So, I’m driving behind a commercial pickup truck that had this sign on the back: “Not responsible for broken windows” On the back of the truck’s cab, it had this sign: “ Stay back 100 feet. Not responsible for broken windows.” Really, bro? It seems a little unrealistic to think that you can pile a […]
I remember a Christmas when I was in grade school, and my mother told me that one of my gifts was “ten feet long”. Turns out it was a basketball hoop. Nice, Mom. Sometimes, are perception of what is true is far different that reality, and unfortunately that happens when a business fails. A founder […]
Complexity can kill. I saw it 20 years ago, and I’m seeing it today, and it’s one of three hard truths about economic and finance. Here’s what I mean: So I was working out at the gym today, and CNBC had yet another story on Coinbase, which is a marketplace where Americans to buy and […]
Setback and disappointments frequently lead to a better outcome than you expected- or imagined Oh, come on- people just say that to make themselves feel better after a setback or disappointment. You don’t really mean that. Yes I do. And, as time goes on, I’m even more convinced that it’s true. Have a question about […]
Huge success requires risk-taking, a well-conceived plan, and the guts to ask for something that may seem outrageous. Here are my best business deals ever, and three great business decisions that led to three of the most successful companies ever. Have a question about personal finance or entrepreneurship? Join the Ask Me Anything live chats […]
Product launches are tough- and even the most successful companies can fail every now and then. Here are some massive product failures, and what we can learn from them. Sony Betamax: Make the tent bigger I was fortunate to experience the huge changes in media and entertainment products over the past 45 years or so. […]
THIS LOUSY CUSTOMER SERVICE IS WHY YOUR AIRLINE IS GOING BANKRUPT! It was fall of ’97, and I was yelling at a gate attendant for TWA in St. Louis, one of the airline’s hubs. At this point, the airline had declared bankruptcy several times, and was finally purchased by American Airlines in 2001. I had […]
Cash is more important than profit. Even a profitable company can struggle without generating sufficient cash flow. I worked with a highly successful residential plumbing company for several years- who doesn’t need plumbing? Clients must be falling out of the sky, right? But there was a problem: the firm had taken on a huge commercial […]
I like to refer to my son as a “hit and run” cook, because he makes a big meal and leaves a huge mess. He means well- and the food’s good- but the process isn’t well organized. I see a lot of entrepreneurs who use this same approach, because some of them seem to be […]
After years of struggle trying to build a business presence online, I’ve started to have a little success based on one key point: Succeeding online isn’t a whole lot different than building a “brick and mortar” product or service business. Click Here For Free Report: 10 Great Resources For Personal Finance Now, I’ll grant you, […]