KPMG, one of the largest management consulting firms in the world. In his time there, he sold more than $300 million in consulting services. After the acquisition, Chris changed his focus to helping other "non-sales sellers" find a way to grow revenue in a consistent, stress-free manner. He published It's Time to Sell: Cultivating the Sales Mind-Set, founded Make Sales a Habit University, and became a growth advisor to business owners and their management teams throughout the world.

 

In this episode, we discuss fifteen checkpoints that can help entrepreneurs to analyze their businesses—whether startups, solopreneurs, or small businesses—and identify opportunities for growth. These checkpoints can also help you evaluate where you should focus your time and effort in your business.

 

Business Model: A Successful Formula for Your Business

Start with your business model, and then break it down to its components. This is your business's formula. Then think about how to improve each component.

 

Sales Plan

Is your organization being persistent, deliberate, and consistent in its sales activities? And are the sales efforts focused on the right areas?

 

Cash Flow Projections

If you're not thinking ahead in terms of cash flow, you're putting your business at risk. Cash flow must be either in your head or written down on a piece of paper. Accountability happens only when something is recorded and then becomes a focus. Having a cash flow projection will enable you to focus on which of the elements of your business need attention.

 

To learn more about these topics, listen to the episode.