Author Archives: Jon Stow

The physics of getting expert help for your small business and for yourself

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Jon Stow

I have a confession. I like to know how everything works. I like to know how my cameras work, ancient though several are. I like to know how the universe works so I buy and try to read the books … Continue reading →

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Small businesses making the difference

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Jon Stow

Is your business just like the one down the road? If it is that might be why you are struggling to keep afloat. In the good times you might get away with surviving. In the harder times we are in … Continue reading →

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Referral networks and joint ventures need teamwork

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Jon Stow

Over the last ten years I have belonged to several breakfast groups and even run one. I have also belonged to networks meeting at other times of the day. Some of these groups produced great relationships and also business. One … Continue reading →

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Doorstep selling in the twenty-first century

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Jon Stow

These days I mainly work from home though obviously I go out to visit clients and those who are providing me with support services to help me run my business. One of the hazards of being home-based is being “doorstepped” … Continue reading →

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Being aware of our surroundings

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Jon Stow

I always like to think I am a fairly tolerant kind of guy, but I guess we all have our Achilles Heels. Even on-line I am irritated by people who constantly sell rather than engage. Of course we all have … Continue reading →

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Learning from experience – the choices we make

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Jon Stow

It is only natural to wonder about “what ifs?” which are the choices we might have made in our lives but didn’t. Mostly we will form a view when it is too late to change. That is because as time … Continue reading →

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Why we need mutual respect between managers and their staff

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Jon Stow

Such is life with football (soccer) managers that we can be quickly overtaken by events, or in other words, sackings. That is unfortunate in the context that the two most successful English clubs over the last fifteen years or so … Continue reading →

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Customer service and that nice warm feeling

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Jon Stow

  French bread and letters We all like a bit of a moan sometimes. At least, I do. Recently on Twitter I complained that I had missed the post as the local collection was made early. I just saw the … Continue reading →

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Planning a small business failure

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Jon Stow

I don’t always like to be right, but when a bookshop opened in our village, I really couldn’t see how it would stay in business for very long. It has lasted only about six months and has now closed. It … Continue reading →

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Taking our business lives seriously

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Jon Stow

Playing at business You may think the title states the obvious, but some people don’t use their heads. They take short cuts in their work, such as the carpenter who does a quick botch job, or they take long holidays … Continue reading →

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