Archive for the ‘Leadership’ Category

The Secret Ingredient That All Great Business Leaders Have

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Great Business LeadersI have always looked up to and admired the business greats of our times. People like Ray Croc, Sam Walton, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Henry Ford, Phil Knight. People who started businesses which are not only enormously successful, they have shaped the world and even our culture.

Reading these stories, I was inspired by how they started their businesses in garages and built them into international empires. But underneath my fascination and enthusiasm, there was a much quieter voice speaking to me. A quiet, dark voice that said: “These people had special advantages you do not have. You will never do what they did.” And whether I spoke those words aloud or not, I secretly believed them. (more…)

What I Wish Somebody Had Told Me Before I Started My Business

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

What I Wish Sombody Had Told Me Before I Started My BusinessDating all the way back to high school, I have been running a website design or graphic design business of some kind or another. I started off as a sole proprietor. I later registered as a corporation, and eventually merged that corporation into what is now nine10 Incorporated. During this long and winding road, I learned many lessons about business. Some of them took me a long time to learn, some I learned quickly, but most were taught at the school of hard knocks. Had there been someone to share insight with me, things might have been easier, right from the start.

Now, understanding both the struggles in starting a business and now being on the successful end, I have a desire to share what I learned along the way with those that are just starting out. My hope is, that by sharing what I have learned, I can minimize and reduce the business struggles that so often accompany new business startups. The following is a small collection of key insights I wish I had known from day one.

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6 Tips for Successful Sales

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

6 Steps for Successful SalesFive years ago, if you would have told me that I’d be writing a blog post about sales, I would have laughed. Voraciously. I never saw myself as a salesperson; in fact, like many of us, I ran from salespeople!

I thought that selling was a big, scary thing. Something that I’ve learned, though, is that by paying attention to systems, understanding your client’s needs, and following through, you can feel less like a “salesperson” and more like a problem-solver. Here’s some things that I’ve picked up that might help you, too.

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nine10 wants gift to women’s shelter to leave a legacy of education and hope

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

“Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame, but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

As the world recently remembered the words and passion of Dr. Martin Luther King, we were reminded not only to be reflective, but to show strength, leadership and rally for a cause that is close to our hearts. Dr. King challenged us to ask ourselves how we could be of service to those around us, support a cause, and create a more supportive environment in our own communities.

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World Domination… in a Box?

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Instant small business world domination kitAs a branding agency, we encounter many business owners who come to us with their ideas for starting a small business. We get to see some pretty interesting and ambitious business plans. But what always raises a red flag for us is an idea that tries to go too big, too fast, without the proper planning and resources in place to see it through.

It’s difficult enough to run a small business that’s focused on doing one thing, let alone a business that tries to be everything to everybody. History has shown many examples of wars being lost by armies forced to fight on multiple fronts.

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Three nine10 Branding Clients Nominated for Best New Business Award, One Wins

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010

Good to Grow, VO2MAX, and Walk Run & More  were nominated for the title of 2010 Best New Business at the Small Business Week Awards Gala hosted by the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce. VO2MAX, a one-on-one fitness training facility, had the honor of taking home the coveted award. We have worked closely with each of these businesses and it’s no surprise they were nominated. The passion, dedication and innovation displayed by each of the owners in starting and running their business is second to none.

Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners at the gala last night. Your deserve to be recognized for your hard work and dedication!

Food for Thought: Flipping the “Customer-Oriented” Business Upside Down

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

Great customer service puts the customer on top Here’s a question to think about… Why is it that some companies who shout “customer-oriented” from the rooftops have an organizational structure that’s completely geared towards serving the people at the very top? The further away from the customer in day-to-day operations the person is, the more importance, money, and influence they have at the company. And the people on the front lines dealing with the customer have the lowest pay, almost no say in how things are done, and have little support and resources available to do their jobs. Isn’t that kind of absurd?

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How to Be More Competitive… by Focusing Less on Your Competition.

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Man holding a sign saying The End Is NearDo you spend a lot of time worrying what your competition is doing? Do you toss and turn at night wondering if they have some secret weapon up their sleeve? That customers will run away in droves because of their latest promotion or product release?

If so, here’s a simple but powerful thought for you to ponder:

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4 Ways to Remove Negativity From Your Workplace

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Think about the last time you saw a person let out a huge sigh, slump their shoulders, and say something like “things will never change around here.” Didn’t it just completely drain you of your energy? Unfortunately, it’s very easy to get caught up in the “Ain’t it awful club”. Negativity is very contagious and easily caught. And in the workplace – especially if you run your own business – it must be avoided at all costs.

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5 Important Things to Look For When Selecting a Web Designer

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Here are 5 tips to help you select the right web designer for your next project.

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