Consulting 301
There's a lot of truth in the consulting advice, "If it hurts when you do that, stop doing that. That will be $50,000." (The last part is my own value-based addition.) Here's a current version: "Any strategy you had in place
Community
According to the book, Loneliness Is an Emergency, lonely people are more likely to have heart attacks and cancer and alcoholism, and even common colds (reported in the New York Times). I don't think "loneliness" is necessarily solitude. I think it means being
You’re Too Busy to Use A Smart Phone During A Break?
The same contractors not returning calls right now will be the same ones crying their eyes out in six months because they have no business. You see, consulting is very simple: If it hurts when you do that (not returning
Surveys
If you must create a survey, first determine what information you desire to capture, not what questions to ask. Keep it as brief as you can and focus on a single issue, e.g., response time. Include a qualitative response option,
Consulting 301
Most organizations (and consultants) make the mistake of looking externally for "best practices" to apply. In fact, most organizations have internal best practices that are not shared for a number of reasons. I had an auto client who wanted me to
Consulting 201
If you don't have a value proposition that is appealing, relevant, and engaging, the point of your arrow is blunted. The aerodynamics are poor and it won't penetrate anything. It will merely bounce off. If you have a strong brand, people
Virtual or Virtuous?
I just noticed someone on LinkedIn who has a little logo claiming "virtual certified." Does that mean he was certified in non-reality? Or is this come kind of bizarre attempt to prove that you need to be anointed somehow to
Clearing the Decks
Triage your clients: 1 Top clients: highest future potential, spending much more than average now, provide referrals unsolicited, positive comments on line. 2 Average clients: some future potential, average spending, referrals sometimes if asked, no comments on line. 3 Poor clients: little future
One, Two, Three
When a couple of people couldn't find how to subscribe to something, I told them how to do it. When a third told me this, I asked my tech people to change the format for subscribing. When ten people did
Sorry, I Can’t Take Your Money, I’m Too Busy
I've noticed quite a few contractors—landscape, masonry, windows, heating and air, etc.—who have had a great year as people attend to their environment, since they're spending so much time in it. Yet instead of hiring help, or changing schedules, these