Posts by Early to Rise
Free Sampling – When It Pays, When It Doesn’t
“The truth shall make you free.” – American proverb The Post-it note which today comes in more than 50 colors, shapes, and sizes began as a failed idea at 3M 20 years ago. It is surprising to think of it now, but when the little (at that time) yellow memo slips were introduced…
Read MoreMake That First, Small Incremental Change – Today
“If you build it, he will come.” -W.P. Kinsella, Shoeless Joe Yesterday, I talked about incremental degradation how you can wreck your business by gradually decreasing the quality of what you do (to save money and make more short-term profits). And I speculated that you can improve your business by making small, incremental improvements.…
Read MoreHow To Get More Of Your Ideas Into Action
“I have learned never to ridicule any mans opinion, however strange it may seem.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) Malcolm Gladwell, a clever guy whose essays I often come across in the New Yorker, has just published a book called The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. The book, like…
Read MoreHow Much Should You Pay Yourself?
”Self-Esteem: An erroneous appraisement” – Ambrose Bierce, The Devils Dictionary Recently, Fortune Small Business magazine did a story on executive compensation. It cited the case of two San Diego entrepreneurs who started a high-end home-furnishings business (the Richard Fischer Collection) with the long-term goal of getting wealthy. But getting there has been tricky for them.…
Read MoreHow To Knock Off Your Employer And Have Your Own Business
Todays memo was inspired by a news article about two name-challenged engineers who are, according to Floridas Palm Beach Post, the brains behind (a) Billion Dollar Deal. Fahri Diner and Xiang-Dong Cao were sitting around after work having a few beers (Im making up the details) and complaining about their employer, Siemens Information and Communication…
Read MoreFire Someone Now
“Men weary as much of not doing the things they want to do as of doing the things they do not want to do.” – Eric Hoffer Today you are going to do something unpleasant, but necessary. Studies show that next to being fired, dismissing someone is the most stressful business experience you can have.…
Read MoreHow To Get Rich (Still) On The Internet
“A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry; but money answereth all things.” – Song of Solomon The Internet will surely go down in history as the most oversold economic phenomenon of the 20th century. The high-tech stock market, with its Alice-in-Wonderland valuations, is just the most egregious proof that you really can…
Read MoreHow Much Do You Need To Retire?
“We are all special cases.” – Albert Camus (1913-60), La Chute I had a lunch meeting today in a casual seafood restaurant overlooking the ocean. Caribbean music played quietly in the background. A soft breeze came through the open terrace we were seated on. Somehow, the conversation drifted to retirement. It is amazing how many…
Read MoreHow To Accomplish All Your Most Important Goals
“Down the stairs and up Fifth Avenue. Hippity-hop, Im a Bunny!” – Gloria Steinem, I Was a Playboy Bunny, Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions (1983) Take out a sheet of paper. Title it Lifes Goals (if you have no shame) or Stuff to Do Before I Croak (if you are afraid someone will see it).…
Read MoreThe Most Powerful Way To Grow A Business
“I Want Gravy on My Mashed Potatoes.” – Anonymous Lets begin with a business principal that is behind many if not most of Americas greatest fortunes. It may be the most important secret a businessman can know, for it is the most powerful and most reliable way to make a small business grow.…
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