Archive for the ‘Focus’ Category

Quick, name the athlete who won gold medals in swimming, fencing, gymnastics, and basketball – in the same Olympics. Stumped? That’s because no one has done it, and no one ever will.  Read more »

Perhaps you will find a new idea for yourself in this list, or already have a resolution that tops all of these. Man up (or woman up, as the case may be) and put your own resolution in the comment section below.  Read more »

Thanks to Kevin Pruett for posting this video of Mike on his blog.  Read more »

It’s your first day as a self-proclaimed entrepreneur. Maybe you’re fresh out of college, just quit your job, or simply have an exciting new idea that could make you your first million. Whatever the case may be, it’s time to decide – should you start where most entrepreneurs start? - Brainstorming business names - Checking domain name [...]  Read more »

1. Wasting Time With Suspects not Prospects Continue to fill your pipeline, qualify each prospect that flows into your pipeline, and then after you have qualified them close the sale or move on. The last step is usually very difficult for most entrepreneurs, but this will hold true: “If you take only Yes’s and only No’s [...]  Read more »

I have yet to meet a successful entrepreneur who hasn't been suprised by how their product or service was ultimately received by the market. So many startups go into business with a plan of exactly how things are going to play out, yet ultimately the unexpected happens - a different market comes to light. If you are trying to grow, but are having difficulty, perhaps you are not considering the unexpected markets. Learn from these folks! They went in with a plan, and when the unexpected market spoke out they reacted... and their businesses took off.  Read more »

1. Too Much Office Space I made the mistake of getting more office space than I really needed. It cost me too much money, which of course came from my pocket. I was way too caught up in the ego of having a nice space. These days, I am into virtual businesses and telecommuting–why waste money on [...]  Read more »

I know what you’re thinking. Everything comes down to sex, right? Or maybe you’re freaking out; worried that the truth about your bedroom (or backseat) sex-capades may be what stands between you and your entrepreneurial dream come true.  Read more »

I could write this post today about how to keep your heads up during our crashing economy, but I’ll swallow and then share a dose of reality instead: Millions of people are losing their jobs, and 2009 looks bleak. None of us really know what lies ahead, yet leaders are committing 3 basic [...]  Read more »

Don’t miss the tip Mike shares about how to get your legal done work for free. The strategy is TPE all the way! Check Out The Website At http://www.DownToBusiness.com Want to see more interviews?  Pat Croce has show for entrepreneurs that will rock your world, http://www.downtobusiness.com, and no BS!  Read more »

It’s amazing to realize that the biggest barrier preventing us from moving forward is often ourselves! If we could just let go of our doubts and have faith in ourselves, we would be a lot better off and on our way to experiencing an amazing life! What is holding you back? Is it fear of failure [...]  Read more »

There are songs about it (think U2), there are stores named after it (think Pier 1) and every sports team on the planet says they are number one when they have a good day. It’s good to be number one. Now think about two. There are few songs about number two, fewer stores and I don’t believe any team marches around proudly cheering “We are number two.”  Read more »

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received didn’t come from a person – it came from my truck. In fact, everyone who has ever driven has gotten this same advice. All you have to do is look at the side view mirror. “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.” As an entrepreneur I like to add in one word – "Shiny".  Read more »

“Your idea is stupid.” Has anyone ever told you that your business idea won’t make it? That your idea is too odd, too unique or too different? That you need to stick with what is proven? Here is the dealio, your entrepreneurial success is almost exclusively determined by following your passion, servicing the living hell out of it, and staying committed to your own success, relentlessly. Outside of you, the only other thing that matters is that you find customers willing to spend enough to healthily grow your business. And you can figure that part out using the Focus Five Strategy.  Read more »

In this season of economic and social turmoil, how can we stay optimistic about our future? How do we maintain focus on our goals…our dreams? Here are seven (cheap) tips: 1. Go on a technology and/or news “fast” A news fast – avoiding newspapers, the Internet and TV – can give you a much-needed break from draining, disheartening [...]  Read more »

VIDEO - Mike's Vlog on Impatience  Read more »

Change sucks. Strike that. Waiting for change, sucks. Once we know we want something, we want it instantly. We don’t want to wait for graduation, for choice clients, to buy a house, to find a new relationship. We want what we want and we want it NOW.  Read more »

One of the most useful tips I could give anyone starting his/her own business is to start by finding a niche. The niche should be related to your business and should be a small outlet to get you started. Hopefully those in the niche will either provide you with resources to get new clients or will be your first set of clients themselves. Targeting one niche allows you to set and focus on your goals. Without a clear target group, it is very challenging to succeed and grow. Remember, satisfied clients will give the BEST referrals.  Read more »

Tom Trush of The Red Pen Review interviewed me (Mike Michalowicz) on how to keep a strong business mind in a weak economy (or in any economy for that).  Read more »

In a recent blog post I explained why now is the best time to start a new business. As your competitors run for the hills and newbie’s decide to wait out the storm, you are sitting pretty to launch your company. But what if you are already in business? What if you were just hitting your stride, and got smacked in the head as the economy came to a screeching halt? Most are, as I said before, running for the hills. But I am here to tell you that you are far from finished. This is the time to take decisive action, and leap frog your competitors… and you can do it without spending a penny. Here’s how:  Read more »

VIDEO - Mike's Vlog on Look in the Mirror  Read more »

Have you ever woken up in the morning, looked in the mirror and said, “Who the f*ck is that?” Have you ever been terrified by the stranger looking back at you in the mirror and run screaming back to bed, only to realize it was YOU all along. Yeah. Those were the days.  Read more »

Ayat Shukairy is a managing partner at Invesp consulting, an ecommerce conversion optimization company. She also blogs regularly on topics related e-ecommerce, conversion optimization and web usability on the Invesp Blog.  Read more »

Mistakes? Not me. All right, all right. I’ve made a few. More importantly, I’ve seen it all. And in my experience, if you can avoid these whoppers, your success is almost guaranteed.  Read more »

Business is not about you. It never will be. So how come people haven't learned the lesson? How come 95% of all new businesses fail in the 1st year?  Read more »