Why do promising startups fail to grow? Learn why having the right solution isn’t enough, and how focusing on seed markets—customers ready to act now instead of ‘someday’—creates sustainable growth. See how Shopify and Stripe broke through early growth barriers.
As I gear up to lead a series of workshops to prepare entrepreneurs for an upcoming pitch competition, a critical question keeps bouncing around in my head. What defines success in winning pitch competitions? While the temptation of a prize or recognition is strong, is that the ultimate aim? This
A poignant critique by Howard Schultz highlighted a significant shift at Starbucks from creating meaningful customer experiences to focusing on transactional efficiency. These reflections underscore a crucial lesson: the importance of delivering value for small business growth. By emphasizing deep, emotional connections over mere volume, businesses can build lasting relationships
I recently found myself caught up in a lively online discussion centered on the usability of whiskey bottles. It began with a prominent whiskey writer, Maggie Kimberl, Content Editor at American Whiskey Magazine, sharing her frustrations about the practicality — or lack thereof — of many bottles she encounters in
Explore how iterative development can transform small business products and services. Learn actionable strategies to refine offerings through continuous customer feedback and drive your business towards sustainable success.
Explore how iterative development can transform small business products and services. Learn actionable strategies to refine offerings through continuous customer feedback and drive your business towards sustainable success.
Explore how iterative development can transform small business products and services. Learn actionable strategies to refine offerings through continuous customer feedback and drive your business towards sustainable success.
Explore how goal-oriented problem solving can transform your small business. Learn to uncover and address not just the functional, but also the emotional and social jobs your customers need your products to do, ensuring solutions that truly resonate and foster loyalty.
Explore the transformative power of customer intimacy in small business success. Discover how deep connections with customers can lead to products that not only meet but exceed expectations, fostering loyalty and driving business growth. Learn practical strategies for integrating customer intimacy into your product development for standout results.
Discover how product thinking can transform your small business into a thriving enterprise. This article explores essential strategies for aligning your products with customer needs and business goals, enhancing profitability and growth. Learn why product thinking is a game-changer for small businesses.
Discover Entrepreneurial Insights from a 530-mile cycling journey across Iowa in RAGBRAI 2023. This article delves into key business lessons learned on the road, blending adventure with strategic thinking. Explore how endurance, adaptability, and strategic positioning in cycling offer valuable parallels to overcoming challenges and achieving success in entrepreneurship. Join
Explore the vital lessons on mental health and well-being for entrepreneurs drawn from a simple yet enlightening experience during RAGBRAI. This article delves into the recuperative power of taking breaks, rewarding oneself, and finding balance, illustrated through a refreshing root beer float break. Learn how strategic pauses, small rewards, and
Explore the theme of ‘entrepreneurial unpredictability’ in this insightful article that draws parallels between an unexpected storm during RAGBRAI and the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship. Discover how the unpredictable nature of starting and running a business mirrors the challenges faced on an adventurous bike ride across Iowa. Learn key strategies
Discover the surprising link between a root beer float and entrepreneur mental health in our latest article. Learn how simple pleasures like enjoying a cold treat on a hot day can teach valuable lessons in self-care, stress management, and maintaining balance—critical components for sustaining mental wellness in the high-pressure world
Discover key insights on supporting the customer journey in my latest article, ‘You Don’t Put a Lemonade Stand Halfway Down the Hill.’ Learn how strategic placement and understanding your customers’ needs are crucial for creating a supportive and seamless experience. This guide offers practical tips for businesses looking to prioritize
Discover the power of embracing boldness in your business in my article, ‘Sometimes You Need to Say Yes to the Big Chain Ring.’ Learn how strategic moments of boldness, akin to shifting into the big chain ring during a cycle, can propel your business forward. Explore practical insights on when
Creative entrepreneurship is on the rise. Many individuals are pursuing their passions and turning their creative talents into viable businesses. But starting a creative business comes with its own unique set of challenges, besides those faced by other businesses. This guide offers valuable insights and advice to help you start
As a solopreneur service provider, navigating the complexities of business growth while upholding the value of your services is crucial. While I typically advise against undervaluing your offerings, there are instances where providing services for free can advance your business. In this article, we’ll explore how to effectively use complimentary
Understanding the basics of product management Product management is the process of overseeing the development, marketing, and selling of a product or service. It includes understanding customer needs, defining product features, and working with various teams to bring the product to market. Here are the basics of product management: Understanding
As a business coach and educator, I have seen how powerful the right tools are in aiding small businesses. One such tool that has revolutionized the way entrepreneurs approach business strategy is the Business Model Canvas. It also serves as a backbone of both my business coaching and classes. This
I recently received a letter from a well-known subscription radio service for my car. The letter offers me a seriously discounted rate to renew my lapsed subscription. I won’t be renewing. Why not? The product performs exceptionally well, and the discount is significant. It’s not about the product itself. It’s
A few months ago, I found myself in an odd situation. I was about 45 feet below the surface in the waters off Montego Bay, Jamaica. And I needed a calculator. That sent me done a rabbit hole where I didn’t invent the underwater calculator, but learned a key lesson
I just finished reading a book about reading. It made me think. It made me change some of my own behaviors. It made me want to share. That book is Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career by Jeff Brown and Jesse Wisnewski. Read to
I’ve always felt the biggest challenge in strategic planning isn’t coming up with an excellent strategy. The real challenge is bridging the gap between strategy and execution. The GOSPA planning framework solves that problem.
It’s that time of year again. Time for the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville Board Matching program. This program combines training with a matching event where participants meet with representatives of local arts organizations who need board members. The training introduces the arts industry and covers topics such
The interviews are over. Now you have to decide. Who do you hire? Do you hire anyone? How do you combine the feedback of the many people who took part in the process? How do you compare the performance of the candidates across all the dimensions you are considering and
“Tell me about a time….” You know those questions. They are the signature of the behavioral interview, which is a key component of most job interviews. But is the behavioral interview the best approach? Many years ago, I read a passage in a book that changed the way I
You have a great job description that articulates both the functional and non-functional requirements for the job you are filling. You’ve narrowed down the 250 resumes to the half-dozen you want to interview. Now you have a candidate in front of you and you get to ask questions to determine
Resumes. You’ll see a lot of them when hiring. You’ll see good ones. You’ll see bad ones. I can’t tell you how many resumes I’ve looked at over the years. In this article, the second in a series, I tell you how I approach resumes and what I look for
Before you interview a job candidate, you need to understand the job you are interviewing them for. You need to understand the requirements of the job you are interviewing them for. The natural place to start for job requirements is the job description. I know you’ve seen job descriptions. You
My younger brother emailed me recently. He was preparing to hire two new employees in his department and was soliciting advice from his family on interview questions. So I created this series of articles on interviewing. In these five articles, I dig deeper into five important topics on interviewing and
Not long ago I led a session on strategy as part of the Arts and Business Council of Nashville’s Arts Nonprofit Nuts and Bolts program. I really enjoy these sessions because they give me the opportunity to connect with people passionate about making a difference in the world and who
Do you have a business plan for your creative business? Do you need a business plan for your creative business? Many most businesses rely on a business plan to secure a loan or attract investors. These probably aren’t activities you will undertake in your creative business. But that doesn’t mean
As the calendar turns over, people often turn their thoughts to what they want to achieve in the new year. What do you want to achieve this year? What do you want to accomplish in your creative business this year? When I meet with a new client, I always start
Should your creative brand take a stand? I am confident you have a stand on many issues about which people are talking. But does your creative business have a stand on those issues? Should it? A new report by the PR firm Edelman, addresses that question, looking into the behaviors
One of the things that impress me about creative makers is their desire to have a positive impact on the world. They don’t just want a successful business, they want a successful business makes a difference. In classes, workshops, or when working with individuals, I often bring up Nisolo as an
In the creative economy, the label “Made In America” is frequently an important element of the brand. The artists and artisans with whom I work, and who are making their art and their products in their studios or workshops, are definitely making in America. Most of the fashion brands with