April, 2017
Be a Mentor to Future Generations
Several years ago, I began a family history project tracing the arrival of all of my ancestors in the US from 1864 – 1884. What surprised me most about what I learned was the rapid pace at which my paternal Great-Grandfather, in particular, established himself in a strange country where he didn’t know a word of the language. I [...]
Why Physical Security For Your Business Is Just as Critical as Online Security
For most people involved in running an online business, implementing stringent security practices has become second nature. It’s easy to see why: Not only do technologies such as SSL and encryption keep your company’s data secure, but the sight of that little green padlock in a browser’s address bar gives your customers confidence that [...]
Why Every Consultant Needs to Write a Book
If you are like most consultants, you’ve thought about writing a book. You know intuitively that it will be valuable to your brand and your consulting career. Yet finding the time is difficult—if not impossible—in your busy consulting schedule. According to Elaine Biech, an established expert on both the profession of consulting [...]
3 Ways to Leverage the Open-Minded Evolution for Your Business
As first-generation, US-born Cuban-American who works with a lot of big businesses, I am often asked how I feel about President Trump. I won’t comment on my personal opinion or public policy. But personally, I believe that the “Trump Factor” has been really good for individuals as a whole. I see people all around me, of all political [...]
How SEO Can Help Small Businesses Level the Playing Field
Small businesses, by nature, seek out ways to compete with larger enterprise companies. However, the difference between the small and large businesses may seem insurmountable in the digital era. One area consistently identified as the largest perceived gap between companies of different sizes, particular on a digital scale, is in [...]
A Look at the Benefits of Money-Back Guarantees in Modern Marketing
In pursuit of gaining a competitive advantage in crowded industries, many brands offer money-back guarantees. The idea is that they build trust with customers and remove any unnecessary friction from the conversion funnel. But, are these guarantees worth the trouble? Related: Entitled to a Shipping Refund? Get Help Collecting It. [...]
Success Secrets of 9 Top Franchises
Entrepreneur’s Best of the Best list celebrates the franchises that ranked at the top of their industry categories in the Franchise 500. Some are fast-climbing newcomers, while others are older brands that have risen steadily up the ranks. Related: 172 New Franchise Companies Hoping to be the Next Big Thing In this slideshow, learn [...]
What Your Profit Margin Does and Doesn’t Tell You
There are probably many reasons you chose to start a business. Unless you are a technocrat, pouring over financial statements wasn’t one of them. However, it is important to pay close attention to key financial ratios, such as your profit margin. According to U.S. Bank, 82% of business failures are caused by poor cash flow [...]
Creating Your Own Software: A Way to Give YOUR Business the Competitive Edge
If you think about the companies that people see as true innovators these days, there’s often unique software at the heart of the business. The other thing that connects many of these brands is the ability to evolve this software to meet customers’ needs and continue to inspire them. Let’s take Facebook as an example. [...]