As a busy executive, you face some extremely difficult challenges like creating and dominating new markets or finding and keeping the best people. But then, like many executives, do you find yourself spending too much time solving everyday problems (that only you can solve, right?), which prevent you from growing your ideal business?Most managers find themselves spending 80% or more of their time "reacting" to business events and very little...more
A white paper on how companies should analyse customer data to gain better business intelligence and how they can use that knowledge.GAINING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCEIn an increasingly competitive world, using your client database smartly, to gain a better understanding of your number one asset - your customers - can make or break the success of your company. Most companies use databases to store information about their current customers, previous...more
A bank or mortgage company is nothing more than a box in which to keep money. The owner of the box has to do a few calculations. Firstly, how much is he going to offer those people who deposit cash in his box, in return for such a deposit? Secondly, how much of that money should he keep as cash in case the owners of that cash want it back? Maybe 5%, maybe 10%, what are the regulations in his jurisdiction? Thirdly, how much is he going to charge those people who wish to borrow the money of others, previously deposited in his box?The person who owns the box then sets out to find lots of other people to put their spare cash in the box, in return for which he promises to give them their money back plus interest. In the eyes of some economists, these people are lenders and not investors. This terminology is based on the fact that the capital investment of lenders does not change, whereas the capital value of investors, in stocks or property for example, can go up or down. The owner of the box then has to find other people who do not have spare cash, but in fact wish to borrow it. Fixed or variable?Both the lenders and the borrowers can sometimes be bewildered by the variety of terms...more
IF If it seems as if all investors are selling, who is buying? If trading has become entertainment for you, it may be time to refocus on profits. If your stock has reached an annual low, can it go any lower? If your stock has reached an annual high, can it go any higher? If all the television analysts jumped off a bridge, would anyone care? If your...more
Let's face it, unless you're Donald Trump, business can be pretty dull most of the time. Maybe that's why so many people decorate their cubicles and offices with cartoons. A good laugh can really perk up your day! So why don't more businesses use business cartoons?It's interesting that so few companies make the connection between cartoons and...more
An effort built around a string of print and broadcast exposures? Or, a public relations initiative that delivers results far beyond simple publicity tactics. Namely, real behavior change among your most important outside audiences leading directly to reaching your objectives. Achieved, incidentally, by persuading key outside people with the greatest impacts on your organization to your way of thinking, then moving them to take actions that help your unit succeed. It's a clear choice between limiting PR activity to simply placing product and service plugs on radio and in newspapers and magazines. Or, using a workable public relations blueprint to alter individual perceptions that lead to changed behaviors - something that should be of profound importance to businesses, non-profits and associations who can sink or swim on how well they employ this crucial dynamic on behalf of their department, division or subsidiary. So, as a manager, why support that business, non-profit or association operation with press release public relations when a basic PR blueprint like this one can hold the key to your success? People act on their own perception of the facts before...more
Birds of a feather do flock together. It's true. Given a choice, most of us will seek out people who think like we do, people with whom we feel comfortable, those we won't quarrel with. Visit any company cafeteria and you will notice that the people...more
In this "special report", I want to pose a few important "philosophical questions" to my readers. Firstly -- our Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan, addressed the effects and implications of our aging population on things such as Social...more
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your cross cultural communication skills:Slow DownEven when English is the common language in a cross cultural situation, this does not mean you should speak at normal speed. Slow down, speak clearly and...more
Although real estate bankruptcy cases no longer dominate the bankruptcy courts' dockets as they did in the early nineties, but they continue to be filed with great frequency in UK. At its essence, the real estate bankruptcy is a two party dispute...more
Looking for new leads, new contacts, new business opportunities? Do what nine out of 10 adults do, according to a recent article by the American Society of Association Executives. Join an Association. Choose from over 130,000 associations in the...more
Are there any universal laws that most successful people seem to follow? Great question, huh? With that in mind, Gregory Scott Reid, well-known speaker and two-time #1 best-selling author of, "The Millionaire Mentor" and "Wake Up: Live the Life You...more