Peer Power Blog

Over the past six months or so, I have performed a dozen SWOT visits to HTG member companies as part of our HLG consulting relationships.  These have been all across the US and outside the borders in Australia. There are a number of common themes that raise their heads. I’ll share some of the key learning’s that you should consider evaluating in your own company. The truth is that most of these areas are not difficult. It just takes focus and effort. Make them a goal to accomplish as you set your quarterly goals. But working on these areas can make a significant difference in your company. The bottleneck is at the top. I’ll start by being blunt and honest. The barrier to growth for m... Continue reading

As business owners we live with the constant tension between our dreams and the reality of how things actually are. As we head into a new year, here are 10 key points I want you to consider for the year ahead. Preparation and planning is critical to success, so take some time, get away from the chaos, and consider how you will enter the next year and succeed. Keep these things in mind….. 1. Leading a business is a marathon, not a 50-yard dash. It’s not how you start that matters. It’s how you finish the race. Sustainability counts more than speed. Keep your foot on the gas and keep moving forward. Don’t give up! 2. Leading a business is hard work. Even though you believed when you started ... Continue reading

Here is a little song to help get you focused on the process of planning as we head into the Christmas Holiday.  Click here to get the music playing and sing along about twelve key things to the four HTG plans! On the first day of Planning, my family said to me… Please plan your legacy. On the second day of Planning, my company said to me… BC-DRP And please plan your legacy. On the third day of Planning, my banker said to me… Project your budget, BC-DRP And please plan your legacy. On the fourth day of Planning, my partners said to me… Strategy and vision Project your budget, BC-DRP And please plan your legacy. On the fifth day of Planning, my peer group said to me… Write it and share ... Continue reading

Warren Buffet is a very successful business person. While I can’t say I always agree with his politics or policy leanings – you can’t argue with his wisdom. This year in his letter to stockholders he makes some important comments that we all should take as a cue for what to do. Check out page 26 of the PDF and read his two-page Memo to all Berkshire Managers. In this biennial memo, he reemphasizes his number 1 priority and asks for letters outlining who each manager has chosen to replace themselves if something happens to them. Here is the excerpt:“I need your help in respect to the question of succession. I’m not looking for any of you to retire and I hope you all live to 100. (In Charlie’s... Continue reading

This is the second blog post regarding the 10 Things I Accidentally Learned on the Path to Growth and is a topic many of us as small business owners take for granted. After 25 years in this business, it has become more apparent than ever that planning is a key to success. Zig Ziglar says it this way: “Unless you have definite, precise, clearly set goals, you are not going to realize the maximum potential that lies within you”.No PlanI didn’t have a plan for many years. So my examples are more what not to do than what to do. I formed SCCI (now HTS) as a hobby back in 1985. It was just going to be a small sideline business to allow me to help a few folks with their computers. Today it is 7... Continue reading