Some interesting comments -

Communications coach, Carmine Gallo, shares tips on how to craft your business story –covering all the essential elements– so you tell it in 60 seconds.

Have a look at the video on How to Tell Your Business Story in 60 Seconds | Entrepreneur Magazine.

Your marketing determines the success of the rest of your business, especially your administrative staff. Picking your desired customers is vital.

An interesting article on this states -

“Get rid of the client types you don’t want. You know the ones – you lose money working with them simply because they take up a lot of your time. Or they try to nickel and dime you on projects. These customers aren’t worth your time, and by better targeting your messaging, you’ll send subtle signals that send them the other way.”

Read the full article at Identifying Your Ideal Customer.

An extract from our web site -

“When your management and staff are measured on the earning of profit, the understanding of what is best for your organisation becomes blurred and causes opportunistic, and short-term, decisions to become the norm.”

Have a look at the web page on Cash – The reward for doing it right « julyan.biz.

Just a bit of fun to lighten your day.

“The problem is, the world is full of idiots, that number increasing exponentially the closer you are to the water cooler.  Unfortunately, since rage-fueled murder by Bic pen is still illegal, you are going to have learn to identify and deal with the worst people in the office.”

Read all about them on The 10 Worst People in Every Office And How to Deal With Them | Business Pundit.

Finally – someone who thinks the way I do.

A quote from the article states -

“Most businesses are started by people who think they know how to do something or think they want to sell something. In other words, most businesses are started with the business in mind.

But, if we actually understood that the only thing that mattered was an abundant volume of profitable customers, we would surely start with the customer in mind.”

Read the full article on How to Build a Business That Cannot Fail :: Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing.

We often wait too long to ask these questions. They may surface dimly on occasion, in a remote and dusty corner of the mind. In preparation for that comfortable retirement you should consider the following 12 steps.

1. Recognise that retirement is more than choosing a date to do so.
2. Determine what it will take and how to get there.
3. Know how your job/profession contributes to your retirement needs.
4. Recognise when to use tax deferred savings and when not to.
5. Invest for the future and into the future.
6. Be aware of the impact of working during retirement.
7. Recognise that your home is a lifestyle asset and is unlikely to produce income.
8. Remember that taxes do continue after you retire.
9. Determine how you will receive retirement plan benefits.
10. Ensure your hard earned wealth stays in the family.
11. Examine your insurance needs, particularly medical cover.

Read step 12 on Retirement in 12 Steps | Entrepreneur Magazine.

These are videos for grown-ups that care about what is going on.

I have included these on my website to obviate the need to find them again.

Have a look at Videos « julyan.biz.

Directors in large companies have avoided the responsibility of performance through carefully constructed employment contracts. Unlike entrepreneurs, who have faith in themselves, directors place their faith in their ability to negotiate a good deal for themselves.

Imagine the change in attitude and involvement if directors salaries where directly related to the profitability of their companies or, even better, if they earned no basic salary at all. In other words they were treated like entrepreneurs where no profit means no salary.

I think this is worth a thought.

Have fun

Gavin Julyan

Consider the following chains that currently shackle South African entrepreneurs:

1. The snobbish attitude of the political and business intelligentsia in this country which at worst consider entrepreneurs to be criminals and at best greedy little capitalists that need to be tolerated as a sideshow.

2. All recent national plans. They have emphasised the developmental state which is a euphemism for more chains and more regulation and more economic prioritisation. The people writing these plans have never personally had to create wealth themselves in order to be paid.

3. The vast bureaucracy surrounding the establishment and ongoing operation of a small business in a legal manner. We are now regarded as one of the most hostile countries in the world for entrepreneurs.

4. The culture of non-payment to small business which thrives in the world of big business and government. In big business, standard payment terms can extend to 120 days while some state entities like hospitals never pay which is why they are in such trouble. The whole process of being approved as a vendor is now used an excuse to defer payment.

5. The tight-fisted approach of all providers of capital to entrepreneurs in South Africa.

Read the full article at Entrepreneurs in chains | Leader.co.za.

Buying into a franchise concept can be an attractive way for some people to become business owners. Ideally, a franchise company has a proven business model, saving new business owners the time, energy and money.

Franchises can still be a good opportunity, but doing more than just glancing under the bonnet is essential. There are a number of warning signs…

See the full article on Buyer Beware: Franchise Warning Signs | Entrepreneur Magazine.