If I show you a picture of myself smiling, what would your reaction be? You’ll likely either have no reaction, or something along the lines of “okay.” But what if I show you that same picture, but with a caption describing how I was born blind and
What Is A SWOT Analysis & How Can It Help Your Small Business?
Despite sounding similar, SWOT is very different than SWAT. Instead of armor and weapons, businesses are armed SWOT analysis to assess a business, industry, or product. SWOT stands for: Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats A SWOT
Active Listening: What Is It and How To Master It
We all know at least one person where anything that you tell them goes in one ear and out the other. Sometimes we’re that person. It's normal to not listen well occasionally but if it's a habit, it will become a problem both
How to Create a Time-Saving Meeting Agenda [Plus Free Template]
I can’t count the number of times I’ve almost fallen asleep in meetings due to boredom. The large number of unproductive meetings that I used to have to participate in was a key factor in my decision to create my own business. Harvard Business
Profit & Loss (P&L) Statements: What Every Small Businesses Owner Needs to Know
Very few small business owners have an interest in accounting. But as everyone finds out, understanding the basics of accounting can be the difference between success and failure of your company. There are three particular financial statements
How To Start Email Marketing Your Business Today (With Real World Templates)
Most marketers tell you that you need to be using email marketing to grow your business. But they rarely tell you the specifics of how to do it. That changes today. This guide was designed for small business owners and marketers looking to
Net Promoter Scores: A Statistician Debunks The Startup’s Favorite Metric
It’s impossible to escape. Everyone, at some point, has been asked: How likely is it that you would recommend our company to a friend or colleague? This simple question is the basis for calculating a Net Promoter Score (NPS) and has been used by
Marketing Ideas on a Budget: 25 Best Tips and Tactics
Most marketing advice is for businesses who can afford to spend at least a few thousand dollars a month. But, not all businesses have a large budget. The strategies here are affordable or free. They will help you grow your business to the point
Why Corporate Social Responsibility Matters for Small Business
As a consumer, stakeholder, or employee, all your decisions and emotions are driven by your personal beliefs. It shouldn’t be surprising that many people care a lot about things like the environment, their community, and other people. That’s
Emotional Intelligence: Is It Why You Didn’t Get the Promotion?
Some of the smartest and most talented people never succeed because they lack emotional intelligence. Conversely, some people with little talent somehow succeed at everything they do. This is because they read people well, and people like
The Most Powerful CTAs In History and Why They Worked
When it comes to business, small or large, calls to action (CTAs) are everywhere. You can't escape them. Either understand how to make effective CTAs, or your conversion rates will be much lower than they could be. If you're not familiar
Not Being Heard? Check Out These Clever Ways To Build Communication Skills Now.
No matter how much you study, much of your success will come down to how well you communicate with others. Your communication skills at work or home have a deep effect on developing relationships, and also affect how people respond to you and how
How to End Your Emails: Sign-Offs & Signatures For Every Occasion
You should always try to end a conversation on a good note. That’s why knowing how to end your emails should be more than an afterthought that you scribble down. There are two main parts of ending an email: your sign off, and your email
How to Write a NASA-Grade Mission Statement
Every guide to starting and running a small business tells you to create a mission statement. You’re told to put it in your business plan and in any company documents. But if you’re only writing a mission statement to check a box off your to-do
What *Is* Business Casual? The World’s Most Misunderstood Dress Code Decoded
According to Gallup polls, business casual is the most common dress code in workplaces. Over time, it’s only becoming more popular. But it’s also a really vague term. If you’re not particularly fashion-inclined (like me), you likely have no
Millions Are Getting Rich Selling on Amazon. Are You Next?
If you’ve ever looked into making money online, I’m sure you’ve heard about selling on Amazon. Amazon is a household name in most countries, and had over $90 billion of revenue in 2017 in the United States alone. Getting just a fraction of a