Common Sense Business Solutions
Let the fat boy lead
All businesses have a flow of product or documents. All businesses also have a “pinch point” or bottleneck that slows the overall results. In 1997,...
The ball and chain
I have been pleasantly surprised of late to speak with business owners who understand the impact of fixed versus variable costs. A fixed cost is one that must...
Your business is not a bank
Your plumbing business is not a bank. But when you are giving terms to customers that exceed what you get from your suppliers, you become one. And every time...
Busy but not winning
I have several clients and a number of friends and colleagues who equate busy time with productivity. But, being “busy” does not always equate to...
Chasing ducks
When businessmen tell me that being low priced is the only way to stay in business, I am skeptical. Price is the simplest way for a consumer to compare and is...
The price of money: Part 2
Click here to read Part 1. Money is not a commodity. By definition, a commodity is a generic product that is bought and sold on price alone. Canadian bills for...
The price of money
Money is not a commodity. By definition, a commodity is a generic product that is bought and sold on price alone. Money, Canadian bills for example, look the...
Yard sale pricing
I have deliberately abridged this household tips article to illustrate pricing strategies. "Tips For Pricing Yard Sale Items” was written by Lynnette...
Squaring the circle
I have been reading about market segmentation and choice. Howard Moskowitz’s research into tomato sauce as retold by Malcom Gladwell on the TED talks...
Calling on your help!
Has the internet flattened prices as predicted? Has the internet created opportunities for your business to find higher priced markets further afield? Is...
How to price: Step Five
In 2008 Self Counsel Press published my book - Pricing Strategies for Small Business. The purpose of the book was to make available to the owners of small...
How to price: Step Four
In 2008 Self Counsel Press published my book - Pricing Strategies for Small Business. The purpose of the book was to make available to the owners of small...
How to price: Step Three
In 2008 Self Counsel Press published my book - Pricing Strategies for Small Business. The purpose of the book was to make available to the owners of small...
How to price: Step Two
In 2008 Self Counsel Press published my book - Pricing Strategies for Small Business. The purpose of the book was to make available to the owners of small...
How to price: workbook approach
In 2008 Self Counsel Press published my book - Pricing Strategies for Small Business. The book is now available in Europe, India, Russia and the United States....
One of the giants
The vast majority of what I have written on pricing and pricing strategy is drawn from my business owner and consulting experience. But when I wrote my book...
How small business handles money
Canada's SMEs prefer to manage their finances in-house, according to our survey of 727 companies Canadian business owners have a do-it-yourself approach to...
Reflecting on the end of the year
The importance of the end of the year and the Christmas holidays is profound. It is a time to reconnect with family and traditions that have made us who we are....
Is your marketing working?
If you're not getting results after four months, it's time to ask some serious questions—including whether the problem falls with you. Because...
What I learned in China: Part 2
As per my previous article on my visit to China, we have much to learn about and from their people. It is potentially the largest market on earth with 1.3...