As small-business owners know, a business needs customers coming in the door to survive. But a common fallacy is that customers will flock to your store just because you open the doors. Building a customer base is a huge challenge, but it is reality. Even with a great product, you need to let customers know…
A great deal of information about starting a business is available. Some of the information is accurate and helpful. Other information is best called a myth, although it may hold a grain of truth. Probably the biggest myth is that of “free money” available for starting a business. The reality is that there is little…
If you’re trying to make something better, I have two questions for you to ask everyone who is involved. My winter view of Port Dover, Norfolk County, Ontario. Why are we doing this? Why are we doing it this way? These great questions are from Norfolk County, Ontario, Mayor Dennis Travale. Dennis is serious about…
It’s the stereotypical small town business: the bait shop, tire store, and gas station all in one. But multiplying your lines of income is much more than just cramming more businesses into your building. It’s also about businesses that stick to one niche, but find more than one way to produce their income. Multiple businesses:…
To help you get a better handle on your business, I put together a webinar in cooperation with Cory Miller’s Entrepreneurship Lab, called 4 Ways to JumpStart Your Business. We managed to make business planning just a little less stodgy than the usual 5 pound binder. The recording is now available to everyone, so I’m…
For everyone who hates business plans, I keep finding alternative ways of planning. Here’s another one. Try more stuff. RT @transarchitect: Experimenting is the new planning.— Saul Kaplan (@skap5) December 13, 2012 Sounds good: just mess around and try things, right? Well, that’s not quite enough. Experimenting means more than just trying things. It means…
By Glenn Muske Rural and Agribusiness Enterprise Development SpecialistNorth Dakota State University Extension Service – Center for Community Vitality Help me welcome Glenn Muske, from North Dakota State University. He’s sharing his articles with us. Being successful in business means always having to be ahead of what is coming. For business owners, a new year means changes….
Blogs and social media can be effective marketing tools for small town businesses, but they take planning to make the most of. This is true for small businesses and for tourism groups. Don’t let important events, holidays, and tie-ins sneak up on you. Use your calendar to connect your social efforts to the real world….
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