Today marks a milestone – my 450th daily post and email.
Sharing these insights is my way of helping you level the business playing field.
Why daily? Because each day brings new ideas that can make a difference now, not next week.
These emails connect us, offering value without collecting a dime.
Here’s to your success.
Last week, we explored how to avoid the constant pressure to lower prices and still thrive. Vance Morris, with his carpet cleaning business, defies the odds by charging much more than his competitors in a commodity market and gaining a loyal base of repeat customers. How does he manage this in such an environment where everyone else tries to undercut each other on price? Stay tuned to learn more
As I parked my car in the scorching 44°C(111.2°F) heat, I realised how much customer experience and value matter.
My daughter’s school? A logistical nightmare:
* Staff hogging all the good parking spots.
* Gate farthest from where we park.
* No access to the air-conditioned buildings.
* A sun-soaked trek to the car with my daughter.
It felt like a fire walk and sauna every day.
But the new school next door? A dream:
* Ample parking for everyone.
* Convenient, central pickup and drop-off.
* A welcoming lobby with a café for parents.
They’re already full with a waiting list, and they haven’t even opened yet.
Curious how these lessons apply to your business?
Ever wonder why Disney can charge twice as much as Six Flags but still have people lining up to spend? It’s not just about the rides. Imagine stepping into a world of magic, where every meal, every souvenir, and every experience is crafted to perfection. Curious about what sets Disney apart and how you can apply these secrets to your own business? Stay tuned, and discover the magic behind the strategy.
Who knew a Mouse could teach us about achieving business freedom? The magic keeps us coming back, eager to spend more for that unforgettable experience. Curious about how you can apply these lessons to your own business? Join us this Wednesday at the Profit and Dine Differentiation Dinner..
Feeling frustrated by constant pressure to reduce your prices? This story unveils the power of differentiation and how it can make your business immune to blackmail from Discount Zombies. Discover the key to standing out and maintaining your value. Stay tuned for insights that could transform your approach to pricing and competition.
Did you miss our recent workshop on standing out in a crowded market? Don’t worry! Here’s a quick recap of the key insights and actionable strategies we covered. Dive in to see how understanding and leveraging customer desires can transform your business. Plus, join us for a deeper dive at our live session in Dubai this Wednesday!
Read on for more details.
Hi, Who handles the selling in your business? If you’re directly involved, it reduces your business’s value. Investors and buyers prefer companies where the owner
Yesterday, I shared how we helped an Events company owner expand into Saudi Arabia while reigniting growth in her core business. The secret? Understanding the real reasons restaurant owners hire her – and it’s not what you think. By shifting her focus, she left competitors in the dust. Want to know how she filled seats and achieved success? Click to discover one of the key insights we used
Ever feel like your business is burying you, preventing major expansion? I had a client in the event industry facing the same challenge. She was stuck between scaling her business and a major expansion into Saudi Arabia. How did she manage to ignite growth while freeing up time for her expansion? Curious to learn how you can do the same?
Why are loyal Starbucks customers turning away more and more? Is it just about rising prices or is there a deeper issue at play that’s a critical lesson for any business? Are you unknowingly making the same mistake? Discover a key factor in Starbucks’ recent struggles and how to avoid them in your own business. Click to read the full story and protect your brand from a similar fate
Want to know how a small business in Dubai is outshining its competitors and charging premium prices? At a recent Hellenic Business Council meeting, Mazen Kannan, founder of House of Pops, shared some game-changing secrets. His approach is transforming the market and attracting top-tier customers. Curious about his strategy and how it can revolutionise your business? Join our next Profit and Dine Differentiation Series to uncover the full story. Seats are limited—click to learn more!
Tired of clients who want premium results but refuse to invest? In my latest article, I explore this common challenge and why it’s crucial to stand out and communicate your unique value. Don’t let “Discount Zombies” drain your time and force bad decisions. Our next Profit and Dine Series dives deep into this topic. Join us online on June 13th or live on June 19th to learn more. Seats are limited—click to secure your spot
Ever felt like you’re blending in rather than standing out? Patrick did too, in his attempt to woo Siobhan with the same old moves as everyone else. His story is a stark reminder of what happens when you allow yourself to become a commodity. Curious to learn how this tale relates to your business and how you can stand out? Read more to uncover the key to earning more and stressing less.
Ever faced a client trying to lowball your prices? Ever feel like it’s getting harder, not easier, to attract and retain the clients you want? There’s a common reason behind both issues, and it might not be what you think. Many businesses fall into this trap. Curious about this common pitfall? How to avoid it is the subject of our next Profit and Dine Differentiation Workshop Series?
Stay tuned for details.
How differentiated are your top 3 services? At a recent Profit and Dine event, I asked participants to rate theirs on a scale from 1 to 100. The answers were surprising, revealing a common issue many businesses face. If you think you’re just another player in a crowded market, there is some real hope to get you out of that quicksand. Discover why some rated their services as a pure commodity and what that means for your business. Click to read the full story and find out more.
Stay tuned for details.
This week, we undertook a Challenge to Success Exercise for Reg. In just a few emails, Reg received a roadmap to stand out, niche down, and accelerate his business success. He avoided the pitfalls of generic marketing advice and found support from fellow SME owners. That’s why our next Profit and Dine Series will deliver game-changing insights for SME owners. Just 15 minutes can transform your business. Coming in less than 3 weeks.
Stay tuned for details.
Yesterday, we discussed Reg’s challenge in standing out from large corporate competitors and today we go into what specific areas he should focus. How should Reg proceed? What have fellow readers been telling him?
Yesterday, we discussed Reg’s challenges with articulating why he’s different and he should be hired on an engagement. Today we go into greater detail on the other key aspect of what makes him stand out in a crowd. How should Reg proceed? What have fellow readers been telling him?
Yesterday, we discussed Reg’s marketing profile for his new consulting business and why it was doomed from the start. Today we go into greater detail by starting on the question why someone should hire Reg for an engagement. How should Reg proceed? Share your thoughts, and I’ll pass them along.
Meet Reg, a seasoned corporate veteran branching out into his own consulting business. His beautifully structured marketing profile is, surprisingly, a detriment. Why? Discover the dangers, key insights and strategies throughout the week but starting here.
During my MBA studies at the University of Chicago, I learned about “sawing the floor,” a concept where you outmaneuver a larger competitor by exploiting a neglected niche. This strategy helped me launch million-dollar institutional trading desks in London and Dubai. It’s simple in concept but requires clarity and dedicated focus to execute. This approach can transform any small business once you understand your target market’s core desires and effectively communicate your solution.
A disastrous date taught me a vital business lesson: be true to yourself. In business, trying to please everyone leads to mediocrity. Instead, focus on attracting the right audience and repelling those who aren’t a fit. When you’re clear on your purpose and ideal clients, it’s easier to be heard by the right people and achieve powerful results.
A recent conversation with a yoga influencer highlighted a powerful business truth. Most entrepreneurs would envy her loyal following and unique brand. She’s 80% there – the last 20% is legal structure, marketing, and other logistics. Too many entrepreneurs do it backward, creating a solution before finding an audience. Success comes from understanding your audience first and building around their desires..
Remember the heyday of online dating with cliché profiles? Many businesses fall into the same trap, underselling themselves and competing on price. By learning to stand out and communicate effectively, you can choose your clients, set your terms, and achieve higher sales and profits. It only takes a few months to escape the bog of commoditization. Start with taking that first step, not on a moonlit beach, but towards business clarity and success.
In networking events, many describe their business in basic functional terms, which commoditizes their services. Instead, focus on the unique value you provide. “I save clients $5-10K annually on taxes” is more compelling than “I do your books.” This approach attracts higher-quality prospects and allows you to charge for the full impact of your work, improving your quality of life as a business owner.
Think delegation is just about assigning tasks? Think again. Effective delegation is an art—a strategic four-stage process that gradually transfers responsibility while increasing accountability. From hand-holding to complete autonomy, each stage prepares your team to take the reins effectively.
Take a quick look at the four stages that can change your business, allow you to free your time and transform your life.
Meet Mary, an entrepreneur who isn’t buffeted by financial stress, but is driven by a different kind of hunger. She has all the resources, yet she seeks something more invaluable for her specialty snacks brand. What is Mary chasing that money can’t buy? Discover what’s driving her to scale her business and how it’s shared by many other business owners.
Ever wondered how dating woes could teach valuable business lessons? Surprisingly, both realms often suffer from a common issue that leads to both heartache and empty bank accounts.
This shared culprit affects everyone from misguided incels to struggling business owners.
Dive into our latest piece to uncover this insidious trap and learn effective strategies to avoid it, ensuring your business—and maybe even your love life—thrives by one simple discipline.
Ever caught in the cycle of ‘I’m gonna be like you, Dad (or mom)’? This poignant reflection stirred by Harry Chapin’s classic song reveals the often overlooked costs of work-life imbalance. As business owners, the pressure to provide can sometimes distance us from life’s truly precious moments—our children’s milestones. Explore how striving for a balanced life not only shapes a successful and more profitable business but also fosters the relationships that matter most. Are you happy with how you’re balancing the demands of success with your family’s needs?
Last week, I sat across from a business owner over lunch. He leaned in, lowered his voice and said: “I thought I was the only
Well, I’m here to tell you now, each and every mother’s son You’d better learn it fast, you’d better learn it young ‘Cause someday never
“Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” Those were Jesus’ words on the cross — and last weekend, they were echoed by
Bad service and hidden pricing turned 9 loyal customers into ex-customers. Here’s the true cost of playing games with trust — and what every founder must learn.
Martyrdom has no place in business. If you’re sacrificing yourself daily and calling it noble, you’re building a prison — not a legacy. Learn how to shift from burnout to real ownership
Are you burning out in your business by acting like an employee — grinding instead of growing? Learn how one simple mindset shift can move you from burnout to business freedom.
My daughters had a complete meltdown during their swim lesson.
A year ago, I would’ve snapped.
Today? I sat on the pool bench… calm.
No yelling. No panic. No pressure to fix everything.
Not because I’ve become some Zen master.
But because my business isn’t bleeding me dry anymore.
If your business still explodes through you like a landmine during life’s chaos…
You already know something needs to change.
“I didn’t like who I’d become. I wasn’t a good father, a good husband… hell, I wasn’t even good company.”
Scott wasn’t talking about addiction.
He was talking about his business.
It was profitable — but it was slowly killing him.
His wife was afraid to go to bed beside him because of his rage-fueled business nightmares.
And the worst part?
He kept telling himself it would all be worth it “someday.”
Until the day he stopped lying to himself — and changed everything.