As the sun sets on summer, it’s time to go back to school. Regina Beach at sunset. Photo © Phil Symchych. The annual rite of going back to school had a clear sign of progress: you were going into a higher grade. However, it’s not that clear in business. As we return from summer holidays … Continue reading Back to School Lessons for Mid-Market Business Growth
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The Four Pillars of Business Wealth for Privately-Held Companies
When my family and aunt and uncle acquired a small 22 room seasonal hotel in 1979 when interest rates were 23%, they weren’t focused on building their business wealth. They were aiming much lower and wanted a small business at the lake where the families could gather and hopefully the business would make a little … Continue reading The Four Pillars of Business Wealth for Privately-Held Companies
What’s Your “Total Days to Exit” Number?
What is your “Total Days to Exit” number? In other words, when do you plan to exit your business so that your business valuation and personal wealth are maximized and you’re still healthy enough to enjoy your life and family? Just as the sun sets every day, all business owners must consider their optimal sunset … Continue reading What’s Your “Total Days to Exit” Number?
Six Hour Succession Planning
In my 27 years of experience, I’ve deduced that succession planning starts in one of four places, if it actually starts at all. They are: Kitchen table Board room Emergency room Funeral home As you can imagine, the last two places aren’t very good. In fact, the National Post published an article I wrote on … Continue reading Six Hour Succession Planning
Six Hour Strategy, Step 2: Analyzing your Customers and Competitors
I’m sharing this length newsletter today because it’s an excerpt from my upcoming new book, The Four Roads to Business Wealth, and I wanted you to have access right away. The key point is this: Don’t sell to your customers, help them. Today, we are going to continue our discussion of the Six Hour Strategy® … Continue reading Six Hour Strategy, Step 2: Analyzing your Customers and Competitors
How to Write a Letter to Shareholders
One of my core principles for accelerating mid-market company growth is to think and act like a bigger company. By doing this, you’re creating a larger future for yourself and growing into it, like stretchy pants, instead of being an awkward teenager who is rapidly outgrowing his or her too small pants. I recommend that … Continue reading How to Write a Letter to Shareholders
Six Hour Strategy – Step One: How to Create Your Ideal Future Business Strategy
The first step in formalizing your business strategy is not a SWOT analysis, it’s not looking at your competitors, and it’s not a five percent increase over last year’s results. The first step in setting your business strategy is to ignore your current reality and talk about your ideal future state. By that, I mean … Continue reading Six Hour Strategy – Step One: How to Create Your Ideal Future Business Strategy
Six Steps to Grow Your Business in One Day: The Six Hour Strategy® Model
Someone recently asked me why I give away so much of my content for free. My answer is for the same reason great photographers share their tips online on how they took the photos. Great photos are a combination of artistic talent and technical skill. Those are the same skills involved in strategy development and … Continue reading Six Steps to Grow Your Business in One Day: The Six Hour Strategy® Model
Six Hour Strategy® to Grow Your Business
The most powerful business concept that I’m aware of is speed. Speed is why my daughter pre-orders her Starbuck’s beverage, prepays, walks in, and picks it up. Speed is why many people are addicted to social media and the almost instant feedback and likes they receive on their posts. Speed is how Amazon is changing … Continue reading Six Hour Strategy® to Grow Your Business
The Three Laws of Business Growth
In my 27 years of advising privately-held business on growth and wealth, I’ve observed three critical laws for successful growth. They are: The Law of Leadership The Law of Strategy The Law of Resources The Law of Leadership Every organization’s success relies firstly on its leaders and secondly on its industry. Founders often create the … Continue reading The Three Laws of Business Growth