Tag Archives: small business

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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Can small businesses live off referrals?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Jon Stow

In my work I talk to many small business owners, and on a daily basis. Some in professional services are doing pretty well without making any effort to market. This is because they provide their clients with reliable, dependable support, … Continue reading →

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New Year business predictions – why we should treat them with caution

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Jon Stow

  Clairvoyants Has your in-box suffered an influx of New Year predictions? Mine has. Some of the subjects are predictable of course: How will the economy fare? What trends will we see in the property market? Where will technology go? … Continue reading →

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New beginnings and old habits

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Jon Stow

Tonight we will no doubt have some Saturday Night Fever to celebrate the coming New Year. Never can I remember so much doom and gloom in the media about the next twelve months. There are two ways of looking at … Continue reading →

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Why we need to be realistic about our business ambitions

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Jon Stow

“We pay a price for everything we get or take in this world; and although ambitions are well worth having, they are not to be cheaply won, but exact their dues of work and self-denial, anxiety and discouragement.” LUCY MAUD … Continue reading →

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Why it is the season for bright ideas

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Jon Stow

Christmas is upon us. Unless our business is a 365-day-a-year sort of business we do need to take a break for a few days. It will do us good. If you do have a 365-day-a-year business I am sure you … Continue reading →

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Why managers and workers need to respect each other

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Jon Stow

Respect is our starting point Respect is one of the most important qualities we can have in business. We need to respect our clients. We need to have their respect by delivering quality service; the very best we can do … Continue reading →

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Your customers are not a process

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Jon Stow

Most of us here provide a personal service to our customers, whether that is as in my case providing help and support with my clients’ businesses and taxes, or for you perhaps web design or delivery of packages. In a … Continue reading →

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Smile!

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Jon Stow

  Hospital soap If you have read this blog for a while you will know that I feel very much that lazy management can result in poorly run hospital wards, especially geriatric wards.  Currently my wife and I are visiting … Continue reading →

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