Planning, projecting, managing employees, tracking and increasing sales, designing and implementing marketing strategies…are just some of the things on the to-do list never ends for business owners, especially for startups, small companies, or companies who are focused on growing quickly. Sometimes it feels like you’ll never be able to get everything done without four hands […]
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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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The internet, peers, friends and even family – all of these sources provide a steady stream of industry news, updates, analysis, knowledge and advice. While these sources can be a great starting point, this stream of information will only help to a certain extent. Online publications are typically generic, peers have their own personal set […]
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“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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If you’ve decided to hire a business coach, but are having trouble knowing where to start, this article is for you. If you’re wondering what exactly a business coach does and how it can benefit your business, you might want to check out this article before continuing. Hiring a business coach will expedite the growth […]
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I really enjoy creating action plans. My inner-nerd gets really excited over the possibilities of a new year or quarter. There are so many opportunities for growth and development, and I love laying it all out on paper and then working towards those goals over the coming quarter. As a business coach, I not only […]
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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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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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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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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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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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Planning, starting, running, and growing a small business is not a small undertaking for any entrepreneur. It takes detailed planning, long hours of hands-on work, and a healthy dose of determination, flexibility, and versatility to overcome all the obstacles that come your way. But if you’re an entrepreneur that’s already started your own business, or […]
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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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Whether you are a small business owner or medium business owner, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. And it’s also never too late to learn from an executive business coach. Working with an experienced business coach is the secret weapon to help entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners increase their wealth potential AND quality of […]
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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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There are 4 main ways to find a business coach: Utilize your personal network Search online Search locally Start with your favorite business author A business coach is an experienced business leader and trusted advisor who can help a less experienced owner and their company to reach new heights. Finding the right business coach provides […]
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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 expertise […]
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A business coach does four essential things for their clients: Provide structure for growing and developing their business Provide an invaluable outside perspective that solves internal problems Provide accountability to make sure you follow through Provide support through the tough moments leaders inevitably endure The goal of a business coach is to accelerate the growth […]
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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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Systemizing 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 […]
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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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 […]
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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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How To Succeed In Business Without Sacrificing Your Family, Health or Life BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL COMPANY AND CAREER DOESN’T MEAN SACRIFICING YOUR FAMILY, HEALTH, OR LIFE. You check email the moment you lift your head off the pillow in the morning. You bring work with you on vacation, sneak glances at your smart phone during […]
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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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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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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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To a new business owner the words “Exit Strategy” are akin to “quitting.” The majority of new small to medium business owners are so wrapped up in the passionate phase of growing and scaling their businesses, getting out doesn’t even cross their mind. They have a romantic notion that they will still be actively working […]
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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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When it comes to owning a business, managing employees is one of the most difficult aspects of the job. A great deal of your time and energy is spent developing a positive company culture and connecting with and coaching your key staff members. A lot of hard work goes into creating a nurturing work environment […]
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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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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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In a recent article I addressed 3 reasons why you work more than you think you do. 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 for […]
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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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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. So, when […]
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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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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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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 the success of your business and your personality style. Over the last 25 years, I have […]
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 branding real […]
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Do you suffer from BADD (Business Attention Deficit Disorder)? 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 […]
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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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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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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 My son was eager […]
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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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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 the sense […]
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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. So much drama, and […]
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Women business owners 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 […]
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