Lillian Vernon’s Million-Dollar Mistake
A fantastic failure taught this consummate catalog entrepreneur as much, if not more than, her many successes.
Learning What Your Real Customers Really Want
You’ll be more successful by getting in touch with end users — the people who really use your product.
Know When to Walk Away
Get your biggest profits by ditching your biggest client? It may sound crazy but that’s exactly what Julia Zimmer did.
Join the E-Commerce Revolution — Free
Digital Library > Defining and Serving a Market > Electronic commerce “Join the E-Commerce Revolution — Free” Many small businesses view the Internet as a place to level the playing field against larger competitors. Yet less than 5% of U.S.-based small businesses currently have an e-commerce Web site. If the cost or complexity has stalled your online plans, here’s good…
Is Bigger Better?
Digital Library > Defining and Serving a Market > Business conditions “Is Bigger Better?” In our consumer-driven society, Americans demand more value for their dollars, which puts size in the spotlight. The new mantra seems to be "bigger is better." Consider: Today’s average new home measures 2,225 square feet, up 50% from 1,500 square feet in 1970. We’re driving monster…
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em
Standard Candy’s revenues jump 30% through contract manufacturing.
If It Ain’t Broke …
Digital Library > Defining and serving a market > Differentiating your company “If It Ain’t Broke …” Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, prides herself on being receptive to new ideas, but says "It’s impossible — and undesirable — to accept every overture to change." For example, an outsider suggested it was time to get rid of the…
IEGC releases new study on job creation
Traditionally researchers have looked at either absolute growth or relative growth to evaluate how businesses are expanding. Yet there is a third metric, sustained growth (the number of times a company expands over a period of years) that provides new insights into economic development, says Gary Kunkle, research fellow at the Edward Lowe Foundation’s Institute for Exceptional Growth Companies. Read…
How to Recruit and Hire for Better Results
A well-selected workforce is key to growing your business. You can improve your business by sharpening your recruiting and hiring techniques — where and how to look for qualified people, how to interview and screen candidates, and how to make a job offer
How to Gain a Competitive Edge
Examine your business and its key operations, policies and relationships with customers to determine what you should work on to compete more effectively.