Recession Looms and People Spend on Movie Tickets?!

I'm back baby! The Flu kicked me around for a little bit, but I'm almost revived!

Ah, the joys of the movies... A box of popcorn, over-priced candy, if I'm a lucky a lovely female at my side, and hopefully a good flick to immerse my mind into. Now, if I am ever strapped for cash, movies are always the first to go in my budget. Over the past five years, I feel like I can count on two hands the movies I have seen in the theaters (All the Bourne Series have been seen the-day-of..Matt Damon.. the man).

But, let's be frank, the quality of movies has just plummeted miserably. Gigli? Are We Done Yet? Any Halle Berry Movie, etc etc... And people pay to see this stuff? Hollywood's kool aid is only getting stronger and it scares me that these people are making millions of dollars. But, for that, I also have to applaud them... they have found the formula to draw the consumers into their theaters.

Now, bringing myself back into focus on the article and the business relevance. Movies do give a sense of mental relaxation. You can simply sit there, eat some candy, and listen to the annoying teenager whose cell phone goes off every 10 seconds, despite the plethora of signs instructing someone to turn off the phone.

Back in the days of the Depression, movies dominated life. It did in fact give an out for people. Plus, like the article touches upon, there were so few options back then that "4.6 billion" tickets were sold at that time... still clobbering numbers today.

Yet, despite all the years of change, the movie industry has always survived and adapted. (um, hello? Ordering your tickets online! Reclining chairs, oversized cup holders)

"We don't want to wish recession on anyone or hard times on anyone, but we certainly have done very well during recessions," said John Fithian, president of the theater owners group, who planned to touch on Hollywood's recession-proof history in a speech at ShoWest's opening Source

What Mr. Fithian says is good and all, but he runs a business. It would be pretty funny if he just came out and said what he is really thinking. (I'll leave that to your imagination). One of my clients is in Hurricane disaster recovery. It may sound evil, but he needs Hurricanes and damaging storms so he can remain in business. Society may think they are mean and selfish people, but someone has got to do it and survive as they do it.

But, you cannot simply say revenue was high because of higher ticket prices. Attendance is increasing as well. My reasoning: Population increase. Not because Hollywood is produce great art.

In closing, this post is disjointed and I'm not really sure where I wanted to go (see, I can admit where areas can be weak at time), but that is how Hollywood makes me feel. My frustration is more aimed at Hollywood. High prices on the "experience" and then I have cell phone bandits ruining it. Movies may be a way to get away from the "troubles" of the world and give someone an outlet. All I know, this Guru's wallet stays closed for movies unless they actually have some merit. Sorry J. Lo, Ice Cube, and now Will Ferrell (he's overstaying his same comedic welcome), your movies are awful and I will not pay to watch them, no matter how bad the economy may be.

~A Flustered Guru

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23564934/

The Flu Claims Another

The Guru has been hit with the flu....

Posting will resume at a later date.



And, no, that is not actually me. But that is how I feel.

What's Your Company's "5 O'Clock Shadow"?

Not even a Gillette Fusion can prevent it....

This is a two part entry. First, I need you all to take a couple days and think about your business. Hopefully, you know what you do well and what your SCA (sustainable competitive advantage) is and you are taking full advantage of it. As a result, your reaping the benefits of doing something better than your competitors, but how long do you think your SCA will last? Think about it?

Is it with your people?

Your software?

Your location?

First Mover Advantage?

Market Niche? Etc etc.

However, the businesses that truly know what they excel at spend more time focusing on what they need to work on / could do better or, as some say, fix "the hole in the bucket." Where are you efforts not holding water or not doing as well as you hope?

Business practices seem to be great early, but as the days/months go on, the shadow starts to emerge and your business is not as smooth anymore... What begins to itch? While the rugged look may look great on mountain men, they are not your business.

Please take a couple days and think about it. Be honest with yourself. This will help identify your next steps... Stay tuned.

~The GURU

What We All Should Learn From AOL

An Example of Accepting 'Status Quo'

As I have mentioned a few times, I abhor hearing the words 'status quo' or 'nothing is changing" when speaking with business men and women and even more-so when my clients utter these words. These are the people who are not driving their businesses forward and in the end will not reach their full potential.

I was reading this article about the passing of an era, and that era is AOL. I remember the day I created my first screen name. I was so excited. I set it up on my dad's laptop and was new to the internet. I had no idea what world awaited my finger-tips. The ease of use of AOL was amazing, even a 7th grader could understand it. To this day I still have that screenname. Too bad AOL did not know what it hand at its own finger tips..

AOL was great for dial-up. The internet was still young. There were not many internet heavy applications for both residential and commercial users. However, recently,

The company's revenues fell 33 percent to $5.2 billion from $7.8 billion a year ago, Time Warner said yesterday. The company attributed the loss to a 52 percent drop in revenues from dial-up subscriptions. AOL, which once boasted more than 20 million subscribers, lost 3.8 million subscribers last year and now has 9.3 million in the United States.

However, there have been increases in ad revenue, an 18% increase, but as internet ads themselves begin to require more bandwith, 56k users are only going to continue to suffer and be in decline.

Of course, the individuals who simply check email and nothing more on the internet do not really care, but as shopping/customer service/everything under the sun migrates to the internet, 56k users are going to need to realize, they need more bandwidth.

Hopefully, you've noticed already I've mentioned 56k users twice already because that is what AOL has given its name to.

They are hand-in-hand. If someone says, "AOL" and "High Speed" in the same
sentence, people chuckle and think you are joking.

Yes, AOL does offer broadband, but their image is fixed, in my opinion as a dial-up / low end ISP.

Now, if AOL wants to the dial-up market leader, then by all means, go-ahead, but how is that going to work down the road? Like I alluded to earlier, bandwidth needs are only increasing. "There are people who probably will want something less than a $42 cable bill to get e-mail," but he noted it's "not a market they want to be in."

All I am really trying to say here is that your business is never fully sound unless you are continually progressing forward. AOL struck gold, got too comfortable, and then soon began to decline...

Nothing much else to say, I'm still recovering from my first bike race of the season. It was tough!
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/BUSINESS/260710015/1006/business

~The GURU

The Dangers of the "Walk-In"

Their first goal is to sell you something, the sooner you accept that, the sooner you save yourself trouble down the road.

Well, the posts have been scarce and for that I apologize. Still realing from the Patriots loss I guess... Whatever, the Tour of California awaits to cheer me up.

You're in your office, store, place of business and someone walks in, looking to "speak" with a employee about your business. This individual uses some trendy buzz words, acts like they know your business, you sign something, and they are gone. A few months later your bills have sky-rocketed, you cannot track down the person who said they could give you the world, and basically, you are S.O.L.... Ladies and gentlemen, you've just been hosed.

This happens all too much and it is sickening. A sound business owner should always be very skeptical if a salesperson comes in and requests that you sign something THAT DAY! Why would you want to alter your business and take the advice of a person you just meant and does not know diddly-squat about your business? Thus, the importance of building relationships with your suppliers, clients, vendors is one of the most crucial aspects of business. So, here are the Small Biz. Guru's First Line of Defense Tips to avoid being "hosed":

Issue 1: "They Don't Know Your Business, But They Want You to Buy Their Product!!"

• An individual walking in for a "cold visit" has the intentions of selling you something that day. They want to make money, regardless of the benefit to you, because most likely, you will not track them down later.

Remedy:

• If this person raises your awareness on something, tell him/her thank-you and to leave some contact information to reach them later (most likley not). Do not sign anything from a person who just introduced themselves for the first time.
  

  Why are they all of a sudden qualified to consult you on your business?

  After you see the salesperson off, you contact your vendor. We'll use the example of telecommunications. Vendors come in / call all the time saying they can reduce your bill. If you think there is some truth to that, pick up the phone and speak with your representative. They know your account. They know you. Most importantly, if you have the relationship, they will tell it to you straight and not try to dupe you.
  

Issue 2: "It's a Free Upgrade.."

• This unfamiliar face states there is a deal for a free upgrade on your service. Big no-no. Nothing in life is ever-free. These people sucker you in with promotions that last for three months then your bill kicks up 50%.... YIKES!
  

Remedy:

• Once again, take their information, and call your vendors and see what they say.
  

Issue 3: "They laugh at your bill"

• They look at your bill and laugh. "You're paying too much. Sign this and we'll fix you right up"
  

Remedy:

• This person does not know your set-up. For what your business is trying to do, it could be the ideal set-up. The lowest cost is not always the best way to do business. Remember, you get what you pay for. However, you could be paying too much, but it could be your fault. How often are you in contact with your vendors? While they monitor your account, your business could be evolving and your current business model is not adapting properly. Also, there could be new alternatives. Having a relationship with people involved with your business is the only way you will be successful long-term.

Overall, be smart about cold-sellers walking into your building. Build the relationships with your providers / vendors so when you have questions you can contact them and not the sleazy salesperson that walks into your place of business recommending solutions to you without knowing your business. Remember, they walk in trying to sell you something that day.

~The GURU

Enough Phone Lines?

Does your business have the correct number of talk paths?

I realized I have veered away from the telecommunications sector and want to discuss some topics in this ever-changing field. We're starting off with the VERY basics here:

Do your clients ever complain of busy signals? (Which results in lost sales) Has your call volume increased and you have not really adapted your business communications? This entry is aimed at helping a business owner always have the most efficient number of phone lines at his disposable. After reading this, one should be able to discover if have the correct quantity, do not have enough, or even, he may have too many.

First off, we need to have this data on hand: 1) How many employees make phone calls, not the total number of employees. If we have 10 employees in the office and 10 out in the field, we do not need 20 total lines. 2) What is the typical number simultaneous phone conversations taking place at once? We'll say 7. 3) How many fax / DSL lines? We'll say 2. 4) What other ways are phone lines utilized? (conferencing etc) (2)

Every employee does not require their own phone line, unless of course, every employee will be on the phone at the exact same time. This is where the simultaneous phone conversations take place. If you believe only 7 of the 10 employees will ever be on the phone at once, you only need 7 phone lines. Then, we add the fax lines (2). The DSL runs in already on one of the voice lines, so it does not need its own line. Finally, if you require conference calls (2), or connect calls to different departments, you will need more lines. So, a total of 11 lines.

If the business requires over 15 lines / simultaneous talk paths, a dedicated circuit is more cost-effective and we will discuss that at a later date.

Overall, be pro-active with your telecommunications. TALK and work very closely with your telecommunications consultant/rep. If you do not know yours or always snub them off, you are only hurting yourself. Most of the time, they know the newest trends and solutions for your business. I love working along my clients every step of the way. They speak with me about what they are trying to do, and I bring forth complete solutions. Business communications are an investment, work with someone who strives to make them the best possible.

~The GURU

A Shout Out To Small Business

As I was reading one of the business publications I subscribe to, I read a simple, most likely, glanced over sentence. It basically read, "...a seven employee, $3 million company.."

And, I thought to myself, I love this. Now, for some businesses this is a grain of sand in a sand-box, but let's really reflect on this: 7 individuals are generating that much revenue and that is spectacular. The idea probably started in some sleep-deprived guy's musty garage. In the same vicinity, some businesses have even fewer employees and can generate those kinds of numbers. It proves that size does not matter. If you can strike a chord with a market segment, you will reap the benefits.

This is one of the reasons I love small business. This is one of the reasons my passion for entrepreneurs / small business is limitless. This is one of the reasons you can-never-ever give up your will to succeed. This is one of the reasons the ability to harness your passion to make something happen and make a difference is so stupendous because let's be honest, not everyone has the passion to drive forward no-matter-what.

The financial prosperity is great, but money is not the be-all. Knowing you gave chase to "what-could-be" and made it happen is what the American dream is all about.

All I want to say is, thank-you small business owners. We are the driving force in our world. It takes risk to do what we do. Let's continue to progress forward.

~The GURU

Start Counting Your Bits?

Time Warner: Every Bit Matters..
(even on their advanced fiber network)

In the eye's of Time Warner, the idea of a flat rate for internet usage maybe going into the recycling bin. Here is one experiment that should have us all miffed.

Now, reckon, this is for the residential sector, but who knows when this could move to the business side. Nevertheless, even residential applications are starting to require more bandwidth. World of Warcraft? HELLO?? Spending hours playing in a virtual world. Or, as internet music downloading continues to increase? Or, the "mischievous taboos" of the cyber-space.

Then there is this: How do we decide on bandwidth? Some people pay for 1.5Mbps, 56kbps, or higher. Obviously, you are going to have to pay for the speed capabilities and in addition pay for the data transferred? Yikes, talk about double "taxation"

Company spokesman Alex Dudley said the trial was aimed at improving the
network performance by making it more costly for heavy users of large downloads.
Dudley said that a small group of super-heavy users of downloads, around 5
percent of the customer base, can account for up to 50 percent of network
capacity.

Alex Dudley and the rest of his Road Runner clan may be entering into a battle they are unprepared for. Bandwidth needs are only increasing for EVERYONE. And besides!! What's happened to Time Warner's "Advanced Fiber Network"??? I see your god-awful commercials every day bragging about this...

I recall a commercial about Time Warner making fun of the "phone companies" for nickel & diming people to death, well, their about to do the same thing.

Imagine if this went into the Business neighborhoods? Yikes, I hope you do not use ERP!
*beep* *beep*

Le Link

~The GURU

"Before 7" Crowd Challenges the "After 5" Crowd

The "New" Staying Late

A look into my morning routine:
-Wake up at 6am sharp. What is a snooze button?
-Stretch for 5 minutes
-Prepare cereal or oatmeal
-Shower and suit up for work
-I'm sitting in my office by 7am, at the latest.

The next 45-60 minutes are all mine and it is my personal sanctuary / ivory tower. Cue up the cd (oops, IPOD now) player and pop in a little Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, or some other jazz artist and I'm in the zone.

Personal reflection or "getting your life organized" for the day is something I do every day. I do not even turn the overhead lights on, just the desk lamp. I prepare proposals, research my clients, perfect paperwork from the day before, and sometimes *gasp* clean my desk / relegate old papers!

7:50am rolls around and everyone else comes bumbling in, then proceeds to socialize for 15-30-45 minutes (My co-workers may give me some flack for that remark). Then, when it is time to "start" work, no one is prepared and meanwhile, I am ready to go and head-down. I am a very driven and focused person. I know what is expected from me and I know what I need to accomplish. It's how I was raised.

How does your morning grind go?
I want to make clear, in no way am I saying those that come in later are not great workers or successful. I am simply saying, I usually see two things: 1) Out the door right at 5pm and content with where they are, or 2) Staying way past 5pm.




(Are you one of the people above? Counting down to 5pm?)



I do not like staying past 5pm. No one does. It destroys family time, social time, and non-work relaxation (ie hobbies). I am one of the biggest advocates of family time (and I'm single) and not sacrificing my life for just work. Nor do I count down to 5pm.

I am a die-hard cyclist. I train. I race. I push myself to new horizons. There are mornings when I'm up at 4am to train, but, usually, I like to ride right after work where I can put in 2-4 hours. It is my outlet from work, not to mention a little swing dancing once a week.

Between the hours of 7am and 5pm, I'm heads down. Sometimes, I do not even take a lunch. Just sit at my desk and eat. It is all about efficiency and productivity. Just so you all do not think I am a strict hour gnome, when the job demands staying past 5pm, I do it. I have done my fair share of 12 hour work days. But, on a whole, I do not need to because I do not waste (excuse me, I "maximize") time during the work hours. You may think being connected with your Blackberry or home-access improves your ability to work, but we'll open up this can of worms at a later date. (Hate to break it to you, but it does not)

To address the "social circle" crowd. If you need those social hours, get together outside of work. Go grab a beer or get-together for some event after work. I love speaking with my co-workers as well, but there is a time and a place. When co-workers respect your routine, it makes life easier as well. My clients expect me to be working for them between 7am-5pm, that is what I do and I'm damn good at it. When individuals try to hinder my ability to properly serve my clients and my name is on the line, you better watch out.

So, to wrap this up, mix your schedule up for a week or two. Come into work earlier than usual. Reflect on the upcoming day's hustle and bustle. Avoid the prolonged social time. Keep your head-down for the duration of the day and see what time you get out on average for the week(s). You'll see a metamorphous in your life. In addition, I bet your hours will not be stretched too long past 5pm.

Let's fight for our after-5pm lives.

~The GURU

Let Me See My Network!

Empower the Biz. Owner to see his networks and monitor it himself.

The all-too-common scenario: You're at home with your family or innocently relaxing. Then, your Blackberry begins to chime. You pick up your little handheld and learn... your network is down or experiencing "technical difficulties." And, this is the night all the file transfers and data back-ups have been schedule, and on top of that, you were submitting your proposal to a huge potential client.
A patch of sweat wets your brow, your heart rate went from resting to around 190bpm, and your kids might have just learned a new four letter word. What is your next step?
You do not know where the trouble is in your network. Is it even my network or is my service provider experiencing problems? All the routers, cables, hubs, etc are a vast maze. You passed on paying out the yin yang for the third party network management who, whenever you spoke with them, sounded like jibberish.

Now, what is your service provider doing? Do they pro-actively monitor your network? So, they already know there is a problem? How about SLAs (service license agreements)? All this information is critical. Most likely if it is some basement bargain priced providers you are in a "predicament." Remember, most of the time and what I am a firm believer in, "you get what you pay for." What are your answers to these questions? If you have a blank mind, better get on this...

However, if you are one of the enlightened ones, you realize telecommunications is an investment for your business. No communications = Business/Customers can't contact you. So, providers that pro-actively monitor networks to the T are where you need to be with your business. For example, the company I work for proactively monitors all its networks. If there are problems you see our trucks EVERYWHERE. Also, most of the networks supplied to you come with network management tools. The user can pull up all the network's statistics. You can pin-point where the problem is. Meanwhile, Mr. Bargain Basement is sleeping, most likely not even aware of the problem with your network. Do you ever even see their technicians?

C'mon, telecommunications are only becoming more critical with our globalizing world.
So, let's be honest here. Being able to see your network at any time is greatly beneficial. You can ping your network. Pin-point when you're peaking with bandwidth or trying to zero-in on problems, you can have more answers than question marks. The smarter and more-respected service providers are providing these services to their clients. Is your provider?

Web states are you friend. Take advantage of them.

~The GURU

The Unveiling...

I truly hope this website gives you all another outlet and perspective on your businesses. My video simply re-enforces my overall goals/mindsets. Never hesitate to ask me questions.

http://youtube.com/user/TheSmallBizGuru

~The GURU

"To Be Or Not To Be..."

A New Year's Reality Check

Happy New Year everyone! Hopefully your head-ache induced from last night is fading off, and now we can begin to bring your business to full force into 2008.

Oh wait.... ah yea... you may wish you were still in the blissful New Year's Eve proviso after you answer these questions that maybe puzzling or impeding business plans.

Roy Williams, a columnist from Entrepreneur Magazine enjoins some phrases you may have uttered and I had the itch to piggy back on them due to their potency... no one wants to see their baby (ie. Biz.) die.

1."Our only problem is traffic."
2."That's not our customer."
3."Our advertising is reaching the wrong people."
4."I don't worry about what the competition is doing; I only worry about what we're doing."
5."There's enough business out there for all of us."
6."We can't compete with the internet."
7."Our secret is our people. No one provides as warm a customer experience as we do."

First off, there have been times when I have been guilty of verbalizing these phrases, (I'm human after all), but where some biz. owners falter is that they are not quick to begin making changes. It comes down to denial. Anyways, let's look at the positives here: the fact you have the mindset to possibly admit to these phrases tells you you want to be successful and now we can ambush the problems and develop remedies to see the greater gains. Don't know how yet? No worries. If the subject is still a little sensitive, keep your confessions in your noggin, but I strongly advise you to begin to act on them ASAP. I bet you competitors aren't pausing...

I've kept this short for a reason. If you have emitted this phrases, give them some great thought about why, then let's see how we can redress and emend the state of affairs.


I would read Mr. William's article for a little more detail.
"Famous Last Words"


~The GURU

The Price Is Right.. Come on Down! North Carolina

Tax credits, 3.7 billion dollars in incentives over the past three years, beautiful weather/landscapes, great people, and great business opportunities, and so much more. What's not to like?

North Carolina is continuing to progress itself forward in bringing more business to its cities. As Senator David Hoyle says, "That's a lot of money." While the findings/results of the studies are still somewhat unclear about the success of the programs and cost-benefits, we need to realize that if Dell and Google have taken advantage of it, it probably means its good for businesses.

While Sen. Hoyle and others are doubting the great benefits and trying to quantify everything to the T, let's not waste anytime and move or open-up your business in good 'ole North Carolina.

There is "no value unless a company acts."

Here is the North Carolina Department of Commerce Website
Here is the Charlotte, NC Chamber of Commerce Website

Tell them I sent you.

Then, call me.

Link: http://www.charlotte.com/business/story/403306.html
article written by Jonathan B. Cox

~THE GURU

Blackberry vs. Vacation: Zapping All That is Pure

Do you check your waistline every morning and every 5 seconds thereafter? Do you yearn to hear the little email chime? Do you crave to feel like you are involved at all times? Do you start scratching your neck when you have not had a “fix” in a few minutes? Well, my friends, you have a Blackberry addiction. While there will be a plethora of topic discussions on wireless devices (usually very positive), this little soap-box is quite the contrary. And, in light of the Holiday Season, we need to re-align our priorities.

Honestly, this should not even be a topic, but times are a changin’ and I’m a man current of the times. So, what is the point of vacation? The dictionary says:

· a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday: Schoolchildren are on vacation now.
· a part of the year, regularly set aside, when normal activities of law courts, legislatures, etc., are suspended.
· freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vacation)

When we were children, we loved vacation. No homework! Lounge around, see friends, watch TV, and not a care in the world. Now look at us, some of us are even penalized if we take a vacation (not officially, but you know what I’m talking about). It is like the ‘optional football conditioning practices’ coaches hold before the season. It’s not mandatory, but if you are not there, you will not be playing.

But here is a newsflash. This is not football practice, our jobs are what we do everyday of our lives for 8-14hrs a day. Do not sell yourself short for the ‘approval’ of someone else.
Why are we all so willing to risk our health? Family? Fun? Care-free spirit? And, most importantly, our SANITY?!! to get the latest office ‘spam’ update.


So let us go back to the definition: “a period of suspension of work, study… used for rest, recreation…” Where is the suspension from work if you have your Blackberry chiming every 5 seconds? Just get away for a couple days. Give your neck and ears a break from the constant checking.

I am not going on record saying Blackberries are evil; all I am articulating is that vacation is to be refreshing and re-connecting with your bicycle you’ve left in the garage, or your family, or whatever you do to re-charge your mind, body, and spirit.

So, I close this entry imploring you, for the sake of your family, health, and sanity, shut the blackberry down and enjoy some eggnog and *cough* rum *cough* and welcome your vacation/couple days off away from the office, and if you need to, check back here and re-read the three vacation definitions.

This Isn't Stephen King's "IT"

This post was inspired by this article by Ramon Ray from Entrepreneur.com
http://www.entrepreneur.com/technology/techbasicscolumnist/article172858.html

IT… An abbreviation that, in this day and age, has fashioned and is fashioning three distinct clusters of biz owners. The first yields, for a minute few business owners, hordes of financial capital. These people are IT GUNG HO!! The second is a collection of people reluctantly embracing IT. They are like people in the movie theater watching the scary movie shielding their eyes, hoping the scene changes. They went to the theater to see the show but did not want to become fully involved with what is happening. And, the final tier may be the majority of small and medium sized business owners, and they view IT as just two letters compounded into a useless abbreviation.

Well, guess what!? It’s here to stay. Whether you want to realize it or not, IT or "Information Technology" is here to stay. You cannot be afraid of it. You need to embrace and snuggle up with it. If you treat it right, it will return the favor with great returns on investment (ROI) and make you a leader in your business / industry.

However, you cannot simply throw capital at it. That would be foolish! The four main issues Mr. Ramon Ray touched upon were: “1) Lack of Education 2) Inability to Prioritize 3) Integrating Information, and 4) Data Protection & Security.” (1/10/2007). I will touch briefly upon them and begin to raise awareness of Information System benefits.

1) Lack of Education
“Ignorance is bliss.” You believe that and your biz. will come to an end. One of the reasons a major telecom. company had problems a few years ago was that we refused to change and accept that we needed to amend how we go about providing services to our clients. We were just the “phone company.” We did not fully embrace IT benefits. Now look at us, we are a mean, lean, telecommunications machine providing amazing solutions for real life business demands. I can say that my clients will not suffer this fate, ever. I always make sure you are constantly evolving and innovating.

You need to keep in regular touch with me. While I do speak with you at least once a month, by keeping me (your IT guru) involved, you will never miss a beat. Staying ahead of the game is what it is always about. Educate yourself.
Do not be afraid to say, to either me or even yourself, “I don’t know.”
Personally, the more I mature, the more I realize, I am not afraid to say, “I don’t know” (obviously within reason). If there is a new product, trend, or process I am unsure about, I’ll ask. That way, I learn it right the first time and I show my peers I want to learn. That is the biggest step you can take. Admitting you are not the best enables you to go out, learn, absorb information, and then become the best. Keep in contact with your IT team, ‘nough said.

2) Inability to Prioritize
“You don’t tie your shoes THEN put them on.” Sure, your shoes look cleaner tied, but if your foot is not in the shoe, it is going to be, well, complicated…. Before we even see what is out there in regards to IT, you need to have your short, mid, and long-term goals figured out. Deciding that you want your team to have continuous access to company data in order to be competitive may be the first step in determining that going with a completely wireless mobile network is better than keeping everything under one roof in an office building. The options are endless.

3) Integrating Information
“All systems go, you are cleared for launch” When NASA (pretty cool site, http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html) launches a shuttle worth over a billion dollars, they are more than careful when it comes to its release. The weather, time, engineers, medics, mission control, and the hundreds of other teams that are in involved in the completed product and success of this launch are all on the same page in the count-down sequence. If even one thing is off, the entire mission is delayed. Now that is communication. Your business cannot have the silo effect. IT allows for all departments to be integrated.

“This is more than just Microsoft Excel”
I love it too, but business is not just numbers. Going by numbers strictly may hurt you long term. Your numbers guy needs to speak with the marketing guy who needs to meet with HR who needs to meet with the receptionist, who all meet with the CEO frequently. Everyone needs to fuse together and create one efficient organism. Everyone has good ideas. Even the bad ones give insight. By opening the floor to everyone, ideas will flourish. There are IT applications that allow this too. Whether it is ERP, Blackberries, inventory management, etc (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterprise_resource_planning)

4) Data Protection and Security
“Don’t get caught with your pants down” Wear your boxers, wear quality pants, and wear a belt. You skimp on this aspect of IT and be prepared to lose all sustainable competitive advantage, face a couple of law suits because your employees are suing you over their personal information being stolen, and those pictures you scanned from the photocopier of your lovely backside will be available for all to see. Always be prepared. Data back-ups and firewalls are mandatory. You never know what can occur and you want to be pro-active and on the blitzing defensive. That is how the ball game is won.

In closing, meet with your IT employees. Talk to them. Let them know what you are trying to do. If you do not have one, you need to call me. I am your IT contact and consultant. I understand the technologies that I can provide my clients, which may be used for your business advantage. Together we can determine what IT services can be best used to grow your business.

So, you’re in the movie theater, you eyes are covered hoping the scene passes. Do me a favor, uncover your eyes and look at all aspects of the IT scene. Clench and realize, it is not just random gore or suspense too intense to handle. IT is not a scary abbreviation. It’s part of the big picture and it is only getting bigger. You’ll be amazed at how many different pieces comprise an intense scene. Let’s make your business intense and progress it forward.

~The GURU

Exciting Events Are Happening...

Are you working with the Guru?



I have unveiled the beginnings of the YouTube section of Guru's World. Here is the link:
http://youtube.com/user/TheSmallBizGuru

I am here to stay....

~The GURU

Top Carolina Companies... [YOUR NAME HERE] continued..

Well, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. It is amazing how the holidays always take up more time than expected. Thus, my posts have been slow. This entry will close up the general takings a small business owner should follow/the mindset to begin to forge a successful business.

So, the last post touched upon the passion, goals, ability to look forward, and creativity all required to move the business in the right direction. Here are some other traits and practices to embrace:

1) Focus and Discipline
A driven small business owner who yearns to be successful has to have the focus and discipline to remain on course. There are thousands of distractions that we face everyday and you have to have your filters on. Stop checking your email every 10 seconds, turn off your blackberry, or your "crackberry", stop taking the 2 hour lunch. While these mediums do help remain in touch, they are distractions. When you are designing the newest product, drawing up budgets, reflecting on the business, or trying to devise the newest strategy, having distractions ruin the thought process. Know when to say enough is enough. Stay on course.

2) Write It Down
Our minds are beautiful mechanisms. We can remember experiences, information, and a plethora of other things, but always seem to forget that hot idea we had a few minutes ago or that we had last week. Do what I do, the moment something pops in my head, I write it down. You may think it is silly what you jot down, but upon reflecting on it or seeing how it fits in with other aspects of the business, you may be surprised. Even if it is absolutely nuts, write it down. Where do you think creativity comes from? You may think its nuts solely because it has never been done before.... how about you bring it to life?!!

3) Hire an Employee or Employees
After the business gains a little momentum, hire someone. Yes, it can be a financial undertaking, but do a cost-benefit analysis. A small business owner needs to focus his/her efforts on the bigger tasks, stop manning the phones or filing papers away. By having another body to help with the workload work can be done much faster and one can continue to drive the business to new heights. Why waste time sorting through junk mail when you could be reacting to the newest trends?

4) Put in the Effort
I cannot stress this enough. You reap what you sow. If you do not put in the time, you will not see the benefits. Be willing to try something new. Be willing to ask for help. Never let pride get in the way of trying to learn something new. There are times when I have been reluctant to ask a question because I thought everyone else knew it and I would look stupid and uneducated. But, I quickly learned, other people had the same questions, and I benefited from either clarifying the subject matter or learning something new. You do not know everything. As soon as you know that, and

learn to ask questions, and lots of them, you will learn a lot.

Talk to your associates who have business sense. Where have they faltered? Where have they found success? Read literature about starting businesses and how people before you have been successful. Immerse yourself and become a Guru in what you do!

Now, the most important advice I can bestow upon you....

5) HAVE FUN!!
Think about it... You are creating something no one has ever created before. Yes, there are businesses similar to yours, but not run the exact same way you run things. This business is your baby. It has your genes. You raise it the way you want to. But, never lose sight of why started it. Whether it is to make millions of dollars, make a name for yourself, or simply help provide a service to better consumers, have fun with it. Life is too short to make the business a drag and downer. Here is what you are apart of:

Small Business Effects on the Economy
-The estimated 25.8 million small businesses in the United States:
-Have generated 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually over the last decade
-Employ 50.6 percent of the country’s private sector workforce
-Represent 97 percent of all the exporters of goods
-Represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms
-Generate a majority of the innovations that come from United States companies
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, June 2006.


In closing, a perfect analogy is the following commercial:


Replace the word "body" with "business" and it comes full circle. Listen to this commercial. Every word means something. Make your business a finely tuned machine. You can do whatever you want with your business. But, I already know you have the passion and drive to continue to grow and nurture your business even more because you kept reading my words to this point. Now, let's you and I act...


~The GURU

The Cable's Been Cut..... Finally, A Level Playing Field?

Head of Cable Lobby Condemns FCC Report
(link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/14/AR2007111402377.html)

Oh, how shall I say this... what goes around comes around. While it is not exactly the same situation, hints of the 1974 Ma Bell divestiture which was enacted by Judge Harold H. Greene of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. in order to prevent a monopoly on telephone service is coming, finally, to the cable industry as well.

Phone companies have been fighting tooth and nail for business for over twenty years with so many services being regulated. Before the break-up, customers had the luxury of having one bill for all their services. Notice how I say 'luxury'. In this day and age, if you have all your services on one bill, you are one of the few. But, you are one of the smartest consumers out there. For my clients that have all their services with one provider, rates are much more feasible and economical. Why go through the torment of having your long distance with one provider? Internet with another? And, local with someone else? I would certainly 'love' all the bills. Let's kill some more trees!

But, going back to the article. "Kyle McSlarrow, president and chief executive of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association" seems to think this is unfair and that numbers have been "manipulated". Mr. McSlarrow is also accusing FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin of pressuring cable companies to offer 'a la carte' service. Telephone services do, why not cable?

Do they think they are above the strict regulations so many other industries face? Small business love the opportunity to compete, cable is trying to keep that from happening. Mr. McSlarrow then goes onto say how business models will be ruined. Well, it's your job to overcome the obstacles you face and make them into opportunities.

My last point is this:

"Last month, the FCC struck down the ability of cable companies to form exclusive contracts to serve apartment buildings."

If that does not scream monopoly at you, what will? The ability for companies to make proposals for service allows our free markets to work so the best possible rates are given to the consumer. Cable is using apartment buildings as fall backs.

In closing, we as consumers should welcome this. The saying "I have over 150 channels and nothing is ever on" should stop. We want to pay for the channels that we watch, not pay for a whole bunch of channels we have never even heard of... I love Hallmark cards, but I don't want to pay for the 35 cheesy movie channels they have..

My next entry will finish up my previous post about the top Carolina companies.

~The Guru

Report on Carolina's Top 100 Companies....... [Your Name HERE..]

The Carolinas 100:Manufacturing still matters
Key sector has shed tons of jobs in N.C., but the industry is transforming into a lean, skilled force
(link: http://www.charlotte.com/carolinas100/story/145623.html)

As I spend my Friday evening reflecting on the past week's occurrences, this article strikes a chord with me. Even though the article speaks heavily about manufacturing, you and I can change that demographic. It won't happen overnight, but we can. Therefore, I ask you three simple questions:

1) Are you on this list?
2) Why / Why not?
3) Do you desire to?

All these top businesses most likely were created in the musty basement of a dreamer. Someone who wanted to bring their ideas to life and create an entity that made a difference in the world. Whether you have been in business for a couple months or for a couple decades and have not seen the gains you yearn for, read on and see how you can begin to achieve what you wanted when you first stubbed your toe on the table corner or slipped in the shower and the business idea popped into your mind.

Repeat these words over and over again, "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE", "NOTHING IS FAR-FETCHED".

At first, everything may seem overwhelming, but you need to take it a step at a time. Don't worry about all the financially details. Those will come.

Getting Off the Ground

1) Passion
You first have to zero-in on your passion. It is your passion that drives your success. Your passion shows through when you are in the meeting with investors. By simply being excited about your dream and having sound models and plans, you can rope in the capital soon enough, but it all starts first with an idea. It is not going to spring up over night. These are NOT weeds, but delicate flowers that, if properly and finely raised blossom into some of the most beautiful and extravagant things.

2) Goals
You have to set them for yourself. It cannot simply be: "I want to sell a few of my products/ services. You need to have QUANTIFIABLE and MEASURABLE check points. Write them down. Hold them close.

3) Looking Forward
There will be steps backwards and falters, but take them as learning experiences. Ask yourself, "How can I transform this set back into an opportunity?" If you can do that, you will NEVER suffer any loss.

Ask yourself, "How can I make this set back into an opportunity?"

4) CREATIVITY
You never, ever, EVER, know when an idea will strike. The idea to start making a blog for my customers popped into my head one night and I didn't sleep for the next week because my mind was overflowing with ideas and I had to write them all down.

I didn't sleep for the next week...my mind was overflowing with ideas"

Thus far we have started to uncover the initial processes one should begin to consider. If you noticed, a lot of what I spoke about deals with mental strength and fortitude. Know in your mind that you can do whatever you want and have so many resources at your finger tips. Your greatest limiter is most likely yourself, but your greater success tool is yourself.

Go out, dream it, and let's you and me start to make it a reality!

In efforts to keep this entry from being screen after screen, I will end it here and continue it in a couple days. In the next entry, we will discuss customers, target markets, and understand the grand scheme of small business dreams.

~The GURU

The Bitter Reality of Trusting Small Providers..

Taken from a Boston Globe article today, titled, "Thousands cut off from Web as firm consolidates" (link: http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/11/08/thousands_cut_off_from_web_as_firm_consolidates/)

In summary, "Navisite Inc. has cut off Internet service to thousands of individuals and small businesses across the country for nearly a week." "It's mind-boggling that a company can be so ill-prepared about such a huge undertaking," said Donald Brichta, a partner in Anadon Communications, a small website provider in Sharon (MA), whose half-dozen customers finally got back online yesterday. "If I ran my business that way, I'd be out of business tomorrow."

To ask you straight up, what would happen if this happened to your business? E-commerce is a major strategic strategy in business success in this day and age and is only becoming more prominent. Not simply reaching customers in another medium, but also in trying to reduce costs and develop new infrastructures.

My company's robust network designs, technicians, and overall strategic decisions never put the small business owners in harm's way. We understand that even a couple hours of missed business can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in sale losses.

For example, a client that relies almost entirely on internet orders and access; the internet is their life line. If they were to lose service, they would be dead in the water.

A numeric example, let us say that each order received is worth $100. Let's be extremely conservative and say you miss 7 orders. That is $700 a day. Multiply that by 7 days a week - $4900. The cost benefit of investing in the non-bargain basement pricing of my company far outweighs itself.

We proactively monitors our networks 24/7/365. We see problems and rectify them most of the time without the customer even knowing about it and if we do suffer apparent set-backs, we have industry leading service level agreements. Even if we encounter a major issue, our redundant networks allow our customers to have traffic re-routed most of the time in minutes, if not seconds. We are here for you. I have the mentality, you get what you pay for. Nothing cheap comes with great quality.

I, for one, would never trust my baby (ie my business) with a provider that cannot handle the work load and plans so poorly for such huge undertakings.

So, the next time you think your telecommunications is costing you too high of a price, remember, you INVEST in the service that keeps you up 99.99% of the time. And, if you have a problem, you call me directly and I get our service technicians working on the problems immediately.

~ The GURU

Welcome to the First Post!

Hello all,

My overall mission is to help my clients overcome challenges they face ranging from the daily set-backs to the big picture threats. I understand that there is always a gap that small business owners face, which is where they currently are and where they want to be. I help identify where the gap is and develop customized telecommunication solutions to help bring about change!

My Main Goal For This Blog:

I want my clients to know they have a consultant who does whatever it takes to keep you ahead of the industry trends and problems you face. While I do speak with you on a frequent basis, I cannot always be in touch with you, but through this blog , you can learn about the newest products and news. Then just call me and see where we can help your business grow!

So buckle your seat-belts, the GURU is loose and ready to elevate small business to a whole new level!

~ The Guru