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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.
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Tag Archives: trade
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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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
Posted in Entrepreneurship, Management, Thoughts and Opinions
Tagged business ownership, business planning, business strategy, China, economy, employee performance, employees, entrepreneurship, hiring, international relations, leadership, management, marketing, media, news, politics, sales, small business, small business advice, trade
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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.
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Exit Planning in a New Political Environment
What does a new political environment mean for business owners who are planning to transition their businesses? Should you accelerate your plans, or slow them down? As I’ve said many times in this space and elsewhere, the biggest single factor … Continue reading
Posted in Exit Planning, Exit Strategies
Tagged Baby Boomers, banks, Boomer Bust, business, business brokerage, business ownership, business planning, business strategy, economy, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, exit planning, exit strategies, financial, international relations, leadership, management, politics, recession, selling a business, small business, small business advice, trade
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Exit Timing and the Global Economy
How much will your exit timing be affected by the global economy? Most small businesses serve local markets. Their owners, if they have thought about it, plan to sell to a local individual. If the local market is healthy, why … Continue reading
Posted in Exit Planning, Exit Strategies
Tagged Baby Boomers, banks, Boomer Bust, business ownership, business planning, business strategy, China, economy, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, exit planning, exit strategies, financial, leadership, management, politics, selling a business, small business advice, trade
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History Begets Attitudes
History begets attitudes. I’m back from my biannual depressurization trip. This time it was to Central Europe. As always, I assess new and different things through a business owner’s eye. We visited five countries (Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary), … Continue reading
4 Responses to History Begets Attitudes
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Using the analogy between a handful of European countries and the population of small businesses is a great vehicle for driving home your argument for the importance of history in forming the attitude of a business, John. In so doing, you’ve offered a real thought-provoker to business owners/leaders. You’ve also given them an approach to open a conversation about company history and attitude with their employees. Thank you.
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John:
As usual – the master at work with your observations! Happy you are scheduling some depressurization time! Will use this nugget of wisdom on a client today!
Kelly H. -
Nice article!
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.
John Thanks so much for allowing us to pass this on to my FaceBook Friends.
Great article, John. And agreed!
Thank you for sharing John.