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A: Talk to your customers to develop more intimate relationships with them, teach them what you know about your business and work together to create what hasn't been done. There [...]

In case you somehow missed it, large segments of the American economy are struggling. Most economists are anticipating a protracted period before positive economic momentum returns. However, passively awaiting the [...]

Frequently when I'm working one-to-one with clients and during the free 30-minute consulting calls I offer, I get asked the following question, 'What size does my company need to be [...]

The sudden and extreme nature of the economic change last year startled many organisations. While some responded in a balanced and thoughtful manner, others took short-term actions that may lead [...]

DURING MY 35 YEARS IN THE insurance industry I have repeatedly heard independent agents say that this is typically a slow period in their business. Several agencies have gone so [...]

'An alternative definition of diversification: 'If we are failing at one thing lets search for something else to fail at.''--Martin S. King In Greek mythology, the curious (and very bored) [...]

REVENUE GROWTH and profitability are the two key drivers of value for independent agencies and brokerages--and in 2008, both were difficult to come by. But even though 2009 is not [...]

If one of your computers malfunctions, you know not to tinker with it too much before calling an expert to get it fixed--and get it fixed fast. The use of [...]

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is developing a service to help companies improve growth strategies. The service is designed to help companies internalize the growth cycle.

If it's breakthrough growth you are looking for, you'll need to take aggressive measures. Here are tactics used by the best to build substantial value, and fast. Build a Brand: [...]

The methods of ensuring the growth of business enterprises through the reduction of costs and productive investment are described. The methods of managing risk while investing money are discussed.

You did it. Customers are writing checks. Your web site registers more daily orders than anyone thought possible. Your new business line rings all day long. You're officially in business--all [...]

How to Apply the 'Five Views of the Corporate Universe' to Improve Customer-Centricity Arbitrary and capricious. We hear lawyers on TV throwing around the phrase regarding unwarranted cases. Yet today [...]

While some firms still await the inevitable fallout from Sarbanes-Oxley, the members of Accounting Today's Top 100 are seizing any and all niche opportunities presented by that sweeping reform legislation [...]

In the new book Lessons from the Edge: Survival Skills for Starting and Growing a Company (Oxford), authors Jeff Dennis and Jana Matthews with Peter Economy detail accounts of more [...]

Seal-It, a company that produces and supplies tamper-evident bands and labels used in product packagings, has grown from a one-person-company into a 160-employee business with annual revenues of around $20 million. Sharon Lobel, its founder and president, started the company in 1986 in Long Island, NY. Lobel was previously employed by a tamper-evident band importer before she decided to pursue success on her own. The company has since moved to its 50,000 sq ft facility in Farmington, NY., Seal-It, a manufacturer and converter of heat shrinkable polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, that is used for tamper-evident bands, promotional multi-packs and printed labels, has become North America's largest supplier of [...]

Entrepreneurs who are seeking to achieve long-term progress and stability are encouraged to initiate mentoring programs. These programs do not only create enough leverage for performance enhancement, but encourage spiritual upliftment and personal creativity, as well.

1. Be prepared to work from 'five-to-nine', not 'nine-to-five'. 2. Know your market and customers--if customers leave you, find out why! And know your competition. 3. Have a clear vision [...]

Who is the most important person on a team? If you follow sports, you know commentators will often talk about the 'glue guys' or 'glue gals' who hold their teams [...]

The day will come when you (seriously) want out. Given all your hard work and sacrifice, you deserve a big pay day. So, why not set yourself up today for [...]

A survey reports that the fastest growing companies in the US are those which are information technology based, or offer health care or provide energy. Some basic principles are outlined which may explain why they are successful and continue to grow. Firms need to be flexible about their products and ensure that they can upgrade or redesign their products to stay ahead of the competition. Make sure that demand for the service is steady and that the management structure is not top-heavy. It is also important that the products are of high quality and have a good reputation.

'Point 1--Create constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service, with the aim to become competitive and to stay in business, and to provide jobs.'--W. Edwards Deming Similar to [...]

WHETHER YOU WANT TO CALL IT A RECESSION OR a slow recovery is irrelevant. As long as the unemployment rate remains at its current level, corporations and consumers will be [...]

Now that some stability has come back to the industry, many owners are starting to look ahead and ask two questions: 'How do I get out of the dealership and [...]

A 12-point guide on steering one's company to growth, particularly during the tumultuous 1990s and beyond, is provided. The guidelines include maintaining a strong and centralized management, making conflict constructive by fostering an environment of mutual trust and respect, establishing teamwork within the organization, adjusting to employees' unique communication styles, making good decisions and implementing them with the least energy and resources possible and taking risks., Ichak Adizes knows what makes companies tick. He's been restructuring national and international Fortune 500 companies for 20 years. His unique methodology develops the management functions and styles of what [...]

It was an early Sunday morning and I was headed up the Coast Highway. I just finished crushing Decker Canyon and the Mulholland Highway all the way to Oxnard. It […]

When I've talked to people about their continuous-improvement (CI) initiatives and asked why they are doing them, I have received all sorts of different answers. Some people want to get [...]

A satisfied customer is no longer enough if a business is to grow, retain customers and benefit from customer word of mouth referrals, according to Chris Bell, MD of Customer [...]