Having your own business can be a satisfying and rewarding experience. However, starting a new business requires you to make many important decisions. A large number of new businesses fail because they did not give enough thought to some important questions.
If you are thinking about starting a new business, the following list of articles will offer you some guidance and provide you with information that can help you avoid early mistakes. Existing businesses and businesspeople can also benefit from these articles. Some of the articles are basic. I call them “business 101”. Though fundamental, they present concepts that are vital to your success. Other articles are more philosophical in nature. They will stimulate your thinking and perhaps spark your imagination.
This list will evolve over time. The articles already written appear as links. The ones yet to be written are shown in red. When the articles have been written, I will change their titles to a link to let you know that they are available. Please note that the titles may change as these are working titles.
Will these articles guarantee your success? No, but they will help you get started on the right foot. Don’t read them all at once. Pick one, read it, print it if you like and spend time thinking about the information presented in the article. Make sure you understand the concepts and consider how you will apply them to your business.
If you have a pressing need for an article I have not completed, send me a note using the contact form and I will do my best to prioritize it.
If you have a question or a comment about any of these articles, please leave a reply. I’d love to receive your feedback and will do my best to answer your questions.
Whether you are starting a new business or trying to re-energize your career, I sincerely hope that you will be able to benefit from these articles and I wish you every good fortune!
Business 101
Starting a business? What does it do and why?
Seeing the windows of opportunity
What is your value proposition?
The difference between Margin and Markup
The difference between Gross Profit and Net Profit
Do you have a Business Case with detailed projections?
Product knowledge is essential to your success
Sowing Seeds and Planting Flags
Sell them what they need, not what you want them to have.
Be willing to walk away from business that does not make sense.
Setting and managing your customer’s expectation levels
How well do you really know your customers?
How are you doing in your customer’s eyes?
The three Ds of good management
Cell phone & e-mail etiquette
Be Prompt!
Your website is only as good as your web-host
(Useful if your business will have an online presence)
Have you clearly defined your market?
How to approach your market
Breaking the ice
(Tips and ideas on how to ease into sales pitches & presentations)
Know your weaknesses and leverage your strengths
Play to win. Playing ‘not to loose’ doesn’t work very well
Bring solutions, not just problems
I don’t know but I’ll find out!
(The best response when you don’t know the answer to a customers question)
The 80/20 law
Are You On A Long Journey? Then Share the Driving Duties!
(By Catherine Novak – making the best use of your staff)
Waiting for others can break your momentum!
More Advanced Concepts, Inspirations & Motivations
If you can’t find a job, try creating your own opportunities.
The mixed blessings of corporate metrics
Are you in the center of your own vision?
Be passionate about what you are doing
Over time, things can slip on us
Building a sales team.
Personnel Management 101 or how can I help…
(By Chris Holt – effective strategies for managing your staff)
Earn the right to engage by building relationships
Have courage and don’t be derailed by critics
Identify your challenges
Business Writing is Difficult for 6 Reasons
(By Jan Wall)
My philosophy of business writing is geared to today’s executive
(By Jan Wall – Ten reliable guidelines you can use immediately to make your own business writing more compelling, more credible, and easier to read.)
Photo Credits
Sapori © chrisholtphotos
© Gil Namur, 2009
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