As you zigzag down that mountain toward your goal, you need to realize there are hazards on either side of the ski run.  Ski resorts groom and prepare the areas intended for skiers; however, experienced skiers know that just beyond the groomed runs are trees, rocks, potential... read more...

When I am planning new ideas for my business or for my life I like to use a tool I created called The Decision Matrix.  It helps me decide which ideas or options fit into my value plan.  This decision matrix can be used for any kind of decision you need to make in your... read more...

Zig number 3 requires yet another shift in mindset.  In Zig number 1 you are doing everything, and you are working hard.  In zag number 2, you become the head cheerleader, and you are defining processes.  Zig number 3 requires deliberate planning.  It is very... read more...

 I do have some businesses that do not fit into these last two categories but have been very stable businesses that have scaled well.  My wife and I started purchasing rental properties many years ago.  We bought our first fourplex at a fire sale after the owners went... read more...

I have developed four rules I follow whenever I create a business.  There are times I violate them, but I do so deliberately.  Keep in mind that these are my rules that fit into my skill set and values.  You will need to look at your own situation and determine the... read more...

 One way would be to bring another dentist into his practice so he could take Fridays off to work on creating his new product.  He could then join forces with other local practices to build a channel or infrastructure to test and promote his new product.  When that has... read more...

The third zig is about adding scale to your undertaking. After getting to cash and then adding resources and processes, you need to add scale to get your product or services to the masses. In simple terms, scale is something that can be published or duplicated or sold over and over... read more...

Eating Our Own Cooking In our test business, we hit profitability one month ahead of schedule.  We then documented processes, which helped ensure that when we began hiring people, they would actually know what to do.  Shane, our college student that was so helpful in the... read more...

The Five-minute Whiteboard One of the powerful tools I use in my business is The Five-minute Whiteboard.  This is designed to ensure that everyone on the team knows which of our tasks are the 20 percent that will result in 80 percent of the results.  It works for a team of... read more...

Now that you’ve started bringing in some cash and adding resources, your organization is going to need more structure and discipline.  As you add more flesh to the bones of your infrastructure, you’ll need to work on making consistent progression.  This will... read more...