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As a business owner, you know what it’s like to lie awake at 2 a.m. Maybe it has happened when you are excited and full of new ideas for your business. More often, it’s because you are worried about issues you will face the next day. Sometimes, it’s because you just woke up with the solution to a problem. I’ve experienced all those emotions about my businesses over the years. Awake at 2 o’clock? is where I share them with you, and hopefully help with answers that will let you sleep.
John F. Dini, CExP, CEPA
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Small business owners are the Hunters of the 21st century. We are 3% of the US population, and yet we create over half of all American jobs. As Hunters, we may not be inclined to manage by the numbers or stick to systems. Are you a Hunter or a Farmer?
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How prepared are you to exit your company?
The Assessment breaks down the four major categories of exit readiness; Finance, Planning, Operations and Revenue/Profit.
Tag Archives: politics
Supply Chains and Labor Shortages
Supply chains and labor shortages are the chief topics among the 40 or so business owners I currently work with. Their anecdotes are widespread and widely varied. I wanted to know why, so I did some research on behalf of … Continue reading
2 Responses to Supply Chains and Labor Shortages
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COVID Fatigue Unites Business Owners
Dealing with COVID fatigue unites business owners. If that sounds strange to you, let me make my case. I’m not doing this to whine, but I want business owners who don’t have an existing support structure to know that they … Continue reading
3 Responses to COVID Fatigue Unites Business Owners
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Thank you, John, for writing this. The chronic impact of COVID-19 seems to get heavier as time goes on. Being part of TAB where I can share thoughts/feelings about difficulties has been so helpful during this time. Successful business owners have perseverance, but these times sure have been challenging. Your statement about the serial issues/problems is spot on. We fix one issue only to have several more lined up to deal with. The issues brought about by COVID-19 are on top of our usual issues so take even more time/energy/money… I hope you are well. Thank you again for your article.
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John,
In a few short paragraphs you have succinctly stated what so many feel, but are at a loss to define or adequately express. I have copied and shared your thoughtful article with a couple of my Business Coaching Clients that are doing “well” during COVID and yet feel strangely guilty in doing so. They know much of their “New Normal” success is COVID generated, and is temporary in nature, but are thankful, and a little guilty, that it comes from the misfortune of others.
Lemonade from lemons with a COVID twist?
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Morlocks and Eloi and the Virus
As I interact via Zoom and telephone with clients, family and friends, I keep thinking of H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine. As a life-long science fiction fan, I see our surreal living situations born of the world-wide coronavirus epidemic as … Continue reading
4 Responses to Morlocks and Eloi and the Virus
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I love reading these Awake at 2am in the morning articles. Take care John, stay safe and looking forward to getting that lunch and beer together.
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John Thanks so much for allowing us to pass this on to my FaceBook Friends.
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Great article, John. And agreed!
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Thank you for sharing John.
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2 Responses to Why GenXers Won’t Buy Your Business
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John, the video is a compelling review of the events that have created our exit dilemma. I would add the impact that automation will have on our consumer driven economy, when workers are displaced and the population can no longer buy what the robots build. A more immediate challenge is that companies like Amazon and Uber have used high risk investment dollars to provide superior service at lower cost without a current imperative to make a profit. The end result will be those companies becoming monopolies, eliminating SMBs. Millenials can see the writing on this wall.
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Business isn’t Zero Sum
In any negotiation, you can assume a win-win solution or a zero sum outcome. “Win-win” is defined as when both parties come out ahead or achieve what they seek. “Zero sum” is when the premise behind negotiation is that whatever one … Continue reading
One Response to Business isn’t Zero Sum
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Very good points. Unfortunately we have become very short term and self centered thinkers. Those with the greatest economic or political power will do what is necessary to gain and retain their control. This creates sub-optimal binary states that we fluctuate between rather than making long term gains for all.
There are other factors in the labor issue: including people rethinking their life choices. But you are right “the government paying….” is not the answer to the question why can’t we find workers.
I know about supply chain disruptions. Ordered two garage doors in April for a barndominium that I was building in Washington State this year and they arrived in October. Crazy.
Of course I kept myself from being bored with other activities like backpacking, fishing, hunting 4-wheeling and gold dredging… the waiting was tough but I survived.