I got reminded of this simple idea or concept by one of the Internet marketing guru’s who shared some of his valuable knowledge regarding how to create your future. And, one of the key components in his discussions was the importance of making the numbers talk to you – in advance.
What a simple concept. As I reflected upon the importance of knowing your numbers, I recalled how I had used this simple technique when I moved to Memphis and opened my business without knowing any business leaders in town. Wow, this would be very scary today given the amount of security and technology used today.
However, the numbers were my main guide during the start up years. Knowing your numbers relative to all the critical processes was required for success. Continue reading ‘When Budgeting or Planning the Future – Check the Numbers’ »
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on January 25, 2012 at 12:57 am under Financial Management.
Tags: author Voss W Graham, cash flow, checking and using numbers for success, higher growth rates, profitable growth and results
Comment on this post.
This question seems to be a mystery for most executives and small business owners. Yet, it should be at the fore front of all the employees on your staff – especially the sales team for a B2B Sales Team.
Why is this wisdom lacking main stream knowledge and understanding with everyone in your company?
Well, there are a four obvious reasons…
- Not everyone is a financial major from college
- Not everyone understands the accounting process
- Not everyone knows how a profit is created
- Not everyone has any idea of how much cash flow is vital to the success of the company
Well, what can be done to improve this important piece of knowledge? Continue reading ‘Does Everyone Know How Your Company Makes Money?’ »
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on January 24, 2012 at 12:01 am under Financial Management.
Tags: business simulations, cash flow decisions, how companies make money, how to learn about cash flow, learning financial management, profitable thinking
Comment on this post.
Greetings from your friends here at InnerActive Consulting Group Inc.
We want to wish you the very best in 2012.
Take care and have a safe holiday celebration to start the new year.
Keeping checking in with us here at Insights where will be sharing more insights into all things Business.
We already have provided you over 635 articles to assist you in your personal and professional development.
Check out the Categories or Topics covered… Continue reading ‘Wishing You a Happy and Properous New Year in 2012’ »
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on January 1, 2012 at 12:03 am under Philosophy Statements.
Tags: Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, Happy New Year 2012, InnerActive Consulting Group Inc
Comment on this post.
Yes, I know this title is an “in your face” title, yet, it seems to be true more often than I care to see. The primary focus of this statement is geared to how they are interacting with their customers ( actually a lack of interaction is more accurate.)
To show what I mean here are two examples using well known companies. One is a retail service provider and the other is a technology company.
First, the retail service company is Comcast. This is a company that spends millions of dollars to attach new customers into their world, yet, seems to be the cheapest company in the world relative to after the sell – customer service or support. Continue reading ‘Why Are Smart Companies Getting Stupid?’ »
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on December 12, 2011 at 7:26 am under Customer Service.
Tags: bad examples of customer service, customer contact, customer interactions, customer oriented, Customer Service
Comment on this post.
Today I want to discuss an issue found in organizations using assessments – actually using assessments is a good thing. The fact is – most are doing some things wrong while only a few are getting it right.
The issue comes from using only One Assessment and believing it is an end all tool. Unfortunately, in most cases the users are creating more problems for themselves – unless the assessment being used is correctly used. An example of one assessment, which has multiple uses, yet, is not the end game solution for everything is the DISC assessment tool.
The DISC tool is a great report for understanding “How” a person delivers results using their behavioral style. It uncovers observable behavioral traits that are actually hard-wired in a person’s mind. Behavioral style is the primary method for communication and creates the most conflict issues.
Other assessment tools are available that uncover additional areas related to an individual’s ability to perform at higher levels. Continue reading ‘Are You Using Multi-faceted Assessments?’ »
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on November 29, 2011 at 12:55 pm under Using Assessments.
Tags: assessments, Behavioral Styles, Hiring Process, identifying natural strengths and weaknesses, using assessment, using assessments correctly, Voss W Graham author
Comment on this post.
Today we are celebrating Thanksgiving Day here in the USA.
While to most people it is a day of family get together and stuffing ourselves with a turkey and dressing and all the other delights, it should be more.
The more is the fact we all need to set and reflect upon the past and the present. To be thankful for what we have and especially any special relationships you have made during the years. For me this is easy as I think about my family especially my wife and my two wonderful kids, er, young adults – well to me they are still my kids!
And, I for one want to give thanks to all our customers and friends we have had the honor and privilege of working with over the past three decades. Thank you so much for the opportunities to learn and to teach others how to move to their next level of success.
So, on this day of thanks – THANK YOU and may you have a Great Day.
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on November 24, 2011 at 1:11 am under Life and Work Balance.
Tags: Happy Thsnksgiving, Thank You
Comment on this post.
The news services are all on fire talking about the Joe Paterno firing at Penn State. So what is going on?
I was raised on the basic assumption of you are innocent until proven guilty. Yet, today it appears you are guilty – by association – without any trial or final judgement. And, taking it even further, it appears that the press and social media are the judge and jury.
Is this fair? Personally I don’t believe it is fair in any shape, form or substance. Others values are being thrown on to a public mess just like gasoline on a fire.
The damage to an individual’s entire career is now done. Was it done to save face? Was it done just to assign blame? Was it done to cover up other’s actions or inactions? At this point in time, we will may never know.
So why am I writing about this topic in a business article? Continue reading ‘Ethics Revival or Guilt by Association – the Joe Paterno Case’ »
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on November 10, 2011 at 12:19 am under Ethics.
Tags: guilt by association, image managment, Joe Paterno, negative news, reputation management, social media opinion
1 Comment.
I know this is an off beat title for a business service, yet, to me it hits the right nerve for getting people to think about the hiring process.
Dating services are unique and a little mysterious for anyone who has not used one (like me). The principles they use is to MATCH people to improve the probabilities of a long term relationship. Actually, that sounds like a very good purpose when you look around at all the unhappy relationships and bad marriages.
In the world of business, the dating game is expanded to both finding excellent talent for your organization and finding prospects and customers who match your ideal customer profile for excellent business relationships.
Today, I want to focus upon the Job Matching function for hiring and selection of superior talent. Continue reading ‘Job Matching is NOT a Dating Service – Maybe it Should Be’ »
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on October 31, 2011 at 4:14 pm under Hiring, Selection and Retention.
Tags: Hiring Process, hiring talent, Job Matching, job success practices, list of bad hring habits, Voss W Graham
Comment on this post.
Continuing our theme from yesterday, let’s look at a number of questions to use with yourself and the key stakeholders who will be responsible for executing your vision.
Your vision will need to have buy-in and engagement of others to it to become a reality. Therefore, it will be important to get the stakeholders involved early in the process to improve the probability of successful execution.
Here are Twelve Questions for Engaging Your Key Stakeholders… Continue reading ‘Questions for Expanding the Execution of Your Vision’ »
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on September 1, 2011 at 2:14 am under Strategy.
Tags: 12 questions for executing a new vision, engaging stakeholders, game changing events, new business vision, new strategy, Voss W Graham
Comment on this post.
Just reflecting on what has been happening to our businesses over the past three years. Seems our world has turned either upside down or is significantly tilted to one side. Therefore, I would say it is time to review what we see as our future.
With all the changes, there are probably “new” norms as to how the world is operating today. So, again, more thought and reflection is required before making any definitive moves or decisions.
So what do you need to do first? You must ask some serious questions and using an open mind with out any limitations – answer the questions honestly and straight forwardly. In fact, I would say think about getting a group of key stakeholders together and have this question and answer session facilitated for total engagement of everyone involved. Continue reading ‘Questions to Ask When Creating Your Future Vision’ »
Share, Email, Print or Bookmark this
Posted by Voss Graham on August 31, 2011 at 1:56 am under Strategy.
Tags: engage creativity for a future vision, engaged stakeholders, having a company vision, questions for thought, Voss W Graham
Comment on this post.
![[Ask]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/ask.png)
![[BlogBookmark]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/blogbookmark.png)
![[Bloglines]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/bloglines.png)
![[del.icio.us]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Faves]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/faves.png)
![[Google]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[LinkedIn]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/linkedin.png)
![[Newsvine]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/newsvine.png)
![[Reddit]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/reddit.png)
![[Squidoo]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/squidoo.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Technorati]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Twitter]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](http://insights.inneractiveconsulting.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
