The first time we hit the ditch, I was a kid sleeping in the back seat when my Dad hit some black ice. Our big Oldsmobile 88, wearing all season tires, lost traction, ploughed through the ditch and right into a farmer’s field. The best part was my Dad just kept on driving, snow flying … Continue reading Winter Tires
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What is Strategy?
Strategy is the proactive focus and alignment of your resources so you can provide optimal value to your ideal customers. It is how you create your ideal future business. Your strategy is not about your technical skills or your methodologies or processes. It’s about the results you create for your customers and clients. They probably … Continue reading What is Strategy?
Accelerating First Quarter Success
The first quarter is well underway. Business optimism is increasing, the oil price is holding above $50, and there are positive economic indicators both north and south of the border. It’s time to step on the gas…especially if you’re in the energy sector! To help you achieve a record first quarter, here are best practices … Continue reading Accelerating First Quarter Success
Planning for Next Year
What’s your plan for next year? Let’s get to the point. What will you accomplish in terms of products offered, customers and geographies served, and financial results? How fast can you grow? Will you run out of gas before you achieve top speed? Investors, bankers, and shareholders want to know what your business plan looks … Continue reading Planning for Next Year
Lessons from a Tap Dance Competition
Our daughters Julia (top left) and Anastasia (top right) and their Team Canada West teammates performing their production “Silent Movie” which won them the bronze medal. I’m writing this newsletter from the Frankfurt airport. We watched our tap dancing daughters and their team mates from western and eastern Canada compete in the International Dance Organization’s … Continue reading Lessons from a Tap Dance Competition
Tell Your Story With Your Annual Report
If you don’t tell your own story, your stakeholders will make up their own version of what happened in your business. You can tell your own story by writing your annual report. The annual report describes what happened in the past year and what the plan is for the next year to shareholders, investors, analysts, … Continue reading Tell Your Story With Your Annual Report
The SME Business Wealth Builder M5 Growth Strategy Model Fifth Gear: Management
Over three decades ago, I worked in a large bank. One day I asked my manager, let’s call him Peter, a technical question. “Phil,” he said, “come with me.” We walked over to a long row of low filing cabinets that were covered end to end with huge binders. “Everything you need to know about … Continue reading The SME Business Wealth Builder M5 Growth Strategy Model Fifth Gear: Management
SIX HOUR SUCCESSION(tm)
In North America, trillions of dollars of business wealth is tied up in operating companies owned by people who want to or need to retire in the next few years. Business owners are further constrained by the dual roles they have: owner and manager. Our “SIX HOUR SUCCESSION(tm)” process divides and conquers these dual roles … Continue reading SIX HOUR SUCCESSION(tm)
SIX HOUR BUSINESS ™
Speed is important in business. Connecting with your customers quickly and efficiently, before your competitors do, is critical to protecting and growing your revenue base. Continually developing and implementing new strategies can improve customer retention and attract new customers. To help you grow your business in real time, I’ve developed a unique and powerful offering … Continue reading SIX HOUR BUSINESS ™
The SME Business Wealth Builder M5 Growth Strategy Model Fourth Gear: Monetize
When I started a drywall company many years ago, we could issue an invoice in ten minutes…because we had to in order to survive and grow. Profits didn’t matter; that’s an accounting concept that only exists on paper. The only thing that mattered to our start up business was cash flow. And its metric was … Continue reading The SME Business Wealth Builder M5 Growth Strategy Model Fourth Gear: Monetize
