Posts for January, 2009

3-D Commercials Slated For Superbowl The News: Popular Science reports this weekend’s superbowl will have a series of 3-D commericals airing during the 2nd quarter. You need glasses that you can pick up for free at SoBe. Full report. Why It Matters: How can you take advantage of this new technology on the horizon?  Will you be [...]  Read more »

Tears Flow As Yet Another Small Business Struggles To Stay Afloat The News: The Wall Street Journal reports on Summitville Tiles’ gathering on Wednesday morning to layoff 59 employees.  The owner asked for volunteers to quit to help cushion the blow for others.  7 left on their own accord. Full report. Why It Matters: It is a [...]  Read more »

1. Miracle On 34th Street What You’ll Learn: The greatest lesson in salesmanship that no one follows. The Entrepreneur’s Lesson: Santa Claus, working at Macy’s, goes out of his way to help customers often encouraging them to shop elsewhere for the best deals. Instead of losing customers, Macy’s becomes overwhelmed with customers seeking Santa’s help. [...]  Read more »

Jocelyn Wiebe, a TPE of Freedom at Home, ran back into her burning office building to save her most prized possession. She left the baby to fend for himself. Christopher Blythe, the TPE at Skoobit, enjoys his favorite read… minutes before putting it up on Ebay for $0.01. Tim “Gonzo” Gordon, the TPE of Communication Steriods, [...]  Read more »

A Few Small Businesses Get Gov’t Bailout Money The News: The Wall Street Journal reports a couple of small towns offered low interest loans to struggling “pillar” small businesses.  Both examples are car dealerships. Full report. Why It Matters: If no one is buying cars, why does it make sense to take a loan to keep selling [...]  Read more »

Auto Industry Collapse Causes Ripple Effect The News: CNN Money reports as the Big Three fight to survive, thousands of small businesses are caught in the wake. Full report. Why It Matters: Diversify. Now! Compiled by Mike Michalowicz, Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Want the (Toilet Paper) Entrepreneur News emailed to you every day? Just click on [...]  Read more »

Extreme is good. Extreme is awesome. Extreme is profitable. But when your extreme behavior is inauthentic, rooted in a desire to get attention by whatever means possible, extreme is bad – very, very, bad.  Read more »

Where’s My Bailout? The News: The Wall Street Journal reports small business owners want their piece of Obama’s commitment for 23% of gov’t contracts to go to small business. Full report. Why It Matters: Dell & Lockheed both have been assigned contracts coded for small business.  Can the SBA keep its promises this time?  Don’t hold your [...]  Read more »

Mike is going to be in California for 5 presentations.  Want to meet Mike in person?  Stop on by and get an autographed copy of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. Itinerary: *Monday Jan 26th* 1) Pepperdine 12pm SHARP! Dresher Campus (Ask the guard at the gate if you get confused) Beckman Center Room L4 2) UC Irvine 7pm SHARP! Link For Facebook Event: [...]  Read more »

Fip "OFF" Accounting - Mike's method of Owner Funds First accounting, the fastest way to adjust your company P&L and insure bottom line profits.  Read more »

Is That A Trojan In Your Apple, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me? The News: Incisive Media UK reports that a tojan virus is spreading through Apple computers via a pirated version of iWork 09. Full report. Why It Matters: Apple was supposedly “immune” to viruses until now.  There is a lesson here for you [...]  Read more »

The last ice age, albeit millions of years ago, caused the extinction of the Dinosaur population on earth. In the recent business climate I have been asking myself when the current dinosaurs are going to leave us. What dinosaurs am I speaking about? How about these supposed ‘business minds’ that decided it was time for handouts from the same public that needed it the most. As a student of Economics I can appreciate the trickle down or ‘Reaganomic’ effect of assisting big industry, but aren’t we curbing our entrepreneurial survival instincts by holding our hands out?  Read more »

A ‘Nuclear Bomb’ Dropped On Twitter The News: BNet reports on the international embarrassment that came out of a Twitter comment.  A lesson in how to lose a major client. Full report. Why It Matters: The world is watching what you say, so speak wisely.  By the way, I learned about this article through Twitter. Mickey D’s Getting [...]  Read more »

Not all businesses are suffering in this recession. Some are business sectors are actually taking off. Check this list of 15 sectors out, one may be a perfect fit for you.  Read more »

Booming Business Sector – Layoffs, Duh! The News: The New York Times reports 2009’s fast growing business sector, is the layoff industry.  Outplacement, resume writing and job loss coaching is booming.  Full report. Why It Matters: The best quote in the article:  It’s “the industry that guilt built.”  How can you make millions on guilt? The Strong Will [...]  Read more »

Check out the 17 minute training video Mike did in our conference room.  In the video he walks you through all the distinct phases of a recession and how to make your business thrive in these times. – http://www.vimeo.com/2089707 By Mike Michalowicz, Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Subscribe to Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Blog! Just click [...]  Read more »

David Oreck (The Vacuum Guy) Shares Secret To Success The News: CNN Money reports David Oreck’s path from concept to $350M company – and it only took 45 years.  Full report. Why It Matters: The secret formula?  Constant Innovation + Relentless Persistence = “Overnight” Success Venture Capital Funding Dries Up The News: Forbes reports that fund raising via U.S. [...]  Read more »

When Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks started the company in 1987 he realized that he was selling more than coffee… it was an experience that people gladly pay $3 plus for Latte’s and Cappuccinos’. He borrowed the concept of the “Third Place”.  Read more »

The Booming Industry For 2009? Hope. The News: Forbes reports the most resilient industry in 2008 and for 2009 was and will be the self-help niche.  People are buying hope, when there seems to be none.  Full report. Why It Matters: Tweak your business model to have a “self-help” spin, and you may end up helping yourself. A [...]  Read more »

You know what I say to people who call themselves failures? You wish! To fail is to have tried, to have given it your all and failed regardless. That's what failure is. Most people don’t fail; most people give up too early or never even try. Those people are not failures. You’ve got to earn that title, man.  Read more »

Genius PR Strategy By Burger King Gets Axed… Resulting In Even More PR The News: AHN reports Burger King’s popular promotion launched last week allowed people to delete 10 friends on Facebook in exchange for a coupon for a free Whopper.  Facebook canceled the campaign. Full report. Why It Matters: Did you know about this promotion last [...]  Read more »

“An entrepreneur is someone who works sixteen hours a day for himself (or herself) to avoid working eight hours a day for someone else.” To write my book, Boss of Me!, I had the privilege of hanging around 20 successful entrepreneurs and they shared with me their winning formulas that brought them extraordinary measures of success. Laws [...]  Read more »

Starbucks’ New Business Model Encourages Community Service The News: Adage reports Starbucks’ new business model encouraging latte drinks to work at the local soup kitchen. Full report. Why It Matters: Starbucks may have an innovative (unexpected) positioning to leverage the down economy. Can you do the same? Crushed Real Estate Market In California Is Spawning Small Business Growth The [...]  Read more »

Company Communication Steroids: “Add Muscle to Your Message” Started 2007 Service Speak and train on public speaking skills, dealing with the media, communication skills – aimed at CEO’s, managers and small business owners who want to become more empowered and confident communicators, speakers and presenters. Favorite Quote “Live as you will wish to have lived when you are dying.” – Christian Furchtegott [...]  Read more »

Should You Call It Quits On Your Business Idea – Segway Inventor Answers The Toughest Question The News: CNN interviews Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway, and he reveals his method of deciding when to call it quits. Full report. Why It Matters: In every business there is a point where you need to decide to [...]  Read more »