Staying bootstrapped

Startups often fail when their idea doesn’t get market traction. But the main reason good ideas don’t make it is lack of cash. How cheaply can you get your startup off the ground?

Why you need to collaborate

There are many reasons why teams should collaborate. You get more diverse input, you generate more innovative ideas and productivity is usually higher. But it’s not just good for teams. It’s also good for you.

The simplest way to increase the value of your business

It’s easy to overlook basic cash flow management. Yet simple processes that help you improve your cash position have a disproportionate impact on the value of your business. Every dollar you save is worth more than a dollar.

Boost your productivity

Ever get that feeling you can’t do it all? You’re right. You can’t. What can you do to make your to do list more ‘doable’?

The risk of avoiding risk

Total avoidance of risk can lead to total business stagnation. Firms that stay at the leading edge make a conscious decision to maintain a sensible level of risk.

Management Confidence: The 6/24 Factor

Ever felt short of management confidence? You are in the job because you are good at some thing. What are they?

Want a more collaborative enterprise?

It’s hard to shift from ‘command and control’. To get people working together, start by delegating tasks to two people rather than one, and preferably different ones too.

Struggling with tough times? Try leadership

UPDATE March 2020: I wrote this a decade ago in the midst of recession. Covid 19 may well take us into another downturn but the role of the leader hasn't changed.

Leadership is crucial in critical situations. It doesn’t mean you should charge head on into troubled waters. Real leaders don’t shy away from the situation. But they assess it rationally, clarify it for their team and get everyone working on the best possible solution. It may not work, but it will give you the best chance of survival.

Simply connecting

We know that feedback loops can generate a lot of momentum, both good and bad. The good ones for your business are often just simple adjustments to the way you already do things.

How financially literate are you?

Big financial words often describe business concepts you already intuitively apply. You can become more literate by applying some simple arithmetic to your thinking.