The MyBusinessDashboard Blog: Small Business Dashboard Metrics Key Performance Indicators and Goals

We are the Recovery! The Kauffman Foundation creates a *fun* way to get small business the attention it deserves in DC http://bit.ly/4YFdyu

House Health Care bill defines small business as less than 100 employees or less than $750k payroll. http://bit.ly/3rRhuI

You've heard me preaching 'metrics' and 'KPI.' Go calculate some of your financial ratios here: http://bit.ly/iA7zI

Is email dead? http://bit.ly/dBHqS

Business Week: This recession requires innovative thinking for all areas of business, esp. finance. http://bit.ly/lXhTW

Bioscience and Technology incubator in Chandler. Good to see the entrepreneurial spirit is strong in Chandler. http://bit.ly/1LAfoS

My Take: 5 Keys to Running a Successful Small Business

I just finished going through page after page of Google results for 'Run a Successful Small Business' looking to see how many experts would mention the CUSTOMER.  On page three, I found two: Sam Walton and this guy.  Expert upon expert had the old standby list:

1. Have a business plan
2. Be committed to your success
3. Set goals and have strategy to achieve them
4. Innovate or be creative
5. Be unique
6. Have good revenue

The real key to running a successful small business is this: create value for your customers and exceed their expectations in delivering that value.  Everything else should stem from that.  So, here is my list:

1. Create value for your customers in such a way that they will WANT to pay you for your products or services.
2. EXCEED your customers' expectations by creating those expectations and managing the expectations: under promise and over deliver
3. TELL your market all about the value you offer, i.e. promote your business to the right target market, those who WANT to spend money on that benefit.
4. Analyze your results: Sales, Cost of Goods Sold, Sales Activities, Expenses, etc. and manage your business' profits.
5. Keep asking your customers what they want, and give it to 'em!

In the end, I bet what you want from your business is to make a good living, have freedom, and/or more time for yourself and your family.  If that's the case, start running a successful small business by creating value for your customer and exceeding their expectations.

Have you seen the Groupon? Pretty cool idea. http://ping.fm/F9WuW

HuffPo: Best Business Books of All-Time. Really?

The Best Business Books of All Time? There're 2/3 I agree with and 2/3 make me say, "What?!" http://bit.ly/17J1Xp

I'd go with the following:

1. Good to Great by Jim Collins

2. E-Myth by Michael Gerber

3. Raving Fans by Kenneth Blanchard

4. Art of War by Sun Tzu

5. Small Business Fitness by Stuart Preston (wink!)

Free Seminar: Drive Traffic to your Website by Kathleen Ion at WSI, tonight at 5pm. I highly recommend it. RSVP (480) 205.7029