May
29
Manage your staff now – before it gets too big
Filed Under Business Builders, Editorial & Guest Columns | Leave a Comment
Performance management planning will put you on track to handle HR growth
By PAULINE CASON
Guest Columnist
When small businesses begin to grow, one of the first dilemmas they encounter is the management of people. It is important to think about the issues of employee remuneration, performance management and related issues early before precedents are set. Otherwise, they become difficult to deal with as staff levels grow.
May
29
Franchising - the way forward?
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Part III
Editor’s note: Last time we looked at personnel considerations and franchisor support. This instalment explores the financial aspects of franschising.
By KARL GIBBONS
Guest Columnist
A franchisor needs to establish an appropriate structure of fees, including advertising assessments, the franchisee will be required to pay. It also must have a thorough understanding of the investment that a typical franchisee will need to make. Finally, the franchisor needs to understand the financial results both entities can expect to achieve. Read more
May
29
10 Tips to Avoid Marketing Misrepresentation
by VINCE CREW
The headlines are filled with executive and fiscal scandals, but what about advertising and marketing claims? How scrupulous is your marketing?
Creating a position and desire to purchase your products and/or services is what marketing is all about. The goal is to present your business as attractive, beneficial, and a logical choice. However, if the customer doesn’t view the transaction as living up to the promises ‘as advertised,’ you’re being unethical.
Gilding the lily, putting a little spin on it and hype are all euphemisms for falsifying the reality of working with a particular company. Remember: marketing isn’t just advertising – it’s public relations, printed materials, and your salespeople’s verbal comments. It encompasses all the things done prior to the actual exchange of money. Marketing paves the way for the sales process.
To ensure you’re presenting your capabilities in the highest ethical manner, use these 10 Tips to Avoid Misrepresentation:
May
29
Smooth Out the Seasonal Sales Bumps
by GUS BUENZ
SCORE Naples Counselor
If you run a business in Southwest Florida, you are either a victim or a benefactor – depending on how you look at it – of “The Season.” Now, we are not talking about a holiday season, a tax season or other short-term span of time. No, we are referring instead to the span from fall to spring when our beloved “Snowbirds” are here to provide a great economic boost to our regional economy.
As happy as some might be to see these caravans heading north in the spring, there are many – make that every business – who dread the return migration.
The good news is there are several things you can do to help your business run smoothly through the annual ups and downs. Read more
Apr
30
Franchising - the way forward?
Filed Under Business Builders, Editorial & Guest Columns | Leave a Comment
Part II
By KARL GIBBONS
Guest Columnist
Editor’s note: This is part two of a column on franchising. Last time we looked at the characteristics of a successful franchise business. This installment explores personnel considerations and franchisor support.
A franchising company will be in the business of guiding and assisting a network of independently owned and operated businesses rather than managing their day to day operations. Cultivating a capable staff at the home base and standardizing a solid support package is key to watertight relations with franchisors.
Apr
30
The 7 irrefutable fundamentals of business: Get back to these – and achieve greatness
by Vince Crew
I’m convinced a lot of the economic malaise and corruption we’re seeing is the result of business leaders straying too far from solid foundations of business.
Here’s my list and it has served me well since I opened REACH Development Services in 1997. I offer it to you and suggest we need to get back to the 7 Irrefutable Fundamentals of Business:
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