Nov
21
Beyond the Bottom Line
Filed Under Business Builders, Editorial & Guest Columns, Vince Crew columns | Leave a Comment
What we refuse to learn from bailouts, bankruptcies and buffoonery
By VINCE CREW
“There is no security on this earth; there is only opportunity.” — Gen. Douglas MacArthur
America is the land of opportunity. The opportunity to succeed, be whatever you want to be – or not. In other words, failure is an option. In fact, it is the option of two extremes: those who see themselves as victims and those who see themselves above it all. The streets are filled with the homeless while unscrupulous ex-corporate chieftains are the heartless of our nation.
Writing this on the heels of the Bear Stearns debacle ($29 billion), the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac poster children of government efficiency ($200 billion), the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, and the world-spinning, $85 billion bailout of AIG, it begs the ethical question: When did the rules change on who wins and who loses?
Nov
21
Boost your bottom line by improving collection techniques
Filed Under Business Builders, Editorial & Guest Columns | Leave a Comment
By GUS BUENZ
Naples SCORE Counselor
It goes without saying that during these less than favorable economic times, every detail in running a business needs to be constantly reviewed, and in some cases daily. Your receivables are among the most important.
Oct
24
The never-ending ethical mayhem of fiscal recklessness
By VINCE CREW
Question: How many brilliant MBAs, celebrity CEOs and expert legislators does it take to screw up a company or an entire economy?
Answer: We’re still counting.
One of the greatest perks about being a doctor, lawyer, CEO or consultant is that, regardless of the results, you still get paid – a lot. Add to that list government pinheads, think-tank researchers and investment managers.
Frankly I’m getting tired of hearing, “historically an investment in blah blah has outperformed yada yada yada and, while past performance is no indication of future results, blah blah blah.” Translation: Do what I tell you to ’cause I’m smarter than you.
Well guess what? In the words of Howard Beale (portrayed by Peter Finch in the classic 1976 movie “Network”), “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
Oct
24
Marketing on a Tight Budget
Filed Under Business Builders, Editorial & Guest Columns | Leave a Comment
By GUS BUENZ
Naples SCORE Counselor
The economy has hit the fan. Regardless of what people say, we are in a recession, with major banks and companies failing and others being bailed out by the federal government.
The question is: What can you as a small business owner do about it? Read more
Oct
10
Match the right person to the right position
By JOHN LANKFORD
Creating a corporate culture of success begins with understanding what top performers have in common: a passion for what they do, and a skill set that matches what their job responsibilities demand.
Knowing how to match the right person to the right job is an essential piece of the human resources puzzle, which can make or break a potential producer. As a certified business coach and former human resource executive I have utilized a variety of personality profiling tools to help managers of all levels take their teams to the next level. The DISC profiling tool is one that I recommend most often to my clients.
Oct
10
Beyond the Bottom Line
Filed Under Business Builders, Economic Development, Editorial & Guest Columns, Uncategorized, Vince Crew columns | Leave a Comment
The economic stimulus that nobody talks about
By VINCE CREW
Pssssssst, Mr. President (and Congress): If a bunch of checks for a few hundred dollars didn’t cure the ills our economy, neither will a trillion-dollar plan – but I know what will: Leadership. Hard work. Ethical conduct.
We’re losing sight of what the combination of direction, hard work and honesty can do for us individually and collectively.
It’s not about strategies-of-the-month, risky profit-making deals, or outright criminal activity. It’s about fundamental, proven progress toward reasonable goals by risk-prudent means.
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