Stop Getting Stuck
Stop Getting Stuck How to Keep Your Business Moving Forward This morning, while reading The Art of War, I came across this passage: “Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.” It made me think about how often this happens in small businesses. As owners, […]
Plan Like a Pro: Lessons in Strategy and Leadership for Small Businesses
Plan Like a Pro Strategy and Leadership for Small Business: Lessons from The Art of War This morning, as I was reading The Art of War, I came across this passage: “Li Ching of the Tang proposed ten plans to be used against Hsiao Hsieh, and the entire responsibility of commanding the armies was entrusted […]
When the Unexpected Happens: How to Handle Big Challenges in Your Small Business
When the Unexpected Happens Lessons from The Art of War I’ve been rereading The Art of War by Sun Tzu this year, and this morning, this passage jumped out at me: “When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.” At first, I thought, “That’s a great metaphor for a surprise attack.” […]
Extraordinary Speed: The Power of Moving Fast
Extraordinary Speed Lessons from The Art of War This morning, I was reading The Art of War, and one quote stood out: “What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed; one cannot afford to neglect opportunity.” It’s a simple idea, but it has profound implications for small business. Acting quickly and decisively […]
Win Big by Starting Small
Win Big by Starting Small Lessons from The Art of War When Big Bets Go Wrong Years ago, when I was running a home health agency, I made what I thought was a game-changing decision. I invested more than $250,000 in a Honeywell® telehealth solution. I was convinced it would revolutionize patient care and drive […]
Competing Strategically as a Small Business: Where They Are Strong, Avoid Them
Competing Strategically as a Small Business Where They Are Strong, Avoid Them: Lessons from The Art of War Competing Strategically to Maximize Your Strengths Imagine you’re the proud owner of a small-town bakery, the kind with twinkling string lights, freshly baked cinnamon rolls wafting through the air, and your holiday sugar cookies in the shape […]
Building Trust and Loyalty: Moral Influence for Small Business Owners
Building Trust and Loyalty: Moral Influence for Small Business Owners Leadership in small business goes far beyond strategy and execution—it’s about trust, loyalty, and the personal connections you create with your team and customers. Have you ever struggled to get your team fully on board with a new project (or an old one, for that […]
5 Leadership Skills for Small Business Owners
5 Leadership Skills for Small Business Owners (Lessons from The Art of War) Leadership in small business is deeply personal. It’s about more than setting goals or managing projects—it’s about the trust, loyalty, and respect you build with your team and customers. Unlike in a large corporation, your leadership is visible every day, and your […]
Read This: Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible
Are you a solopreneur or small business owner searching for that elusive ingredient that will make your ideas resonate and your business thrive? Find Your Red Thread by Tamsen Webster is a transformative book that unveils the secret to turning your big ideas into irresistible propositions. Whether you’re struggling to stand out in a crowded […]
Read This: Book Yourself Solid
What book have I given away/recommended more than any other book? I’m not 100% sure, but Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port has to be in the running. BYS is a systematic and practical guide designed to help small business owners develop and implement robust marketing and sales strategies to grow their businesses. Here’s what […]
Read This: The Mom Test: How to Talk to Customers & Learn If Your Business Is a Good Idea When Everyone Is Lying to You
As a growth strategist, I’ve seen many enthusiastic new business owners and founders fall into a common trap: they’re so captivated by their business idea that they overlook the crucial step of validating it with real-world feedback. This is where Rob Fitzpatrick’s The Mom Test comes in as a game-changer. While Steve Blank’s The Four […]
Read This: Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything
If you’re obsessed with productivity (and I’m going to assume you are), and you’re struggling to improve your habits (again, I’m assuming you are), then you should read this book. For the record, I’ve read almost all of the popular habits books over the past 15 years or so (did I mention I’m obsessed?). And […]
