Business Tips by Chris Reich
Tips from growing a business to dealing with disputesThis Is the Biggest Mistake Made in Forecasting
I can put today's tip in a few words. Having reviewed many business plans, there is on common error that leads to disaster if not addressed. It starts with overly optimistic forecasting. That leads to bad budgeting which quickly ends in negative cash flow. Why are so...
How to Tell a Good Story
You’ve heard by now how important it is to add stories to your speeches, meetings, presentations and sales pitches. It’s easy to tell interesting stories, right? No, not so easy?
Key to Higher Return on Business Investment
This is seldom understood though very important to profitability. If your business has inventory, please read this important tip.
Starting a Business? Pay Attention to This Tip!
To carry on with my theme of starting fires in the snow, I have another important tip for new and young businesses. First, let me explain the background for these stories. My office is in the country. It's in the woods and the area has experienced a severe...
Starting a Fire in the Snow
The drought conditions in California took a toll on the forests. It's important to clean the dead trees to reduce ground fuel and eliminate habitat for destructive bugs. And it's fun to get outside and work in the woods giving me a good dose of exercise. Does...
Where Is the Leak?
A leak in a tire isn’t a good thing. A leak in your water heater isn’t good. A leak in your business could drain away the last of your reserves.
Work – Life Balance Matters NOW
There's a lot of talk about the importance of balancing work time with personal time. That may be a huge problem at your company as it is at many. If you care, you can make the effort to help your employees have better work-life balance at least through the rest...
Some Teams Cannot Be Fixed
Some personalities do not mix. Some people are difficult. Motivations sometimes run contrary to the stated goal. Translation: some teams cannot be fixed. Even expert team builders agree on that. If a dysfunctional team is pulling your business down,...
You Can Solve Any Business Problem with These
I list three core building blocks on my website that I believe can solve any business problem. A lot of study and experienced based research has led me to build an entire approach to business around those three pillar. They are: Ethics The...
A Business Can Do Better Only If…
After 30 years of consulting to large and small businesses, sometimes successfully, sometimes not, I see two conditions a troubled business must meet to avoid failing. 1. The problem must be addressed before it's too late. This may seem...
Chasing the Dream
A big error made by many young businesses is entering the chase for the big deals. Yes, we all like the big ones. But big sales, big projects come with big responsibility and big liability the young businesses are seldom prepared to handle.
The Biggest Mistake Businesses Make When Raising Cash
I get a lot of calls from business owners looking for help to raise cash. While that is something I can do, most of the time I recommend against raising cash. Why? Read on. There's an old expression about lending that goes "banks only lend money to people...
Year End Tax Planning
Here are a few tips. Certainly, you should consult with your tax accountant or attorney about what is right for you.
You Are Just Lucky
My clients are thrilled because my work is the best in the world. Clients all love me. Work is gushing in because I’m that good. Or am I?
Getting Things Done: Crush Boulders
Face it, we all struggle with getting things done. There are some items we put on the "To Do" list that we simply resist doing. Right? People resort to putting things on the To Do list that are already done just to check them off and get the feeling of...
Let Us Work at Work!
I’ll make a bet with you. I will bet that I can guess what that fun time at work was like. It wasn’t a party. Nobody delivered beer. Craziness didn’t break out. There was no dancing on the tables.
Your Business Should Be For Sale
I advise every business owner to put their business up for sale as soon as possible. Yes, you read that correctly. There are only a few exceptions. If you own a business, even a new 'struggling-to-make-it business', it should be for sale. In fact, as...
Small Business Problem That Is Easy To Fix
Funny. Speaking of chainsaws... I took my chainsaw in to the local shop to be sharpened. It was closing time and the owner was just locking up when I arrived. I didn't expect him to do the work while I waited. The plan was to just drop off the...