Tag Archives: Value proposition

Negotiations in business – practice, practice, practice

    Doing business is a series of negotiations. From the moment you plan to start a business to serving your customer, you find yourself negotiating. For most people negotiations brings to mind price, but there are many other areas … Continue reading

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Partnerships – a guaranteed divorce

Many of the clients I advise are in partnerships.  It is a common situation.  Two or more people get together to solve a problem and the next thing you know a partnership is born.  If you listen to the first-time … Continue reading

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Let go or be dragged

    So the other day I was getting ready for yoga class when one of my classmates told us about something she saw on Facebook. Someone, I do not know who, posted “Let Go or Be Dragged” on their … Continue reading

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How do I tell you…?

Dear Small Business Owner, How do I tell you? How do I tell you that the tops of all the napkin holders in your restaurant are covered in dried, crusted food? How do I tell you that your email is … Continue reading

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The business sayings of my father

I grew up the son of an entrepreneur. My father was Bill Colwell.  For anyone who was in Waterloo, Iowa in the early 70s you could not miss him.  He ran TV commercials on channel 7 every night for Schukei … Continue reading

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The paradox of a new idea

  Recently I drove by a closed restaurant.  It had been a steakhouse most recently. I thought about how tough it would be to compete against the other steak houses in the area and wondered if that was why it … Continue reading

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Do not compete on price, unless…

There was an interesting article about a new start-up company called AutoSlash in the New York Times this past weekend.  AutoSlash says they will get you the best price on a car rental by constantly checking for better deals even … Continue reading

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The staircase approach to building a business

Stand at the base of a set of stairs, 10 to 15 steps will do.  Now get ready and leap to the top!  That is what many entrepreneurs attempt to do when starting a business. Unfortunately most do not have … Continue reading

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“Let’s deal with it later…” No, let’s not.

A guy comes up with a business idea. It is a pretty good idea.  He starts working on it.  The idea takes hold. Others start encouraging him. Customers begin to say a tentative “yes” to his offer. The guy gets … Continue reading

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Bumper tag and business: how to not get customers

I was getting on the interstate the other day.  The intersection I was at had a dual left turn lane and a two-lane on-ramp. I am in the left lane with some cars behind me. Suddenly, a very large four … Continue reading

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Hiring about to get hard again

For many, the economy has started to turn around. Sales are growing and businesses are starting to hire again. What many may not have considered is how difficult it will be to hire the people you need now and in … Continue reading

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Do not compete on price, unless…

There was an interesting article about a new start-up company called AutoSlash in the New York Times this past weekend.  AutoSlash says they will get you the best price on a car rental by constantly checking for better deals even … Continue reading

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Bumper tag and business: how to not get customers

I was getting on the interstate the other day.  The intersection I was at had a dual left turn lane and a two-lane on-ramp. I am in the left lane with some cars behind me. Suddenly, a very large four … Continue reading

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What Would You Tell Your Best Friend?

From time to time, many of my clients come to me with a difficult decision they need to make.  They have thought through all sides of the decision and are struggling with what to do. They ask my advice. Do … Continue reading

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1% of 4% of 7 Billion – Who’s in your market?

  Big markets attract a lot of attention. After all, with that many potential customers you can see a path to huge revenues. The challenge is getting heard by that big market.  On the flip side, a small market does … Continue reading

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