Operations

What is a BHAG?

Posted January 11, 2012 - 8:45am by Jim Worrell

What is a BHAG?For most of us the holidays are over, the New Year has begun, and we all are full of renewed energy and ideas on how to grow our business this year.

One of my tasks over the quiet week between Christmas and New Years Day was cleaning up my office...getting rid of the piles of magazines, old files, etc.  I tend to be a "pile-maker", with most of my piles containing out-dated stuff that is no longer relevant or important.  Into the trash can it went.

But I came across one important document in one of those piles.  My 2011 Goal Sheet.

I had to sit down and review it...all 4 pages full of good intentions and great ideas.  Some of them were accomplished.  Many were not.  I had to ask myself what I did wrong and how I can improve on my performance this year.

Hit By a Bus

Posted May 5, 2011 - 8:37am by David Worrell

AmeriStart - Business Paperwork

It doesn't make for pleasant conversation, but it happens every day...
Business owners die.

And even as they pass on to the great balance sheet in the sky, their worldly business goes on... for better or worse.

I call this the "hit by a bus" problem, and it's something we will all face:  

What will happen to your company if you get hit by a bus?

10 Winning Tips from Forbes Magazine

Posted March 30, 2011 - 8:37am by Jim Worrell

I read a great article in Forbes Magazine, and would like to share the ideas with you.  It speaks to many of the issues I discuss on a regular basis.  These principles apply to doing business in any market, not just America.
 
So, here are 10 tips that winning companies are focused on as they emerge
from the recession:
 

Please don't call America: We're sleeping

Posted March 22, 2011 - 8:56am by David Worrell

What a great picture!   Harvard Business Review took a good look at international time zones recently.  They created a great graphical representation of the work day.  And what it shows may surprise you.

In short, the graphic shows why America is a Time Island.  Our work day in the USA overlaps almost none of the rest of the global business world.

What's it mean?  Two things:

Selling to a Moving Target

Posted September 21, 2010 - 4:33pm by David Worrell

Business to Business SalesIt's tough to sell anything if you don't know the name of the buyer.  That's been the problem with Business to Business sales... "prospect databases" are hard to find and are rarely accurate.  People move around and change jobs so rapidly that yesterday's prospects are today's wrong numbers.

The Speed of Business in America

Posted May 18, 2010 - 8:24am by David Worrell

America is the land of fast food, fast cars, and fast business.  The title of a popular movie a few years ago was "The Quick and the Dead"...  That about sums up the business culture here -- In America your business can be quick or you can be dead.

  • YouTube is fast -- in just 5 years they've grown to serve 2 Billion customers a day.
  • Apple is fast -- just 4 weeks after launching the iPad, the company announced the second generation

This is not just a cultural phenomenon, it is an established economic reality.  The market is changing faster than ever and opportunities do not last long.  How does this translate into your business?  Good question.  Here's 5 ways to speed up your business and satisfy your American customers....

The TRUE Cost of Employees in America

Posted March 29, 2010 - 10:35am by David Worrell

Hire with care... it costs more than you might think! 

American Employees cost more than you might thinkHiring employees in America may be the best way to growing your business here.  But it may also be the most expensive.

Before you hire, be aware that the cash compensation (wages, salary, bonus, commissions) is only one part of the true, total cost of having an employee in the USA. 

Top 10 Mistakes Made When Entering the USA

Posted December 22, 2009 - 10:03am by Todd Tambling

These are the top 10 mistakes international companies make when they come to the USA market.

Mistake 1. There is no strategy or plan in place.

If you think:

  • “North America is a huge market it will be easy to make money in North Amer”
  • “Every one is just waiting for my call”

The reality is:

  • The market is too big and too fragmented
  • It is the most competitive market in the world
  • The competition is not only Americans, but also all other international companies who are in the market

Now, ask yourself these questions:

The REAL Cost of a USA Office

Posted December 17, 2009 - 10:10am by David Worrell

Business CostAre you planning to open an office in the USA in the new year?  If so, you may be in for a shock at the rising cost of opening and maintaining an office here.

True, the recession has made office space less expensive: Some foreign companies I know are anxious to buy an office here while prices are low.

And yes, high unemployment has made hiring a little easier and cheaper. But these short term savings mask some of the medium term costs for foreign companies who are contemplating market entry to the USA.  Consider these 3 facts:

Case Studies: 3 ways to enter the USA market

Posted November 24, 2009 - 5:09pm by David Worrell

Recently I met with 3 different manufacturers of solar panels.  All are from Spain, and all want to enter the USA market.  Their approaches are very different, and I think that their results will also be very different.  One will undoubtedly find success.  One will undoubtedly fail.  And one will probably limp along until they get either lucky or tired.  When you think of doing business in America, which approach will you use?

Approach #1: Certain Failure.

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