Monthly Archives: November 2012

My thanks to Zig Ziglar

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Jon Stow

Zig Ziglar died this week. He was described in a report in his local Dallas newspaper as a motivational speaker. Yes, he was that, but to most of us who have read his books he was the guy who taught … Continue reading →

Posted in marketing, Sales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Content marketing versus selling, in the flesh or on-line

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Jon Stow

  Death of a Saleswoman I was at a business show the other day and saw that a well known software company was running a presentation entitled “How to increase revenue into your practice”. Naively, I thought that this would … Continue reading →

Posted in marketing, Sales | Leave a comment

What we can learn from big business and multi-nationals

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Jon Stow

Set aside the criticism Multinational companies have been much in the news recently over their tax arrangements. This is not the place to discuss those, but as we have heard so much criticism of Amazon and Starbucks amongst others I … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer service, marketing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Selling our knowledge as a small business service provider

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Jon Stow

  They can’t do what we can Having knowledge, an expertise, is to have a highly valued asset. It is up to us to exploit it as well as we can. If we are service providers there are two ways … Continue reading →

Posted in Business planning, Sales | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Run too fast, fly too high

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Jon Stow

Many successful people in business are prepared to take risks, which is why they get ahead of the game. I admire some who have take calculated risks to be a huge success. I guess Richard Branson would be one example … Continue reading →

Posted in Business planning, management | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What the BBC can teach us about management and team work

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Jon Stow

The Head Man (Director General) at the BBC, George Entwhistle, resigned not because he made an error of judgement but because his management or his employees did not keep him informed about a major mistake they had made. He then … Continue reading →

Posted in Business planning, management | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

An Innocent in Social Media Marketing Wonderland

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Jon Stow

  `You might just as well say,’ added the Dormouse, who seemed to be talking in his sleep, `that “I tweet when I sleep” is the same thing as “I sleep when I tweet”!’ At least that is what the … Continue reading →

Posted in marketing, Social media | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Keeping your business safe – Part 2

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Jon Stow

Keeping your cover You are the boss. It is your business. But suppose you were not there for a week, or a month, or many months, or couldn’t work ever again. How would you manage? I believe in insurance and … Continue reading →

Posted in Business planning, management | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Keeping your business safe – Part 1

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Jon Stow

The high wire Most small businesses rely heavily on the boss. That’s you and I. We may have great managers upon whom we can rely when we are away, but sooner or later, we have to be available to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Business planning, management | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment