Build a Business, Not a Job

How One CEO Grew Her Business by 300% While Caring For A Sick Family Member

Hospital, woman and holding hands with patient for support, empathy or caring for family member, how CEO grew business by 300% while caring for a sick family member

Three years ago,  my company was hosting an awards dinner for our business coaching clients. There at the banquet were the CEOs and owners of over a hundred companies from around the world. One of the final awards we gave that evening was to a quiet woman named Tina, who along with her husband, Matthew, […]

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Successful Entrepreneurs Take This Number of Vacations Every Year. Here’s Why

Bright orange suitcase is standing alone in a modern airport terminal waiting for its owner, successful entrepreneurs take of vacations every year

“David, I was wondering what is the number of vacations that a successful entrepreneur should take in a YEAR in order to maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit (i.e., ideal self-care)?” I recently received this question from a business coaching client, and I wanted to share the answer with my readers. It’s More Than […]

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The Problem with Perfection

Perfection symbol. Business perfection concept.

Over the past 25 years, I have met with thousands of business owners struggling to take their businesses to the next level. They are often overworked, anxious, and stuck. They have great ideas and products, and the means to bring them to their client base, yet they suffer from a debilitating condition that really hinders […]

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Nobody Reads Your Employee Handbook. Here’s How to Create Internal Systems That Actually Get Used

Corporate business people working in busy marketing office space, company culture that values its systems and controls

When most people think about setting up systems and controls for their business, they think of a traditional employee handbook or manual. A central place to keep all the companies processes and procedures. You sit down and think about all the repetitive processes and write out the steps needed to complete each job to satisfaction. […]

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Why CEO Moms Are Taking the Business World By Storm

CEO Moms

Over the past 25 years of business coaching, I have had the opportunity to coach thousands of business owners from all walks of life, with great success. Recently, I have noticed an influx in CEO Moms looking to scale their businesses and I couldn’t be more thrilled with this turn of events. As I have […]

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Retirement as We Know It Is Dead. Here’s What Business Owners Are Doing Instead

Retirement for business owners

In the past, owning a business was the epitome of the American dream. You worked for yourself, you made your own hours, you had control over your wealth, and eventually you got to sell the business (or pass it down to your offspring) and buy a little beach house in Boca Raton. The perfect way […]

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How To Take Back Control Of Your Business (When It Feels Like It’s Controlling You)

Tired mature businesswoman feeling headache working on laptop computer at home office desk, take back control of your business

It was one of those overcast nights where it seems like you are sitting in a cloud. I was alone, immersed in the hot tub on my patio. Soaking in the water, it occurred to me this was the first time I’d used the hot tub since I purchased the house almost a year prior. […]

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If Your Team Keeps Making Errors, Your Procedure Could Be to Blame. Here’s What to Do

Team keeps making errors, Stressful situation in office, business people working

As a business coach, one of the first things we help our clients do is create solid systems and controls to accelerate growth. We also share our tips and tricks to getting the entire team on board with using the systems put in place. But what happens when your team only adopts bits and pieces […]

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6 Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before Any Big Business Decision

Businessman hand hold interface question marks sign, making big business decision

As a business coach, I have helped thousands of business owners make major business decisions. We have worked through major key hires, acquisitions, exit strategies, large equipment purchases and everything in between. And for many business owners, making a big business decision can be paralyzing. It’s not uncommon to get caught up in the details […]

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Want to Stand Out in Your Industry? Start By Becoming an Expert–Here’s How

marketing expert working in an office, expertise marketing

When it comes to marketing strategies for your small to medium sized business, there are many ways to play the game. You can do paid advertisements, email marketing, influencer marketing or emotional marketing….just to name a few. But when it comes down to results, nothing beats expertise marketing. What is Expertise Marketing? The concept of […]

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8 Human Resources Problems You Should Be Paying Attention To

during job interview concept, human resources

Looking to scale your business? Begin by setting up a solid foundation on which to build. But be careful on how you set up that foundation. The best businesses consist of not one….not two…but five core pillars for strategic depth. So in order to scale your business you need a rock-solid base in all the […]

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A Simple Way To Teach Your Team To Make Better Decisions

Teach your team to make better decisions, team working together

If you’ve followed any of my articles in the past, you’ve noticed that I talk a lot about systemizing businesses. When done properly, a master system of controls can make scaling your business not only possible but much easier to achieve. Having a set of systems in place will allow you to grow an owner-independent […]

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Why Your Cash Flow Problems Have Nothing to Do With Your Sales (and How to Fix It Quick)

Cash Flow, Sales

Every business owner has experienced cash flow problems at one time or another, and the gut reaction for most entrepreneurs is to immediately ramp up their sales efforts in an attempt to turn the tap back on and get cash flowing again. This instinct however is counter productive. In fact, in most cases ramping up […]

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Forget the Cookie Basket. Here’s What Entrepreneurs Really Want for Christmas

Red gift box on office desk with christmas tree

As a business coach for over 25 years, I have noticed that our client base grows exponentially during the holiday season- and for good reason. More and more business owners seek out the help of business coaches during the winter months as they reflect and recap on the past years successes and failures. It is […]

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Email Is Addictive. Here Are 9 Tips to Break the Habit.

Man chained to his email notifications concept, icon representing the pressure of digital connectivity

When it comes to productivity, there is nothing more destructive than an email inbox. If handled improperly you can waste an entire day putting out small fires and responding to emails that create little to no value for your business. Which is why I wanted to share my nine tips for regaining your time and […]

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Want Your Business to Run Itself? Put These 36 Systems In Place

Portrait of young businessman with digital tablet in office looking on his own business master systems

Want to Scale Your Business and Have More Free Time? Make Sure You Have a Process for These 36 Things. One of the most powerful operational secrets we have discovered after decades of helping our business coaching clients is the concept of a “UBS”. Are you tired of working 70 hour work weeks? Do you […]

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The 4 Best Ways to Coach Your Employees to Greatness

discussion and training, coach your employees

As a business owner, you want to scale and grow your company without sacrificing your personal life or working 70 hours a week. The secret to doing so lies in your ability to coach your staff to collectively produce more and reach their goals faster. As someone who has worked in the business coaching arena […]

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The Real Reason Entrepreneurs Struggle With Time Management

Businesswoman stress, anxiety and burnout in busy office of poor time management, tax audit and company crisis. Overworked, sad and frustrated worker struggle in challenge, problem and deadline worry, The Real Reason Entrepreneurs Struggle With Time Management

Do you feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day? Are you working 70+ hours a week and feel like you are just treading water? You aren’t alone. After working with thousands of business owners over the past 25 years, time and time again we see a lack of time as a huge concern […]

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Looking To Start Up? Be Sure Of These Three Things First

Smiling small business owner showing open sign in her shop while leaning against the door, startup business

The idea of starting a new company is a provocative one. Whether this is your first business venture or you are a serial entrepreneur, the startup phase is exciting and full of promises and possibilities. But starting up is also riddled with uncertainty and doubt, which leads many entrepreneurs to wonder if their idea has […]

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Take Charge of Your Growth With This 1 Trick

A hand holding a smartphone with a time management app Trello open, showcasing a well-organized schedule and to-do list, helping your business growth

As a business owner, you have thousands of ideas running around your head at any given time. You may want to tweak some product packaging, try a new marketing concept, streamline your supply chain, hire a new assistant–and the list goes on and on. It can be overwhelming, and often leads to decision overload, which can really […]

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3 Practical Tips to Land Your Dream Client

Woman, happy and laptop in office with celebration, success, land your dream client

As a business coach for over 25 years, I have worked with thousands of businesses teaching them how to scale and create owner-independent companies. While there are many components to a successful business like good business systems and a positive company culture, having a good solid customer base ranks at the top of the list. […]

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The Most Common Lies Entrepreneurs Tell Themselves

working in modern office workspace, businessman executive, the most common lies entrepreneurs tell themselves

Over the past 25 years of business coaching, I have heard every excuse in the book on why a business might be stuck in a growth slump. Here are the top 6 excuses that I hear every single day from small to medium sized business owners. 1. “I can’t afford it….” As in, “I can’t […]

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Can’t Stop Micromanaging? Here Are 6 Things to Do to Ease Your Worries

Relaxing businessman stretching with hands behind head, take break, stop micromanaging

Being a great boss, takes a lot of time and effort. You want to coach your staff for development, help them recognize their successes and give them the tools and guidance to reach their company goals. But what happens when the best intentions turn out to be micromanaging? You may set out to help mentor […]

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How to Quiet the Anxious Voice in Your Head and Enjoy Running Your Business

entrepreneur practices wellness routines to combat anxiety and stress, fostering a calm mindset, learn how to quiet the anxious voice

Stress and anxiety are a way of life for most business owners. You have staff, customers and vendors all relying on you to be successful and grow your business.  And that little voice in your head will remind you that at every turn. If you find yourself struggling to turn that voice off and get […]

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This One Tip Will Help You Regain Your Valuable Time

Tip to help you regain your valuable time

When left to our own devices, time management is sort of like a buffet. You have dozens of different options in front of you. Should you spend the next hour working on payroll? Finding a new assistant? Working on that new marketing project? Scrolling through Facebook? Shopping for new shoes on Amazon? The options are […]

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Forget Spa Days and Massages. Here Are 3 Self-Care Tips That Really Work

out of office, self care

I recently wrote an article on anxiety amongst entrepreneurs and it really struck a nerve with business leaders. So many of you are struggling with anxious feelings surrounding the fate of your companies, and at times it can seem overwhelming no matter how hard you try. Well meaning friends and colleagues may offer up advice […]

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Want to Keep Your Best Employees? Offer Them This 1 Thing (It’s Not Money)

Happy Employees, Business success concept

Keeping your key team members is critical to your success. But do you really know what motivates them? Here are my top 12 things that you must focus on to keep your employees happy.  What’s interesting is that 11 of the 12 aren’t based on money or “compensation”. Of course you need to pay fairly, […]

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6 Simple Things You Can Do This Week to Fix Your Company Culture

Company Culture and Values. Articulating the company culture, values, and commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work environments.

As a business coach, I often get the opportunity to coach not only the CEO but also some of their key employees. This strategy is very effective for a number of reasons, and it often allows a clients business to create better results in less time. One of our new clients came to us struggling […]

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Why The 40 Hour Work Week Is A Complete And Utter Lie (Part 2)

40 Hour Work Week, feeling exhausted and unmotivated from working harder and longer

In a recent article I addressed 3 reasons why you are working more than you think you are. So today, I wanted to give you two more reasons why you haven’t been able to cut your hours. “All I do is work. Even when I’m with my family I’m still responding to emails and texts […]

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Don’t Let This Huge Misconception About Time Management Sap Your Productivity (Part 1)

Time Management, Productivity, Employees visibly tired and frustrated during an overly long meeting with no clear agenda

I have heard it more times than I can count. “I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.  So much of my day is spent putting out fires and reacting to customer demands.  The only way I can get my key projects done is to come into the office earlier and stay later, and work […]

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4 Simple Things You Can Do to Lead With Integrity

leading with integrity, negotiating, executive meeting

Being a business owner in today’s fast-paced digital world means that you are always in the public eye. While you might not have stockholders like Elon Musk or Amazon, your employees, vendors, and customers are paying close attention to what you do, and don’t do, when it comes to your habits and choices. When it […]

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Anxiety Is Common Among Entrepreneurs. Here Are 4 Tips to Help Soothe Your Nerves

Anxiety among entrepreneurs, entrepreneur planning his next business strategy

In today’s economy, you would be hard pressed to find a business owner who doesn’t experience some level of anxiety surrounding the fate of their business. But for many entrepreneurs, anxiety can be a real hurdle that makes growth and progress difficult. Take for example Joaquin (name changed to respect his privacy), a business owner […]

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6 Things the World’s Best Bosses Have in Common

World's Best Boss

Do you wish there was a way to supercharge your staff and help them achieve their full potential? Do you wonder if you are doing your best to support their efforts and put their best foot forward? Over the last 25 years, I have helped thousands of business owners just like you become great leaders. […]

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3 Reasons Why You Should Breakup With Your Business Coach

3 Reasons Why You Should Breakup With Your Business Coach , Business woman hands breaking document at the office

Business coaching is forever. Once you find the right partner in growth, you are unstoppable. Unfortunately for many business owners, you might have to work your way through a few business coaches until you find the right fit for your business and personality style. Over the last 25 years, I have coached thousands of business […]

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Your Feedback Isn’t Working. Try These 3 Strategies to Boost Your Team’s Morale and Performance

Joyful team receiving boss feedback, Team of happy, satisfied business people giving thumbs up all together

As a business coach of over 25 years, I have helped thousands of company owners guide their key employees to greatness. We coach them on good hiring practices, how to overcome worry and procrastination, and the best way to get feedback from their team. But one of the most important skills we teach our clients […]

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How ‘Focus Fridays’ Can Supercharge Your Team’s Productivity

focus session, businesswoman using time management software with floating deadlines and collaboration icons, symbolizing efficient project coordination

I was recently listening to a podcast that discussed the concept of designing your week around special events to give you something to look forward to in your day-to-day life. They suggested implementing a “Taco Tuesday” or a “Spa Saturday” to break up the monotony. The idea is a good one that I want to […]

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This Common Feedback Technique Is Hurting Your Best Employees. Here’s What to Do Instead

feedback technique, woman with stop hand sign, warning or reject

Over the past decade of business coaching, I have helped thousands of business owners grow and develop their key employees. A task, which isn’t always an easy feat. Most managers and business owners tend to point out flaws and places for improvement when coaching their direct hires. They feel that such an approach will help […]

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3 Foolproof Ways to Make Your Remote Team More Productive

Remote team hybrid work and telecommuting setup

Hiring remote workers has a lot of advantages: increased productivity, decreased staffing costs and better communication. But there are some pitfalls to having a scattered workforce. If you are struggling with your remote staff try these 3 remote workforce tips to make your team even more productive. Tip #1:  Make Sure Your Expectations Are Clear, […]

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How to Cure Your Employees’ Fear, Doubt, and Procrastination

Overworked exhausted man office worker lying on table, paper coffee cup standing on his head, lack of energy, procrastination and professional burnout

Being a great boss is one of the most difficult parts of being a business owner. You have a brilliant idea, the vision to scale and the know-how to make it all happen. You put together a rock star team, and you are working towards building a solid foundation for your business. And then the […]

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4 Things Entrepreneurs Do That Make Business Coaches Cringe

Entrepreneurs, Business, businesswoman at workplace

Here at Maui Mastermind, we have coached thousands of business owners over the past decade. We have seen small businesses blossom and grow into owner-independent companies, we have seen business owners scale their businesses and sell them for more money than they ever thought possible, and we have watched executives climb the ladder faster than […]

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Why Emotional Appeals Are the Best Marketing Strategy (and How to Use Them to Grow Your Business)

Why Emotional Appeals Are the Best Marketing Strategy (and How to Use Them to Grow Your Business)

When it comes to marketing, having a solid emotional appeal to your brand is critical to your success. But what exactly is an “emotional appeal”, David? Your brand is simply the emotional associations and gut level “sense” of how your company, product, or service is intuitively perceived by your market. The easiest way to make […]

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This 1-Page Plan Is the Only Thing You Need to Turn Your Business Around

Two businessmen discuss Action plan, management, research. The goal to increase and maximize profit. Communication. Teamwork

BADD (Business Attention Deficit Disorder) affects millions of business owners each and every year. Symptoms include: excitability, difficulty focusing, lack of systems and controls, inability to delegate tasks, lack of restraint, or persistent repetition of actions with no progress. This common ailment has been known to affect profits and has a direct impact on a […]

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6 Ways to Avoid Being ‘Ghosted’ By a New Hire

6 Ways to Avoid Being 'Ghosted' By a New Hire

Employers have had it good for way too long. Back in the old days, you would put together a written outline of the ideal candidate, compose the perfect job post and then wait for the resumes to roll in. You would then schedule interviews and make your selection based on your selected criteria. Then you […]

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4 Ways You Will Never Sell Your Business

4 Ways You Will Never Sell Your Business

Deciding to sell your business is a big decision and one that you don’t make very often. You weigh the pros and cons of your exit strategy, read all the articles and books on the secrets to selling your business and you begin to take a good hard look at your own business processes and […]

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Why A Bowl Of Macaroni Can Help Make You Millions

mac n cheese, Why A Bowl Of Macaroni Can Help Make You Millions

Think that you have what it takes to be a good leader? Try teaching a 10 year old how to make macaroni and cheese from scratch. This one activity will give you insight into your own leadership skills (and weaknesses) and help you build a stronger, more profitable business. No One Is Born A Chef […]

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3 Ways to Rekindle Your Love for Your Business

Rekindle Your Love for Your Business, Owners Of Store, your business

You will never forget your first love, i.e., the startup phase. Everything was new and exciting, and you swore you’d passionately give your best to your business. But as time went by, you likely found yourself feeling burned out by the long hours and recurring staff or customer fires you dealt with on a daily basis. […]

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Why the Best CEOS Have an Exit Strategy

Successful CEOs, business executive, professional woman

There are three levels of building a company. Level One: A “Start Up” Business.   You’ve got no real control yet, nor freedom. Level Two: An “Owner Reliant” Business.   You’re a full-time business owner whose business is working-as long as you do. Now you have control, but with that control comes long hours and […]

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Stop Leaving Money on the Table–These 6 Negotiation Tips Can Help You Win Every Time

6 Negotiation Tips Can Help You Win Every Time

If you know your way around a negotiation table, there is no stopping you. You can negotiate for better prices with your vendors, new hire and existing salaries, contracts with sales prospects and long-term clients and lower overhead costs in general, leading to higher profit margins and more capital to scale your business. Natural Born […]

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It’s Harder to Be a Man in Business

man in business

Women make up approximately 20% of the executive workforce pool. They make less than their male counterparts and are far less likely to receive funding for their business or startup. So, how in the world could you think that women have it easier in business, David? Over the years, I have had the privilege of […]

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How to Locate the Perfect Business Tribe

Business Tribe, successful business owners

There is nothing in the world that compares to a great mastermind session. You walk in the door tired and weary from the day to day toll of running your business. You have more problems than solutions and you feel like you are the only one in the world struggling to make it all work. […]

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Being Able to Take a Vacation Isn’t a Luxury. For Business Owners, It’s a Necessity

Being Able to Take a Vacation Isn't a Luxury, Businessman going on holiday

In my business coaching company Maui Mastermind, we send out millions of emails each year to our current and prospective clients. Understandably, there is always a certain percentage of bounce-back, unsubs, and undeliverable emails, which we work to minimize. There is one undeliverable statistic however, that I love to see increase over time: auto-replies.   I […]

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5 Ways to Increase Your Profits

5 Ways to Increase Your Profits, money doesn't does not grow on trees no shortcut to success

I recently wrote about a simple strategy that Amazon.com used to generate over $1 billion of extra revenue without increasing its costs.  But what about your business?  Do you find yourself working harder and harder, but not making more money? Here are five time tested tactics to boost your bottom line and generate more profit. […]

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Want to Close the Sale? Do This 1 Thing

business woman working on laptop in office, business, want to close the sale

Top sales people know that you greatly improve your odds of closing the sale by what you do in the first few minutes of your sales conversation. Here is an insider technique to use up front that will help you close more business in the end. Every sales person thinks the sale is made in […]

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How to Know In Advance If You’re About to Make a Bad Hire

How to know in if you're about to make a Bad Hire, Businessman hand going through candidate picture gallery on blue background, Social media and recruiting concept

Tired of turnover and bad hires? Here’s a simple 4-step system to know in advance if you’re about to make a terrible mistake (and how to make a much better hiring selection).

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3 Ridiculously Easy Negotiation Questions to Stop Overpaying Your Vendors and Suppliers

businessman talking on cellphone while standing with vendors and suppliers, Own business concept

You already spend thousands with suppliers and vendors every month. Why not learn how to get the best pricing with these negotiation secrets?These three ridiculously easy questions will save you 5 to 15 percent or more on every purchase or contract.

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Doing This Tiny, Simple Thing Will Improve Engagement, Retention, and Company Performance

Celebrating Victories, Happy group of successful company employees in office, employees love and adore their jobs

Over the last twenty-five years, I’ve known and coached thousands of business owners. And if I were to make one categorical observation about us as a group – about the way that we behave instinctually, before we learn to redesign the way we think – it would be this: We stink at celebrating victories – […]

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The 8 Secrets to Train Your Team to “Own” Their Jobs

Team meeting, train your team, business brainstorming

Wouldn’t it be nice if your staff could handle things by themselves without asking you to be the final arbiter on every decision? Wouldn’t it be nice if your team could solve problems as they arise, taking more ownership and freeing you up to focus on growing the business? Imagine if they found ways to […]

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4 Types of Personal Assistants (2 of Which You Need To Avoid)

Personal Assistants

Are you hiring personal assistants who save you time or who cost you time? Recently, I invited thirty-five of my top business coaching clients to a private retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where I live. We were discussing the various aspects of leadership – the ways that business owners can create strategic advantages and breakthrough […]

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4 Secrets to Get Your Team to Do More, Better, and Faster

Get Your Team to Do More and Faster

Over the past twenty-five years, my company, Maui Mastermind, has been coaching business owners on how they can build businesses instead of jobs. At the core of that work is the process of systematizing your business – creating a coordinated series of processes, procedures, best practices, tools, and internal controls that empower your team to […]

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Conducting a Sweet Spot Analysis™ to Find the Best Leverage Point to Grow Your Business

Conducting a Sweet Spot Analysis, business strategy, process at modern workplace, working on business goals concept

Here is that tool – I call it the Sweet Spot Analysis™ Tool. We developed this tool to help our business coaching clients have a simple way to determine the very best ideas that they could implement each quarter to grow their businesses in the face of too much to do and not enough time in which to get it all done.

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