A major deal in the wine industry once hinged on a single question: “What am I really buying?”
The answer wasn’t what you’d expect. It wasn’t vineyards, trucks, or facilities—it was something far less tangible, yet infinitely more valuable.
What could it be?
The story behind this unexpected acquisition holds a key lesson for every business owner.
What’s the one challenge most business owners tackle with the wrong tools? It’s not what you might think. Many pour time and money into one thing, while overlooking another that could transform their business.
Ever feel like you’re using a herring when you need a power saw?
Ever wondered what happens when a seemingly perfect deal suddenly unravels? I recently heard a story that might make you rethink your business strategy. An 8-figure offer, a smooth process… until the unexpected happened. It’s a reminder that every day in business brings you closer to an exit—planned or unplanned. Curious to know what went wrong? Dive into the full story to learn more.
Choosing the right team can make or break a deal. I helped a 70-year-old business owner secure a much higher offer for her company—everything was on track. But then, a critical mistake was made that nearly cost her everything. Ever wonder how one “affordable” choice could lead to a million-dollar disaster? This story will make you rethink the true costs of who you hire and what you might actually be doing when you choose “affordable” hires.
Don’t try to be everything to everyone. I recently met an entrepreneur who promised to handle every aspect of marketing. The result? People tuned out. She quickly pivoted careers. The lesson? Focus on excelling in one area, meeting your audience where they are, and delivering what they truly need. That’s how you attract and keep customers. Want to master this? Join our free course to learn how a 60-year-old marketing secret can transform your business.
In business, systems and processes are essential, but they must reflect your values and customer experience. A friend of mine recently encountered a situation where an abrasive negotiator who lacked connection and cultural understanding, disrupted the negotiation. The lesson? Poorly executed systems can harm relationships and outcomes. As a business owner, ensure your processes align with how you want to engage with others, leading to loyalty, predictability, and ultimately peace of mind.
Did you know every day you own your business brings you one day closer to an exit – and often it can be unexpected and sooner than you imagined. So every decision you make is an exit decision – building up or destroying what you are working so hard on.
You can’t control 100% when you exit but you can control being prepared so that you and your family can benefit from what you built whether it’s planned or unplanned (think death, disability, divorce, disease, debt, etc.).
Are you creating or burning you wealth today?
When David and his wife faced hard times with their business, they were struggling to keep afloat without spending more money. Eighteen months later, they achieved a remarkable 30% growth rate without any extra advertising costs. Discover how they transformed their business by focusing on what made them successful in the first place and cutting out distractions. Learn their strategy and find out how you can do the same for your business
Losing the person who did my hair personaly for 13 years was a small sacrifice to make to ensure he has the freedom in his business to be able to let the Dubai business run on auto pilot so he can personally be based in Thailand with his family.
Today marks my 10th wedding anniversary in Greece—a day that revealed a surprising truth. I was eager to impress someone important, hoping for approval. But things didn’t go as planned. An empty table, a missing card, and a powerful lesson emerged from that night. It applies to how we run our business and a better way to grow our business. Click to find out what happened, the lesson learned and how you can get to the next level with my free 5-Day Challenge.
Be patient, Dad,” my 4-year-old said as we waited 45 minutes for our order. Surrounded by the sea and a lovely breeze, I realised something crucial—a lesson from my newly launched 5-Day Challenge. Want to uncover what truly drives your market? Want to stop obsessing about price discounts and ineffective advertising? Join now for free and transform your business.
What can dealing with the customer service of your bank teach you?
Its a goldmine of how not to treat your customers and the topic of today’s post.
Now banks have no excuse to provide poor service but they do across the board and it’s mostly due to a finance mindset that erroneously sees customers as costs and not assets.
Segment and treat your customers like the different assets they are… and the sky is the limit.
Curious how a favourite family beach spot lost its charm? A single change made all the difference. It’s a powerful reminder of how subtle shifts can impact whether your best customers stay or abandon you. It doesn’t even have to be something you did wrong.. but rather something you stopped doing that you did before. Check out how small actions can keep your customers engaged or send them to your competitors.
Ever wondered if your business relationships are holding you back? You might be attracting the wrong crowd without even realizing it. Are those free promotions and networking groups actually draining your energy and time? Discover the hidden traps and how to invest your efforts wisely to attract the right customers. Curious about the secret to confidently charging what you’re worth? Click to unveil the surprising insights…
When reaching out to attract leads for your business are you doing so by planting a big sign on you head and asking people to kick you because you look like a Jack ***?
Instead find out what the people you want to attract really need and want.. and then effectively communicate it.
It’s the topic of our upcoming 5 steps to stop competing on price series coming up.
How well are you standing out versus your competition? Do your customers see you as unique and superior and someone to whom they want to give their business – repeatedly? Find out by two simple questions you can ask them…
A line from Romans and a couple of wake up calls in my personal health has clarified in my head when I stand in my own way. It also helped a client get out of his way and achieve phenomenal results in just 18 months. Find out more.
“….Politics is Knowing when to pull the trigger” is the end of a quote from GodFather 3 in regards to finance but I’d argue it applies to business in general. In this case I show how a potential assassination can be leveraged in such a way that only Trump benefits and that is no accident. When you can follow an approach popularised by Ben Settle to build a world for your audience and customers.. you can have them do all sorts of things for you and enthusiastically too.
Do you know the one mistake almost everyone makes, even when they’re aware of it?
I recently had a conversation with a top copywriter who revealed a surprising truth that affects us all.
Curious about what it is and why we keep falling short despite knowing it?
My friend’s father, suffering from Alzheimer’s, was gripped by delusions, convinced of an impossible affair. This heartbreaking scenario made me reflect on the delusions in my business and career that cost me millions. From trusting untrustworthy people to believing toxic environments would change. How did I finally break free from these costly illusions? The answer can be surprisingly simple.
Ever walked into a place designed to create an unforgettable experience? Imagine a school like that. I recently toured a new school in Dubai, where my wife will work, and my daughters will attend. The moment you step into the welcoming entrance, you know it’s different. Bright, spacious, and thoughtful in every detail. And it only gets better from there. Read on to learn what it can teach you about your business.
Last Thursday’s US Presidential debate was more than just political theater. Hidden within the chaos was a crucial lesson for all business owners. It’s not about age or stats—there’s a deeper secret. Trump’s approach clashed with Biden’s in a way that revealed a powerful tactic. Want to uncover what this hidden strategy is and why you should apply it when speaking about your business? The revelation might just surprise you.
Ever heard of Eugene Schwartz?
If not, and you want to stand out in a crowded market, it’s time to get up to speed. Discover the crucial concepts of market sophistication and customer awareness that can help you cut through the noise. It’s a masterpiece on how to get your message noticed. Read the brief into to find out more..
They’re not who you think they are. They’re lurking, ready to drain the lifeblood of your hard-earned success. Who are these relentless creatures? How can you spot them before it’s too late?
Explore the tactics and signs of these price-squeezing predators and share strategies to protect your business from their grasp. Stay vigilant and stay ahead.
Sometimes, a single piece of information can shift your entire perspective and transform how you have been running your business. Discover how understanding one crucial concept can make all the difference – especially if you feel things have become more challenging recently.
Curious to know more? Stay tuned to uncover this vital insight that could bring some much needed success.
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..
When it comes to valuing a business, risk is everything. Imagine bidding at an auction on a note that might pay $1 million or might pay nothing—how high would you go?
Now, if that $1 million was guaranteed, suddenly, you’d pay much more.
The difference? Predictability. Too many profitable businesses fail to sell because they lack this key ingredient.
Curious about building investor confidence? Join the free Business Owners Club and our live Zoom session on November 19.
As a kid, “Uncle Ted” terrified me—he saw through my spoiled antics and wasn’t afraid to call me out. Later, I realized he was more than tough; he was a self-made success and, eventually, a mentor. But when it came time to sell his thriving business, things didn’t go as planned. Now, I share his story to help other business owners avoid his fate.
9 out of 10 business owners struggle to sell their businesses on terms they want. Why?
They can’t convince investors of their business’s future potential in the right hands.
If you want to attract serious buyers and keep control over the deal, start planning now.
Sign in to the Owners Club for the 4 questions you need to answer to make your business investor-ready. Plus, join our Open Office Discussion!.
Last night, I watched a documentary on the 2004 Red Sox—a team that, after 86 years, made bold moves to secure a championship.
It reminded me of a key insight when valuing businesses: like a traded sports icon, your past efforts alone don’t drive investor interest.
Investors focus on future potential under their control.
Find out more in our free Owners Portal and Join me on November 19 for a free session where I’ll cover how to make your business irresistible to investors.
Ever thought about what would happen if life threw you an unexpected curveball?
I recently heard a story that hit me hard—a business owner who poured everything into his work until, one day, he couldn’t anymore.
No backup plan, no safety net… and in an instant, everything he’d built was on the line.
It’s a powerful reminder of why having a business that can be sold today really matters.
A conversation with Brian highlighted the millions he saved by building a sellable business even when he didn’t have any intention to sell at the time.
It was on another election day that I started my new life here in Dubai. The people I’d meet and the experiences I’d have in that job would shape why I started Sophiall and why I strongly believe that every entrepreneur deserves success and shouldn’t miss out like 70% of other business owners who build profitable companies but can’t successfully sell them or pass them down.
I got to experience first-hand the ridiculous pitch a café owner made when it came time to sell her business and I wished to see her current financials.
Now her answer wasn’t so out of the ordinary. Often business owners have the incorrect conception of what makes their business attractive to someone else.
The stakes are too high to find yourself in this same no-mans land so we have released a new course in the Owners’ Portal. Read on to find out more.
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