The Water Trough- We can't make you drink, but we will make you think!

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They work after school, during the summers and breaks. The jobs they do may not be the most inspiring, but they are as essential as that which anyone else does. It is getting harder and harder to find these employees. How can we inspire them to join us?

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Traditional coaching is a top-down affair. It makes sense as it is the job of a manager to get things done through people. But it's more than getting things done. It's about getting things done effectively and efficiently. To accomplish that, a manager has to consider an employee-centric approach. Alas, the manager as coach. Adding coaching tools to your management portfolio can change your world.

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Join me as I discuss small business matters with John Dustin. John is the President of JED Insurance and Financial Service Agency and the Founder of the Optimal Collaborative Consulting Group. He is not only an experienced small business owner but he is an advocate for small businesses everywhere. 

Our topics range from the pressure (and distraction) of short-term profits, and collaboration with our competitors, to the willingness to sacrifice and business transition.

Join me for this insightful conversation with a person I trust and believe will make your small business life a whole lot more productive. 

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A strategic alliance is a collaborative relationship between two or more parties. It is designed to facilitate the achievement of agreed-upon goals or to fulfill a critical business need while retaining the independence of the parties. Unlike a partnership, there is no need for a transfer of equity nor is costly legal assistance necessary, however, the quid pro quo principle applies. The parties agree to certain conditions and hold each other mutually accountable. 

The myriad of tasks and responsibilities for a small business owner can be daunting. When there are not enough staff, expertise, or resources, a strategic alliance is worth considering. In fact, strategic alliances can be a lifeline, particularly for those who are engaged in a new or growing business.

Here are a few tips to get a strategic alliance started: 

1. Envision and express the synergy 

• Identify your needs; it doesn’t matter how simple or complex they are- if you are not best equipped to handle them, someone else surely is 
• Be prepared to express your needs so that a prospective alliance can appreciate their potential value to you 
• Identify what you will offer in return; be prepared to express this in a way that shows a prospective alliance your potential value to them 

2. Identify and screen alliance candidates 

• Identify known contacts and/or seek referrals from trusted sources that match your needs and your offerings 
• Share your vision 

3. Upon mutual agreement go forward and reap the rewards 

• The world is full of talented people; not all of us excel at the same things and it is this heterogeneity that fuels synergy and success. Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone.

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A project pre-mortem is just what The Small Business Doctor prescribes to give you the best shot at a successful project. 

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This episode is possible due to the amazing customer service offered by the staff of West Bridgewater Coin and Jewelry Buyers of West Bridgewater, MA. These folks put the customer in customer service. They truly have earned the title of 24kt customer service. 

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Our government is a not-so-great role model. Put something of great importance off to the last minute. But those of us in business know how to procrastinate too. The big question is WHY do we do It?

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Join me and my guest Richard Rimer for an enlightening (perhaps surprising) discussion about branding. If you own a business or if you support folks who do, you are not going to want to miss this.

Richard Rimer has seen many small businesses close for an unexpected reason: they chose the wrong brand.  Specifically, they chose a brand that was too similar to that of another company and were forced to rebrand and pay their profits to the other company.  So many business owners say “But I didn’t know” when they face this crisis.  Unfortunately, not knowing is irrelevant.  Richard’s mission is to educate, inform and protect small business owners.  Learn more about him here: https://beacons.ai/initiatingprotection.

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All your attention is on the people who BUY what you are selling. But who is responsible for their buying? In large measure, it is your employees. Most of us do not have self-selling stuff. Maybe it's time for you to pay attention to your forgotten customers. You're buying customers will be pleased and I am pretty sure you won't mind the sales.

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Promotions- employees love them, and employers need them. Ah, but as an employee, are your expectations realistic? And employers, are you promoting the folks with the greatest opportunity to succeed? Yes, promotions are important, but the way you handle them deserves considerable thought.