If an entrepreneur wants to manage their business and increase their profits, they need to focus on three types of customers
A few years ago I was talking to a clergyman who was struggling with declining church attendance. We had a discussion about the reasons for that and I was telling him that there was not much difference between a church and a business. To overcome his skepticism of my argument, I put it to him…
Understanding how you feel about tears and having a plan to deal with them will make crying less awkward and intimidating
I don’t know if I have an innate ability to make people cry but it seems in the last week, I faced lots of tears. I had clients crying, members of a company where I was working crying and members of the basketball team I coach bawling their eyes out. In 30 years of business…
Entrepreneurs are especially susceptible to burnout and depression. Here's how to conquer those issues, for the betterment of yourself and your business
When winter seems to drag on with dark clouds, snow and short days, I start to feel in the doldrums. I lack energy, enthusiasm, I don’t want to be around people, my projects seem to drag on and I get a sense of dread at the thought of more work. I’m especially cynical of news…
Creating a fun culture in a business environment starts with the leader. When employees enjoy their work, they’ll be more productive and satisfied
We were down by 14 points at halftime and the team seemed defeated. Our star player was frustrated. Her shots weren’t going in and neither were her teammates’ shots. As a coach, I was unfazed. Having been irritated with the refereeing in the first couple of games, I had decided that my fuming wasn’t going…
Your brain has a funny way of making dreams come true. Be careful what you wish for
I frequently ask my clients: What would happen if you got hit by a bus? I mean it hypothetically. I want to know if they have plans for their business, how they would take care of their family, what would be the result if they couldn’t work for a while? Often when I ask this,…
Move forward with intent and work in a manner that enables you to succeed through your direct actions and those of your team
I was 21 the summer of the accident. I was working on a farm and my boss and his family had gone to the lake. I was left with a list of chores that included clearing out a culvert on a dam that was being plugged by beavers. I thought this would be the perfect…
One of the keys to business success is consistency. So set up a step-by-step processes to get the best results every time you do things
We couldn’t have had a better boarder. Billy Burchell would come every week from McLeod Lake to live with our family while he went to school. He would arrive on Monday for school and take the bus back on Friday after school. Billy was in shock for the first few months he lived with us…
And how to overcome these obstacles on the way to building a successful venture
Businesses come and go – we see them opening up, struggling for a few years and closing their doors. We might even hear that they offered something we were searching for – after they’ve closed. But why do they fail? According to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in the U.S., over the lifetime…
A poll of entrepreneurs found that top CEOs are different because they take risks, are determined, are focused, and ask for and use the help of quality people
Dr. Hossein Kazemian is not an entrepreneur but has an entrepreneurial drive. I met Hossein a few years back when he invited me to tour his chemistry lab at the University of Northern British Columbia. UNBC is ranked Canada’s No. 1 small university. Hossein informed me that his lab, which he had recently taken over, was…
Something positive happens when we remind ourselves of our goals and put our mental focus on achieving those goals
Ange sat across from me, her faced stressed with the worries of the day and her business. “If you could name last year, what would you name it?” I asked. Without hesitation, Ange blurted out: “The year of the s--t show.” She told me about the political interference in her work, the trouble she had…
This year, stop rushing through the holidays long enough to let your thoughts be diverted from the burdens of work to the joyfulness of the season
What do we miss by rushing through the celebrations and skipping the festivities of the Christmas season? At the end of the year, many people celebrate holidays like Christmas or Hanukah, New Year’s Eve or Festivals of Lights. Even if you aren’t religious, you probably celebrate Christmas with gifts or family gatherings and large meals.…
Not only does work help financially but it empowers people to take control of their lives and rise above poverty
Homelessness is increasingly a problem in cities big and small across North America. Yet as business leaders we tend think the issue isn’t our problem – unless, of course, we have a business affected by a homeless camp, squatters in our doorsteps or addicts in our alleyways. We can’t comprehend why people aren’t working like…
We don’t recognize that times and technology have changed, we’ve been holding the organization back or we’re just exhausted by our years of leadership
It wasn’t the several times I almost died on the job. It wasn’t when I fell off roofs or rolled heavy equipment. But I can remember the day and time I knew I had to get out of construction. It was -35C and I was demolishing a gas station for my employer. As I went…
If we’re focused on thriving and growing during periods of difficulty and change, our brains look for these opportunities
While the overall economic numbers seem to indicate that the Canadian economy is firing on all cylinders, there are still areas geographically and by industry where businesses are struggling. Having lived through a number of difficult times in my 30-plus years owning and running businesses, I’ve learned there are a number of ways to improve…
Make a written list, set priorities, breathe and relax, and then focus on one task at a time
I recently woke up sleepless at 2:30 am. If you’re in a leadership role in a business or even in your household, you probably know the drill. My mind was spinning with the long list of tasks I had to complete. The 75-unit project I’m working on for a client; the three people who need…