The shadows are long and the days short. This is the time of year to reflect and be grateful. I'm grateful... That I have the most wonderful family. That I am blessed with awesome friends and team members. That I have been of service to a lot of people and am on track to connect to [...]
No more secrets. Owner Susan at Allied Plumbing & Heating has created transparent pay levels for the Techs and they appreciate the honesty and clarity. Now, they know what they need to do to move up the ladder. Pretty cool! (And, nice pic of the two of us on Ride Along Day last week!) I’ve [...]
The other day my 20 year old dishwasher died. Alas. So, I went to a big box appliance store. I asked to see some dishwashers and a nice young man escorted me to a row of them. From left to right, the most expensive to the cheapest were lined up. I barely cook. It’s just [...]
My friend and mentor, Al Levi, uses a powerful exercise to engage clients in business development. He asks, “Imagine this. You walk out the front door of your business, and cross the street. You decide you are going to recreate, makeover, your business. What, and who, do you bring with you?” Or do you decide [...]
Sometimes you need a hand. Sometimes you can offer one. Be willing to do both. My great friend, Nancy Michaels, posted a Rant on Saturday. Thanks, Nancy, for this reminder: Your best business will be a reflection of YOU, not anyone else. Mentors, consultants, other businesspeople, can all play a powerful part in your business [...]
Wow. It is the 10th annual A.G.E. Business Planning Retreat. Al Levi, Gail Gudell and I have met every year since 2004 to review our respective business plans. It’s our time to reflect and recommit to our highest intentions. This year we met at Al’s place in Scottsdale, [...]
Once upon a time, I thought acquisition was a strategy reserved for big companies. I thought you needed teams of lawyers to work through phone book size agreements and complicated EBITDA formulas. I imagined strong armed tactics and hostile takeovers. Boy, was I wrong. Acquisition is the best way to grow your company. You can’t [...]
Sob! My favorite thing to do is Ride Along with team members. I love to put on the Super Hero costume and hop in the truck. I am not very technically skilled – massive understatement! – however, I try to help by carrying things and being entertaining on the job. Recently, I was all dressed [...]
Denny’s, Papa John’s, Hostess Twinkie…These companies highlight concerns about government regulation, intervention, and growing fears about the impact of healthcare costs. As Hostess employees look for new jobs, let’s start a conversation about what this mean to YOU? Let’s start with healthcare… […]
Victory HVAC’s training classroom Record unemployment? You wouldn’t know it from the number of business owners I hear from looking for employees. “You just can’t find good, qualified help.” Well, that’s just whining. And it’s not true. The world, your market area, is full of wonderful people. If you are willing to create [...]
