Posts for the ‘Skill Toolbox’ Category

Talk about brain dumps... if you are looking to learn all about entrepreneurship this is the place to start. The TPE community shared this amazing list of resources that you can find online to learn everything there ever was to learn about being an entrepreneur...  Read more »

Considering selling your product to boutiques or perhaps larger retailers like dept. stores? Here are the pros and cons...  Read more »

Are your children going to be entrepreneurs? I don’t know if mine are. In fact, of the three of them, I think it may only be right for one. But I do know, no matter what they choose in life, they will need to have a strong foundation in money management.  Read more »

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Within the next 55 seconds you will you discover how to dramatically improve your memory. Fast read, instant results!!!!  Read more »

Most new businesses fail. That's a fact. But blaming it on cash flow every time is a mistake. In fact there are 25 additional reasons why entrepreneurs fail...  Read more »

There are millions of questions about entrepreneurship, for sure. Here are the top 50 most frequently asked questions about being an entrepreneur and the answers:  Read more »

While this message is 100% simple and 100% true, finding your passion can feel like a mystery you’ll never solve. Until today.

If you have the desire to succeed in business but aren’t sure what you really want to do, here’s a surefire way to figure it out....  Read more »

The saying, “Go with your gut” is so overused, we sometimes forget that it’s 100% true. We are genetically programmed with a lifetime of knowledge that equips us with the ability to make GOOD decisions, quickly. You may call it instinct, or street smarts, or even ESP. Whatever you call it, you must trust it, because your gut will be right most of the time...  Read more »

The saying, “Go with your gut” is so overused, we sometimes forget that it’s 100% true. We are genetically programmed with a lifetime of knowledge that equips us with the ability to make GOOD decisions, quickly. You may call it instinct, or street smarts, or even ESP. Whatever you call it, you must trust it, because your gut will be right most of the time...  Read more »

I heard a sad joke about American entrepreneurs during my travels in Europe a few months back. A speaker asked the audience "How do you hide a secret from an American?" Then she took a dramatic pause and said "You write it in a book." People laughed. I didn't.

To say the least, that comment pissed me off. Instead of making a scene (I was scheduled to speak to the same audience of female entrepreneurs only hours later), I decided it was better to take a stance. And that is what this post is all about... believe it or not, ALL the secrets to success, happiness, you name it, reside in books. No single book will ever have it all, but as you read more and more and more you will find a common thread that resonates with you. And that thread IS the secret.  Read more »

Watch the video and join the discussion about how to navigate the "head junk"... the key requirement for entrepreneurs to grow again while the economy recovers!  Read more »

Many resources exist to help get a business get off the ground. And you don't have to pay for it, in many cases. Here are a list of resources the TPE community has used to help their businesses:  Read more »

You need a break. I need a break. We need a break. And we know if we don't take a break, it will break us. You get the picture (I got a little abusive of the word break). Here are 74 ideas to trigger your mind into taking that much need relaxing 10 minutes to 10 days off from being an entrepreneur:  Read more »

Metrics are a powerful tool for measuring progress, evaluating decisions, and when done right, are an early warning system for problems. There is one problem though… too many metrics cause indecision. You know; analysis paralysis.

What if there was one metric that could do it all? Well, I have good news and bad news. While there isn’t a single metric that can answer all your business questions, there is one that indicates your company’s core health. By measuring cash flow, you are measuring the blood flow of your business. And by tracking it through a metric called the Operating Cash Ratio (OCR), you will have your thumb on the company’s pulse. Yo, V.I.P. let’s kick it… Ice, Ice Baby. If you recognize the 1990 Vanilla Ice blockbuster hit, don’t be embarrassed. If you hummed the little bass line jingle in your head after you read the title, then be VERY embarrassed.  Read more »

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This famous saying couldn't be any truer then when it comes to successfully building a business. If you want to become an entrepreneur, listen to what these "been-there done-that's" have to say about getting ready:  Read more »

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This blog post is here to specifically discuss the "How To Scale Your Business" video. In the video I share the Rapid Scaling Method to building the necessary foundation for growth. What are your thoughts, strategies and suggestions? Join the conversation and share your comments!  Read more »

This blog post is here to specifically discuss the "Secrets To Innovation" video. In the video I share 7 key strategies to standing out from the competition - BIG TIME! What are your thoughts, strategies and suggestions? Join the conversation and share your comments!  Read more »

Join the discussion on how to navigate the "head junk" that holds so many entrepreneurs back!  Read more »

A short, sweet survey.  Read more »

There are a few things that are repeating over and over in my head. One is this horrible Milli Vanilli song that played on the radio a couple days back. “Blame it on the rain that was falling, falling.” For God’s sake, I’m humming (oops, I mean, lip syncing) the tune right now as I type this blog post. The other thing that continues to play in my head is the question I get asked routinely. “Mike, how do I make a million dollars?” Same question -- morning and night -- day in and day out. “Mike, how do I make a million dollars?” The answer is probably not what you want to hear. It is definitely something you will never see said on an infomercial or “get rich quick” website. But here’s the truth: To make a million dollars you are going to need to work your ass off, plus some. You are going to have to work harder and smarter than you ever have. You are going to have to be relentless, even when (better put – especially when) you are at the point of mental, physical and/or emotional exhaustion.  Read more »

When you have passion for something it will get you over every brick wall, help you weather every storm, and even when you’ve been knocked down for the hundredth time, compel you to get back up and try again. You can’t build a successful business without it. No one can be a little bit passionate. You either have passion for...  Read more »

Here's how NOT to grow a business - work your ass off until you can't take any more. Unfortunately that is what most people do. The good news is there is a better way. Scratch that -- there is a much better way, and here are 11 tips that will get you started. Pay special mind to tip # 8, there is nothing more important.  Read more »

Entrepreneurs wear many hats. One of your most important hats is one of the PR person or Marketing Coordinator. In Public Relations, which is only one part of Marketing, the best rule of thumb is to maintain "maximum disclosure, minimum delay;" however you should be in complete control of disclosing information that will be sent out through the airwaves.  Read more »