“Leadership is a skill, and like all skills, it takes time and effort to develop. The time-worn quotes that have been hanging in your locker rooms for years are not nearly enough. Now I understand: average leaders have quotes; good leaders have a plan; exceptional leaders have a system.” That comes from the book Above…

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The_Brand_of_You

Let’s talk about you for the next few minutes, about your “Personal Brand,” the “Brand of You.” There’s real value in identifying your personal brand, giving yourself a recognizable voice, and then leveraging it appropriately. It can be a very challenging, introspective, and yet rewarding process. We’re going to find out more about you, what…

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Educate_Your_Customers

Did you know that educating customers is one of the most effective marketing methods? Marketing is an essential element of your business, and you have to do it better than your competition. Every dollar must be spent efficiently and productively, working to create a powerful marketing strategy. You need to try every available marketing approach…

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One of the principal shortcomings of businesses is their failure to establish a recognizable brand. The easiest way to remedy this issue is to capture the attention of consumers by distinguishing your business from the competition. Here are a few ways to demonstrate uniqueness by implementing personality into your brand along with examples of companies that…

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10_Steps_To_Accountability

Early in my career, my boss gave me what he called “The 10 Commandments” to personal and team success. It was a laminated, front-and-back, wallet-size card with 10 statements on each side. One side was titled “10 Steps to Accountability” and the other side was “10 Steps to Right Person, Right Place, and Right Time.”…

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As your small business grows, it’s not always easy to keep your processes simplified. The more mature an organization becomes, the more things accumulate and get in the way of performance, even though many times, simplicity is what made the business a success in the first place. Complexity can be a major hindrance to the…

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Leaders_Know_What_They_Do_Not_Know

“People chronically misappraise the limits of their own knowledge; that’s one of the most basic parts of human nature. Knowing the edge of your circle of competence is one of the most difficult things for a human being to do. Knowing what you don’t know is much more useful in life and business than being…

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Setting_Up_Your_First_Location1

Small business owners have a wide range of options when it comes to setting up a physical location for their business. It can be a complicated decision featuring significant amounts of planning to find the optimal spot. After all, options range from having an office in the home all the way up to a manufacturing…

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Are_You_A_Workaholic

It’s Saturday afternoon and I’ve already spent more than 5 hours working on work—things that could have waited until Monday. So I started to think about it: about work, and its impact on me, my family, friends, hobbies, and time. After some self-reflection, I jotted-down a few questions that I’ll pose to you. Do you…

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Smart_Business_Negotiating

Are you a strong negotiator? Knowing how to bargain and make a great deal is a valuable skill for any entrepreneur, and while some people seem to be born with the ability, it is possible to teach the fundamental rules. Small Biz Viewpoints described seven of the biggest mistakes people make in their business negotiations.…

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