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Mistakes are Opportunities by Bill Collier
April 16, 2013 By Bill Collier
Every company makes mistakes. That's one thing all businesses have in common. That said, each mistake is an opportunity - especially if the error affects a customer. Some companies blame anyone or anything but themselves...
Curb Your Enthusiasm by Bill Collier
February 18, 2013 By Bill Collier
"The trust of the innocent is the liar's most useful tool." - Stephen King
We all have people we trust. And they trust us in return. In some cases, that trust has been earned via confidences kept and commitments achieved...
Your Most Important Document by Bill Collier
February 5, 2013 By Bill Collier
In a previous column titled Great Expectations, I urged business owners to have realistic expectations for their employees. (Read it at www.sbmon.com. Search for "collier expectations...
Ok, I Made A Profit. Now What? by Bill Collier
December 10, 2012 By Bill Collier
If you're a business owner, I strongly urge you to budget for a reasonable profit target as a percent of sales, and then make your expenses fit in. The idea is to put profit front and center as a necessary outcome ...
What’s the BIG idea? Contest – Winning Entries
September 27, 2012 By Bill Collier
During our annual Happy Hour Socials, we have a "What's the BIG idea?" contest. Here are the winning entries from the last three years: 2012 - DELIVERANCE FROM RECEIPTS - by Agape Construction This is a mini-game to reward employees for reducing the number of trips they were making to Home Depot/Lowe's...
Be a Sleuth. Find the Waste. by Bill Collier
August 16, 2012 By Bill Collier
Be a Sleuth. Find the Waste.
Reducing expenses.
That has become a business mantra during this prolonged economic malaise...
Talking About Values is Good Business by Bill Collier
April 23, 2012 By Bill Collier
What do “values” have to do with business? Everything! This isn’t about “touchy-feely.” I see core values as a hard-nosed business practice, just like reducing costs...
Transparency and Leadership: Avoid Emily Litella Syndrome by Bill Collier
February 25, 2012 By Bill Collier
Emily Litella, in one of her typical on-air rants: “What’s this I hear about computer parking lots? We’re in a recession, people are losing their jobs, and now we have parking lots for computers! It’s an outrageous waste of land and money!” Jane Curtin, with her typical disdain for Emily: “It’s commuter parking lots...
What’s Your Number? by Bill Collier
February 5, 2012 By Bill Collier
“What gets measured gets managed.”
It’s hard to argue with that piece of wisdom. That said, here’s another old saw to consider: “If everything is important, then nothing is important...
Do A Leadership Checkup by Bill Collier
January 18, 2012 By Bill Collier
Leadership. What the heck is leadership anyway? And why should a small business owner care? Some folks use the word “leadership” as a synonym for influence. Let’s expand that definition to include a couple of other important activities: ...
