Be Where Your Customers Are Don’t do whatever is “hot” now. Different experts recommend different (sometimes opposed) tactics. Think about this: “gurus” don’t know more than you; they’re just better at marketing themselves and positioning themselves as experts. If you’re a mildly successful small business owner, you’re making more money than 85% of the “gurus”[...]

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Idea #1: Don’t Avoid Conflict Trying to avoid conflict is part of being human. However, conflict is a good thing. Conflict is standing up for yourself and saying, “I won’t put up with this anymore.” Tell your boss, partner and spouse how you really feel about them. Conflict will arise. When a conflict is resolved, then[...]

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Mark Twain famously said, “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” Psychologists call worry the “What If Disease” because people who suffer it are always wondering “What If…?” “What if my flight gets cancelled?” “What if I get laid off?” “What if this sale[...]

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In my experience, the best way to grow a business is through strategic alliances. Let me give you a few examples: If you make toys for kids you should get Toys R Us to carry your products. If you’re a wedding photographer, every wedding planner in your town should know who you are and be[...]

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I’ve read a few persuasion books and, in my opinion, they all have the wrong idea about what persuasion is. Persuading doesn’t mean manipulating someone into doing what you want. If you do this, you might get what you want once but you’ll be burning bridges left and right until nobody trusts you again. Persuading[...]

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