Business Plans for International Businesses
Joan Keston Wednesday, March 05, 2008
When creating a business plan for international business, there are some fundementals that have to be followed. Although many of the issues that will affect your business plan may be somewhat difficult to quantify in advance, they must be raised and analyzed and continually assessed as you proceed with the execution of your strategy. Their significance may be the ultimate cause of the success or failure of your international venture.
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Be Referable
Bill Warner Saturday, February 23, 2008
We have all heard the old saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Well, there is a lot to be said about that. Look back on the business you have won recently. How much of it came by referral from someone you know, versus a cold call to a prospect or an inquiry directly to you or through your website? Like many of the business people I meet, the majority of their business comes by referral.
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The Pillars of Success in Today’s Economy
Bill Warner Friday, January 18, 2008
Everywhere you turn in the technology industries the first or second thing you always talk about is how hard it is to get a company started and on track in today’s economy. It is hard to get market traction with customers that are reluctant to take a risk on new technology and have constrained budgets. The early stage private equity market is imploding as institutional investors take less risk by requiring terms that reflect low company valuations, leaving the early stage investors with minimal returns. There is a lack of management know-how that is required to provide leadership and operational management to young companies as they mature.
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Know Your Market
Bill Warner Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Whether you are starting a new company, launching a new business initiative or spinning out a company, the first and most important thing you must do is know your business. I think there are two constituencies that you have to convince, other than yourself. First, you have to know your business concisely enough so that you can quickly explain it to your grandmother; so that she understands it. The second is you have to comprehensively explain it to sophisticated investors so that they are convinced it’s an attractive investment. If you can do this successfully, you understand the business.
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Understanding Cash Flow Dynamics
Bill Warner Friday, January 11, 2008
Whether you are starting a business or expanding a current one, understanding the early cash flow dynamics is essential to both determining how much you need to finance the business and your overall success in achieving positive cash flow in the first several months of your business.
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Suspects and Prospects
Bill Warner Thursday, January 10, 2008
Successful sales people really know the difference between suspects and prospects. What makes them successful isn’t so much that they are smarter or more dynamic than others, but it is that they don’t waste their time on chasing potential customers that really won’t lead to a closed sale. Knowing the difference between suspects and prospects makes the difference between making your sales objectives and having to look for another job.
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Financial Management
Bill Warner Tuesday, January 08, 2008
“Can you afford this server?” “How long does your cash last?” “When are you cash flow positive?” Every get these questions? As a business owner, if you cannot answer these questions, and many others, you may need some help with financial management.
Cash is king in a start-up company. Managing revenue growth and earnings is essential to a public company. Maintaining profit and cash flow is the bread and butter for an emerging company. No matter what stage you are, achieving value for the shareholders is always the name of the game. In order to be successful at any of these objectives, you have to start with a good plan for financial management.
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Managing to Avoid Legal Issues
Bob De Contreras Saturday, January 05, 2008
Management focus changes as companies evolve through the different growth phases. This article applies to all phases, but is probably most valuable to start-ups and companies in the first growth phase.
In this article we focus on highlighting some of the things you need to know about legal issues, dealing with them, and the lawyers who help you resolve them.
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Initiating Change
Rich Kramarik Friday, January 04, 2008
Strategic leadership is about looking to the future with the ability to see around corners, look through walls with x-ray vision, find the shine under the tarnish and use this information to chart the course of the company. The CEO does this by making strategic decisions that will ensure a viable future for the business and by constantly tuning the organization to fit the current business environment. The biggest challenge, however, is not in identifying the correct solutions, but in convincing the employees that the changes required to implement these solutions are essential and manageable.
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Family Business Successes
Bill Warner Thursday, January 03, 2008
We have worked with some exciting family owned businesses over the last year. All are doing well and each has a lesson or two to teach others. I can safely name some names without getting into too much trouble. They all have a unique story and are proud of what they have done.
