Paying attention to business is one of the major benefits of a recession. Ford figured it out. So did Starbucks by bringing back the founding CEO, closing nearly 1,000 marginal stores and most significantly introducing their own instant coffee. This could be a brilliant move. While proudly passing up their $4 cup of coffee, we take the instant stuff home and keep a little Starbucks in our lives.

GETTING IT STRAIGHT
Marketing may be second nature in large companies, but smaller firms tend to have a tough time implementing, managing, and monitoring an effective marketing strategy. The title of 'marketing director' is often conferred on the person designated to answer requests for sales literature, or the title is added as an afterthought to the role of the sales manager who thinks that marketing is just an alternative spelling of 'sales.'

Six questions every company should consider in their hiring process.
Companies today face the same daunting problem that confounds so many job seekers: The high hurdle of transferable experience.
Whether it’s an individual attempting to get a job or a company trying to break into a new market, both face the difficulty of having someone recognize the value of their knowledge and experience, even though these qualities might not be directly related to a new field or industry. Although applicants offer experience, a proven track record, and skills that are an ideal match for a particular position, they’re passed over. Why? The individual has worked in a different field.

HOW TO GET MORE VISITORS TO YOUR WEB SITE by John Graham The Web is littered with thousands of dead sites abandoned by the disillusioned. Its easy to spot them they were la...

HOW TO KEEP YOUR SALES FROM RUNNING OUT OF GAS by John Graham Most of us have figured out that its smart to have a least a few gallons of gas in the tank at all times. Its n...

HOW TO MAKE SALESPEOPLE MORE EFFECTIVE The challenge for salespeople is to be ahead of the curve, not behind it. by John Graham Not withstanding the value that many salespeople bring to ...

If you're thinking about what will be happening on the business scene in the future, the first step is to clear your mind of several popular misconceptions. More than ever, it will be dangerous to harbor-let alone act upon-erroneous ideas which can lead a business down the wrong road.

HOW TO SELL WHEN THE CUSTOMER IS IN CHARGE OF THE SALE by John Graham It only takes a few words to describe the dramatic change that confronts every sale...

Use these seven principles to stay ahead of the pack in any market.
Most businesses fail to achieve their potential because of faulty thinking — which happens when business executives, owners, and managers don’t like news that runs contrary to the pictures inside their heads.

IDEAS FOR MOVING FORWARD: PUTTING A STALLED ECONOMY BEHIND YOU by John Graham If weve learned anything over the past couple of years, its that nothing is easy. No matter wha...