Business Owner Resources

By Daniel M. Murphy on 9/29/2008

We are in some crazy times.  Many small business owners are feeling out of control, overwhelmed, uneasy, and a bit vulnerable.  While many of them are seeking business coaching to help them navigate through some rough waters, others are unsure of what actions to take, if any.  When so much around us seems to be truly crazy (stock market, economy, credit markets, mortgage industry meltdown, presidential politics, government bailouts, etc.), what is a business owner to do?

I think it's best to elevate above all the gloom and doom talk.  Take a deep breath, keep a long-term perspective, review and update your business plan (or get one!), and try to control what you can and make positive adjustments.  Stop being reactive to the daily news and stock market gyrations ... instead, plan your work and work your plan.  Stop stressing yourself out over things you can not control and focus on those things that you can control.  Also, stop focusing on what you don't want and focus on what you do want.  Finally, stop focusing so much time on the problems and more time on solutions that make sense for your business.

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 9/25/2008

One of the clients of The Growth Coach recently sent me an e-mail to simply thank us for creating and sharing our coaching and accountability process with the small business world.  As a business coaching client, he went on to say that our coaching system over the years helped save his consulting business and personal life.  In so many words, he said the structure, discipline and on-going process we provided through our quarterly strategic-focusing workshops got him "back on track" professionally...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 9/22/2008

As a business coach and owner of a business coaching franchise system, one of the recurring questions I and my certified business coaches are asked by small business owners and professionals throughout North America is, "Can I benefit from business coaching?"  When anyone asks me, my coaches, or even themselves that very question, I know with certainty that they need business coaching.  By asking that question, something in their business or personal life is off track, and that entrepreneur already...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 9/18/2008

The Growth Coach continues to attract thousands of business owners as clients each and every year.  In the last eight months of 2008, in particular, the number of clients served has jumped dramatically over the same period for 2007.  With a softening economy, a negative presidential race, trouble in the capital and housing markets, and a volatile stock market, how could this be?  While The Growth Coach brand and reputation are getting stronger throughout North America, so is the fear of loss in the...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 9/15/2008

Last week, I had the opportunity for the first time in my life to go up in a helicopter. One of my business partners owns his own 4-seat helicopter and was recently certified to fly.  Being the trusting soul that I am, we decided to go flying on a beautiful and sunny day in Cincinnati.  We ended up flying around for an hour (felt like 15 minutes) before we stopped at a small airport and had lunch.  One of the coolest things about a helicopter is that you can pretty much take-off and land anywhere you...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 9/11/2008

Right now there seems to be a lot of negativity in the air.  Whether it is the Presidential race or economic storm clouds on the horizon, you really don't hear many positive things in the news about the economy or the world.  The sky is falling!  Business owners be warned!  Don't let too much "stinkin thinkin" enter your business world, personal life, or head.  As a business owner, two of your greatest assets that must be guarded at all costs are your confidence and effective mindset.  Even if things...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 9/8/2008

As a business owner, what do you stink at doing?  That's right, let's get a bit negative and real honest to make some progress in your focus, effectiveness and results.  What role or tasks do you truly stink at?  What are the things you don't do well?  That you dislike doing?  What activities drain your energy?  What tasks do you routinely tackle at your company that go against your natural talents and abilities?  Make a quick list of what you stink at.  Got it?

If you are like most of our...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 9/4/2008

I recently re-read a book written by Alan Deutschman called, Change or Die.  My business coach in Plano, Texas, Mike Mirau, suggested this to our entire business coaching franchise system a year ago.  This book details how it can be difficult to change how you think, feel, and act without the right keys to change.  As the book reveals, facts, fear and force are never adequate tools to get people to change for the better, including yourself.  The book addresses fascinating case studies about "successful...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 9/1/2008

Through the years, as a business coach, I have talked about and written about several enemies which diminish the effectiveness, satisfaction, and results of most business owners: busyness; denial; distractions; complexity; an owner's limiting beliefs; a lack of clarity; lack of plans or not regularly updating plans to make critical adjustments; lack of on-going accountability; and maybe the worse one of all, an unwillingness of an owner to invest in themselves to elevate their knowledge, mindsets,...

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