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

While that may seem like a strange question for this blog - it really gets to the heart of the matter.  Are you satisfied with what you are doing with your life?  This week again I have had opportunity to spend some time with folks who have invested their entire working career doing a job to earn a living and get to the end of it wondering where life went.  It happens over and over.  People are not finding satisfaction in life - because they settle. A Conference Board survey last year reported that only 49% were satisfied with their jobs, the lowest level in 22 years since they began their survey.  There are dozens of other surveys that show similar numbers - people just aren't happy.  So h... Continue reading

This is the eighth blog post regarding the 10 Things I Accidentally Learned on the Path to Growth. Without a doubt this is the most important of the ten items - that success without balance in your life is empty. Some of the most successful people alive are also the most unhappy. The reality is that success does not equal happiness. Success does not equal fulfillment. Success by itself, and certainly alone, means nothing. So before you go chasing success - having the biggest company or the most profitable EBITDA or the most customers or employees - know why you are doing it and how you will make it meaningful so it brings happiness along with it. Otherwise you are wasting your time, an... Continue reading