Small Business
Becoming Dispensable: A 12-Point Manifesto
I have to become dispensable. A linchpin is under pressure to stay in place. If things cannot move forward without me, then I am slowing progress. I trusted my team enough to hire them, invest in them, and put my career in their hands. Leadership and management are not the same thing. Ideas are ...Way to Respect the Vacation
I take vacations to get away from work. To spend more time with my family, enjoy the lake, or play camp counselor for a week in my favorite Michigan summer camp. But I have always struggled with the idea of going completely offline, because I know I’ll return to a stuffed inbox and tons of ...Right Person, Wrong Job
Years ago, when I was running my own little web business, one of my clients was a car insurance company. We designed their website, but had inherited an online quoting system written in approximately 100,000 lines of terrible Perl code. Every few months, my client would send me updates that requ...How to Get Your Résumé Tossed
Note: I know very well that the word is spelled résumé but for whatever reason my blog won’t display the é character unless I explicitly state it with an HTML entity code . Argh. I’ve been doing a lot of hiring lately. This time around, I took careful note of the ...Everyone Needs a Strategic Plan
On my non-profit blog I write a lot about strategic planning. But it’s clear that most people don’t understand what a strategic plan is or why it’s important. Strategic plans aren’t just for big organizations. They are useful to departments, small groups, or even individua...8 Ways to Win in the Conference Room
I’ve been working with clients since college. I’ve always had a client-service type of job, working on projects of all sizes. And I’ve learned a few things about how to do great work – in spite of the difficulty of working for clients. 1. Set Expectations The absolute key...Inventing Something New
Sometimes I think about what it would have been like to be born hundreds or thousands of years ago, when so much of our taken-for-granted world was yet-to-be-invented. Would you have been able to grasp the concept of gravity? The number zero? Basic geometry? What would it have taken for such a br...The Trick to Successful Cold Calling
Most people hate cold calling. Even if you can turn your connections into a visit or a phone call, you’re still starting off with nothing: no reputation to precede you, no interest, no warm lead. Chances are, you’re walking into a cold brick wall—someone who knows they’re ...How to Generate Innovative Ideas
What’s the difference between inventors Leonardo Da Vinci and Thomas Edison? Da Vinci created. Thomas Edison innovated. Edison (and his team) methodically processed hundreds or thousands of options for filament materials until they arrived at the best result. They prototyped, tested, revisi...You Should Be Committed for Being "Irrationally Committed"
Seth Godin writes about being irrationally committed Entrepreneurs who are irrationally committed to their business are far more likely to get through the Dip. Salespeople and service providers and marketers who are irrationally committed to customer service can completely transform an ordinary e...Great feedback
Check out this feedback form from the TweetDeck website. It’s a modal pop-up box with a form and instant feature request form (using UserVoice). How easy is it for your customers to give you feedback?3 Secrets to Delegating Work
When you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Right? This is a classic mistake, one that leads to overworking and stress. After all, each time you take over on a task that you should delegate you’re just adding more work. At some point, that takes its toll and even even you ca...When "Perfect" Can Hurt You
An observation: Getting a project 100% right is very hard and time consuming. But getting the project 95% there is pretty quick. The next 5% percent can take a long time, though. The question for you is whether the distance between 95% and perfection is worth the investment. Sometimes it is…...The Art of Client Wrangling
(or How to get your clients to do what you want) Not long ago, lawlessness ruled the land. Clients did whatever they wanted and the customer was always right. Projects often missed deadlines and the team bemoaned the dreaded “scope creep.” This was a painful time, overtime was part of...Tinkering
When I was in high school, I listened to my dad and his friends talk about the cars they used to work on. Two brothers had worked together to rebuild an engine and had to drop it back in on their own – one on his back holding the engine in place with his legs, the other tightening the bolts to ...The Invisible Employee: Making Absenteeism Profitable
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk in our office about working from home. On one hand, there’s the belief that our work can be done at any time and from any location. On the other hand, that has an effect on how easily we can manage our teams, schedule meetings, etc. I am a proponent of remot...Fighting Your Customers for Fun and Profit
The customer is not always right. In fact, the customer is more often than not very wrong and has no clue what he’s doing. This isn’t ego, it’s simple truth: you probably know your product better than your customer does. After all, you’re the expert, right? A customer walk...Elevator pitches, revisited
TechCrunch has launched a service where CEOs and founders can deliver their elevator pitch to TechCrunch visitors. They get 60 seconds. TechCrunch elevator pitches… I just went through a bunch of these, and I have to say – most of these are terrible. Not necessarily the companies or i...Comprehension and other multi-syllabic terms
After sitting through two days’ worth of sessions here at RailsConf 08 I’ve learned a very important lesson: the value of information increases with comprehensibility. In other words, if your audience doesn’t understand you then the information you provide is far less valuable. This is obvi...What Programmers Want
The developers in our office were more interested in the job postings that focused on culture and opportunities, while caring very little about requirements or even benefits. A hiring manager thinks about what he needs: a programmer skilled in [x, y, z] languages, n years experience, and [arbitra...Your Personal Elevator Pitch
I tell clients the most important thing they can put on their homepage is their elevator pitch. As most of my clients are academics with little or no business background, they usually don’t know what this means. You’ve stepped onto an elevator and you realize there’s a potential...Under Pressure: Project Physics
The deadline isn’t moving, but you’re not getting the work done. The mass stays the same, but the volume is decreasing. Density (and therefore pressure) increases. The only way to alleviate the pressure is to change one of the two variables: the amount of work or the deadline. When th...Nobody wants to talk about this...
When should you charge your customers? Answer: When they are happiest with you. A happy customer recognizes value and will gladly pay for it. How do you get customers to pay an initial deposit? Answer: By asking for it. Refuse to do any work until you’ve both signed an agreement and are sat...Stereotype Threat
Grundyhome.com readers typically get more done on Mondays than readers of other blogs. The stereotype threat is a psychological theory where a person’s performance can be influenced by hearing about a stereotype. A classic example involves a group of black women on the SAT. Before the test,...How to fill your stomach and your pockets
Most people love food and I’m no exception. I cook a lot and I take pictures of my meals. I have lists of restaurants I want to go to and try, and I’m enough of a regular at a few of our area restaurants that they know what I’m most likely to order. My fondest memories usually c...Showdown 9: Time
This is part nine of a series exploring factors in self-employment and traditional employment. For more about this series, read the opening article. TimeHow much time your work requires and your influence over it Self Boss Pros Cons Pros Cons Drop everything! Go play golf! Vacations and w...Response to '20 Things Not to Do Before Starting A Business'
Dane Carlson posted an inflammatory (but well-intentioned) post about 20 Things Not to Do Before Starting A BusinessMy first reaction (a knee-jerk) was “what? are you crazy?!” But some of his suggestions are quite reasonable, and the overall effect is to caution early-stage entreprene...Showdown 8: Interaction
This is part eight of a series exploring factors in self-employment and traditional employment. For more about this series, read the opening article. InteractionHow you directly interact with othersI’m skipping the table for this one. Working for yourself can either mean working from home o...Ask! Ask! Ask!
Yes!The Girl Who Asks:“The same thing goes for asking. They may say no. However, they may also say yes. What do you have to lose?”Put your money where your mouth is
You’ve probably heard some of these: Put your money where your mouth is Eat your own dogfood Sip your own champagne Chutzpah, redefined: LifeLockThe CEO put his social security number up there on his front page. In a headline. For a company selling identify theft protection, that’s ...Showdown 7: Challenges
This is part seven of a series exploring factors in self-employment and traditional employment. For more about this series, read the opening article. ChallengesHow difficult your work is and your influence over it Self Boss Pros Cons Pros Cons You choose your work, so you can choose the c...Showdown 6: Independence
This is part six of a series exploring factors in self-employment and traditional employment. For more about this series, read the opening article. IndependenceYour freedom in what you do and how you do it Self Boss Pros Cons Pros Cons Few outside influences on your methods Flexibility me...Showdown 5: Career Potential
This is part five of a series exploring factors in self-employment and traditional employment. For more about this series, read the opening article. Career PotentialWhat the future could hold for you in terms of work Self Boss Pros Cons Pros Cons Success is great exposure Acquisition can ...Showdown 4: Stress
This is part four of a series exploring factors in self-employment and traditional employment. For more about this series, read the opening article. StressHow stressful the position is Self Boss Pros Cons Pros Cons Working for yourself is directly rewarding and satisfying You choose your ...Non-profit Marketing: Donors don't care about you
I’ve been reading a lot about marketing for non-profits, as one of my major involvements right now is helping Camp Fire USA and Camp Tannadoonah (the summer camp where my wife serves as camp director). I caught this excellent piece:From Marketing for Charitable Nonprofit Organizations at ar...Showdown 3: Benefits
This is part three of a series exploring factors in self-employment and traditional employment. For more about this series, read the opening article. BenefitsWhat kind of non-financial compensation you receive Self Boss Pros Cons Pros Cons You can set up excellent benefits such as matchin...Showdown 2: Money
This is part two of a series exploring factors in self-employment and traditional employment. For more about this series, read the opening article. MoneyHow much financial compensation you receive Self Boss Pros Cons Pros Cons You control how much and how often you are paid There’s ...Showdown 1: Security/Stability
This is part one of a series exploring factors in self-employment and traditional employment. For more about this series, read the opening article. Security/Stability How reliable your paycheck and position is Self Boss Pros Cons Pros Cons You decide how and when to get paid You control...Battle of the Bosses: Self-Employment vs. a Traditional Job
Starting your own business is a hell of a decision. You hold an internal debate about the pros and cons. It can keep you paralyzed, analyzing hundreds of scenarios. You can read up on all of these topics, but you’ll see a blindingly obvious trend: the people who promote self-employment will...Missing SXSW
I really wanted to go to SXSW this year. After hearing from Jim Gosz and Steve Smith how amazing it was last year, I was hoping to find the time for this year’s conference. Unfortunately, I just didn’t have the time – too much work, too many prior commitments.So instead of being...What The Shawshank Redemption Taught Me About Business
One of my favorite films of all time, I’ve probably seen The Shawshank Redemption over 50 times. Like any enduring movie, I continue to experience something new each time I watch it. But what can it teach us about business? Sometimes You’re Guilty Even When You’re Innocent“...Tax Deductions for Pro Bono Work
I’ve noticed a lot of my recent traffic is coming from searches about tax deductions for pro bono work. These searchers are all heading to my article on “”http://grundyhome.com/2007/02/06/how-to-work-pro-bono/“>How to work pro bono,” where I briefly note that you ...Yes, yes, and yes
Yes. Yet another list post, but a good one to read and remind yourself why you’re taking the trouble. Top 10 Ways You Know You’re an Entrepreneur from StartupSpark.comCreate better proposals
Good post from InstigatorBlog: 10 Reasons Why Proposals FailSome highlights: They’re too long. Proposals aren’t meant for “shock and awe†– don’t try and overwhelm the prospect into submission. Edit and cut. Cut and edit. There’s no perfect length for a proposal, but how many of...Passion for your work
I loved this post from Kathy Sierra. One favorite part was the difference between “passion for the company” and “passion for the work”: Passionate about the work:* Scores well on the 4-question test: - keeps up with trade/professional journals - knows who the key people in...Taking Advantage: How to Work Pro-Bono for Fun and Profit
I have worked with a wide range of non-profits, from the very small to the very big. These are organizations (especially the small ones) that often have little or no money to pay for your services, yet need the help of someone with your talents. It’s not hard to find them.You may be asked t...What? Integrated communications?
I’m always frustrated when I see something somewhere and can’t find more information online. This happens all the time – a TV commercial, a magazine ad, a billboard – all efforts to create new business. Yet a huge opportunity is lost when they limit this information to tho...It's about the opportunity, stupid
Business is all about opportunities.A great location. A product to meet a need in the market. A chance to win your customers over. A way to cut costs without giving up anything in return. Opportunities are all around you. But you have to look for them. You can’t remain static, waiting for s...Cut Back on Features!
“Don’t take away features from users. If they want to do something, even if it lets them shoot themselves in the foot, let them.” warnerja from forum.java.sun.comI’ve been playing with this article for a while now and it’s been sitting in my drafts list for nearly tw...Your Customer Has a Name
Tonight I saw a commercial for some drug called Plavix. It seemed like a typical drug commercial with a guy that could have a heart attack at any time. But something caught my attention. There was a name. The commercial featured a guy named Ron. He is a businessman, always busy with work, not nec...Why Tiny Matters: The Kingdom Flying Club
The other day, I ordered two CDs from The Kingdom Flying Club — a relatively obscure band on a small, indie label (Emergency Umbrella). I placed the order directly on the label’s website.The next day, I got an email from the band’s bassist/vocalist. It came from his personal email a...On Boutiques
An excellent graphic from Horsepigcow MarketingPoor Service on Purpose?
I’ll have to go track down a photo of this place.My friend Oak went to dinner at a restaurant here in the South Bend, Indiana area. He was telling us about it today when he turned to me and said, “you wouldn’t like it.”Intrigued, I asked why he thought this. He explained t...Presence != Productivity, Control != Management
Glimpses of wisdom from Tony Long of Wired Magazine: “The company gets what it’s paying for — all this brilliant insight — and I get an early slide to get on with the most important thing in my life, which is living my life.” “In little words, you can work whe...Recommended Reading: Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Personal Development, and the Internet
Marketing, entrepreneurship, personal development, and the Internet. These are my interests and the subject of this blog. I’m also insatiable in my curiosity and learning, so I spend a good deal of time reading on these topics. Of the hundred or so RSS feeds I monitor, these are a few of my...Project Manager's Pocket Survival Guide
Some lessons from Project Manager’s Pocket Survival Guide: “These projects can be planned and scheduled with a fairly high degree of certainty about costs and time frame. An example is the competition that was held in 1983 by the Building Industry Association of San Diego to see how...Intelligent Disobedience
From Learning Voyager: “Intelligent disobedience means that the dog must learn not only when to obey the commands of the blind person, but when to disobey commands that might put their owner in danger.”Can you tell your client no? How about your co-workers? Or your boss?In a good rela...Two tales of customer experience
Donovan’sOn New Year’s Eve, my wife and I went to Donovan’s in Phoenix. One of two locations, this restaurant experience was nothing short of spectacular. Starting with the dress code and complimentary valet service, we were in awe of the luxurious style. We were welcomed, seated, and i...Starting Your Own Business Part II: 12 Solutions
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about 12 Problems with starting your own business. It was an overwhelmingly negative article. Hopefully I can bring some balance to this blog with this follow-up.Read Starting Your Own Business Part I: 12 Problems1. You don’t have enough startup capital. Yes, start...Clicks, Leads, Conversions
This is one link to bookmark. A great little utility from Conversation Marketing:What is a click worth? will help you quickly (and roughly) answer the question of Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising.One company I worked with was paying $12/click. On the face, it was worth it because their average cus...Fantastic holidays gift idea
Forget Christmas cards and throwaway gifts. This company’s got a great way of getting clients’ attention – by doing something good.Found via (Seth Godin’s site, originally posted at http://youngisaac.typepad.com/artie/2006/12/the_check_is_in.html : Once again, our holiday ...Don't Make These Business Mistakes!
Why do some businesses succeed and others fail? There are hundreds of books on this topic. Every business school can offer tomes of knowledge to answer this question. So why am I weighing in? Because in the last few weeks, I’ve observed a bunch of local businesses making these very mistakes...The Individual Brand
“A brand is nothing but the promise of an experience.â€Robert Jones, Wolff-OlinsWe accept that companies have a brand. We study it. We consciously work on ways to improve it. We hire expensive consultants to develop it.What is lost on many people is how they, as individuals, also have a brand....On "Fast, Good, Cheap"
I’ve said it to clients. I’ve repeated it in internal meetings. It was the signature text for my account on several community sites. I might as well get a bumper sticker. It’s that important.Fast, Good, Cheap: Pick any two.If you’re the customer, you want all three. You de...Starting Your Own Business Part I: 12 Problems
This will be a two-part article on starting your own business. Part one will be reasons excuses not to start your own business right now. In part two, I’ll address these with solutions. Read part 2 > Before I go on, I’ll offer a disclaimer: I’ve been running my own business f...Acting on First Impressions
Broken Windows Theory and Your Web SiteThis article has been around for a couple of years, but it was new to me. I’m a fan of Malcolm Gladwell’s books, so I’m kinda surprised that this didn’t occur to me when I read them. I notice this effect and completely agree.Link: htt...Are You Thankful?
For small businesses, Thanksgiving comes at a great time. It’s a reminder that you should be thankful. To fuel those relationships that have kept you in business. This is the right time to start sending out holiday cards or gifts to your customers. To finalize your holiday promotions.Don..."Walk-ins" for your website
Getting traffic can be hard to do, but we know that traffic isn’t the goal. The real goal is your business objective. We measure this in conversions—visitors that become customers or perform a desired action. Often, this means making a purchase or filling out a form. Sometimes it’s as simple as c...Why You Didn’t Get My Business
Mary Schmidt has a great post (the first of three) on why she picks one vendor over another. This should be a reminder to all of us with customers. The customer is why you’re still in business. When we bid on projects, I often wonder why we won or lost the contract. Sometimes I ask—es...Business By the Numbers
How much do you know about your business? Do you have numbers to back your beliefs up? How many proposals have you submitted in the last year? How many were accepted? What was the average dollar value of your projects? How long does your average project take? Using this info… How many pro...8 Stupid Tech Startup Ideas
A stupid frat-boy business idea is an idea that sounds attractive on the surface, but ignores the graveyard of failures before it.Ramit Sethi, I Will Teach You to be RichThis article was inspired by one of my favorite blogs, I Will Teach You to be Rich. The first article I ever saw there was call...Losing your temper: How to Keep Your Cool
I noticed that one of my recent posts, 12 Tips for Staying Productive and Avoiding Burnout has attracted some searchers coming in looking for advice on keeping your temper. To be honest, I have a short temper. However, I’ve found that I have a large capacity for managing my temper. Pause...The Dreaded Launch: What to Do When Clients Get Cold Feet
The project is 99% done. The design is approved. The IA is approved. The site is built and content is in the pages. You’ve tested everything. It’s ready to launch. But you don’t. The client won’t approve it.
The client has cold feet.
12 Tips for Staying Productive and Avoiding Burnout
“…the best time to attend to burnout is before it happens.”Peter Hawkins and Robin Shohet
Burnout…you’ve been holding B too long and now Excitebike is forcing you to pull over to cool down. You’re shut off. You lose the race. It’s the dangerous realm where you’re overextended and everything in your life starts to suffer.