Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Your Business”
If you saw a plumber advertise in the following way, you’d probably think it was a joke. “I have the latest xyz spanner which can tighten your nuts and bolts with 30% greater efficiency” And sadly it’s not a joke. Many businesses advertise like this, especially therapists and health practitioners. The assumption is that your audience knows what your tools …
Consider what happens when you hear someone use your name. If you are within earshot, your ears prick up. Whether you intend to or not, you start to pay attention. So when you send emails to your customers or prospects, use their name if you want them to pause before hitting “spam” or “delete”. Using a person’s name implies that …
A couple arrive at a restaurant. They are told there is 15-minute wait and are offered a spot at the bar while they wait. They decide that they are ok with a 15 minute wait, but as they head towards the bar, they start to look a little surprised. The path towards the bar is lined with unoccupied tables. Some …
Having core values that are clearly articulated sometimes means making difficult choices. It is about taking a stand and having conviction. When questioned about their core values, many people have difficulty responding. They either can’t pinpoint them or produce generic answers that are “nice” words and ones often used for the purpose of developing “core values”. But words mean different …
Is there anything that I can do to help you do your job better? Such an important question and so scary for the person conducting the appraisal! What if it opens up a can of worms? What if their request is unreasonable? If it does open a can of worms, then good! It was a time bomb waiting to explode …
How important are qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certifications etc.) when it comes to hiring people? The perfect package is, of course, the person with the right qualifications, experience and values, but rarely is it so straightforward. Resumes tell part of a story, a polished, sugar-coated version and it’s up to you, the interviewer, to wade through the sparkles and glitter to …
Pop up shops are a new phenomenon, but take the concept of a market stall a stage further and are quite literally shops that ‘pop up’, operate for a few weeks or even just a day – and then close again. The term may be new but the idea has been around for years, and many pop up shops pander …
There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve been shot down when you feel so excited about a new business idea. Yet, it is a common story….. someone has an idea to start a business, and all the naysayers emerge. Usually family and friends. Well-meaning of course but full of warnings, head shaking, stories of doom and gloom. All this negativity …
Have you thought about getting a trademark for your logo and wondered whether you can do it yourself? When I was deciding whether to apply for my own trademark, I wondered about the need for using a trademark attorney. I had a look at the process, didn’t think it was particularly difficult and therefore decided that I couldn’t justify the …
“I’ve set up myself as a company so that my personal assets are protected” This statement is technically correct but setting up a small business under a company structure can sometimes provide a false sense of security. The “protection” has a lot to do with your line of business and what you think you are protecting against. What are you …
