Here are the 9 secret words that have been very instrumental in my own business success. Lean in closer and let me whisper them to you. Here they are: “The Risk of Insult is the Price of Clarity”.
To be clearly understood, one must speak the simple, essential truth as plainly as he is able. While many of those listening will [...]

In business as well as in life, there is probably no greater lesson that I have learned than to shut my mouth and stop talking when appropriate. Remember the phrase “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?”  Who came up with that phrase? Broken bones eventually heal, but the wounds caused [...]

I was fortunate enough in my business career to have married not only a great woman, but a tremendous business partner. Lori, my wife of 28 years, has skimped, saved and managed our money since we were first married. Nobody has the same interest in the success of our business than the partner you live with. If I [...]

Over the years, I’ve used this definition for the Art of Management: “When you can get your people to do what you want them to do, and all the while they thought it was their idea.”  When your new policy is in place and your employees say “Look what we have done!” that’s a sure sign [...]

Whenever we wanted our employees to take ownership of a particular idea or concept, we did not just tell them, we did not just show them, we INVOLVED THEM! When employees become involved, they are more likely to understand; once they understand, they will more than likely take ownership.

At A-1 Plumbing, whenever we would attempt to implement a new concept or new idea to our employees, it would always have to pass the “plumberize” test. First, are we speaking their language? And secondly, are we speaking in a way that they can understand what’s actually being said? This can be true for any business at any level [...]

“I love my competitors, for they bring the best out of me” is a phrase that I have used for years. I hope the spirit of competition is alive and well in your industry. That’s America; that’s capitalism at its best. Few places outside of this great country still make it possible for the common man [...]

What is “success,” and how will you know when you have achieved it? I recently came across a very simple yet wonderful definition for the word success. What I like about this definition is that it really doesn’t matter what culture you are living in or what family you’ve been born into. In his book, “Finding Hidden Treasures”, Nampa [...]

These tough times are important times to remain optimistic and work hard to increase your market share. Like in nature, there will be a natural “winter kill” where only the strong & smart will survive. Watch your expenses in every department and continue to work hard - the time will come when the strong will be left standing!

I write all of my own radio advertisements. The most important aspect to an effective ad is to talk about the customer’s life and how you can improve it by using your product. Your potential customer really doesn’t care about your needs; it should always be about theirs since they have all the $$$!
Speak to their [...]