Posts Tagged ‘MrAllBiz.com’
by Steve Strauss on November 17th, 2009
Q: Steve – You always seem to write about making your small business unique – so as to set yourself apart from the crowd. That seems like good advice, but easier said than done. In my case, my small business is a website, and most websites are more or less the same, so what can we do?
JD
A: What if I told you that there was a surefire way to make your website standout and POP . . . would that be of interest to you? And what if I further told you that this method is inexpensive, easily... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on November 13th, 2009
Q: “I will ask yet again: Can I have the check now please? We just want to get out of this restaurant already.”
Steve
A: The above exchange occurred over the weekend when my brother, my wife, and I went out to eat at a nice restaurant. It turned out to be one of those terrible dining experiences we have all been through at one time or another. Everything went wrong – bad service, cold food, wrong orders, etc.
But it was when the young waitress started crying at our table that we new it was time to go.
We... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on November 11th, 2009
Q: I hear that half of all small businesses fail. What’s the secret then to sticking around for the long-haul?
Jess
A: Of course there are a lot of things that go into creating a successful business, but one of the most important, and one that is often under the radar, is the need for a great recipe, or two.
Huh?
Think about any great recipe that you like. Why do you use it? I bet the reasons are essentially two-fold. First, you like the result, that is, the tasty food. Second, you probably like it because you can count... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on September 9th, 2009
Q: Fall always feels like the new year to me with the kids going back to school and all. Do you think this year will be better than last?
Emile
A: It couldn’t be much worse, could it? Like many others, I do indeed see things continuing to improve as this calendar year winds down, and getting better next year especially.
I think the real question is – what are you going to do to make it better?
By now, you know the drill. I don’t need to tell you to work smarter, or market more, or increase your networking,... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on September 1st, 2009
Q: Hi Steve. With the current strain on the economy, we all know that businesses are looking for ways to better compete in their markets and grow in the downturn. We have noticed that many small businesses are capitalizing on their flexibility and pivoting their businesses to enter new markets. Agree?
Deanna
A: I know of very few small business people who would trade their lot for a gig with a big business, even given the steady paycheck and benefits that would come with it. The lack of freedom alone would likely emotionally pummel most small business owners (and in... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on September 1st, 2009
Q: We are a small general contractor. Can you direct me to a site to find out what certifications and applications we need, and how do we get on the bid list for the redevelopment of foreclosed homes or any other stimulus project? Thanks –
Kim
A: Nothing I have written about in the past year has generated more follow-up questions than the column I wrote a few months ago on the new stimulus law and what it offers small business.
I have received scores of questions like the one above.
But the answer to these sorts of questions has... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on September 4th, 2008
Q: I am looking at buying a franchise and the franchisor has painted a very rosy picture. What is the other side of the story?
Tom
A: First let me say that as a general rule, I like franchising as a business concept (and write for the Franchise Handbook.) The pros of buying a franchise are self-evident:
There should be less risk – ideally, the business model has been vetted and there is a successful system in place that you can follow.
There is support – a great franchisor will help you all along the way. As Ray Kroc, the... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on September 2nd, 2008
Q: Steve, what is your take on the state of small business right now? And if small businesses are having as much of a hard time as it seems, what are they doing to break out of the doldrums?
Rick
A: If I had to choose one word to describe small business right now, it would be unease . If I had more words, they would be nervous, retrenched, and cautiously hopeful (alas, we are usually hopeful, even when there is little reason to be.)
Although my pessimistic perspective is inherently subjective, even objective measures point to the same conclusion.... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on August 25th, 2008
Q: I own an upper-end shop in New York and we too are being hit by the economic slowdown. With people looking for bargains, how to we compete without hurting our brand?
Jenna
A : There is no doubt everyone is feeling the pinch of the economic downturn these days and woe to the business that doesn’t react in accordance with the times.
Back at the turn of the 20th century, the automobile was a newfangled contraption. But even so, it was apparent almost immediately that it was also a revolutionary item that was here to stay. That is one... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on May 9th, 2008
Q: Steve – We all think that "it couldn’t happen to me" but I am here to tell you that it can. We lost our business in Hurricane Katrina and I would just like everyone to know that it’s smart business to hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Thanks for the platform.
Stan
A: Stan and I met earlier this year when I was giving a speech. When he learned that I write for USA TODAY, he really wanted to share his story and in the process help other small business owners avoid his unenviable fate.... Read more »