Featured Articles
Book Review: Range
What is the most effective path to success in life? It may not be what you think. If you want to develop a skill, should you become a specialist? Should you devote enormous amounts of time and energy to that one competence? Or are you better off being a generalist? Someone that is good at Read more about Book Review: Range[…]
Is Your Company the Cosbys or the Red Sox?
I first published this article over five years ago. It quickly became one of the most popular articles I have ever written and one of my personal favorites as well. Enjoy! Your organizational culture has a dramatic impact on your success as a small business. Most new businesses start off with a family-like culture. Everyone Read more about Is Your Company the Cosbys or the Red Sox?[…]
Today’s Small Business Marketing Mistakes
Let’s face it. Marketing is hard. Great marketing takes time, focus, dedication, money, and a cohesive strategy. You have to know your audience insanely well and have the right team in place that can execute, move quickly, and think creatively. To complicate the process even more, great marketing doesn’t have a specific, one-size-fits-all formula. It’s Read more about Today’s Small Business Marketing Mistakes[…]
Book Review: Turning the Flywheel
Have you ever found yourself or your company in a position where it seems that you are investing a ton of time and effort into a particular project and seeing little or no results? Maybe it’s growing sales, or building better work processes, or possibly a better golf stroke. Lots of effort and little gain. Read more about Book Review: Turning the Flywheel[…]
Three Questions You Must Ask Before You Fire Your Next Employee
In my executive coaching practice, one of the most frequent questions I encounter is, “Tim, do you think I should fire ________?” It is typically an employee who is either not performing (a cheerleader), has a bad attitude (a terrorist), or both (deadwood). My best response to that question is to propose the following three (3) questions: Read more about Three Questions You Must Ask Before You Fire Your Next Employee[…]
Three Reasons to Host a Tribal Meeting
On May 17, I am hosting the 5th annual Small Business Matters Conference. This is a tribal meeting. Marketing guru Seth Godin suggests in his best-selling book Tribes that we are all the chief of our own “Tribe”. My tribe includes past Vistage members, GrowSmart graduates, colleagues, and friends. Who are the members of your tribe? Read more about Three Reasons to Host a Tribal Meeting[…]
Book Review: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
I joined a book club back in January and Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport was our book selection for March. I was excited about the choice because I remember reading Newport’s last best-selling book, Deep Work, and was anxious to read his most current work. I was not disappointed. Newport’s latest book is a real Read more about Book Review: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport[…]
Book Review: The Book of Beautiful Questions
I love hearing and asking great questions. It has been a journey of mine for the past 15 years. During this time, I have found several great books on questioning, and bestselling author Warren Berger’s latest book, The Book of Beautiful Questions, is no exception. Berger’s first book, A More Beautiful Question, set the stage for Read more about Book Review: The Book of Beautiful Questions[…]
It’s Showtime! Characteristics of Great Leaders
Quick. Think of your favorite actor or actress. He or she could be from television, movies or the stage. Alive or not. When you think of that amazing artist, what characteristics come to mind of that person? What distinguishes them as a performer? How would you describe them as an actor? Typical responses include the following: Read more about It’s Showtime! Characteristics of Great Leaders[…]
Book Review: This is Marketing
“This Is Marketing”, written by Seth Godin Seth Godin is one of my favorite marketing gurus. He has a number of best-selling books, several great TED Talks, and a daily blog that attracts millions of followers. His most recent book, “This Is Marketing”, provides a most insightful overview of the state of marketing for businesses Read more about Book Review: This is Marketing[…]