Business Tips by Chris Reich
Tips from growing a business to dealing with disputesRelease the Pressure
If things are a bit tense at your business, as seems to be everywhere because of so many reasons, you can greatly ease tension which will reduce error and accelerate processes.The good news is that you can have this hugely positive effect on your business by doing...
Taking Care Of Your Men, Tom?
Tom Peters, my business hero and virtual mentor, writes about his days in the Navy. Being 'connected' by relation, he's flown to meet with Marine Commandant (in charge of the whole deal, Vietnam, as Tom says). Tom is a junior officer and somewhat awestruck to be in...
What Is Management’s Job?
Management makes decisions. Management sets direction. Management imposes authority. Sure, all true. But none of these are the real function of management.Wrong.Management's true job is to facilitate the jobs of everyone else. If you are in management, your most...
Is Your Cow purple?
One of my all-time favorite business books is Seth Godin's "Purple Cow". The essence of the book, though I would still encourage you to read it yourself, is that each business must distinguish itself to be successful. If you drove through farmland past pasture after...
Are You Part of This?
As a "contractor", I'm never seen as an employee. Still, I like to be a part of the business I'm working for. I care about what I do and am driven more by what I hope to achieve than what I'm being paid. No, it's true. Some businesses make me feel included. Some...
Well People Go to the Doctor
I work for businesses that are doing very well as often as businesses that are struggling. That may seem odd but the successful business generally wants to stay ahead of the competitive curve and is willing to invest in knowledge. Successful businesses are more open...
Example of Bad Advertising
Not all advertising is worth the cost. Here’s an example of a clever though ineffective piece of advertising. Why isn’t this a good idea?
What’s Memorable?
If a prospect has a first encounter with your business, what is he most likely to remember? What makes the strongest impression?This week I met with a life insurance agent. He was a little crusty. In all, his approach was okay, not great, but okay. Still, I can't...
Subtraction Can Be Your Best Addition
People often ask me what I would add to their business if they decided to contract with me. The answer is usually a surprise. After observing a business operation, I generally find more to subtract than to add.A man who was seen chiseling a rock into a beautiful horse...
Stop Everything and Go Faster
Sometimes you must take the car in for an oil change. Sometimes the car requires a tune-up or tires. This means you have to go to wherever you have this kind of work done and wait for your car to be serviced. It costs money and it dents your day. And when you see the...
Yes, Customers Are King But…
The customer is not always right. In fact, the customer is wrong most of the time about some things.Let's get clear. When talking about service, take care of the customer unless his demand is completely unreasonable. You already get that (I hope) so enough about...
Proposals That Always Get a Yes
You've seen it played out a million times. It's the big game and some Joe appears on the big screen holding up a ring saying, "Sally Mae, will you marry me?" The camera pans to embarrassed and pleased as punch Sally Mae who blurts out her "yes" to 150,000 cheering...
How Do You Want to Arrive?
No matter what business you are in, price is going to be an issue. This is especially true today. (That's actually an unnecessary statement because "today" is always.) There is a question you need to ask your prospect when the price issue starts to bog things down....
Aesop and Your Talent
There's a very odd trend that is hurting American business. Ask just about anyone with a job and they'll tell you that they are under-recognized and rarely heard.This started a while back when 6-Sigma oozed out of GE and into other businesses. A quest for perfection...
1 Way to Improve Your Business for FREE
Go to Google, Bing, Yahoo and search for business directory. Look at each directory and be sure your business is listed. There may be some you'll want to skip. Most will supply a free link to your business. Do it!Then, search for directories for your industry. For...
Who is Ready?
Sometimes it seems like we’re waiting for something when someone else is waiting for us…
Business Is Not a Reality TV Show
It's nothing new but we need to start working on this: Office Politics.Operating a business is not a game show. It's serious stuff. A business produces income that supports families. Business is the real life blood of the American economy, not oil. When businesses...
I’ll Take the Next Totally Full Cart Here
Imagine this. You're in line at the grocery store. The place is really busy. You wonder why they don't open a couple more checkout counters.Finally, someone shows up at the register next to where you are obediently waiting (I purposely do not write patiently waiting)...