Helping Shops Succeed
A frequent discussion I have with my consulting clients is that they spend an inordinate amount of time solving seemingly minor problems in their shop. You know the drill, there’s a problem on press…they come to you. An order didn’t ship right…they come to you. A client’s invoice is messed up…they come to you. Which…
Read more Shop Owners – Train Your Staff So That They Are Decision Makers
Often when people start out on a new task, they just lower their head, grit their teeth, and drive into it. Outcome? Who cares…we just want to finish! Of course, the inherent problem with that is the fact that you may wind up with results that aren’t quite effective as they should be. That can…
A lot of companies focus tremendous effort in finding and developing new customers. You may use a lot of tools, advertising and various schemes to bring them into the fold, and start nurturing a relationship. However, is that same energy and critical thinking being spend on your existing customers? When someone does business with you…
There’s one thing for certain in life or business, and that’s there are only so many hours in a day. Many forces work against us constantly, tugging at our shirt sleeves for attention and time. I’m often asked how I manage to get so much accomplished in one day. It’s simple really; use the motto…
Quite often a lot of companies get into trouble by saying “Yes” to situations that they really should avoid. It is harder to say “No”, as we’re wired to please, to accept a challenge, to “Get ‘Er Done”. However, if you stop and think about the situation before you react, you might save yourself a…
Your company’s biggest variable for success is your people. Everything your company is known for is a direct result of their motivation, engagement, training, effort, and skill. Chances are you have a good group that already works for you, but there are probably occasions, or maybe even some people in general, that simply don’t measure…
Read more How to Improve the Biggest Variable in Your Company: People
One thing is clear in running a t-shirt shop is that there will always be a problem handed to you. Sometimes these challenges are something that you create. Sometimes these challenges are something that’s handed to you by a customer, stinky and steaming and you cringe just thinking about how you are going to pull…
Last week I attended a wonderful event here in Milwaukee that the WMEP (http://www.wmep.org/) produced called “Manufacturing Matters”. This event was loaded with networking opportunities, information sharing, classes on different subjects, and some really inspiring stories. The governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, helped open the conference; and the keynote address was delivered by Dan Ariens…
There is a small sign that used to hang in my dad’s office that reads, “When you are up to your ass in alligators it’s difficult to remember that your initial objective was to drain the swamp”. He passed away a long time ago, and I have that sign now. I have it hanging the…
