flowers diversified

6 Reasons Not To Diversify

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Diversification is a sound financial planning strategy, but does it work for company building? How does Vitamix get away with charging $700 for a blender when reputable companies like Cuisinart and Breville make blenders for less than half…
choose your battles

10 Things That Make Your Business More Valuable Than That of Your Industry Peers

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The value of your company is partly determined by your industry. For example, cloud-based software companies are generally worth a lot more than printing companies these days. However, when we analyze businesses in the same industry, we…
woman wondering

8 Ways to Know if You Have a Job or Own a Business

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The ultimate test of your business can be found in a simple question: would someone want to buy your company? Whether you want to sell next year or a decade from now, you must be building an asset someone would buy – otherwise, you have…
smart woman

Thinking Vs. Doing: The Owner’s Dilemma

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There’s a steady breeze from the northwest, which cools the warm Caribbean afternoon. Framed between a palm tree and the turquoise water, you notice a man reading. He appears to be working, which seems strange given his appearance: shaggy…
January

Will your business be more valuable this time next year?

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For many, January is a time of rebirth and resolutions. It’s a month to reflect on last year’s achievements and to set goals for the year ahead. Some people will set personal goals like losing weight or quitting a nasty habit, and most…
middle of the road

The Curator: How to Thrive as a Middleman (or woman)

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Being a middleman (or woman) has become risky business.  When was the last time you used a travel agent? Agencies have largely become irrelevant given the rise of online travel booking companies. How about a record/CD store? iTunes…
Passion Led us Here

The C-word and 7 Others Your Business Should Avoid

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The majority of businesses in America today started out as service companies. If you want to own a web design firm, you don’t need a lot of money, just a technical knack. Enterprising professionals who know how to get the media’s attention…
Warning sign

Prevention is Better Than Cure

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To grow a valuable business – one you can sell – you need to set up your company so that it is no longer reliant on you. This can be easier said than done, especially when, like a PR consultant or plumber, what you are selling is your…