The Top 4 Reasons Why Your Team Blames You for Their Lack of Downtime
Content was originally published on Inc.com on September 26, 2019. As a business owner, you are tired and overworked. This is nothing new. For many entrepreneurs, an 80-plus hour workweek is to be expected and anything less is a rarity. While I have a lot to say on that topic, today I want to address something […]
The 1 Question Every Business Owner Should Ask When Faced With a Tough Decision
Content was originally published on Inc.com on September 24, 2019. As a business owner, you make a lot of decisions every single day. Some big, some small, and some that will change the course of your business if navigated correctly. There is no shortage of opportunities to take a stand and pick a side. But […]
How to Start a Presentation
We’ve all had to give a presentation on something at some point in our lives. Whether we’re learning how to become a public speaker or just needing to give a small presentation on something at work, chances are, we’ll be needing to speak on something at some point. For many of us, this presents a […]
How To End a Speech
Endings are tough for many of us. Whether it’s the end of a nice vacation away or the perfect date, the end can feel anywhere from uncomfortable to disappointing. When you’re giving a speech, you’ll want to end it on a high note. But how can you do that without missing something important or making […]
The Easiest (and Often Overlooked) Way to Create a Good Company Culture
Content was originally published on Inc.com on September 19, 2019. Creating a company culture that propels your business forward is one of the most worthwhile tasks a business owner can do. If done correctly, your employees will know how to handle tough situations with ease, without you having to micromanage them every step of the way. […]
Public Speaking Tips
At some point or another, most of us find ourselves needing to speak in front of a crowd. Some of us delight in public speaking while others view it as an anxiety-inducing event. Some of us only need to do it a few times for presentations while others pursue public speaking as a career. Whatever […]
How to Become a Public Speaker
For many of us, public speaking is one of our worst nightmares. The idea of having to get on stage or at a podium in front of hundreds or thousands of people sounds terrifying and more of a chore than a fun career choice. For some people, however, it becomes a dream job. Whether you […]
How to Write a Speech Outline
We all have at least a bit of experience with creating outlines for things. Throughout high school, it was drilled into us just how important it was to create an outline before going into fleshing out our book reports or research papers. When it comes to speeches, the principle still stands. Outlining can be a […]
Why Do Businesses Fail?
When you’re starting the endeavor to become a business owner, you have a lot of fears that may take up space in your thoughts. One of the biggest fears that many new business owners are the fear of failing as a business. You want to make sure that you’re doing everything in your power to […]
Tips on How to Create a Brand Identity
We hear a lot today in all aspects of life just how important a brand identity is. Branding has made its way outside of just the business world and into the world of individuals and how they interact and present themselves; when a friend does something that’s consistent with how they always act, we call […]
How to Write a Vision Statement
So you have decided to make the leap and become your own boss. You want to open your own small business. But where do you start? If you’re still in the infancy planning stage of the creation of your small business, the very first step that you should take before even creating a business value […]
5 Ideas for Business Collaboration
If you’re the owner of a small business, you want to make sure to do everything in your power to run your business in a way that gets everyone in on the success. When your team wins, you win. Your team is what drives the value of your business, your team is the foundation to […]
Your Guide to Business Storytelling
You have your business all put together. You have gotten together with your creative team, you have learned how to write a vision statement, and you’ve formulated a plan of action. And, you have all of your employees on the same page about where you want your business to go. Once you do all of […]
Outlining Your Business Value Proposition
When creating a business from the ground up, there are quite a few different things that you must learn. There’s learning how to write a mission statement, how to write a vision statement, and creating an overall plan for your brand. One of the important first steps in creating a new business is to outline […]
3 Lessons Being a Dad Has Taught Me About Building a Multi-Million Dollar Business
Content was originally published on Inc.com on June 13, 2019. If you have been reading my column over the past five years, you know that while I’m serious about business, I’m even more serious about my family. Especially when it comes to raising my three sons. Over the past twenty-five years, I have helped thousands […]
Forget the 80-20 Rule. Follow the 1-50 Rule Instead
Content was originally published on Inc.com on September 17, 2019. Over the last few years, I have written a lot about time management and shared ways that you can do more by working less. Once you understand that the idea of a direct, one-to-one relationship between time and value is outdated, you can begin to […]
Your Addictive Tendencies Are Hurting Your Business: How to Overcome Them
Content was originally published on Inc.com on September 12, 2019. Owning a business has its benefits. You get to create something that brings value or purpose to the world, you get to pave your own way and do it on your own terms. For most outsiders, entrepreneurship looks pretty enticing. But there is a dark […]
Want to Look More Professional? Turn Off Your Phone
Content was originally published on Inc.com on September 10, 2019. As a business coach for over twenty five years, I have pretty much seen and heard it all. But today, I wanted to talk about something that I see more and more in the business community, and why it’s a sign that there is a […]
If You Want Something Done Right, Do It Yourself (And Other Lies That Keep You From Being Successful)
Content was originally published on Inc.com on September 5, 2019. I want to challenge you today; to stretch your thinking about how you approach building your company. I want to start off by sharing the story of Tom Santilli, CEO of a successful technology wholesaling company in Florida called xByte Technologies and long time coaching […]
You Are Wasting 900 Hours a Year by Doing These 10 Things
Content was originally published on Inc.com on September 4, 2019. “All I do is work. Even when I’m with my family, I’m still responding to emails and texts for work. The saddest part is that my family has just gotten used to it. When I do actually put down my smartphone, they act surprised, as […]
How to Recruit Employees Through Social Media
It seems that social media has become the standard method of communication, marketing, and even maintaining relationships. We shop through social media, we make friends through social media, we use social media for many aspects of our lives. To keep up with the times, it’s a good idea to have a few different social media […]
How to Create a Successful LinkedIn Business Page
In today’s world of business, social media plays an incredibly important part in conducting business with your company. One of the most efficient and popular ways to stay in contact with other professionals, companies, business partners, and even new recruits is through LinkedIn. If you’re new to LinkedIn, you may have a few questions about […]
How to Build an Employee Referral Program
When your company is growing fast, it’s an equally exciting and somewhat stressful experience. On the one hand, you have a stellar team that’s working hard and helping your company reach new heights, you have more clients than ever, and your business is gaining the recognition it has earned. On the other hand, however, you’re […]
Good Questions to Ask When Interviewing Someone
Your company is growing and that’s a phenomenal thing. However, your current employees and yourself are struggling to meet the demands of all of the new work you’re getting. It’s time to bring in someone new. You can recruit through social media recruitment, job ads, and word of mouth. Once you have those resumés the […]
Grow Your Business Through Trust
Content was originally published on Forbes.com on August 29, 2019. Are you working 60-plus hours a week and struggling to get everything on your to-do list accomplished? You are not alone. Over the past 25 years, I have worked with thousands of business owners across various industries, and the stories are very similar. They work […]
How Busy Entrepreneurs Can Make Time for Important Projects
Content was originally published on Inc.com on August 27, 2019. If you’ve ever been curious what my life is like then come over for an evening at my house. As you walk into our calm and peaceful home, I greet you at the door and lead you to our clean and immaculately set kitchen table. […]
The True Value of an 80-Hour Work Week (Part 2)
Content was originally published on Inc.com on August 22, 2019. I recently shared with you the concept of the “time and effort chains,” which are the factors that trap us within a business and force us to work longer and harder, with little to no additional value or payoff. Today I wanted to share with you […]
The True Value of an 80 Hour Work Week (Part 1)
Content was originally published on Inc.com on August 20, 2019. If I made the assertion that eventually the gains of working longer and harder eventually cap out would you agree? I ask this question to business owners all the time and it seems universal that we all get that at a certain point, working longer […]
6 Ways to Balance Profit and Purpose at Your Business
Content was originally published on Inc.com on August 15, 2019. In the past I have talked a lot about building a successful business while still staying true to yourself and your purpose. And I talk with entrepreneurs every day that struggle to find the balance between fueling their passion and purpose while still keeping their […]
Using Strategic Depth To Grow A Business Independent Of Yourself
Content was originally published on Forbes.com on August 12, 2019. Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of working with business owners and entrepreneurs across various industries and markets. The majority of business owners I have worked with are hard-working, passionate individuals who have the capacity to do great things. Yet, they […]
How I Learned to Let Go of My Inner Control Freak (and How It Made Me a Better Leader)
Content was originally published on Inc.com on August 6, 2019. If left to my own devices, I have a tendency to be a bit of a control freak, and after twenty five years of business coaching, I can say with great certainty that I am not alone in my need for control. Many business owners […]
The 3 Things You Should Be Teaching Your Kids About Business
Content was originally published on Inc.com on August 8, 2019. Fatherhood has been one of the greatest things I have ever done, hands down. Watching my three sons grow up and learn about the world has taught me more things than I ever expected, and has really given me a new perspective on life and […]
Your Hesitation Is Costing You Your Business
Content was originally published on Inc.com on August 1, 2019. For many business owners the only thing worse than hiring, is firing someone. I have seen it far too often with my business coaching clients. It often starts with procrastinating filling a position in the first place, only to find out days, weeks or even […]
A Lesson From the 1 Book Warren Buffett Recommends to Everyone
Content was originally published on Inc.com on July 30, 2019. If you’ve been reading my column here on Inc.com you’ll see several hundred articles I’ve written on topics like increasing sales, retaining your best employees, managing cash flow, and growing your profit margins. Many of these ideas started from a seed I read in one […]
How Successful Business Owners Look at Financial Decisions
Content was originally published on Inc.com on July 25, 2019. I recently sat down with Tara, a business owner, who was having trouble with the marketing pillar of her business. She had made it a goal to get new clients and her marketing department head had a ton of ideas on ways that they could […]
How to Be Honest With Yourself about Why You’re Not Hiring (and Quit Blaming Budgets)
Content was originally published on Inc.com on July 18, 2019. “I would love to hire help, but I just can’t afford it right now.” I have heard this statement a thousand times over the last twenty five years as a business coach, from business owners that are stressed, overworked and overwhelmed. Their businesses are usually […]
Overwhelming Inbox? Here’s a Simple Trick to Try Before Declaring Email Bankruptcy
Content was originally published on Inc.com on July 16, 2019. You arrive in the office at 8:00AM ready to work. Your to-do list is full of high value tasks that will help your business scale and grow. You fire up your laptop and the all too familiar “ping” of your inbox serenades you…drawing you into […]
Setting The Foundation For A Business That Can Operate Without You
Content was originally published on Forbes.com on July 15, 2019. Over the past 25 years, I have worked with thousands of business owners in all stages of life. These are intelligent, hardworking people who have the drive and passion to go out and start their own consumer or service businesses. But for many, they aren’t […]
The 1 Thing That Causes Employee Burnout–and Why It’s Your Fault
Content was originally published on Inc.com on July 9, 2019. If you are like most business owners, you crave independence. You are likely one of the business owners who work 60, 70, and even 80 hours a week on their businesses and feel like they are neglecting their personal and home lives in the process. […]
Four Ways To Approach A New Task When You Feel Like You Never Have Enough Time
Content was originally published on Forbes.com on June 4, 2019. “David, if only I had more time…” “I would love to do that, but I just don’t have the time…” “I work 70 hours a week and still run out of time…” The only thing business owners need more than cash is time. I see […]
At a Crossroads: Deciding What You Really Want Out of Your Business
Content was originally published on Inc.com on July 11, 2019. I was recently re-organizing my office when I came across one of my journals from 2001. In it, I had written about how hard I was working and how close I was to getting burnt out. I was on the road teaching workshops 10 months […]
Working From Home 101: How To Work Remote Successfully
For many business owners, working remotely has become the new normal. The benefit of a flexible schedule can come with a few distractions so it is important to have a plan for success. You can keep your business and productivity on track with a few simple steps. Make (And Keep) A Consistent Remote Work […]
How to Transition to Long-Term Work From Home
In the past, working from home was seen as a flex-work opportunity used for any number of reasons: reducing commute times and the environmental impact of carbon emissions, accommodating employees who needed more flexible schedules, or the ability to hire more employees before upgrading to a larger office building. However, remote work is becoming more […]
How to Achieve a Work Life Balance
For many entrepreneurs and remote workers, achieving a work-life balance that allows them to be productive at work and enjoy their time off to the fullest can be a daunting task. However, this is not just another check mark on your to-do list. A work-life balance is essential to your productivity and helps you avoid […]
How a Morning Routine Can Help Entrepreneurs Develop Good Habits
As an entrepreneur, you know that your day can throw almost anything at you. Creating and sticking to a morning routine can help ground you and prepare you for a successful and productive day. If you create a successful routine, you’ll foster a successful business. Ultimately, you’ll want to create a routine that is tailored […]
Constructing a Personal Development Plan for Entrepreneurs
As entrepreneurs, we may often feel confident about where we are and where we’re headed in our careers. However, sometimes it is a good idea to step back and take a look at the big picture. Personal development plans are essentially a broader set of goals that are similar to a map to get you […]
A Guide To Managing Your Remote Workers
Working remotely with a team of people presents its own set of challenges but it can also be rewarding if you make a few adjustments to your remote management style. Managing a team working from their own homes requires a careful balance of structure and flexibility. Here are a few things to keep in mind when […]
6 Ways to Engage and Connect with Remote Employees
Maintaining a positive and fun office culture is one key to the success of your business and the productivity of your team. When your remote employees are separated by time zones and physical distance it is important to foster and maintain your office culture even more so than in a traditional office setting. Here are […]
3 Ways to Cut Your Customer Acquisition Costs in Half
Content was originally published on Inc.com on July 3, 2019. Over the last twenty five years I have helped thousands of business owners develop and fine-tune their sales funnels. Whether it be pricing challenges, closing tactics or choosing the right salesperson for the job, there are many ways to increase sales within your company. But […]
6 Tips to Help You Reach Your Goals
You’ve made your vision board and determined where you want to eventually end up as an entrepreneur. Now it’s time to get to the work of reaching those long term goals that you’ve carefully thought about and written down. Even with your vision board and a personal development plan, you might feel like your goals […]
When the Price of Success Is Too Much: The Psychological Costs of Being an Entrepreneur
Content was originally published on Inc.com on July 2, 2019. If you are an entrepreneur, chances are you are working too many hours and focusing on the wrong things. Generally speaking, we are working more hours and taking less vacation than ever before and suffer from more anxiety and stress than previous generations. While this […]
3 Ways to Get New Perspective on Your Business
Content was originally published on Inc.com on June 27, 2019. As a business owner, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. You have employees and customers that are relying on you to know the answers and do the right thing, and sometimes those answers don’t come easy. You don’t know everything and at times […]
Your To-Do List Is Costing You Money
Content was originally published on Inc.com on June 25, 2019. In the past we have talked a lot about how to grow your business and scale without sacrificing your life and personal relationships. And today, I wanted to introduce you to the concept of “fewer and better” and how this very simple concept has allowed […]
4 Tips to Landing The Sale Every Single Time
Content was originally published on Inc.com on June 20, 2019. Want to close more sales? Of course you do! Every day I talk to business owners in various stages of growth and help them find new ways to reach their target audience and close more sales. No matter what the product or service, 95% of […]
6 Great Biohacks From the President of Bulletproof Coffee
Content was originally published on Inc.com on June 18, 2019. For 25 years I have helped thousands of business leaders grow their company and succeed professionally. Some of these high performers needed help scaling their business, some wanted to be able to step away from it all and spend time with their friends and family […]
The Common Mistake That Can Ruin a Job Interview in 10 Seconds or Less–And How To Hire Smarter
Content was originally published on Inc.com on June 4, 2019. Over the past 25 years, I have helped thousands of small to medium business owners learn how to hire smarter and more efficiently. And if I am being completely honest here, it took me another ten years before that to learn the ins and outs […]
According to Science, You Should Schedule Your Focus Time Between These Hours
Content was originally published on Inc.com on May 30, 2019. I have talked about the concept of Focus Fridays before on my column. On how setting aside blocks of time each week to do your best work allows you to clear items off your plate faster and create real value in your business. And thousands […]
What This Comedian Turned NYT Best-selling Author Taught Me About Business
Content was originally published on Inc.com on May 28, 2019. When it comes to business, entrepreneurs that challenge the status quo are the ones that break out from the pack. Having the ability to see the marketplace in a new and novel way will change the game. In the past, I have talked a lot […]
28 Things You Should Not Be Doing As a Business Owner and 4 Things You Should
Content was originally published on Inc.com on May 23, 2019. I was recently talking to a new business coaching client about their plans to scale their business. After a few minutes of going over our plan of attack he posed the question to me: “How fast do you think I can grow my business?“ My […]
Writing A Business Book? Do These 4 Things First
Content was originally published on Inc.com on May 21, 2019. Have you ever thought about writing a book? If you are like many business owners, the idea has crossed your mind a time or two. You have knowledge to share and you know that others out there could benefit from that knowledge, but you don’t […]
