Do you have an ascension model?
We have a simple axiom in business. Provide as much value as possible to your clients. And get paid well for doing so. But many businesses stop short. Sure you solve the [...]
15
05, 2019
10
05, 2019
Have you got a clear 90 day plan?
Do you have a clear 12 month strategy and direction for your business? Have 90 day plans which outline exactly what you’ll focus on to maximise growth? No? You’re not alone. Working [...]
7
05, 2019
The bedrock principle underlying all profitability
Traffic, conversion and economics are the bedrock principles underlying all business profitability. Traffic is the number of prospects you see. Conversion is the percentage of prospects who become clients. Economics is how [...]
30
04, 2019
What’s your strategic focus?
Do you have a clear 12 month strategy and direction for your business? Have 90 day plans which outline exactly what you’ll focus on to maximise growth? No? You’re not alone. Working [...]
25
04, 2019
Which business model is right for you?
Are you a business owner? If so what business model are you using? Is it a practice, business or hybrid? Here’s why knowing your model is truly important. It all comes down [...]
23
04, 2019
Fighting fires? How to determine what’s really important
Over 20 years coaching business leaders we’ve observed most spend their time fighting fires, handling urgent (and often unimportant) tasks rather than focusing on what brings in the money. In short, running [...]
16
04, 2019
Do you really know what your clients value about your product?
When working with clients we stress that value is in the eye of the beholder. Meaning that what you think is important and what your customer thinks is important are often not [...]
28
03, 2019
Why getting client feedback is vital
As a business leader when was the last time you asked your clients for feedback on how you’re going? What they’re happy with? Unhappy with? Where you could improve? Be honest. This [...]
27
03, 2019
Moving from technician to business owner
In over 18 years consulting we’ve worked with two broad types of clients. See which type you fall into. The first are professional consultants who essentially just want to consult. They’re technicians [...]
13
03, 2019
Could you raise your prices?
When working with business clients on mindset, strategy, marketing and sales, one area which intersects is pricing. How you go about setting your pricing is an area many businesses struggle with. From [...]
4
03, 2019
Why your business vision without a realistic strategy is just imagination
When working with clients we spend significant time working on their mindset and vision. Why they’re in business and what they want to achieve. Not just for themselves, but their employees and [...]
19
02, 2019
Meetings going nowhere? Do this…
Meetings, meetings, meetings. Unfortunately a lot of meetings are simply talk fests. People go round in circles, discussions go nowhere and the only outcome is another meeting. Monumental waste of time. So [...]
15
01, 2019
Why an “Accountability Chart” is the bedrock of successful businesses
“I’m REALLY frustrated! Everything seems to sit on my shoulders. My staff don’t take responsibility, stuff doesn’t get done on time, mistakes happen. I’m working very long hours. I’m tearing my hair [...]
7
01, 2019
The 4 Pillars of Growth
It’s the start of 2019. I know it’s going to be an exciting year. Especially if you’re in business. This is our 19th year in business and if there’s one thing we’ve [...]
4
12, 2018
Are you chasing the wrong market?
People buy your product or service because they: Recognise they have a problem Want to solve it Are willing to pay for the solution If what you’re selling doesn’t fulfil these criteria, [...]
15
10, 2018
Will your strategy stack up in 2019?
Announcing: 1 Day Strategic Planning Session - Get yourself ready for 2019 It's now mid October. The year's gone by amazingly fast and it's nearly Christmas. Is your business at the level [...]
28
08, 2018
Which of these strategic mistakes are you making in your business?
In our experience many professional consultants make three strategic mistakes that stunt their growth. Thinking you can provide value to “everyone” in your broad market. You can’t. Not narrowing down the issues [...]
9
01, 2018
3 big rocks for business growth
Growing your business means bringing in new clients while servicing the ones you’ve got. Coming up with new products and services and possibly branching out into new markets. Do all this and [...]
27
11, 2017
The Tortoise and the Hare
The crowd was hushed. The anticipation was palpable in the air. The Hare had finally convinced the Tortoise to race him in the national cross country carnival. The starter’s gun went bang. [...]
20
11, 2017
How to create the ideal team
No matter what your organisation produces, be it a product or service, you have to continually innovate or someone else will disrupt you! As the world moves ever faster, it is your [...]
21
06, 2017
Are you providing what your clients REALLY want?
Want more business? I’m willing to bet there’s stuff right beneath your nose if only you took the trouble to ask the right questions of the right people. Start with your current [...]
12
12, 2016
Doing what matters – The big rock principle
Are you familiar with Steven Covey’s principle of putting big rocks first? i.e. Filling a large jar with rocks and sand? How you need to put in the big rocks first, then [...]
28
08, 2016
Is growing what you really want? Be careful what you wish for…
In a number of recent conversations with clients I’ve been reminded of old adage, “Be careful what you wish for. You may get it and find it’s not what you really wanted”. [...]
26
11, 2015
A common focus trap. Are you falling into it?
There is a principle that is critical to your success in your career and/or business. Not apply it correctly and consistently and you’re likely to be doomed to mediocrity while running around [...]
26
10, 2015
Want more referrals? Do this.
How would you feel if you went out of your way for someone and got no acknowledgement? Or you gave a present and got no thank you? Chances are you’d wonder about [...]
25
12, 2014
The $10 Business Lesson
It was the unlikeliest of places to learn some profound business lessons. Niederhorn is one of the local mountains easily reached from Interlaken via the Postal Bus and a Cable Car. It [...]
27
11, 2014
Business growth lessons from a squirrel!
You probably know squirrels hide hundreds of nuts over the summer so they have enough food in the lean months. But did you also know they do this because they can’t find [...]
20
11, 2014
This book fundamentally changed my business thinking
Very few books have fundamentally changed my business thinking. One was “Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant”. If you’re in business and haven’t read it, [...]
18
11, 2014
How to write winning proposals
Early in my career I learned a harsh lesson.I was in corporate IT sales and uncovered a burning issue for a prospect. He needed a quick solution and asked me to create [...]
21
10, 2014
Experiencing business or personal disharmony or conflict? Do this…
Disharmony and Conflict. Every relationship – be it in business or personal will experience both at times and pay an emotional and/or financial price for mismanaging it. Over the years I’ve been [...]
23
09, 2014
Why client feedback is invaluable
Feedback. It’s the breakfast of champions. But asking scares the pants off many people. They’re scared of what they’ll be told. How they’ll cope with negativity. It’s ironic, because that almost never [...]
11
09, 2014
Who’s the expert? Why you must take control
Imagine you suddenly need life saving surgery. Would you tell your surgeon how to operate? Chances are you’d be told, “It’s my way or the highway”. So as an expert in your [...]
28
08, 2014
How to persuade better
We all have to persuade. It’s part of life. The better you become at it, the more successful you’ll be in every aspect of your life. At its core all persuasion involves [...]
21
08, 2014
We’d love to tell YOUR story!
Over the years Barbara and I have heard lots of inspirational business stories. Stories of triumph over adversities. Stories that have educated and touched us in many ways. We all have a [...]
14
08, 2014
A misguided belief
Our article on Whacking Alligators (being a slave to the urgent) evoked quite some reaction. Seems that it’s a pretty common scenario faced by many business owners. Most people say health, relationships [...]
12
08, 2014
Are you whacking alligators?
Have you ever played the “Whack the alligator” arcade game? It’s where you have to whack alligators coming out of their slots at ever increasing frequency and speed. You start slow, but [...]
28
07, 2014
How to never compete on price
There are two types of businesses in this world. The first commands premium prices and has loyal customers who stay with them for life. The other? Constantly find themselves competing on price. [...]
21
07, 2014
Business Profit Accelerator Program
The "Business Profit Accelerator" - Business Building Program Do you have a healthy business that satisfies you emotionally as well as financially? OR Are you and your business stuck in a rut? [...]
17
07, 2014
What business are you really in?
Michael Gerber in the E-Myth Revisited states most businesses are started by people who are good at something. Be it plumbing, accounting, law or making widgets. They hang out their shingle and [...]
3
07, 2014
Do you ever wonder where the day’s gone?
Do you ever wonder where the day’s gone? You had a bunch of stuff to get done, but haven’t? Do you then feel bad and beat yourself up because you think you [...]