A dirty little secret
Here’s a dirty little secret about business in the digital age: people aren’t as financially successful as you think they are. I’m not saying anyone is lying about their earnings. If someone tells you...
View ArticleThe Illusion of Personality Branding and the Danger of Personality Business
It’s a personality brand, not a personality business. Running a business that incorporates some level of personality branding is like driving a car. You put yourself in the driver’s seat but you turn...
View ArticleThe 3 Kinds of Work (including 2 you should be doing less of)
There are three kinds of work you do a regular basis. First, there’s work that gets immediate results. It might be actually delivering the service you provide or creating the product you sell. It could...
View ArticleTired of dreaming small?
On Friday, friend and client of 2.5 years, Rebecca Bass-Ching said to me, “I’m tired of dreaming small.” Now, Rebecca doesn’t suffer from small dreams. She is an accomplished marriage & family...
View ArticleKnowing your customer goes beyond “now”
Last week, I did an Insight Intensive with Nancy Sherr–a gorgeous and dynamic coach guiding women through transitions and towards a zestful life. I read the copy on her site, I watched her introductory...
View ArticleWhen you want to say “I get it!” to your customers: the art of merchandising...
One of my responsibilities in managing my old Borders store was overseeing merchandising. Each month or so, we’d receive a giant binder full of displays and sign changes to execute. Each display would...
View Article“Shop small” is so last year. This year, celebrate big opportunities.
It seems cliche but small – even micro – businesses are the backbone of our [global] economy. In the United States, 91.5% of businesses have fewer than 5 employees. And according to the US Census...
View ArticleThe Secret to Sales Copy that Actually Sells: Don’t Overthink This
So, you’ve got a new product or service launching in the new year. I imagine one of the tasks you’re dreading the most is actually writing the offer. You can create a remarkable new product. But write...
View ArticleWhat will growth look like for your business in 2013?
As one year ends and another begins, you’ve no doubt been inundated with opportunities to explore successes & failures, doors open & doors closed, goals, plans, and strategies. It’s true; this...
View ArticleHustling is Not the Answer to the Question of Growth
Business not as hot as you’d like? Repeat this simple mantra, “hustle.” That seems to be the answer you’re most likely to find for all your woes. Write more, create more, network more, pitch more....
View ArticleWhy “Only You Can Do What You Do” is Limiting Your Business
“Only you can do what you do” is a pop culture principle of the microbusiness movement. But it only tells a very small part of the story. And in doing so, keeps the impact these businesses can make on...
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A Confession of Sorts–or–There’s More Than One Way to Grow Your Business
Will you allow me to share something a little uncomfortable with you for a bit? When I file my 2012 taxes this year, my personal income will be considerably lower than in 2011. No, I didn’t cash in on...
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Online dating, business, sincerity, and strategy
Warning: What follows is a lede you probably never expected to see in a business publication… In the last 4 months, I’ve found myself in a position to give online dating a go. I’m merely a dabbler, but...
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Who Powers Your Business? The Answer Might Surprise You
Who powers your business? It’s easy to imagine that it’s powered by you: your passion, your ambition, your expertise. But a more sustainable power source for your business is the person who makes it...
View ArticleGet Bigger Results by Thinking Smaller
It’s not often I ask you to think smaller. Today is one of those days. You have read everywhere, and rightly so, that one of the chief ways get traction for your brand is to sell people on your...
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There’s a Little Stucker In All of Us
“There are the people who stay stuck and the people that leap.” Deirdre Walsh, one of the brilliant business owners in a group I’m currently running, knows this about the people who come to her for...
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What’s on your customer’s to do list today?
I’ve got a pretty good idea of what’s on your to do list today. I know you’re processing email, writing blog posts, crafting email marketing, meeting with clients, polishing sales copy, putting dinner...
View ArticleEvolving Your Model is the Key to Evolving Your Revenue
The number one reason your business isn’t generating the revenue it could be is that your business model is not set up to generate more. People who earn more know a very important fact: It’s easier to...
View ArticleCan your business bring love to scale?
Often, clients come to me because they’re ready to go beyond serving one customer at a time. They’re ready to take their ideas to a bigger stage and a broader reach. They’re ready to scale. You might...
View ArticleHow to Find Needs & Desires That Scale – or – What Gift Giving Has to Do With...
So you’re ready to create a new product or design a new collection. Further, you’re ready to take this baby to scale. It’s go big or go home. When your business creates a product that scales, you’re...
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