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?
Struggling with delegation? You’re not alone. Many leaders face the dilemma of expecting employees to think like owners without an equity stake, leading to frustration on both sides.
Discover why shifting this mindset is crucial for effective delegation and how understanding the real dynamics of employer-employee relationships can simplify your management strategy.
Stay tuned for actionable insights on mastering the four steps of delegation—more details coming later this week
Ever found yourself working tirelessly yet seeing your bank balance refute your efforts, loudly proclaiming that “Zero is not an achievement”? I recently faced a similar impasse. Echoing the old adage about doctors not treating themselves, I turned to my trusted Mastermind group for insights.
The collaborative power of the group provided me with actionable, simple adjustments—none requiring hefty investments. It’s a humbling reminder that even those who offer guidance can benefit from it in return, continuing the virtuous circle of learning and support. If you’re struggling to juggle everything alone, consider this an invitation to join a community committed to mutual success
In the last couple of days we have been talking about the muddy trap of commoditisation. Recall the story of Jane, who found herself dedicating 70% of her time to a client that only contributed 20% to her profits.
Together, we tackled her dilemma, not by simply cutting ties, but by first freeing her from the commodity bog. We identified her unique value, so she could distinguish herself from the masses with similar claims.
With newfound clarity and confidence, Jane was able to prioritise the right clients and enjoy the growth and stability that was escaping her before. Stuck in the mud yourself? Let’s connect and find your unique business path out of the quagmire.
As a business owner, ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels without making progress?
It remined me about my first concert experience seeing Boston back in the late ’80s—post a heavy rainfall, we found our car stuck in the mud. Just like in business, where many find themselves trapped, unable to grow and resorting to desperation.
Stuck in the mud usually comes from one issue – and the good news is that it’s an issue you often can remedy without expensive toys or gadgets.
In business, it’s crucial to discern which clients add value and which ones drain your soul. Applying a biblical verse, Matthew 7:6 on casting pearls before swine, my latest article explores the significance of protecting your valuable efforts from being wasted on unprofitable relationships.
Meet Jane, a social media entrepreneur who learned to fire her “pigs” to grow the business and bring in more. And it just took three questions as you will see
Next week, our Master Round Table and Cigar Experience will reveal crucial strategies for reclaiming your time through smarter delegation. Ever wonder why delegating sometimes fails spectacularly? We’ll explore three common pitfalls that could be undermining your efforts and how to navigate them successfully.
Join us to uncover the subtle art of empowering your team without falling into the typical traps that could cost you more than just time.
“I’m very selective in who I take…” Those were the first words of a pitch that led me to make a significant investment in what promised to be a groundbreaking system. The reality? A stark mismatch between promise and execution, teaching me a valuable lesson about discerning true value in business offerings.
Discover how this experience transformed our approach at Sophiall, ensuring our clients never face similar pitfalls. Click below to learn how we safeguard your business interests with our robust support system and a no-questions-asked guarantee.
Do you know what the job of your brain is?
It’s a question marketing expert Alex Manossian asked me when I told him about our delegation workshop.
And the answer was not what you expect.
But the answer clarifies how you should feel after delegation and so you know where it is working or not.
Read to find out more
Imagine earning what amounts to a $480 million annual salary in just one hour. This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario; it happened to Rebecca after a 60-minute business value assessment.
Initially, an offer was made to take over her small, seemingly insignificant business for free, in exchange for a good salary. Instead of accepting this undervaluation, we conducted an in-depth review of her business. In less than an hour, Rebecca discovered the true value of her business and identified strategies to enhance its worth even further.
The result? Three weeks later, the same person who undervalued her business came back with not only a 25% higher salary offer but also agreed to pay $312,000 for the business itself.
This story is a powerful reminder of knowing your business’s worth and the transformative impact of professional assessments.
Special birthday promotion to join the monthly round table. Read article to find out more.
Ever tempted to make a quick buck? Does making 10% more on a deal make sense 100% of the time?
We thought we had a good partnership—until a sudden change made us rethink everything.
It wasn’t the money that left a bad taste, but the mindset behind it.
What’s worth more: a one-time gain or a long-term relationship?
One decision can cost you far more than you imagined. See how easy it can be to fall in that trap.
Ever get the urge to just tell someone off—whether it’s a playground bully or a demanding client? My 5-year-old daughter mastered the “teacher voice” and got her peace.
One of my clients?
She fired her biggest (and worst) customer, and within 30 days, she had three better ones.
Business freedom is about choosing who deserves your time. Curious how to make that leap?
Being a business owner can feel like you’re on an island. Your friends and family don’t quite get the mental ups and downs, and somehow, you’re working harder than anyone, yet paying yourself last—if at all. Sound familiar?
But here’s the thing—you don’t have to go it alone. The smartest entrepreneurs know where to turn for insight, support, and the right questions.
Find out more inside.
Ever been promised 1,000 leads without anyone knowing who your ideal customers are? Sounds impressive, but is it really worth your time?
In a recent conversation, this exact scenario unfolded, highlighting a crucial point about quality vs. quantity in business. If you’re tired of chasing numbers that don’t add up to real value, you’ll want to rethink your approach.
Curious to learn why? I explore this further in my latest post.
What if one common belief about business success doesn’t hold up when you look closer? Many people follow it without question, but it might not be as helpful as it seems. This article explores a surprising perspective that could shift how you approach growth and connections in your business.
Two women, one having travelled across the world in search of investors, left a meeting before realising the person they needed was sitting right next to them. Sounds strange, doesn’t it?
It’s a story of missed opportunities, the price of a limited perspective, and how what we don’t see might be precisely what we need.
Curious about how this unfolded and the lesson it holds for business success?
Feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day grind of running your business? Many entrepreneurs end up stuck in a cycle of tasks, buried under work that doesn’t build real wealth.
Here, I explore how business owners create and bury themselves in these “tunnels” and what it takes to break free. Discover how now to be an hostage to your own business. When you delegate, automate, and finally lead your business from above—you discover where the real freedom lies.