Category Archives: Protecting the business

Will you BURN the next manager you hire?

It seems to be a rule, not an exception. Many senior managers and early entrepreneurs create their own mess with this one. The first professional senior manager that an entrepreneur hires to share the growing workload does not last more … Continue reading

Posted in Depending upon others, Growth!, Protecting the business | 2 Comments

Is your CFO a bookkeeper or a strategist?

Here’s one that most small company founders and CEO’s miss until it may be too late.  What is the role of a chief financial officer in growing and protecting the company? How about co-strategist? I recently coached a CFO in … Continue reading

Posted in Depending upon others, Growth!, Hedging against downturns, Protecting the business | 3 Comments

Can you stretch the truth to make your point?

How easily it happens… Sometimes it is easy for someone to make a statement that, in the enthusiasm of the moment or to make a point, crosses the line between fact and fiction.  Sometimes it seems to you to be … Continue reading

Posted in Growth!, Protecting the business, Surrounding yourself with talent | 2 Comments

Do you really need a board of directors?

First, the short answer No matter what your size, if you intend to grow your business into more than just a lifestyle workplace, you should create a board of directors.  If you take money from knowledgeable investors, you will be … Continue reading

Posted in Growth!, Protecting the business | 4 Comments

Your time is as valuable as your money.

Enterprise time as a measurable commodity. Let’s examine the challenges to a CEO in making use of enterprise time, one of your most valuable and often misused assets.  Enterprise time, as opposed to personal time management, is the sum total … Continue reading

Posted in Protecting the business | 3 Comments

The tender issue of stealing time

It’s a big issue within any company.  With easy access to Internet shopping, games, social networks and more, employees can find many ways to focus on personal issues while at work, detracting from productivity and demonstrating a disrespect for the … Continue reading

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Could you achieve ten percent net income each month?

How planning is done today Most entrepreneurs and managers, when modeling their business operations using a spreadsheet, start with expected revenue by month.  Then they calculate cost of sales, and then project their expenses, to find the bottom-line profit or … Continue reading

Posted in Growth!, Protecting the business | 1 Comment

Ready, fire, aim. Really?

You’ve surely heard the variations on this theme.  “Ready, fire aim” was popular in the 1990’s, accredited to any of several authors.  I used the term to describe my efforts in the artificial intelligence field, experimenting with new devices, the … Continue reading

Posted in Depending upon others, Hedging against downturns, Protecting the business | 1 Comment

My dad said: “Never take on a business partner.”

My dad was a smart businessman, even if not formally trained. He occasionally gave me advice that turned out to be more than wise, looking back at subsequent experience and events.  His personal teaching event was a typical experience, as … Continue reading

Posted in Depending upon others, Ignition! Starting up, Protecting the business | 8 Comments

Decoding and learning from a business failure

Have you experienced a business failure? Are you currently at risk due to events you cannot control? Not all companies are successful. Your end game could be a failure of the business.  In fact, many angel investors or venture capitalists … Continue reading

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