A young man approached me at a conference last month, trying to figure out how to get started on his big idea. He’d like to start a maker factory in Alberta, Canada. He can picture it filling thousands of square feet downtown with maker equipment, tools, specialized workspaces, and room to grow. But he…
“What business should I start?” is a common question asked to those of us supporting small-business owners. Sometimes the question is modified as people want a business that “will make lots of money” or will be a success. We, by our position, are assumed to have some special understanding of what the market wants. Okay,…
No doubt about it: We all like to have a “wow” customer experience. Yet research has found that, while the “knock your socks off” experience is one you remember, what gets customers back in the door is when they receive ongoing solid, good service from your company time and time again. Consumers like consistency. They…
Building a small business and developing an invention take different skills. I was reminded of this when I read David McCullough’s book, “The Wright Brothers.” Inventors are interested in the development of the idea. They are not put off by trial and error. Business owners are focused on solving a consumer’s problem and doing so…
If you have been reading my Wednesday contributions to Small Business Survival, you know to expect some tip for your business operation or some new idea seen elsewhere. This week you will find something different. I need your thoughts. I have an opinion but am I realistic? Here is the situation. Over the weekend, I…
Let’s begin with a story. It’s a story about a man who was upset with the way things were done. The man decided to compile his issues and then post this for people to see and comment. Because of a new technology, his message was not only read by the community but reached far and…
Small businesses must think big. I suspect that I am telling you something you aren’t already planning. Owners are always thinking of how to add more staff, sell more, increase the size of your store and, the ultimate, increase the number of locations you have, and make more money. All of those are certainly worthy…
When Google has you in the wrong place, it matters! Google Maps, Google Local, and mobile Google searches all share the same basic data, so if your address is wrong in one, it’s wrong in all of them. When I view the Google insights for my own business, it reports hundreds of people viewing my…
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