Help! My Business is Growing

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Collaboration is an often overlooked driver of business growth. 

It can spark innovation, expand your market reach, and turn challenges into opportunities in ways you might not expect. 

Yet, many small businesses struggle to find the right partnerships.

So what do you need to do to start collaborating effectively to propel your business forward? 

What are the strategies that can help you turn obstacles into opportunities? 

And...

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Every construction project starts with a contract—but not all contracts are created equal. If you overlook critical details or skip negotiation, you could face unexpected liabilities, payment delays, and disputes that stall progress. Poor contract management can lead to financial setbacks, strained relationships, and missed opportunities for future projects.

So, how can you identify risks before signing?

What strategies help you negotiate fair terms?
And how can you protect your interests while keeping projects on track?

My guest today is Me...

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Hiring and onboarding a sales team can either make your business or break it. If you don't have a solid hiring process in place, you'll end up guessing who’s right for the job instead of making an informed choice and hoping they’ll figure it out on their own. 

But wrong hires or weak onboarding cost money because it leads to high turnover, frustrated salespeople, and lost sales. You need a clear process to find the right talent, get them up to speed with your business, and keep them...

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One of the toughest conversations you’ll have as a leader is terminating an employee. Whether you’re dealing with someone who’s struggling or changes in your business, getting this process right is make-or-break. One wrong move could land you in legal hot water or send your team's morale into a nosedive.

So, how do you know when it’s the right time to let someone go? 

How can you have these hard conversations with honesty and fairness? 

And what steps can you take to make su...

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Growing your business is on every entrepreneur's mind. Maybe you're eyeing new markets, or you've set your sights on doubling revenue in the next few years. Sounds exciting, right? But if your business isn't ready for that growth, it can backfire fast.

What happens when you're not prepared? Production delays start piling up. Your team burns out. Worse, you start losing the customers you worked so hard to get.

So, how do you know if your business is ready for rapid growth?
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Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a powerful method to improve your sales communication skills. If your sales team isn't closing as many deals as you'd like, the problem might not be the product or service—it could be how effectively the salesperson communicates. 

Misunderstanding the customer’s needs, speaking at the wrong pace, or failing to connect can lead to missed opportunities. Ineffective communication can also create friction with your team, suppliers, and clients. 

So, what exactly is NLP, and how can it help you co...

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Getting your pricing strategy right is crucial to business success. And though it might seem as simple as choosing a random number - it’s not. Pricing is more complex and understanding the psychology behind your customers’ buying decisions plays a huge role in getting it right. If your prices don’t match the perceived value of your products, you might lose customers, miss out on sales, or damage your brand's reputation.  

So, how do you price your products so you can hit your goals? 

Wha...

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Customer retention is an often overlooked aspect of business success. When you focus too much on attracting new customers, you risk neglecting the ones you already have. This could mean lost revenues and damaged trust.

To fix this, businesses need to turn to customer journey mapping. By mapping out key interactions, you can improve customer experiences, build loyalty, and increase engagement.

But what is customer journey mapping exactly and how can it prevent customer churn? And what steps can you take to keep clients satisfied and loyal?<...

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Franchise audits are vital for maintaining the financial health of your business. However, many new franchisors find this process challenging, struggling through it due to a lack of preparation and understanding of what it’s all about. This can lead to compliance issues, financial discrepancies, and even damage to the brand’s reputation.

So, what exactly is franchise auditing? How does it work? And why is it so important for the financial health of your franchise business?

In this episode, Stacy Farb...

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Is your business growing but struggling with outdated tools, systems, and processes? ERP systems can help streamline operations and boost efficiency. But, ERP, or Enterprise resource planning, is more than just adding new technology. It requires careful planning and proper change management. 

When is the right time to implement an ERP system in your business? How do you get started, and how do you help your team transition smoothly?

In this episode, Allison Cummins and I discuss ERP implementation and why c...

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Your small business is poised for growth, but lurking legal risks could derail your success. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of growth and overlook the legal side of things. From employment laws and tax codes to those contracts that seem clear until they aren't, any of these can lead to expensive and time-consuming disputes. 

So, how do you make sure your business is legally protected? Do you hire a full-time lawyer or a consultant? And are there other ways for you to...

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Great businesses thrive by investing in their people. When companies face tough times, it's often due to a lack of workforce development. 

If employees don't feel supported or aren't given chances to grow, it can lead to demotivation, higher turnover, and team dysfunction.  

So, what is workforce development? How does it function, and how can you implement it effectively?

In this episode, Michelle Arentz and I chat about why workforce development matters and how creating a positive workplace culture ca...

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Employee retention lies at the heart of every successful business. It's the lifeline that keeps productivity high and morale even higher, making your team feel valued and appreciated, and motivating them to do their best. 

Yet, many companies struggle with keeping their best talent. Even businesses that seem great on paper often face high turnover rates. So why is it becoming harder to retain your employees? Why is this a recurring issue? What makes people want to leave? And what can you do to really show y...

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When your financial records are not accurate or organized,  it can lead to poor decisions, financial problems, and stunted growth.

So how do you keep your books clean? What should you look for in a bookkeeper and accountant? And how do you make sure that your financial records are accurate and up to date?  

In this episode, Jennifer Yousem and I talk all about the challenges of messy accounting for small businesses. We break down why this is so common, even in this day and age of ac...

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Expense management is a must for any business.  Every dollar spent can either contribute to your growth or drain your resources. And while it seems like a simple thing to do, many businesses struggle with it -  causing bigger financial problems down the road. So what can you do to avoid this in your business? 

In this episode, John Krebsbach and I go very deep into effective expense management. From managing credit cards and checks to dealing with reluctant vendors, he shares practical tips and real-world exa...

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Transforming your construction business can be a challenging yet rewarding process.

Is it time to scale up? Well, you've got customers to deal with, suppliers to find, building codes to follow, and a team to keep on point. 

All these moving parts directly affect your finances. Things can get chaotic fast, and if you neglect any of these areas, it can really hurt your financial stability and growth.

So, how do you keep everything on track in your c...

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When people talk about business innovation, the top of their minds is new tech or new products.

However, small business innovation particularly, is so much more than that.  

It's also about fresh ideas, seeing things from a different perspective - including how you use your products, making smart choices, and strategic growth. 

So what does innovation look like in small businesses? 

Are there any tools or techniques that can enhance innovation? 

How does it d...

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Running a business can be very stressful, as you may already know.

When stress kicks in, it can impact both your body and mind, affecting how well you work. 

If it’s not managed, it can lead to loss of focus, missed opportunities, and even burnout, which can prevent your business from growing. 

The good news is, there's a simple yet effective way to manage stress called Breathwork. 

This technique helps you regain contr...

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For your business to grow, you need a recruitment strategy or recruitment process in place to get the right team in place.

If you don’t find the people that can best fit your business needs, you might end up with higher turnover and lower productivity, making it harder to hit your goals. 

So what can you do to get it right?  

You can optimize your job listings, cultivate the right culture and even adjust your salary ranges to attr...

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Workforce planning is a vital strategy for your growing business. 

It makes sure that you have the right people fill the right roles at the right time. 

But applying workforce planning concepts to your operations might be challenging, especially if it's something you've never had in your business before. 

So, what exactly is workforce planning? 

How does it integrate into your business structure? 

And how do you know if it's effective or not?

In this episode, Carol Fraser and I tal...

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In the world of successful businesses, effective leadership alignment is crucial. When a company succeeds, it's often because its leaders make sure that everyone in the company understands, agrees, and works together to achieve its goals - that their strategies match the overall vision and objectives. 

This alignment fuels growth and success. However, when it's missing, people tend to focus on their own agendas, which can derail progress and cause problems. 

So, what exactly is leadership alignment? 

How can you...

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When your business becomes a victim of financial fraud, specifically check fraud, it can be a total nightmare. Not only will you lose money but you'll also lose time in trying to track it down, closing your account, and talking to your bank, lawyers, and the authorities. 

Depending on the size of the theft, it can affect your operations. You may not be able to pay your employees and your suppliers, damaging your reputation and it may even lead to legal action against you.

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When hiring for a new position, it's crucial to get it right.  Hiring mistakes can be costly and disruptive, affecting productivity, team morale, and your bottom line. Making the wrong choice can also mean wasted time, resources, and opportunities for your company to grow. 

But how do you avoid making hiring mistakes? 

What are the red flags to watch out for? 

And how do you pick the right people who will bring your business to the next level?

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One of the most creative and simple ways to grow a business is by taking the Appreciation Marketing approach. It’s a strategy that can help you strengthen your relationships with your customers by showing your appreciation and that you genuinely care about them. 

It's a common problem in many businesses. You might just be too busy to stop and take time to acknowledge your customers, partners, and even those in your network. You might be focused on making sales or just not sure how to go...

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When your business grows, expect to get busy. But what happens when there is just too much on your plate? You might need an Executive Assistant (EA).

It's a pivotal role within the organizational structure, providing crucial support to CEOs while helping steer the company toward success. 

So how do you go about hiring one?

What do they do?

Do you really need one?

How do y...

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If your small business is currently growing, it might be time to professionalize your operations. 

The tools and methods that worked when you started may no longer work for you now that you're expanding. 

Without upgrading your ways of working, your business can fail. Inefficient processes and disorganization can hold you back, allowing the competition to leave you behind. 

So, how do you professionalize your operations?

What are the specific steps to get...

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Feeling the pressure as your business grows? 

 As you expand, expect to face new hurdles: Your old framework might no longer be the right fit. 

You'll need to build an executive team while streamlining your processes becomes crucial. And what about succession planning? Who takes over the reins when you step back? 

And if that's not enough pressure, you also need to make sure everything keeps running smoothly while managing all these changes.  

If you don't get it right...

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Is your business missing out on valuable customer feedback? 

Without it, you won’t know what they want or even feel about your business.

You’ll be operating in the dark, making decisions based on assumptions rather than data. 

If you’re also not taking the time to do any customer research, you won’t get to know their needs and pain points. This could lead to missed opportunities that will eventually eat into your finances. 

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Change is part and parcel of running a growing business.

But with change comes resistance, disrupting operations and creating hurdles that can strain your workload and more importantly, your finances.

So what can you do to manage change effectively?

Are there specific steps to take that will guarantee a smooth transition? 

And most importantly, how do you get your team to embrace change positively?

In this e...

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Struggling with poor performance in your business?  Whether it's employees always running late, missing deadlines, or failing to meet expectations, it’s stressful and will eventually affect your bottom line. 

So, what's causing all the chaos? Is it a communication breakdown? Are there gaps in your onboarding processes? Or are your leaders not stepping up? 

Discovering the root causes of poor performance is key to implementing meaningful changes. 

But how do you identify and address these challenges? 

And wha...

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When growing your B2B operations, having an effective sales process in place is key.

It serves as a guide for you and your clients - from the initial interest stage until you finally close the deal.

But in B2B operations your sales funnel is more complex. There are more decision-makers, longer sales cycles, and more barriers to sales such as company accreditation or procurement checklists and so on.

If you don't have an effective...

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In tough times, many businesses feel the urge to cut back on marketing spending.

But what's the potential downside?

Your brand might start to fade away, missing chances to connect with customers and falling behind the competition.

Marketing isn't just about letting the world know about your business. 

It's also a powerful tool to control your business. It directly affects your cash flow and drives your bottom line.

So, how do you make sure your marketing b...

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If you have a customer-centric business, it means your customers are at the heart of everything you do.

And this is a good thing because happy customers equals a thriving business.

But sadly, many small businesses struggle to make this happen beyond their team members on the front lines.

And this is a problem since customer satisfaction is crucial to your success.

So what do you need to do to make...

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Ever found yourself drowning in the tedium and mundane tasks of running a business, wondering if there's a way to escape and get your life back? 

What if we told you that, "Yes! there is a way!"  And that it's absolutely possible to lead a fulfilled life while working fewer hours, whether you're managing one successful business or multiple ventures.

Does it sound too good to be true? It's not!  

In this episode, our guest Jeff Rus...

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Handling HR investigations can be a potential minefield for any business, especially those that are smaller but currently growing. 

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when faced with employee complaints, wrongful termination claims, or accusations of workplace bullying and harassment. 

Yet these investigations matter because they can make or break your business. 

If resolved successfully, they'll protect your business and your employees.

If you ignore or mishandle them, it could cause you legal problems and h...

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Have you ever had that nagging feeling that you don't measure up?

Do you live in constant fear that your success is just a fluke? 

Are you worried you'll be unmasked as someone without a clue what they're doing?

It's the relentless struggle known as Imposter Syndrome, and it's something that even the most successful entrepreneurs suffer from.

Imposter Syndrome doesn't discriminate. It haunts people in their personal and professional lives, sabotaging confidence and stifling potential. 

...

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While HubSpot has many features, it can also seem overwhelming. With so much going on, it’s hard to know where to start or how to make the most of it. 

And if you're not careful, you can easily get bogged down in all the (helpful) bells and whistles and lose sight of your overall goals.

So, what exactly is HubSpot? 

Why do businesses love it? 

What makes it different from other CRM platforms? 

And how do...

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The art of naming may seem secondary to finances and operations, but it's incredibly important because your name can make or break your brand.

So how do you choose the right name? 

What are the methods or surefire hacks to create one that clicks?

How do you craft a name that leaves a lasting impression and attracts customers?

What's the secret to unlocking naming success? And how do you ensure that t...

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Sales can get complicated, especially for smaller or rapidly growing companies. Your sales process might seem like a maze, and disorganized data only makes it worse. Losing potential customers is frustrating and puts pressure on meeting targets. 

So how do you build or streamline your sales process? Where do you find the right sales talent?  And most importantly, how can you ensure this process becomes the foundation for your long-term success?

In this episode, our guest Dan Fantasia provides expert insights an...

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Intellectual property is a vital business asset that needs protection. It includes all your ideas, creations, products/services that drive growth. 

If you don't protect your intellectual property (IP), you risk competitors stealing or copying what you do, which could lead to lost revenue. 

The digital age has further complicated matters. It is now very easy to accidentally copy someone else's work, thanks to the rise of AI and automation that continue to blur the lines between innovation and imitation. 

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