As a small business owner, I get it. Every dollar we spend has to be calculated. We don’t have a lot of cash to spend so we learn to be as frugal and self-reliant as possible. With that said, I have learned that there is a big difference between being cheap and frugal, a difference that leads to success or failure in any size business.

ou would think that that the signs of a failing business would be obvious: lack of customers, dropping sales, cash flow issues…but these are all symptoms caused by a business that has already been failing for a very long time. What if there was a way to know if your business is failing long before the symptoms start showing up?

The idea behind a mission statement is a noble one. It is supposed to set the guidelines for product quality, customer service, and help cast a vision to build a corporate culture. But let’s be honest: who cares!

Most businesses start out because someone decided that they could make money doing what they love. The first few months, maybe even the first few years, are focused on doing what they do best. They are passionate, excited to go to work, 100% dedicated to their trade.

I had a conversation the other day with a client who has a small business that is not doing so hot at the moment. To put it bluntly, their small business is failing. This conversation was a follow up to months of board meetings, assessments, and different action plan scenarios. The bottom line is that if this business does nothing, its doors will most likely close within the year. Their problems are big but not insurmountable. However, they will need to make big changes in order to survive. During the course of my conversation, the client suggested that they make

I just recently realized that I am suffering from one of the same issues that I help many of my clients overcome: the failure to launch. It is an illness that plagues many entrepreneurs. We have the ideas running through our heads, but how do we take that next leap of faith and actually start running, not just planning our business?

I have seen it many times. I call it “the cloudy eyes of failure.” Others may know it as “tunnel vision,” or “shutting down.” No matter what you call it, the symptoms (and the results) are the same.

Neverless, change is necessary for progress, even for survival. So, how do you help get everyone on board? Shoot, how do you really get yourself on board? I have heard many theories on this topic. Most revolve around having a solid structure, plan, system, and deadline in place for implementing change.

Most of my life, I have worked in either hospitality or the b2b service sector. Both of these industries take major customer service skills and a whole lot of dedication to what you do. With my background, I have had to deal with a whole lot of difficult customers, but the question always arises, when is enough enough?

How do we conquer the evil todo list? Is it even possible to walk away from a day feeling like we were productive? I believe that we can learn to take control of our hectic lives of unruly to-do lists. With just a few key shifts in our thinking and processes, we can once again be masters of our own day.