Small Business Minute

In this episode, we explore when you should lead from the front or step back and lead from the back to keep your team motivated.

Finding a trustworthy supplier can be challenging. Following these 8 steps can help reduce the risk and increase your success.

I actually starting this piece 3 or 4 years ago, pre-Covid days. And as often happens when trying to be creative, you can be hit with a case of writer’s block that can leave any number of incomplete topics to collect dust. In my case, I can have upwards of a dozen or so pieces just sitting on the sidelines at any point in time. So was the case with this piece. The reason I mention pre-Covid days is because many businesses are still facing challenges as they recover, however my original observation about customer experience were prior to Covid and yet still exist today. Putting lipstick on a pigThe phrase to put "lipstick on a pig" means making superficial or cosmetic changes to a product in a futile effort to disguise its fundamental failings. {Wikipedia} Many businesses, both small and large, condone this kind of behaviour.On a recent road trip south, we stayed in a number of hotels. Like many, when heading to a specific destination we tend to stay in mid range establishments that we book at some point during our day. Booking any farther ahead is pointless as we never know how far we’ll drive on any given day because of weather or traffic.These establishment are well known chains, from Holiday Inn Express to Hampton Inns, to name a few. Fancy, no! But usually more than satisfactory for a quick overnight stop and they’re usually situated right near major highway exits. So easy off, easy on. In most cases they’re reasonably priced and provide a free breakfast. All in all, a good value proposition. Most of the time.The following are just a few of the observations I made during our stays at various establishments. Poorly trained and uncaring staffBurnt out light bulbs in room.Inoperative power ports or outlets in room.Significant marks on wall and ceiling in room.Peeling wallpaper in hallways.Worn and scratched stain on bathroom door.Poorly applied caulking around tub.  I ain’t buying the placeIndividually, none of these shortcomings are a deal breaker and can be easily overlooked when just staying one night. As I like to say, “I ain’t buying the place” and for the most part the rooms and establishment were clean. But they tarnish the customer experience. The point I’m trying to make with these observations is, when something such as a hotel room is serviced every single day, how do any of these items get overlooked? In one hotel we stayed in they were in the process of completely renovating the front lobby and the breakfast area. Yet, this is the same place where the wallpaper in the hallways was pealing and light bulbs in the room were burnt out. To my way of thinking they kind of got this back asswards.I always wonder whose decision it is to invest tens of thousands of dollars in refurbishing the lobby when the rest of the establishment is in dire need of some loving. Especially when these items can be rectified at little or no cost. It’s akin to putting lipstick on a pig and again does little to improve the customer experience. Considering that these places are designed for travellers who typically spend more time in their rooms than in the lobby as they rest up for their next driving day. When you think about it, once checked in, most guests spend their time in the room as they rest up for the next day of driving. So, wouldn’t think room maintenance would be a priority? Just saying!To be sure 1st impressions are important and major renovations are part of the hospitality industry. As franchisees, they have requirements to update their facilities to new standards set out by the franchisor.Out of syncBut many small businesses operate the same way. They are more concerned about their outward appearance, which I maintain is an absolute must, but useless if the behind the scenes operations are totally out of sync with that image.Too often I see small business owners spend time,

Don't confuse innovation with invention. Simply put innovation is improving something whereas invention is something new. Innovation should improve customer experience.

So what is a small business owner to do? Well, you have two choices, play defense, and batten down the hatches or go on the offense and grab market share.

My guest today is Dennis Geelen and is here to talk about his new book The Accidental Solopreneur and how it can help any consultant achieve greater success

There are many fairy tales when it comes to entrepreneurship. Knowing the difference between reality and fantasy, will save you grief!

A big client can kill your business! That's why the 15% rule is so important.

The reality of being a small business owner is that you are going to have difficult clients.

Shut up is my best tip to increase your sales. Learn more about this and an additional 4 tips in this episode.

Inflation is like rust.

Don't be a Lazy Owner

Let’s be honest. There’s lots of things that people have a passion for that could never support their dream lifestyle.

Quit waiting until the last minute.

You need to manage your time, just like inventory.

With the vaccine rollouts well under way in many countries, the talk has turned to the reopening of the economies.

There are lots of reasons start-ups fail, but one that I see far too often is the lack of industry experience.

Don't confuse worrying with thinking.

80% of entrepreneurs have all their wealth tied up in their business and that is far too much risk.

As entrepreneurs we need to be like Boy Scouts- always prepared.