Employee Hiring Plan: Auto Repair Business in 2023

This week I’m writing about using an Employee Hiring Plan in an Auto Repair business. An Employee Hiring Plan helps you to win the battle for the top talent by consistently generating more than enough leads, screening out non-performers, and using a skills-based test-drive process and psychometrics to choose team members that deliver results.

Employee Hiring Plan In An Auto Repair Business

36 Business Coaching Modules

I have been writing about some of my hero clients and how we are able to achieve significant results from our work together. We have 36 Business Coaching Modules, which are areas within your business that when we improve your performance in these areas, your business will run better.

Mark, Owner of Auto Repair Shop

Mark is this week’s small business hero. He owns an auto repair business that he started about 5 years ago. When I met Mark his business had grown, but the business was “running him.” He was working very long hours and was constantly interrupted by customers and employees. This was affecting his health and personal relationships with his family; he was spending very little time with them.

Tactical Marketing, Time Management, and Key Performance Indicators

We decided to implement several of our Coaching Modules to address his situation. These included a Strategic Plan, Team Deployment Meetings, Tactical Marketing Plan, but most importantly an Employee Acquisition Plan, Time Management Plan, and a Key Performance Indicator System.

Employee Hiring Plan: Auto Repair Shop

An Employee Hiring Plan is all about marketing. You are simply marketing to prospective employees. Of course, you need something attractive and compelling to market to job candidates. This is one of the things that a Strategic Plan does for you.

A Strategic Plan for Your Team

Even if your business is not the most attractive workplace now, a compelling Vision, Values, and Mission can help you to attract great employees. You are taking your team on an exciting journey to a great job and workplace. The team deployment meeting helps all your employees to know where you are going, how they are to act, and what they are to do every day.

Time Management and Reducing Time Screening Employees

Back to an employee hiring plan, you want to bring in a large number of candidates, but have a system that screens them without taking your time and you end up with the very best prospective employees. That’s what we helped Mark do. We also conducted a time management study and delegated less important duties to his team members. Finally, we installed a door between his office and the customer lobby to reduce interruptions.

Results for Mark and his Auto Repair Shop

As I write this blog post Mark is on a 3-week vacation in Europe. He has opened a second location, purchased a lot for a 3rd location, built a spectacular house on the lake, is working 4 hours a day, and is in some of the best physical condition of his life! Here’s what Mark said:

With Alan’s help I have less stress and I’m able to conduct meetings without any interruptions. Alan helped me to evaluate the costs/benefits of hiring new employees and gave me the assurance that I could justify the additional expense. My sales and profits have grown even with the new hires. Alan has coached me on how to motivate my employees to meet my business goals. With Alan’s help by next summer I plan to have my business running without my day-to-day involvement.

Conclusion

Congratulations Mark on your amazing accomplishments using among other things an Employee Hiring Plan in your auto repair business! You are one of my business heroes and an inspiration to other business owners. You can view another case study using a Team Building System in a landscaping company here.

Using a Sales Management System in 2023: Manufacturing Company

A Sales Management System

This week I’m writing about using a Sales Management System in a Manufacturing Company. This is a practical system for building a top-performing sales force by scripting their approach, managing their activity, measuring their performance, and tying their paychecks to results.

I have been writing about some of my hero clients and how we achieve significant results. We have 36 Coaching Modules, or areas that fall under the categories of growth, profits and freedom. These are areas within your business that when we improve your performance, your business will run better.

John’s Manufacturing Company

John is the owner of a foundry (metal castings manufacturer). At this point, he wanted to transition his business into composites manufacturing. Over the previous two years, John had seen a decline in sales and profits. As a result, he had accumulated some debt; John wanted to become debt-free and grow his retirement savings. He has two daughters that are soon to enter college. Besides, John wanted plenty of time to pursue his hobbies of cycling and bowhunting.

Tactical Marketing, Time Management, Key Performance Indicators, Strategic Planning, and Team Deployment for John’s Company

We decided to implement a Tactical Marketing Plan, Time Management Plan and Key Performance Indicators. We then developed a Strategic Plan for his business. When it was ready, we met with his team to share his vision, values, and mission. This was the team’s opportunity to give their input and buy-in to the direction of the company.

The Sales Management System Implementation in a Manufacturing Company

We decided to focus on several of our Coaching Modules. We started with the Sales Management System. With our Sales Management System, we focus on three areas: Attitude, Activity, and Acumen. Based on this, we started by setting up an internal customer relationship management system. Then John and his team began to spend time daily on marketing and contacting prospects. We did a press release about John’s new focus in the composites industry and saw a big response. Additionally, John attended some of the Composites Industry Association meetings and developed relationships with contacts there.

Results For John’s Manufacturing Company In Using A Sales Management System

John’s results with our Sales Management System were dramatic in his company. Here’s what he said:

“Alan has kept me focused on marketing, sales and profits and has held my feet to the fire. The results of this focus are that my sales have grown 30% and profits are up 228% over last year.”

Congratulations John on using a sales management system to grow your sales and profits. You are one of our business heroes and an inspiration to every business owner. You can view a pest control company using a revenue and profit budget here.

Key Performance Indicators manufacturing company sales management plan strategic planning time management

45 Best Business Coaches to Follow

The 45 Best Business Coaches to Follow in 2023

Bonus Material: Expanded List Of 90 Best Business Coaches.

Today I’m going to introduce you to 45 highly skilled business coaches, any of which is qualified to help you move the needle in 2023.

Grab my full list of 90 top business coaches with tips for choosing the best coach below:

In this blog post, you can find the best business coaches for everything you need in your business that meets your specific business goals.

With a business coach, you stand to gain a greater self-awareness mindset and increase productivity, performance, and confidence. These business coaches have the necessary skills and experience to meet your business needs and help you achieve your goals.

With the help of a business coach, you can gain heightened self-awareness, improved productivity, better performance, and unshakeable confidence in yourself and your business.

Each business coach has unique skill sets and experiences, which make them ideal for helping you meet your objectives. No matter what type of business you have, there is sure to be a coach who can help take your business to the next level.

If you need to take your business to the next level and make a difference among other businesses, here is the list of 45 of the best business coaches you can follow:

1. Alan Melton, Entrepreneur, Small Business Expert and Small Business Coach

Alan Melton is known for getting results for his clients and his businesses. The award-winning process of Small Business Coach Associates, “The 7 Stages To Business Freedom,” along with its talented coaches, has consistently produced exceptional results for over 1,100 business owners, increasing their sales by more than $337million. One client was recently featured in Forbes Magazine; another was recently named a fastest growing company by Inc 5000. Their clients have increased their sales and profits with less stress. They are doing what they love in their business. They are enjoying their lifestyle, hobbies, and spending time with their families.

Alan is a well-known author, speaker, and business leader with an international reputation. He has founded twelve companies and bought five additional ones. Currently, he is coaching, mentoring, and consulting a group of talented entrepreneurs and executives who are on the fast track to success. He also received awards including the Inc 500 fastest growing companies, SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year, and the Sterling Award for Organizational Performance Excellence.

Small Business Coach Associates, founded by Alan, has been recognized by various organizations, including Hubspot, Influence Digest, Protoly, Deliberate Directions, Feedpost, Fast Upfront, and Six Figure Coach Magazine as one of the top business coaching organizations worldwide.

Pro-Tip: Grab 30 minutes on my calendar to ask any questions you have about business coaching. I’ve been a business coach (and business broker) for over 20 years. I also have a business coach of my own, so I know what successful coaching looks like on both sides of the table.

~ Alan Melton, Small Business Coach Associates

2. Erin Henry, Australian Motivator and Digital Entrepreneur

In 2018, Erin established the Game Changer Company to expand the reach of her courses and coaching to more students.

She is an Australian motivator and digital entrepreneur with millions of followers on YouTube and other social media platforms. Through her company, she helps thousands of beginning entrepreneurs how to grow their businesses.

As a business coach, she is working on improving the next generation of leaders to rise and take over the business world.

3. Karl Bryan, Coaching Sales and Marketing Expert

Karl Bryan is the CEO of one of the world’s fast-growing E-learning companies for business coaches. This company publishes E-learning marketing systems for small businesses. According to top marketing experts, this is the most attractive business coaching program ever developed for clients.

He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Six-Figure Coach Magazine. He and his business partner, Adrian Ulsh, provide weekly training to business coaches in the area of marketing.

4. Barry Moltz, Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker, and Small Businesses

Barry is a business expert helping small businesses to reach their maximum potential. He has many years of entrepreneurial experience, from managing his own business and serving as a business coach to many other entrepreneurs.

He is also a well-known author. His first book, titled: Need to be a Little Crazy: The Truth About Starting and Growing Your Own Business, has been translated into four other languages. Presently, he has written six other books aimed at helping small businesses to be more profitable. Today, he is a recognized speaker and has had the opportunity to speak in countless business shows.

~ Alan Melton, Small Business Coach Associates

5. Melinda Emerson, Small Business Expert

With over 20 years of experience, Melinda has utilized her expertise to elevate her own business. She is now internationally recognized as a motivational speaker and a business coach in developing small businesses and social media marketing.

Each week, she offers advice to over three million entrepreneurs worldwide through her blog. Her expertise has gained recognition from prominent organizations including SCORE, Forbes, Inc Magazine, and others.

6. Sheri Kaye Hoff, Business Coaching and Mindset Expert

Sheri Kaye is a business coach who works with business consultants, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. She is recognized as an expert in promoting business growth and motivating her clients to take strategic actions toward expanding their businesses.

Sheri has a broad audience that finds inspiration in her unique business coaching style and techniques, which has led her to write multiple books about achieving success. Throughout her career as a business coach, Sheri has impacted the lives of hundreds of people through her programs.

7. Andy Turner, Sales and Marketing Strategist

Andy has 23 years of corporate experience and world-class marketing and sales skills. He is also the author of two highly acclaimed books that deal with the problems of building a successful business and provide easy strategies on how to earn quick profits and make your business grow. He offers direct business coaching courses for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to expand their businesses.

8. Melissa Dawn, Speaker, Coach, Author of CEO of Your Life and Business

Melissa is a famous speaker and business coach with a certificate from a certified professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and others. She is a coach who specializes in both life and business, guiding business owners to create a custom-built business that suits their desired lifestyle and values.

She specialized in helping people grow from their day-to-day jobs to become entrepreneurs in what they are passionate about. Melissa is the author of a book on entrepreneurship, and her company is one of the best HubSpot business coaching services for 2019.

9. Ian Brodie, How to Get More Clients

Ian is working with consultants, business coaches, and other professionals to help them attract and win more clients without the pain and expense of traditional marketing. Get the latest blog posts on how to get more clients for your business consulting or business coaching firm from best-selling author Ian Brodie.

10. Dan Sullivan, Founder and President of the Strategic Coach Inc.

Dan Sullivan is indeed a visionary and gifted theoretical thinker. He has 40 years of experience as a motivational speaker, consultant, strategic planner, and business coach to entrepreneurs and business owners. Dan has written more than 30 publications about business and how to grow in business. Apart from strategic business coaching he presently runs a successful coaching program for entrepreneurs to bring out their potential in life and work.

11. Brad Sugars, Founder and CEO of Action Coach

Brad started as a business coach in his late twenties, and today his business is recognized as one of the world’s leading business coaching firms. With his entrepreneurship skills, Brad started small business and turned them into profitable businesses. Because of his skills and achievements, it earned him the name “the turnaround kid.”

Brad shares his expertise with business owners and entrepreneurs on various topics such as sales, marketing, team-building, and systematization. He has business coaches located around the world.

12. Loren Fogelman, Spokesperson and Business Coach

Loren Fogelman is a spokesperson and one of America’s top-ranked business coaches. She was named one of the top coaches in HubSpot for 2018 and 2019. As a spokesperson, Lauren gives speeches throughout the United States and specializes in sales and pricing strategies, particularly for small businesses.

She offers business coaching services specifically designed for service-based entrepreneurs who wish to increase their revenue quickly. Her coaching primarily focuses on transitioning from a dollar-per-hour business model to a value-based one.

13. Tommi Wolfe, the Startup Expert

Tommi is an expert that helps startup businesses to sell their products or services, find clients, and increase sales. She is a CEO, business leader, and entrepreneur with many accomplishments. With her skills, business experience, and qualifications, she provides business coaching to business owners and entrepreneurs to help them achieve their business goals by making the business profitable, sustainable, and competitive.

14. Robert Viney, Business Coach, and Entrepreneur

Robert Viney is a well-known business coach who is successful in business coaching and entrepreneurship. He founded a renowned business coaching service that offers effective programs to help individuals succeed in their businesses.

His main focus is to share his knowledge and experience with other businesses, helping them to become more intelligent and innovative in their approach to generating greater profits while minimizing stress and effort.

~ Alan Melton, Small Business Coach Associates

15. Paul Martinelli, Belief Leadership

Paul Martinelli travels around the world providing business coaching to business people and entrepreneurs to bring out their true abilities. He educates them by sharing his life-changing experiences in retreats, workshops, webinars, and training others to be skilled speakers and personal development business coaches.

16. Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia, Small Business Growth Strategies

Jackie Nagel at Synnovatia offers small business owners and entrepreneurs creative strategies for business growth and performance. She helps them challenge convention, tap into their innovative side, and take significant steps toward reaching their goals with measurable outcomes. As a small business coach and strategist, she focuses on aligning actions with objectives and goals for quick and successful results.

17. Allison Dunn, CEO & Executive Business Coach

In 2013 Allison founded Deliberate Directions, where she helps hundreds of businesses achieve meaningful growth. Allison has helped clients double and triple their profitability by improving sales and marketing, training their teams, developing systems, and conducting strategic planning. She has other business coaches on her team.

18. Michael Bungay Stanier, Author and Founder of the Crayon Box

Micheal is a writer of five bestselling books in the market. These books include The Coaching Habit, Do More Great Work and many others. His focus is to develop leadership and culture change. He was named the first Canadian business coach of the year, and he has taught more than 80,000 executives from big companies all over the world.

19. Glenn Smith, Executive Business Coach

After working in his family business, Glenn Smith gained more skills and experience until he became a successful businessman. He has been coaching businesses and organizational leaders worldwide for 20 years now. He has also been a leadership and organizational leadership teacher in many universities in the US. One of his well-known works is the business acceleration process, a system proven to help entrepreneurs grow.

20. Adetiloye Adedayo, Enterprise Developer, Published Author, Serial Entrepreneur

Adetiloye is a business developer who offers business coaching to various businesses, including startups and established ones. He uses his entrepreneurship and enterprise development expertise to coach leaders in different fields and provides them with unique business ideas to help them uncover, develop, and maximize their business potential.

21. Brigitte Ayoub, Business and Marketing Coach

Brigitte Ayoub is a business and marketing coach who also manages an international organization that connects women. She assists successful female business owners in increasing their brand visibility, building confidence, and running a profitable business while managing daily life events.

Brigitte has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Master’s degree in Organization Development Leadership, focusing on Adult Learning Styles. She has over 10 years of experience in consumer behaviorism and adult learning dynamics, which helps bring a distinct and highly praised experience for clients.

22. Matt Ward, Serial Entrepreneur, Startup Advocate, Business Coach

Matt Ward is a business coach with startup businesses. He collaborates with leading experts in the growing field of Al, augmented, virtual reality, and space, and many others. He is a good expert in everything related to Amazon, e-commerce, network effects, marketplaces, etc. Matt is also highly requested for startup businesses that want to grow in the market and become competitive.

23. Alycia Wicker, Business Coach for Creative Entrepreneurs

With over 19 years of experience, she shares her expertise on various topics, including entrepreneurship and spirituality, through her blog as an interior designer. Alycia provides coaching services to interior design professionals to help them expand and grow their businesses using online strategies.

24. Dave Bailey, Founder Business Coach, Investor and Entrepreneur

Dave developed coaching programs for CEOs. He has had over ten years of working experience and is a master of his field. His business coaching programs help business owners acquire a new mindset and skills to help them stay in control of their businesses. He is not just a business coach but has co-founded and managed many companies and invested in multiple businesses.

25. Rieva Lesonsky, Columnist on Small Business Trends and Business Coach

Rieva is a columnist for a publication that protects retail trends, employment, and women involved in all types of businesses. She is also a founder and president of GrowBiz Media, which is a consulting company that caters to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Because of her expertise in small business, she has been on local and national television shows and has written several books. Additionally, she provides many business coaching and mentoring programs.

26. Karen Skidmore, Business Coach, Marketing Mentor, and Profit Catalyst

Karen has more than 25 years of business experience and is a marketing consultant and business growth adviser. She started coaching small businesses and experts specialized in selling services, online products, and group programs, giving them ideas to scale their businesses while maintaining their lifestyles. She is in charge of the Women’s Enterprise program and is recognized as the support adviser for the business links.

27. Chris Kenber, UK Business Coach

With over 30 years of experience, Chris Kenber is an experienced business coach who offers guidance on sales, marketing, and strategic issues to companies. He has an impressive record of running profitable businesses.

After graduating from a well-known business coaching academy in 2003, he started his own business. Utilizing his certification and skills, he has successfully assisted numerous businesses and business owners based in the UK to overcome obstacles and achieve exceptional results in their ventures.

28. Julie Keyes, Business Adviser, Presenter, Business Coach, Exit Planner

Julie Keyes is an entrepreneur and the owner and founder of KeyeStrtegies LCC. Being a businesswoman and with her experience in business, how demanding the job is on business owners and the difficulty in balancing work and lifestyle, she decided to go into business coaching and made a career as a business adviser. She is a speaker at many conferences dishing out her exit planning strategies.

29. Bridgette Reed, The Business Coach, God’s Way

Bridgette helps women birth their businesses God’s way using faith as our foundation and grace as our standard. She helps women profit with purpose through business coaching. She has a blog that is focused on mom’s. She speaks encouragement and peace into her readers’ lives.

30. Nick Bettes, CEO Business Coach

Nick has gained a lot of experience in defining and delivering growth strategies resulting from his work with several successful companies. Through his work, he has gained extensive knowledge in sales, finance, human resources, marketing, operations, and information technology.

Now Nick focuses on helping CEOs become understanding, straightforward, and flexible. He helps in business coaching, business training, and business consultancy and offers a manageable, low-risk solution to their business problems.

31. Zac de Silva, Business Coach New Zealand

Zac is a business coach and with his many business accomplishments, Zac has acquired a lot of skills and experience in the field. He has provided business coaching to more than a thousand clients with his unique, easy, and practical advice. He offers retreats and workshops to his clients.

32. Lara Galloway, The Mom Biz Coach

Lara Galloway’s main concern is helping mum entrepreneurs to succeed and happiness in both their home and business. She offers individual business coaching to these entrepreneurs in helping them make the right decisions, set the right values and priorities, and be confident to get the best in both the business and the family.

33. Lizzie Moult, Marketing and Mindset Mentor, Podcast Host, and Founder of Business Basecamp

Lizzie Moult is an Australian, and she is skilled and experienced in providing business coaching to entrepreneurs to use their natural talent and take their businesses to a greater level. She has worked with business owners and entrepreneurs to help their businesses expand and grow while boosting their confidence in their business coaching.

34. Corey Wright, lifelong entrepreneur and a coach

Corey Wright is the founder of XYG Coaching and a lifelong entrepreneur who has, since 2004, launched, scaled, and sold more than a half dozen 7-figure and 8-figure businesses across SaaS, e-commerce, and service brands.

He founded his company, XYG Coaching, in 2019 to amplify his skills and passion for systemizing success. He primarily works with businesses that have already found product-market fit but have yet to reach a plateau or those that have lost passion due to complexity, lack of accountability, and poor systems. His unique skill set can inject team spirit and consensus even amongst the most fragmented leadership teams.

35. Kathy D’Agostino, Founder: Win at Business Coaching

Kathy works with business leaders and executives to define and design ideal customer culture to better satisfy their needs. This will also help them capture the heart of customers, which will help them grow and expand rapidly. She also assists them to use personal accountability, goal setting strategies to make the process match with core values.

36. Stefany Nieto, Start-Up Mentor

Gwella is a mushroom company co-founded by Stefany Nieto. Their goal is to offer a wider range of mushroom products that promote wellness for individuals and communities in the modern era. Stefany architects execute strategic goals as the COO while building customer-centric partnerships and fostering a collaborative team culture.

Adding to her business founding experience, she masterminded the creation of Green Iglu. This award-winning food sovereignty start-up focuses on building food production facilities in remote communities across Canada and the Arctic. Serving her term as Executive Director of Green Iglu, she led corporate partnerships and cooperation with giant global companies like Google, Ernst, Young, and even the Government of Canada.

37. Natalie Heeley, UK Network Marketer Business Coach

Natalie is a famous business coach for network marketers in the UK. She has successfully provided business coaching to business owners and helped them earn millions on their investments. She aims at helping clients become financially independent and maintain a flexible lifestyle with their business and other concerns, that is, a work and-life balance. She says, “I believe that you should never have to choose between being successful and the best mother to your kids — you can be both!”

~ Alan Melton, Small Business Coach Associates

38. Alan S. Adams, Award-Winning Business Coach, Bestselling Author

Alan has worked with several types of sectors but specializes in small businesses and creative businesses like graphic design. He coaches entrepreneurs to earn more profit and develop their business. He won an award as a business coach, a bestselling author, and is among the top 50 advisers and business coaches of the year.

39. Georgia Walsh, Business Coach in Europe

Georgia is one of the best business coaches in Europe. With over 25 years of experience in various positions across multiple large European companies, she possesses the necessary skills and courage to work as a business coach.

She is now a famous business coach in Ireland. She says about herself, “I believe it’s the smaller, smarter steps that create the biggest leaps in business. My goal is to spark brighter focus, business breakthroughs, and lots of reasons for you (and your team!) to pop the champagne.”

40. Carrie Green, Entrepreneur Business Coach

Carrie has a degree in Economics and spent 15 years working on wall street, not as a business coach. In the early 2000s, she worked as a productivity business coach. Her business coaching is focused on teaching entrepreneurs how to earn profit in business without sacrificing a lot. Her website says, “We’ve worked with thousands of women from all over the world, across multiple industries to turn their ideas into a success and we’re here to help you too.”

41. Joey Drolshagen

Joey Drolshagen is the CEO and Founder of IFGT Life Coaching. He is a well-known coach who specializes in helping professionals who feel unfulfilled in their work. He helps them achieve a level of freedom that goes beyond what a job can offer so that they don’t have to wait until retirement to experience it.

Joey has amassed decades of studies on the subconscious mind, with several certifications and a 28+ year career in Corporate America, working his way up to Vice President of Sales in multiple corporations. Joey has led countless individuals on a successful business journey as a business coach, taking their business/professional goals and ideas to new heights within unimaginably short periods.

42. Bekka Prideaux, New Perspective Business Coach

Bekka has worked as a leader, project manager, and coach for 30 years and has gained a lot of experience. Using her experience in several industries, she helps her clients by giving them a new perspective about business and helping them think well and fully utilize their potential to be successful in business. Her website says, “You always have a choice. In every moment and in everything we do we have a choice, a choice about how we react, what we do next and how we feel.”

43. Missy Shopshire, Leadership Business Coach

Missy is a business coach who works with business owners, sales teams, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who are looking to improve their leadership skills and grow. Despite having a successful sales career, she switched to coaching to have more time with her family.

According to her website, she assists her clients in accepting any circumstances they may encounter and achieving the best possible outcome from them. Her business coaches are trained in both business and life coaching because they believe that when you have the option of concentrating on either one or both, you can obtain a superior outcome.

44. Kevin Wessels, Business Consultant

Kevin Wessels is an experienced business consultant who has been helping companies grow their revenues and improve their customer experiences for over ten years. He has a proprietary formula, called Client Connect™, which he uses to successfully scale global businesses.

Kevin is the Founder of RevSherpas, a business growth advisory firm for small to mid-sized boutique businesses. He is based in Houston and consistently delivers rapid results backed by a 200% ROI guarantee for his client family members. He specializes in revitalizing underperforming marketing strategies, boosting staff productivity, enhancing sales conversions, and increasing client retention such that profits can increase.

Kevin has published books, and his work has been featured in various media outlets including Entrepreneur, CustomerThink, Business 2 Community, SmallBizClub, and True Hollywood Talk. He mentors many new entrepreneurs who want to make their businesses recession-proof and achieve more consistent cash flow with less effort.

45. Jo James Amberlife, VIP Business Coach

Jo James is based in London and has more than 25 years of experience, making her an expert among business coaches. In 2009, she created an organization called Amberlife which was aimed at boosting the confidence of its members to create a profitable business and have a good life. She also teaches members strategies on how to sell their products and services in order to grow and expand in business while making good profits to help them live well.

Final Thoughts

So there you have the list of the best business coaches on the planet. Who have we missed? Feel free to nominate another business coach for consideration in the blog comments below. If you happen to be located in Auckland, New Zealand you might like this list of getting a business coach in Auckland. Here’s a great article on What is Business Coaching?

Did You Find A Great Coach On This List?

Every business owner hits a point of burn out or overwhelm where they lose site of how to get where they want to go.

But buckling down and working harder only gets you so far, because there are only 24 hours in a day.

I remember the moment – 8 years into my first business – when I couldn’t handle the workload myself anymore. My partner and I discovered the way out – our first business coach.

Finding someone who could help us with quarterly planning, overall strategy, and regular accountability allowed us to give ourselves raises in under a year.

The right coach can help you add more profit to your bottom line, free up time on your calendar, and systematize your business so your team performs the right way every time.

If you want to see our expanded list of 90 top business coaches, click the button below:

Are You ‘Qualified’ To Work With A Business Coach? Find Out By Talking To One For Free.

The fastest and easiest way to find the right coach (and to find out if coaching is really for you) is to start talking to business coaches.

I’ll ask you to answer a few questions, and then I’ll spend 30 minutes of my time with you to help you discover whether you’re a good candidate for coaching, and what type of coach would suit you best.

I’ve personally built 12 businesses, coached other business owners for 20 years and currently have a business coach of my own, so I know what it takes from both sides of the table to get a great result.

SCHEDULE 30 MINUTES ON MY CALENDAR NOW

~ Alan Melton, Small Business Coach Associates

business coaching grow your business Key Performance Indicators keys to business success marketing plan

5 Ways Business Owners Can Celebrate Small Business Week

5 Ways Business Owners Can Celebrate Small Business Week in 2023

This year, Small Business Week takes place on May 2nd to May 8th. Small Business Week (SBW) is a time to recognize the importance of small business owners and entrepreneurs and their contributions to society. In the United States, the majority of Americans’ livelihoods can be attributed to small businesses, either through owning one or working for one.

Due to the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic, it’s important to take some time to celebrate your efforts as a small business owner and the adversity you have overcome. As we move into a post-pandemic landscape, it can be helpful to use SBW as an opportunity to reflect on the past year while also planning ahead. Here are a few ways that you can celebrate SBW this May.

1. Foster relationships

One of the most important considerations as a small business owner is the relationships you have. While it’s always critical to have a good relationship with your customers, remember to also foster relationships with your employees and business connections. Making a point to acknowledge those that assist with your day-to-day business operations can set you apart and depict that you’re willing to put the extra effort in to show your appreciation.

Connect with your customers during SBW:

Finding ways to continuously connect with your customers can help your organization’s overall growth. Don’t be afraid to reach out to previous clients to ask for feedback or see if there are ways to improve their overall experience. Furthermore, brainstorming ways to say, “thank you” during SBW can give you the opportunity to bring back customers and promote retention. This can either be done by providing a special discount or promotion, featuring customer stories on your social media channels or even sending out “thank you” emails.

With your employees:

While your customers are certainly key to maintaining your business, remember to also keep in mind the importance of your employees in your overall structure. SBW is a time to celebrate your accomplishments but also to acknowledge the work that your employees put in. When your employees know they are valued, they will continue to put forth effort, which in turn promotes the overall success of your business. Consider handwritten notes, publicly acknowledging their talents and contributions, or catering a breakfast or lunch as a way to nurture these important relationships.

With your connections:

Another important element in maintaining a successful business is having connections outside of your day-to-day relationships. The pandemic put a halt on public gatherings, making networking extremely difficult. You may have some connections that you haven’t spoken to in over a year. Use SBW as an opportunity to reach back out to them and spark up conversation in a relationship that may have fizzled out. This is also a great opportunity to network with new connections and get your name out.

2. Further your education during SBW

As a small business owner, you are probably aware of the importance of evolving. Depending on your industry, keeping ahead of the competition could be imperative to maintaining a successful business model. One way to do this is to find ways to further your education, whether this is in a structured or unstructured environment. There are many ways to do this, such as industry specific extended learning opportunities or finding a business coach. Implementing feedback and expanding your knowledge are two vital components in growing your business. This SBW, you can even start small by taking some time to read motivational, business-specific literature to build momentum.

3. Evaluate safeguards

After this past year of uncertainty, it is evident that you can never be too prepared. As a small business owner, you are most likely the fundamental person responsible for keeping your business afloat. While this notion may come with a significant amount of pressure, remember that there are ways to protect both yourself and your business. This is why it’s important to regularly revisit both your personal and business finances and ensure that you have adequate safeguards in place.

For example, one consideration that gets overlooked is ensuring you have enough life insurance coverage set up. Even though a life insurance policy is an added cost to your bottom line, remember that this is an essential coverage to have, particularly if you have dependents who rely on your business income to meet current obligations. Furthermore, if you used any family assets to financially secure a portion of your business, having this safeguard in place protects your family from paying these debts off if you were to pass away.

4. Revisit goals

As a small business owner, you may have set both personal and business goals along the way. When you are faced with adversity and substantial change, sometimes these goals can get put on the back burner. Use SBW as an opportunity to revisit goals you may have set and find ways to work towards achieving them. Furthermore, if you have had to adjust your strategy, try setting new business goals and initiatives. Continue to reflect and ask the right questions to promote growth and hone-in on your long-term plans.

5. Prioritize self-care

While being a business owner comes with freedom and flexibility, there is also a great deal of responsibility involved. Not only are you responsible for both your personal and business success, but you are also responsible for employees and their livelihoods as you grow. This can lead to an insurmountable amount of stress overtime, especially during times of uncertainty. Recognizing all that you are taking on and allowing time to reflect and decompress is important for your mental well-being and decision making. This can be difficult to do, especially when you are wearing many hats, but use SBW as a chance to practice self-care as a business owner. Whether this is taking a vacation, treating yourself to a nice dinner, splurging on an item you’ve had your eyes on, or going on a short day trip, making time for yourself can be the difference between feeling motivated rather than experiencing burnout.

If you experienced adversity and hardship in 2020 as a small business owner, use SBW 2023 as an opportunity to reflect and re-engage. Remember that the success of your business starts with you so finding ways to celebrate your accomplishments and hard work along the way is vital in building momentum as we move into a post-pandemic landscape. With planning, preparation and goal setting, you can set yourself up for success in the months (and years) ahead.

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7 Ways For Small Business Owners To Avoid Burnout

Seven Ways For Small Business Owners To Avoid Burnout

For many small business owners, their businesses are an all-encompassing and time-consuming activity which requires their full dedication. Yet, burnout and the inability to switch off, particularly from technology, is a very real problem for many entrepreneurs. From depression to coronary heart disease and fatigue, burnout can have serious consequences for you and your business. Here are seven ways to help you learn how to avoid burnout when running a small business.

Be Organized and Use Time Efficiently On Your Business

Business owners tend to be extremely busy. To avoid burnout, effective time management is one of the most important skills that you need to develop. To stay productive and focused, make sure that you take some time to organize your working day.

Ensure that you have an organized filing system so that you can easily store and retrieve files and data whenever you need it. Administrative and financial tasks can cause some of the most stress. If there are tasks that you find especially stressful or tend to avoid doing, make sure that you create a plan in order to get these done in plenty of time.

Similarly, make sure that you use a comprehensive bookkeeping system to stay on top of your finances. Not only will this enable you to stay up to date with your business, but it can also be used to automate tasks, thereby saving you time. This will also make it easier and less stressful when it comes to completing your tax return.

Prioritize Tasks

It can be easy to become overwhelmed by the number of things that you have to get done. Instead of trying to do everything at once, make a list and prioritize the tasks. Consider using a digital list-making app, which enables you to set reminders and share your lists.

“There may be tasks that need to be prioritized first due to set deadlines. Alternatively, consider prioritizing tasks based on goals. You can further categorize tasks into those which are ‘important’ or ‘urgent’. Not only will this make things more manageable, but you will also be able to dedicate your time and energy to the most pressing tasks first. Most importantly, be realistic about how much you can get done each day,” says Hollie Wymore, a writer at Lia Help and State Of Writing.

Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking is an important and valuable skill. However, there are times when multitasking can be counterproductive, leading to divided attention and errors, as well as increased stress and burnout. Instead of trying to do multiple tasks all at once, schedule individual time for each task. In this way, you will be able to fully focus on each task, improving your productivity and reducing the potential for mistakes.

Delegate Wherever Possible

Business owners are known for trying to do it all themselves. However, it can be more efficient to delegate tasks to employees or vendors, freeing you up to do other important tasks. Be aware of tasks which can be suitably delegated to others within your business, as well as any areas in which you require additional support. As a result, you will be able to make better use of your time and skills, as well as those of your employees.

Similarly, learn when to turn down work. Assess incoming work against your ideal client, project or business goals. Avoid taking on work which does not meet these lists to prevent unnecessary stress.

While Running Your Business, Don’t Forget To Stay Healthy

Very often, burnout can be traced back to other aspects of lifestyle, including poor sleep, diet and exercise. Many entrepreneurs put their businesses, particularly in the early days, ahead of their own sleep and wellbeing. However, staying healthy is essential if your business is to thrive.

“Start by assessing your sleep,” suggests Joseph Gray, a small business blogger at Boomessays and Essayroo. “Getting sufficient sleep every night is extremely important. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Similarly, make sure that you are eating a healthy diet and try to introduce some exercise into your weekly routine. Try to schedule a lunch break every day, where you can sit down and take the time to eat properly or even do a short workout. This will give your body the chance to recharge and feel more energized and better prepared for work.”

Schedule Regular Breaks

Incorporate regular breaks throughout your day, as these will enable you to refresh your creativity and refocus. Similarly, if you are struggling with a particular task, consider taking a short break or returning to it at a different time of day.

A change of location can also help break up the day and inspire more productivity. Many entrepreneurs have the fortune of being able to work remotely, so consider trying to work in a flexible workspace or a coffee shop to aid creativity.

Set Work Hours and Stick To Them

To improve productivity, set work hours and stick to them. At the end of your workday, whatever time that may be, be strict with yourself and avoid answering emails and unplug from your devices. Having a regular schedule can help you to be better organized and make the most of your time. It will also help you to develop a more positive work-life balance, leading to reduced stress and burnout.

Similarly, schedule down time into your day. In the same way you would schedule a meeting, schedule in some time for exercise, to read, or simply step away from your work. If possible, try to book a holiday too, whether it’s a full week off, a long weekend or even just one day to yourself.

Conclusion

Burnout is a very real problem for many small business owners. Running your own business can be overwhelming and all encompassing, leaving you with little time for yourself or your personal commitments and interests. However, to run a successful business, it’s essential that you find a balance between your work and home life. By following the steps above, you will not only avoid burnout and reduce stress, but you’ll also become more productive and successful.

Lauren Groff is a successful small business writer at Academic Writing Services and Essay Services, where she regularly writes about ways to improve productivity in the workplace, as well as sharing tips on how to run a successful small business. She is also an experienced editor at OX Essays. When not writing, Lauren enjoys spending time reading and attending business conferences.

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Multitasking 101: Effective Strategies to Handle Multiple Projects at Work

Everyone has situations when it is necessary to work and organize the work process correctly. Man is not a computer, and he has no such property as multitasking. With many tasks, we do the first, then the second, then the third, and so on. Many, perhaps, think of themselves as great multitaskers. Still, modern researchers have concluded that the human brain can focus well on only one task. Suppose you engage in another task simultaneously, the likelihood of loss of work quality and making mistakes increases. Let’s see how to debug this very multitasking and remain an adequate person.

How to Manage Multiple Projects at Work

Planning goals

Your main goal is to deliver quality work on time. It is essential to maintain an emotional balance, a desire to continue working with the project, the team, and the company. Working effectively on all projects is well taught in preparation for the PMP certification. Having received quality training, you also positively characterize yourself as a specialist in the company, which further affects the likelihood of working on important and exciting projects, increasing your value. PMP certification will significantly facilitate the work itself and allow you to achieve greater efficiency.

Effective multitasking

Get as much information as possible about the project when you connect to it. Make a list of questions that need to be answered at the beginning of the work. The main principle is to find out everything, if possible: from the project’s name to the minor details. Ask questions, and don’t stop until you get an answer that you understand. If you start getting to know the details of the project after a few weeks of work, it will look odd. If a certain project requires teamwork then make sure to get familiar with the work method of your coworkers. Get to know them better with various team-building activities and once you know them better you can divide work and tasks more easily and efficiently.

Time management

If you are on a part-time project, your team should be aware of this. Create time schedules for projects, for example: on project “A,” I work until 1 pm, on project “B” and “C” after 1 pm. On project “A,” I spend no more than 3 hours a day, and on projects “B” and “C” – no more than 5 hours. Make a plan and stay on schedule. It makes sense for those who are deeply immersed in work and forget about time to set the alarm or make reminders – whoever is comfortable. Read a couple of books on time management. I don’t know the person who was hurt by this.

Planning each project

Don’t get started without a plan. It is much more effective to make a plan at the beginning of a project and stick to it in the future. It can be the main points, and it can be a plan for a week, a month. Everything is individual, what suits and likes you. Ideally, this could be a specific planning tool. In its simplest form – a table by day with columns: the project, the planned time and tasks, the time spent and the result of the work, problem points, etc. Making notes, you can deduce patterns of which assignments are given with ease and which are problematic.

Remember that there is always something more important, and something can be postponed without loss. Prioritizing is difficult but necessary. By analyzing the current situation, prioritize your tasks. The Pareto principle in its most general form is formulated as follows: 20% of the efforts give 80% of the result, the remaining 80% of the efforts – only 20% of the result. This rule applies to workflows as well. Identify the main and the secondary and start your work with the main.

Don’t get distracted while multitasking

You have planned and organized your workflow on projects. Be prepared to be distracted with or without reason. The transition to another task/project always takes time to rebuild and get involved in work. You not only split your work time into projects but also spend it switching between them. Always try to keep these jumps to a minimum. At the end of the day, after switching several times, it may turn out that you have not completed a single task on any of the projects, and the result from your work is minimal.

All of the above is the experience of professional project managers, and this is just the top of the iceberg. Perhaps, it was not a discovery for you. For someone, that was a straw that will help keep you on the waves of multitasking.

Key Performance Indicators keys to business success time management

12 Ways To Reduce Employee Burnout And Increase Productivity

Employee burnout is a problem in stable environments let alone the current turbulent times. It is far more important to take care of the employees than it has been in the past. The employees that burn out faster are usually the ones who are too invested in their work and are high-performers. Therefore, it becomes even more important to retain these employees rather than preparing for new recruits which cost much higher.

I have been working in the corporate world for close to two decades and I can vouch for the employee burnout concept. There are a lot of factors that can help you determine if you as a business owner, manager or HR needs in order to reduce employee burnouts such as what’s the general philosophy of your firm? What is the kind of behavior that is promoted at the workplace? Are there enough resources and are they available to everyone? Is the culture of your workplace an open one? Do you have an easy onboarding process?

12 Ways To Reduce Employee Burnout and Increase Productivity

While you answer those questions, somewhere in the fine lines of the records you will be able to read the real reason behind why employees get overworked at your workplace. Here are some ways to reduce employee burnout:

1. It is a 9-5 on paper and 9-10 in reality:

Yes, we all know that is a thing with workplaces, don’t we? You have to introduce proper working hours in your organization if you want to prevent employee burnout. There are people who can work longer hours than others, but let those extra hours not be the basis of performance. Promote a healthy work culture where sitting extra hours in the office doesn’t mean brownie points, it just means inefficiency to complete the given amount of work on time. Promote getting in early and getting our early culture or maybe discuss with your team and see what works best for them. Maybe in the wake of the current situation, they have some special requirements. Please take it through the proper procedure and see if you can help.

2. Make employees feel welcome:

It is very important that you make your employees a priority while taking decisions that might impact them in any manner. Make them feel involved in the company’s decisions and make their opinions valued and heard. For example, In my previous organization, there was a concept of Career Counsellor and the counselee within the organization. This career counselor was someone who was not on the same team as your manager and could still present your case to the manager because their role is similar to your manager’s and so is their position within the organization. This made it very easy for the employees to approach the career counselor even if they couldn’t directly approach their managers about a certain issue.

That’s a brilliant idea, in my opinion, however, it always made me feel like a direct approach works well but you have to create the right environment for it. Make all your employees heard and valued. It works well not just in keeping employees happy but makes them productive too.

3. Play fair and square:

Does the workplace promote untimely promotions without merit? Does the workplace support recognition for small achievements of some employees while ignoring the others? If your workplace promotes such hostile practices, then you know why your well-performing employees are looking for other jobs. It is safe to say that we all love honesty and hard work and if you keep the workplace honest, it is likely to make everyone want to perform to the best of their abilities when they don’t feel cheated and their efforts don’t feel useless to them because someone less qualified got promoted over them!

4. Promote vacation time:

A lot of companies around the world are now promoting unlimited vacation time. Think of a time where the number of holidays you take is not directly proportional to your salary. Now think the same about your employees. Think about how much load it takes off the chest. But well, let’s be real. It is not possible for every company out there to change their policies overnight for newer concepts that are still in testing waters. What can be done is that companies can encourage their employees to take vacation time and utilize it. It is also important that employees are encouraged not to work during their vacation time. It should be an actual time off work for them to enjoy other things in life so that they return to work refreshed. A good night’s sleep can work wonders for us, imagine what a two-week-long vacation can do. Don’t we all function better after a vacation? (Well, keeping our urge to go on another vacation aside!!!)

5. Offer flexible and remote working options:

Companies used to think that remote working wasn’t possible, and now look at them! They have shut offices because they realized they will save on so many expenses that way. Many companies, big and small have adopted the work from home permanently where they have given up their office spaces. It depends on the employee to the employee but you should have the option of letting your employees work remotely if they want. You can organize this process of managing remote work by using FactoHR, BambooHR, and Payroo. Apart from that, you can always honestly give your employee feedback about their productivity if it suffers. But hard-working employees who are ready to put in the work even while being away from the office are hardly shirkers. Therefore, it is important for you to be flexible and allow for remote working options within your organization.

6. Take care of their well-being:

Whether it is that yoga session or getting a general physician and that psychologist or leadership expert on board, you need to take care of your employees. This instills in them a feeling of being cared for and looked after and employees who feel a part of the family, don’t leave the family.

7. Have an open channel of communication:

Is everyone in your organization comfortable talking about their problems and just at water coolers and washrooms breaks in hushed voices but actually, logically put their point forth and get a solution for it? If that doesn’t happen, it is time you make some changes to the workplace and encourage employees to talk and connect more. Because some problems can be solved just by being a part of a good and helpful network that always come forth to solve any issues the team might be facing.

8. Introduce and practice the concept of work-life balance:

A lot of firms talk about work-life balance but only a few practice it. Do your employees work after going home? Do your employees work during their time off on weekends? Well, if you answered yes to any of those questions, then you need to work on inculcating some good work culture within your organization. Employees need to have time off from work for their minds and body to relax and rejuvenate from all the hard work they put in while at work. Here’s a leave management guide, in case you don’t have one in place yet.

Your employees don’t work but you send them emails during weekends which piles on more work for them over the weekdays? Well, then you need some work-life balance in your life too. If you are the manager and you are a good manager, chances are that many of your teammates see you as an inspiration or at least follow your orders without any questions because they have to. It is time for you to lead by example and take time off work. Give yourself the much-needed break or you will burn out before your employees do. When your employees see you being efficient with your work and managing your time perfectly, they will learn it too or maybe you can have short meetings and tell them how they can do their work more efficiently in a lesser amount of time and get themselves the much-needed break from work, each and every day.

9. Is it break time yet?:

How often have I worked in companies where the employees eagerly waited for the lunch hour like it was school! I always wondered why I was supposed to bring my school culture into my work culture? Work is supposed to be done with a peaceful and free mind, not while it is constantly making plans to eat lunch and biding time. Offices should have a culture of break time during the day, nothing that hampers creativity but something that will totally boost productivity if they don’t have the sword hanging over their heads for the break time they take if their work is complete.

10. Have cool-off zones and fun activities in the office:

A lot of offices these days have snooker tables, basketballs, PS zones, table tennis, foosball tables and other board games for employees to take their mind off of work and relax. It is important for you to make sure that employees have enough entertainment available at the workplace to rewind from a stressful situation at the earliest and nothing better than getting some stress buster activities right within the premises. You can have employees come together and make an intro video and have a lot of fun, while you are at it!

11. Consider reshuffling and rescheduling:

Employees burn out faster if they feel that the role they can perform better in a different role on the project than the one they have been assigned. And when that happens, it is important that as a manager, you hear them out and make the necessary changes, if you see their skill set is a better match. It is also a good idea to reshuffle work within the team so that nobody feels that the other person is favored with the most important tasks of the project, in spite of having the same skill set and credibility.

12. Ask for feedback:

You rolled out a new plan? There is a new vacation program? There is a new offshore program? If you are looking at fun activities and you need to generate new slogans for this activity that sticks, here is how to find effective slogans for your initiative. Or simply ask them about what they think about their position in the company and what changes would they like you to make in order to make it more conducive to them? Yes, a little effort from your end will go a long way in preventing employee burnout.

It is important to really take care of your employees if you want to keep them from leaving you and going to the competitor. You should take care to keep some basics in mind to retain the employees you have, especially the top-notch ones who run a higher risk of burning out sooner because they are more invested than others. It is up to you to make sure to find out if that’s happening within your organization and turn it around by not just stopping the employee burnout but making the workforce even more productive. Check out this article with 7 more ways to reduce employee burnout.

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How to Boost Your Business Income Post-Pandemic

So you are a business owner who wants to boost your business income post-pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, and the world will never be the same. Since that time, Census Bureau surveys have revealed that 83.5% of businesses have suffered negative impacts, and over 100,000 enterprises in the US are expected to close their doors permanently.

Now, as surviving businesses are looking for ways to maintain their financial viability in a post-pandemic world, there is significant work to do. Companies will need to reassess and update virtually all key areas of their business plans if they aim to ensure their own sustainability.

Most business’s primary goals at this point are to rebound from the pandemic in a way that leaves them even better off than before. Of course, once the pandemic truly ends, you will operate in a vastly different business environment from the one you was familiar with prior.

Businesses that actively predict and adapt to the post-COVID-19 world will be in solid positions to cement their success.

How to Boost Your Business Income Post-Pandemic

Here are some vital steps to boost your income and secure your business’s future, post-pandemic and beyond.

Align Your Strategies

Successful companies almost always have multi-year strategic plans drawn up. With that said, considering the state of the economy after the pandemic, these strategic plans will need to be completely overhauled.

You will need to examine and contrast past and current market trends to forecast the future of your sector accurately. Ask yourself about common factors among firms in your industry that performed well during the last recession, and what your customers’ current and future needs will be. How can you address them? Are there any external threats out of your control that your industry is facing? Does your business model need updating if your enterprise is to survive?

Rethink Your Finances

Your cash flow forecast needs revision in 2021, regardless of the industry you operate in. Start with your current cash position and then forecast your expected incomes and expenses using as much concrete data as you have on hand.

Your aim should be to draw up several possible cash flow forecasts based on different future scenarios, like a minor decrease in revenue, a major decrease, and completely flat income streams.

Your next course of action will be to brainstorm solutions to these scenarios.

You could, for example, put a stop to non-essential expenditures, negotiate flexible payment terms with your suppliers, and reduce the costs of your materials and other variable expenses. You may also consider applying for a low-interest state loan to help cover vital business-related costs.

You could also think about using tax relief provisions to your advantage. The CARES Act in the USA includes multiple business tax relief laws and options, including regulations on business interest expense deductions, operating loss deductions and more. If you haven’t applied for the PPP and EIDL loans, take advantage of these offerings.

Optimizing Spending Habits is Another Way To Boost Your Business

Cutting all of your costs is not always the best move for your business during economic hardship. Instead, you need to prioritize your spending on the services and products in highest demand and those that drive the most profit for your company.

Many businesses know that roughly 80% of their sales come from just 20% of their customer base. You need to focus on retaining and servicing those essential customers during tough times. You can assess your customers’ changing needs and budgets by keeping in contact with them and adjusting as you learn.

It’s reasonable to expect some form of financial loss post-pandemic, so there is no need to fight for every small customer or minor purchase. Instead, appeal to a customer base that is well insulated from COVID-19 risk, and think about adjusting your offerings according to those in top demand at the present. You could also revise your price model to provide more affordable products and services to your customers who are suffering because of the recession.

Improve Your Working Capital Management

Your working capital management strategy should include inventory, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. A solid cash gap plan can significantly improve your cash in the bank.

You can improve your post-pandemic income in the following ways:

Reduce your cash conversion cycle by asking for deposits and upfront payments and billing as soon as your sales information arrives. You may consider offering small discounts for earlier payments, too.
Pay your accounts payable at a later time, as long as you have negotiated longer terms with your suppliers beforehand. Paying early provides no inherent benefits, and can leave you with an imbalanced cash flow.
Streamline your accounts receivable process by automation your invoice generation process.
Ensure that your appointed staff members order properly to reduce last-minute purchases. Consider using automated technology to manage your inventory ordering processes.
Accurately and regularly count your inventory to assess and control your true costs.
Adopt inventory management best practices to turn over inventory quicker and reduce your cash conversion cycles. The quicker you can sell your products, the sooner you can receive sales cash and start the accounts receivable aging process.

Get On Board with eCommerce

eCommerce in the US grew by a whopping 44% in 2020 alone, and it’s expected to burgeon even more as the pandemic rages on. This trend is not expected to ebb away in the post-pandemic business world. Quarantine has rapidly shut down land-based businesses, but many online businesses are thriving like never before.

Your business can boost its income and take advantage of the post-pandemic eCommerce boom by offering your products and services through a dedicated online store. This approach will reduce your operational and office overhead costs, keep your workforce safe from the Coronavirus, and assist you in staying up to date with the latest advancements and trends in the digital commercial sphere.

Boost Your Business By Facing The Future

The post-pandemic world will provide myriad challenges for businesses in every corner of the world, but defeat is not unavoidable.

You can boost your business income and ensure your enterprise’s survival after the pandemic has ended by adapting to new trends, prioritizing your cornerstone customers, optimizing your spending habits, and improving your working capital management.

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My Top Ten Favorite Business Tools for Entrepreneurs

My Top Ten Favorite Business Tools (Updated to 21 Tools) for Entrepreneurs

As I’m working with my clients I’m frequently advising them about business tools that are useful for small business owners and those who are self-employed. Since I believe that marketing is one of the most important small business owner skills, several of my favorite tools fall under that category.

Just as important as marketing is self-development and included are a couple of those tools in my list. I’ve listed 3 tools that I use in coaching my clients and 2 that help with the financial areas of business..

Hootsuite is a very helpful business tool with managing your social media posts. You can send one post to multiple social media sites with the push of a button, and you can schedule future posts so that your message broadcasts while you are on vacation or sleeping! Plans start as little as $19 per month.
MailChimp is an email newsletter distribution platform. You can create your newsletter using their templates, add subscribers to your list and send out hundreds of email newsletters a month for free.
Clickfunnels is an online business tool that helps you to build marketing campaigns without the help of a technical person. You can connect these campaigns to your website so that your visitors may view and buy your products or services online. The cost starts at less than $99 per month.
WordPress. You may already be familiar with WordPress. This famous website platform boasts of providing 28% of all the websites on the globe. That’s a lot of sites! These websites are relatively easy to design, but many business owners hire a web designer to set everything up. Adding content and images is really easy; very similar to Microsoft Word. The cost can be as little as zero.
Audible is a way for you to listen to all kinds of books on tape. I consider personal development to be essential for the small business owner. Zig Ziglar, the famous motivational person talked about the benefit of going to “automobile university,” that is to listen to audio recordings while driving your car. I frequently listen to personal development recordings while driving or working out. The cost is about $15 per month.
Quickbooks. Most everyone in business knows about Quickbooks; but did you know that this billing and invoicing tool can automate your payments from customers? Then you don’t have to manually create bills or chase customers for money. The payment shows up in your account so that you can spend more time with your customers. You can use it to pay your bills too! The cost is as little as $5 per month.
Our 36 Coaching Module Assessment. This business tool is a self-assessment we provide to business owners and self-employed people who are looking to improve their business and take it to the next level. The tool examines your business in 36 areas in your business. We have found that every business owner wants to experience freedom in business. That’s why we decided to become our own boss; to be free from another boss! The cost is zero.
Coaching Agenda. Our clients fill out a weekly coaching agenda prior to each session. Included on the agenda are Key Performance Indicators, Goals and Actions, Biggest Achievements, Challenges, Motivation level, and other important information. This tool tracks your business progress and results helps to achieve forward momentum and identifies obstacles to overcome. The cost for this business tool is included with all coaching packages.
Strategic Plan. In my opinion, one of the most important business tools an entrepreneur can use is the Strategic Plan. Therefore that is one of the first things we provide for our clients. For us, this important document includes your personal vision, values, goals and bucket list. To that, we add your business vision, values, and mission, your business goals and objectives which form the “big picture” and your action plan which breaks everything down into small steps to achieve the plan. The cost is included with coaching packages.
Canva. This simple and amazing content creation site will help you to create all kinds of images, presentations, posters, infographics, social media images and anything you can think of. There is a free version or you can pay $12.99 per month for the pro version.
Promo. is an online video maker that gives you everything you need to make high-quality videos that will help your business grow. easily create videos from scratch or choose from our selection of video templates. No editing experience needed unlimited creative options inside. They have millions of templates for all kinds of business types and it fits all types of content. With Promo, you can also make video advertisements freely and easily. Promo helps you to promote your business or products, improves brand awareness, widen your reach, and engage your customers.

Flock. For small businesses, communication plays a very important role. It’s a means of synergizing the office environment so all the relevant divisions can work in harmony. There are several requirements for in-office messaging and video conferencing, which can be addressed with Flock. It is mostly available for free unless you need the advanced features available for a mere $4.50/ month for each user. Since Flock facilitates both messaging and video conferencing at a low cost, it is our personal favorite.
Colorcinch is the cooler, down-to-earth stepchild of photo editing – always dependable, fabulously low-maintenance, and ready to prove their worth. They help you to “cartoonize” your images in a very cool way. Their price range from $3.99 per month to $5.99 per month.
Titan. Another important form of communication for small businesses is email. Aside from interacting within the office environment, email is used to inform clients and customers about your business products and services. Titan allows you to create official email addresses with your business domain that adds to your professional capacity. After a 30-day free trial period, you can choose to continue using this highly professional business tool for only $1.50/ month for each user.
Asana. Small businesses that require a level of symbiosis and planning when executing important projects. Asana is a project management tool for small and medium enterprises to keep employees focused on the step-by-step execution of the projects. You can create daily goals, assign deadlines, and allocate tasks to each member or team and watch as the tasks are completed with absolute effectiveness. Since Asana allows you to classify the project with short-term goals, it makes it easier to follow the progress of individual tasks. The basic project management tools in Asana are available for free. However, if you wish to use the advanced premium features, it’ll cost $11/ month for each user, and for business features, $25/ month for each user. Since Asana is a useful small business tool where you can view each project from different clients on one forum and keep tabs on the development, the cost seems meager as compared to its usefulness.
TimeDoctor. To run a small business with efficiency, you have to take Time Management into account. It is not optional to create effective calendars and schedules for each project for different clients. Time management increases your efficiency in manifolds. Not only can you check the development of the projects, but you can also dock the exact amount of time that your employees dedicated to your business. It can be overtime or slacking that causes delays in your projects. TimeDoctor is an excellent small business tool that tracks productivity and Time Management for all your business functions. You can try it for free for 14 days to evaluate its suitability for your business. You can subscribe to the plan for only $10/ month for each user.
Adobe Creative Cloud. For design-based small businesses, Adobe Creative Cloud is a blessing. It facilitates the use of multiple tools on desktop as well as mobile apps for all your design functions. It is an outstanding tool for creating attractive videos, adjusting features in photography, creating a web design, and programs to detect and track user experience. This small business tool is popular for its proficient design facilities and regarded quite highly among professionals. The plans for Adobe Creative Cloud vary based on how many people use it and for what purpose. For individual use, the price is as low as $10/ month. If you want to use it for business, then it costs $34/ month. Adobe Creative Cloud also offers separate packages for educational purposes, including small businesses that focus on training in design functions. For students and teachers, it costs $20/ month. For Universities, schools, and colleges, it costs as low as $15/ month.
Wave. Small businesses are extremely reliant on regular billing and payments. Since the profits are limited, and there are multiple expenses that you need to consider, payment cycles must be systemized. Wave is a targeted software created to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs. It helps you design customized invoices with your business domain and feature the identity of your brand. You can create recurring invoices for billing and payments and track the income and expenses accordingly. The best part about Wave is it is mostly available free of cost. However, if you wish to associate billing and payments with credit cards, then you might incur additional charges.
Turbo Tax. Maybe your business is a startup and you haven’t developed much complexity. You can do-it-yourself until you can afford a bookkeeper. Tax filing, especially for small businesses, can be really cumbersome. You have to consider all the previous year’s taxes, deductible business expenses, income, etc. That is why TurboTax comes in handy. You can synchronize TurboTax with QuickBooks to access all your income and expenses. It can also track the taxes from the previous year as well as deduct and business expenses associated with travel, advertising, materials, etc. The tool is available for $160 under federal jurisdiction and $50/ state. The cost of TurboTax may seem a little higher than usual, as compared to small business tools that perform other functions, but it is worth it when you get to save a considerable sum in tax deductions and returns.
Dropbox Sign. Another primary requirement for small businesses is signing important documents. When you accept a contract or need signatures from clients, suppliers, partners, investors, or even employees, it is helpful to have the process digitized for efficiency. Dropbox Sign offers the means for you to request the signature from them. Once the process is completed, a copy of the acknowledged and signed document is sent to each signatory for posterity. It helps keep your business functions above-ground and transparent, facilitating trust-building and understanding among all parties. The cost incurred for this most-useful small business tool is a mere $13/ month for each user for the standard plan. You can also upgrade to the business plan, which costs $23/ month for each user.
Paypal. It is a globally-accepted mode of payment for all small businesses. Therefore, you can provide local or overseas services and get paid via simple online transfers. The standard Paypal plan charges 2.9% + $0.30 for each transaction. The Pro plan charges the same, with an additional $35/ month.
Selzy. Is an emerging email marketing platform that is newbie-friendly and targets specifically small and medium-sized companies. The platform offers a forever free trial with up to 1,000 contacts in the list and 15,000 emails sent each month. It has a simple drag-and-drop email builder with 100+ free templates to create picture-perfect newsletters in the nick of time. Selzy also offers a massive amount of features like automated list hygiene, A/B testing, detailed but digestible analytics, and even some help from experienced email marketers depending on the plan.
Explore Selzy now to optimize the cost of email marketing for your business.

Two more honorable mentions: Slack and Basecamp. These two tools provide similar services but Slack is more geared towards communication while Basecamp is for project management. Slack starts at $6.67 per month and Basecamp is $99.00 per month. Both are great tools!

I’ve brought to you some of the best business tools, apps, and technologies that can benefit your business. Try some of the tools in this list and watch your business grow!

Questions about our small business coaching services?

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Business planning business tools effective communications increase profits Key Performance Indicators keys to business success marketing plan time management workforce focus

Using a Break Even Plan For a School Bus Company

Break Even Plan For a School Bus Company

This week I’m writing about using a Break-Even Plan. A Break-Even Plan will stop the bleeding of your cash by temporarily cutting all non-critical expenses while driving sales above break-even by selling existing inventory. I have been writing about some of my hero clients and how we are able to achieve significant results from our work together. We have 36 Coaching Modules, which are areas within your business that when we improve your performance, your business will run better.

The Situation in Charlie’s Bus Company

Our business hero this week is Charlie, owner of a bus sales and service company. I began working with Charlie and his parents when their sales were stagnant. At that point, their business had been losing an average of $40,000 per year for several years.

Coaching Modules for Charlie’s Bus Company

We implemented several of our Coaching Modules. These included a Strategic Plan, Team Meeting Rhythm, Sales Management System, Key Performance Indicators and most importantly in the near term, a Break-Even Plan.

A Break-Even Plan for Charlie’s Bus Company

After reviewing their financials, we determined that we needed to reduce their fixed costs and grow their revenues. Their billable hours compared to their shop employee hours was too low. So, we reduced the number of shop employees. We also eliminated some extra outsourced services such as vehicle detailing. We set a goal of selling one bus a week. Billable hours and bus sales per week became two of our Key Performance Indicators. We began meeting weekly to review performance and remove obstacles.

Charlie’s Bus Company Results

The sales and profit growth were dramatic with our Break-Even Plan. Here’s what Charlie said:

“You have really taken the blinders off our eyes to see the potential of our business and now you are taking us there. We are thrilled that you achieved growth from $651,000 to $1,100,000 and a profit increase in excess of $181,000 since we started working with you in January.”

Congratulations Charlie on your impressive growth of your sales and profits using a break-even plan. You are a true business hero and an inspiration to us! You can view another case study about using an Employee Acquisition Plan in an auto repair business here.

Break even plan business results Key Performance Indicators sales management plan strategic planning team meeting rhythm

A Sales Management System

John’s Manufacturing Company

Tactical Marketing, Time Management, Key Performance Indicators, Strategic Planning, and Team Deployment for John’s Company

The Sales Management System Implementation in a Manufacturing Company

Results For John’s Manufacturing Company In Using A Sales Management System

The 45 Best Business Coaches to Follow in 2023

Bonus Material: Expanded List Of 90 Best Business Coaches.

1. Alan Melton, Entrepreneur, Small Business Expert and Small Business Coach

2. Erin Henry, Australian Motivator and Digital Entrepreneur

3. Karl Bryan, Coaching Sales and Marketing Expert

4. Barry Moltz, Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker, and Small Businesses

5. Melinda Emerson, Small Business Expert

6. Sheri Kaye Hoff, Business Coaching and Mindset Expert

7. Andy Turner, Sales and Marketing Strategist

8. Melissa Dawn, Speaker, Coach, Author of CEO of Your Life and Business

9. Ian Brodie, How to Get More Clients

10. Dan Sullivan, Founder and President of the Strategic Coach Inc.

11. Brad Sugars, Founder and CEO of Action Coach

12. Loren Fogelman, Spokesperson and Business Coach

13. Tommi Wolfe, the Startup Expert

14. Robert Viney, Business Coach, and Entrepreneur

15. Paul Martinelli, Belief Leadership

16. Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia, Small Business Growth Strategies

17. Allison Dunn, CEO & Executive Business Coach

18. Michael Bungay Stanier, Author and Founder of the Crayon Box

19. Glenn Smith, Executive Business Coach

20. Adetiloye Adedayo, Enterprise Developer, Published Author, Serial Entrepreneur

21. Brigitte Ayoub, Business and Marketing Coach

22. Matt Ward, Serial Entrepreneur, Startup Advocate, Business Coach

23. Alycia Wicker, Business Coach for Creative Entrepreneurs

24. Dave Bailey, Founder Business Coach, Investor and Entrepreneur

25. Rieva Lesonsky, Columnist on Small Business Trends and Business Coach

26. Karen Skidmore, Business Coach, Marketing Mentor, and Profit Catalyst

27. Chris Kenber, UK Business Coach

28. Julie Keyes, Business Adviser, Presenter, Business Coach, Exit Planner

29. Bridgette Reed, The Business Coach, God’s Way

30. Nick Bettes, CEO Business Coach

31. Zac de Silva, Business Coach New Zealand

32. Lara Galloway, The Mom Biz Coach

33. Lizzie Moult, Marketing and Mindset Mentor, Podcast Host, and Founder of Business Basecamp

34. Corey Wright, lifelong entrepreneur and a coach

35. Kathy D’Agostino, Founder: Win at Business Coaching

36. Stefany Nieto, Start-Up Mentor

37. Natalie Heeley, UK Network Marketer Business Coach

38. Alan S. Adams, Award-Winning Business Coach, Bestselling Author

39. Georgia Walsh, Business Coach in Europe

40. Carrie Green, Entrepreneur Business Coach

41. Joey Drolshagen

42. Bekka Prideaux, New Perspective Business Coach

43. Missy Shopshire, Leadership Business Coach

44. Kevin Wessels, Business Consultant

45. Jo James Amberlife, VIP Business Coach

5 Ways Business Owners Can Celebrate Small Business Week in 2023

1. Foster relationships

Connect with your customers during SBW:

With your employees:

With your connections:

2. Further your education during SBW

3. Evaluate safeguards

4. Revisit goals

5. Prioritize self-care

Seven Ways For Small Business Owners To Avoid Burnout

Be Organized and Use Time Efficiently On Your Business

Avoid Multitasking

Delegate Wherever Possible

While Running Your Business, Don’t Forget To Stay Healthy

Schedule Regular Breaks

Set Work Hours and Stick To Them

Conclusion

How to Manage Multiple Projects at Work

Planning goals

Effective multitasking

Time management

Planning each project

Don’t get distracted while multitasking

12 Ways To Reduce Employee Burnout and Increase Productivity

1. It is a 9-5 on paper and 9-10 in reality:

2. Make employees feel welcome:

3. Play fair and square:

4. Promote vacation time: