Dave Crenshaw's Blog, page 42

4 Steps to Empowering Employees – Tired of babysitting?

You’re in luck, my fellow entrepreneur. Today you get an inside look at how your competitors get more out of their employees–why they have amazing, engaged people while you struggle to get people to just follow simple instructions. Check out this email we intercepted: “As the employee of an entrepreneur, it can sometimes be difficult […]

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The 3 Step Process to Solve Any Small Business Problem- Don’t be caught unprepared

Entrepreneurs know that sometimes things go wrong—horribly wrong. It’s in moments like these that your business systems really get tested. In particular: your problem solving system. A focused way of thinking is exactly what your small business needs to solve any issues that come your way. Got one? Odds are, you don’t or if you […]

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Time Management for Entrepreneurs: Free sample from lynda.com

Time management is a painful word to most entrepreneurs and small business owners. But the second you start hiding from it, old Chaos Inc. will start inflicting real pain in your life and your business–with the force of a thousand Chuck Norris punches. Ouch. Mastering the art of focusing your time is much more valuable than […]

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5 Surprising Small Business Lessons from Book Titles (Only)

Enhancing your personal and professional growth with business books is one of the most invaluable things entrepreneurs can do. But with a packed schedule chances are you’re throwing in the towel after only a few chapters. And that’s something Chaos Inc. loves to see. Sometimes the most focused approach encourages you to judge a book […]

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4 Steps to Stop Being a Small Business Micro-Manager – Do’s and Don’ts

Small business owners sometimes have trouble letting go of control. And that death-grip management style is exactly how Chaos Inc. wants to see you run the show. That’s right—too much control can actually be more work, more costly, more chaotic. So take a minute to find out if you’ve got your employees in a management […]

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The 2 Most Important Hours of Every Entrepreneur’s Day

Entrepreneurs know time is valuable, which is why they try to spend every waking minute pumping energy into their business. But be careful! If you’re not using your time wisely, you could soon see stocks soar in Chaos Inc. Taking a more focused approach to time allows you to embrace innovation, the lifeblood of entrepreneurship. […]

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Do you know where you’re going? – Building a Company Vision

Defining your company vision is one of the most invaluable things any small business owner can do. Why? Because it gives you a sense of purpose. And without that your company will be clouded with the muddled vision of Chaos, Inc.

A focused company vision is what motivates you and your employees. It lets everyone know they’re going someplace—kind of like traveling that yellow brick road.

So consider me the man behind the vision with this video outlining how to determine your company vision. And then skip on over to Lynda.com with your free trial run in tow to get an extra helping of entrepreneurial solutions!

A company vision is just that—where you imagine yourself, your business, and your employees in the future. Let’s look beyond the horizon, shall we?

Build your one-page description beginning with where you see your business in five years. This includes everything from location details and number of employees to your marketing efforts and even company culture. Every little detail counts because details help turn this vision into a reality.

Then implement those notes into my simple format to categorize and condense your vision into one simple page. After that display your vision proudly to remind yourself and your staff just why you’re all working as hard as you are!

Want more focused approaches to small business? Get it while it’s hot with my free trial for Lynda.com!

You’re already a visionary if you’ve started your own business—but in what ways have you put it into writing? Have any tips and tricks on creating a focused, single-page company vision? Share your invaluable insight below!

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4 Steps to Building a Small Business with Your Spouse

As your business gets off the ground, it may sound appealing to run a small business with your spouse. But as duties unfold, entrepreneurs who don’t stay focused will feel like they’ve opened up shop with Chaos Inc. instead.

Owning a genuine mom and pop shop can be a joy,but sharing a passion doesn’t necessarily mean smooth sailing in the world of small business—or marriage.

Watch my Four Steps to Building a Small Business With Your Spouse to hit the ground running and avoid common speed bumps. Or use this as a refresher if you’re thinking about working with friends or family—a focused approach never hurt anybody!

Running a small business with your spouse requires hard work, dedication, and a little TLC—Total Lack of Chaos.

In order to achieve this you’ll need to get on the same page as your partner in crime by defining each and every harvest. And in order to reach those harvests, each of you should utilize your individual strengths by defining roles. This prevents confusion and overlapping for both you and your employees.

It’s also in the best interest of your business and your relationship to keep an objective third party on hand to see you through small quarrels and help clear the path to success. And speaking of your relationship—don’t forget about the one you have outside of work! Build an oasis to maintain the foundation that brought you together in the first place!

Are there any tips you would want to share for spouses thinking of opening a small business together? How would you apply some of these tips to solo entrepreneurs? Let’s get creative with these rules!

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3 Ways Small Businesses Thump Big Businesses

For small business owners, trying to compete with big business is like trying to fight your way to the front of a mosh pit. Going head-on just won’t work. That kind of pushing and shoving can lead to an elbow to the head, courtesy of Chaos Inc.!

But there are subtle and effective—dare I say, sneaky?—ways to get customers coming to you: first. Big businesses envy these tactics, yet entrepreneurs often fail to use them.

So check out my three ways small business owners can thump big businesses. Then share your thoughts on other ways small businesses cut the big guys down to size.

Small business owners can compete with big business by being more agile and speedy, and thus more flexible and adaptable. In the face of chaos, small businesses are able to react at the drop of a hat. Being able to zero inon your customer’s needs provides that hands on attention that no big business can beat.

Most importantly, you get to focus on a particular niche, whereas the big guys need to appeal to a broad audience to stay afloat. And what’s the opposite of focus? Chaos.

Let’s all brag together! Share some of your reasons small businesses topple big businesses in the comments section below! Extra points if you’ve got a story on how YOUR business beat the big guys.

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5 Steps to Correcting Employee Mistakes

When it comes to running a small business, owners have a hard enough time managing themselves, let alone an employee. So when those inevitable mistakes happen, taking a focused approach guarantees Chaos Inc. doesn’t get a piece of your pie.

It’s easy to want to let those minor errors slip through the cracks. But allowing one too many can turn a crack into a pothole in this windy road of entrepreneurship.

So, it’s time to put the own back in small business owner, by handling these problems effectively. And the best way to do that is by heeding my five steps to correcting employee mistakes—your employees will thank you for it!

Letting even the smallest employee mistakes run amok can bruise your confidence and your business. So what’s a small business owner to do?

Take a proactive stance to correcting employee mistakes.

Be consistent with employee meetings that not only build trust, but also hold you, the owner, equally accountable. This kind of coaching relationship creates trust and makes future problems easier to solve.

Speaking of solving: come up with solutions—not accusations. Instead of pointing the finger, point your employee in the right direction to nix the mistake and boost morale. Then follow up on any and all issues to prove you care about fixing the problem.

What are some ways that you correct employee mistakes? Do you have any stories from a time you realized that cracking the whip isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? Yeah, I’m gonna need you to go ahead and share in the comments section below.

 

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