Archives for September 2021

Whether you’re dreaming of being a business owner or are actually working on that dream right now, one thing is the same: You don’t want your dream to become a nightmare. And one of the best ways to accomplish this is to learn as much as you can about how this dream will play out.

Of the many motivations that would cause someone to have a business-owner dream, allow me to introduce four that are common to all of us. And just below each one, I’m including a counter-balancing reality following a quote from a popular movie. In “The Karate Kid,” reluctant sensei, Mr. Miyagi, imparted the following broken-English wisdom to his protégé, “Daniel-san,” when he said: “Ev’ryting not always as seem.”[Continue Reading]

When the jury was still out on your business’ survival, you probably didn’t want to enter into a long-term location commitment. But if you think you’re going to make it, now might be a good time to take a serious look at where you want to establish your business.

Long-term business real estate planning means either direct ownership or long-term lease. I’ve covered the direct ownership issues and advantages quite a bit, but let me remind you of a few key reasons I consider it to be the stealth benefit of business ownership.[Continue Reading]

Among the people I admire are those who have the courage to make bold statements based on their beliefs and experiences. Early in his book, The Road Less Traveled, the late M. Scott Peck endeared himself to me when he declared that the people he saw in his counseling practice essentially fell into two categories: neurotics and those with character disorders.

Peck wrote, “Neurotics are easy to work with in psychotherapy because they assume responsibility.” He went on to say, “Those with character disorders are difficult, if not impossible, to work with, because they never see themselves as any part of the problem.” Thus missing the invaluable opportunity for self-examination.

Contemplating Dr. Peck’s declaration was a true watershed moment, helping me better understand why some people – including me – behave as we do. Both types of Peck’s patients sought his help because they were experiencing difficulties in life. But if we’re honest, we don’t have to be dysfunctional to realize that each of us falls on one side or the other of this behavior coin. It’s an either/or default circumstance, where we’re either more likely to take responsibility for what happens in our life, or we aren’t.

How you would respond to these business scenarios. [Continue Reading]

This article was first published in The Small Business Advocate NEWSLETTER, Volume II, Issue 45, September 17, 2001, the first edition following the terrorist attacks of 9-11.

The NEWSLETTER is different this week from past editions. This week is different from past weeks. 

For days now, I’ve wanted to talk with you. I considered a mid-week edition. Uncharacteristically, I just couldn’t get the words down.

Only once before did my normal prosaic method fail me. Not being a poet – not wishing to be a poet – at first I didn’t understand that my thoughts would only come out in verse. But the return key proved stronger than the word wrap. At last I gave in to the meter, and a poem was born.

This week, again, the prose came with difficulty. But this time I recognized the pull of the return key and another poem was written with less struggle.

I have no small business thoughts for you this week. Nor do I claim to have inspiration for you. I don’t feel inspired. I feel numb. I feel angry. I feel frustrated. I can only tell you about my feelings. Perhaps you will recognize them. [Continue Reading]