Management

Using a Two-Word Strategy to Get Employees on the Same Page

By Gary Harpst - Apr 23, 2007 - 3 Comments

Editor's Note: This week (April 23, 2007) is Small Business Week here in the United States. You may wonder what this means to you. One way to make Small Business Week relevant to you is to reflect on your own business. Are you headed in the right direction? Is your focus in your business clear … Read More

Sponsors: The Overlooked Element at Events

By Anita Campbell - Nov 9, 2006 - 4 Comments

Over the years I have served on a number of boards and organizations that put on events for small business owners. Having been on the organizing committees for dozens of events, there is one thing I have learned: you need committed sponsors to pull off seminars and similar events. Sponsors are … Read More

Respect: The Ultimate Business Etiquette

By Jack Yoest - Oct 17, 2006 - 2 Comments

Your Business Blogger is noticing a most disturbing trend in small and large business clients. The younger employees do not, it appears, render proper subservience and groveling to their elder-better bosses. This disturbs my sense of order and entitlement. Is good ol' fashioned bootlicking … Read More

Late Is Rude and Bad for Small Business

By Jack Yoest - Oct 3, 2006 - 11 Comments

Punctuality is the politeness of kings. Small business owners have smaller margins for error than our larger big-company counterparts. One way a person, a company, can stand out and avoid error is to respect people's time. By being on time. Your Business Blogger was reminded of this truth … Read More

The Peak Experience

By Jack Yoest - Sep 26, 2006 - Leave a Comment

Your Business Blogger was backstage with Sean Hannity of cable FOX fame. He was about to give a speech to a packed house of 1,800. He looked great; sounded great. He was up. But he should have been down. In the small talk before his introduction and as he stashed his luggage -- yes he carried … Read More

Rest to get the Best from Your Small Business

By Jack Yoest - Sep 19, 2006 - 4 Comments

Everyone does it. And no one seems to want to stop. Too much of a good thing can be wonderful, said Mae West. Or is it? An unusual trend among working people, is that people love to work and spend a lot of hours at the work they love. Every small business owner I have ever advised, worked … Read More

Practice for Small Business Managers

By Jack Yoest - Aug 29, 2006 - 7 Comments

Not long ago I was advising a boss on a product roll out. His team had never done anything quite as large. I suggested a 'FireDrill.' FireDrill consists of 3 parts: 1) The Plan (planning) 2) The Drill (practice) 3) The Fire (execution) The Plan is a checklist, The Fire is the … Read More

Silence Can Be Golden and Good for Small Business

By Jack Yoest - Aug 15, 2006 - Leave a Comment

I heard a recent development in small business. Or rather, it was something I didn't hear. It was Nothing. I was talking with a small business owner today and he was confident and, well, quiet. I've made a number of large purchases over the past few weeks and I've noticed that the owners and … Read More

3 Questions for Mentors and Advisors in Small Business

By Jack Yoest - Aug 8, 2006 - 3 Comments

A very healthy trend in small business management is in retaining talented advisors to offer guidance and accountability. In your search for talent for your small business you are prepared to ask and answer many questions. For both your employees and for your 'boss.' A 'boss' in the form of a … Read More

Women’s Future in the Small Business Labor Force

By Jack Yoest - Jul 12, 2006 - 4 Comments

Recent government statistics show us that women's labor force participation is gradually declining. But all small businesses must continue to plan on women as a talent resource and as a customer base. Whatever the macro-government trend-lines, women will continue to make a difference in small … Read More

The Management of Bureaucrats: 1 Rule, 3 Options

By Jack Yoest - Jun 27, 2006 - 1 Comment

In the management of any small business, the business owner must deal with bureaucracies. It might be your own. It might be someone else's. But you must learn to manage that person whose every incentive is the polar opposite of your incentive. Your Small Business Owner's Doppelganger is...the … Read More

10 Reminders for Effective Management

By Jack Yoest - Jun 13, 2006 - 9 Comments

Your Business Blogger was recently asked by a small business owner to evaluate a manager's management skill set. The manager was being overwhelmed. And he is not alone. If you are like most managers, you feel you could be doing better. Much better. As you set out to plan, organize, lead and … Read More