Business Owner Resources

By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/29/2008

As a business owner, do you get easily distracted?  Like a little kid in center field mesmerized by a butterfly?  Or a kid hearing the seductive music of an approaching ice cream truck?  If so, you are not alone.  Most entrepreneurs have an attraction to distractions. 

What are the flavors of your favorite distractions?  The buzzing of a Blackberry?  The ring of a cell phone?  The ding of a new email?  Employees knocking on your office door with "got-a-minute" interruptions?  Surfing the internet? ...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/26/2008

As business owners, we should periodically slow down, catch our breath, and reflect on our many blessings.  We should try and practice the "attitude of gratitude" throughout the year and especially on worthy occasions.  Today is one of those days.

On this Memorial Day 2008, it is very fitting that we should take the time to remember, thank and honor all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, us and our families. It is proper to pay tribute to those who bravely served...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/22/2008

Business ownership done right should be about freedom, fun and significant money.  Business ownership done wrong is about imprisonment, frustration and very little wealth.  Most of us, including myself, were not properly taught how to structure, develop and run a business.  Early on, we made big mistakes, paid heavy prices, and made costly sacrifices.  Some of us stumbled onto a path of greater success, balance and fulfillment through trial and error.  Some of us got early wake-up calls or warning...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/19/2008

Unlike business consulting, business coaching empowers the client to solve their own problems and seize upon their unique opportunities.  Business coaching is about asking the right questions, not forcing canned answers.  In fact, business coaching is not about telling the client what to do or even how to do it.  As the owner, YOU are the expert in your business, your vision, and the threating issues and profitable opportunities facing you -- nobody else is or can be. 

Business coaching involves...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/15/2008

The Growth Coach just celebrated our 5th year of franchising.  While our proven and powerful coaching process has been helping business owners for over 16 years, it was through the franchise model that we gained the leverage to be in over 150 markets throughout North America and now affordable and accessible to all owners.  We have an army of passionate and committed coaches armed with a guaranteed coaching process ready to help you and your business. 

Our Strategic Mindset Coaching & Accountability...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/12/2008

Odds are that you have a toxic and unhealthy relationship with your business -- a real love-hate relationship. If so, my professional coaching advice is to consider a divorce from your business or at the very least, ask for a separation. 

As a business coach for over 16 years, this is just a little of my tough-love advice. I want you, and all entrepreneurs for that matter, to put some emotional, physical, mental and spiritual distance between you and your business. Why? It’s healthier for you, your employees, customers and the business. 

...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/8/2008

My son has two gecko lizards.  They eat crickets voraciously.  Interestingly, for the lizards to grow, they need to shed their old skin.  Unless they get rid of the old, they don't have sufficient room to grow.  That got me thinking. 

As business owners, shouldn't we go through a periodic shedding and rebirth process?  Shouldn't we unload some of the old ways of thinking and behaving and adopt some new?  Shouldn't we take a regular assessment of what is and what is NOT working in our businesses...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/5/2008

Why do we business owners torture ourselves?  Because we often measure our results against perfection.  With that measuring stick, there can be nothing but disappointment.  Are we crazy?

Here's a perfect analogy.  Matthew, my 9-year old son, pitched two very good innings of baseball a few weeks ago.  He faced eight batters, struck out 6, walked no one and gave up zero runs.  Our other pitchers performed well and we won the game. I told little Murph after the game how proud I was of him.  His...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 5/1/2008

My kids are growing like weeds, Kelsey at age 13 and Matthew at age 9. They are constantly outgrowing their clothes and shoes.  In fact, my wife took Kelsey gym-shoe shopping the other day. Kelsey liked the $90 shoes, my wife convinced Kelsey to like the $40 shoes or learn to appreciate going bare-foot.

Upon hearing this, it reminded me about the hundreds of business owners I have coached and counseled over the years who outgrew their business visions but never bothered to buy into a bigger...

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By Daniel M. Murphy on 4/28/2008

Not only have I been blessed to coach entrepreneurs to have greater success and balance since 1992, but also to coach my kids' various sports teams the last eight years -- soccer, softball, basketball and baseball.  Currently, I am helping to coach my son Matthew's baseball team.  This is a group of 2nd and 3rd graders, ages 8 and 9.  Thankfully, it is a team of good kids who are very coachable and want to try their best.  

Last year's team at this same level won the City Championship in Greater...

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