A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Many of you may know that in addition to writing and consulting I also do speaking engagements. The topics vary depending upon the venue and the audience, of course. Generally, I know the topic in fairly specific terms well in advance of an appearance. I also...
Economic Incentives Focused on Big Business, But Where Is the Future?
More and more, it becomes apparent that the government does not—and can not—hold the answers for U.S. competitiveness. At best, the government must be encouraged to get out of the way to enable businesses to be able to compete. Federal, state, and local governments,...
The New Small Business Innovation Research Grant Program Reauthorization Bill: H.R. 5819 “Modernizing” Grant Programs
The New Small Business Innovation Research Grant Program Reauthorization Bill: H.R. 5819 “Modernizing” Grant Programs It is a long-awaited and still much-contended piece of legislation, but the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5819) is one step closer to reality....
Learning from Experience – Other People’s Lessons
There are lessons which can be learned only from first hand experience. If we are wise, there are others which can be taught by and learned from others. When we can learn from others and gain the wisdom of their experience, we are able to avoid any number of things...
Can the Government Teach Small Businesses to Do Business?
Can the Government Teach Small Businesses to Do Business? There seems to be a buzz about government creating more programs to teach businesses, especially small businesses, how to do business. How to compete. How to cut costs. How to (fill in the blank). More and more...
Business—Not Rocket—Science Powers Innovation
Business—Not Rocket—Science Powers Innovation Have you ever had someone tell you how easy business is? That it “Isn't rocket science”? Maybe you've had someone say to you that “Business is kind of like teaching; those who can't do something more challenging go into...
Building a Better Business
Building a Better Business The better business is as much about the business itself as it is the product, service, or technology provided. Without a sound business model, the ability to produce, sell, and deliver the product to the customer—consistently and with...
Born to Run, Born to Innovate … But Learn to Walk First
It would be nice if the capacity to innovate came with the inception of the organization, if it could be encoded in the genetic material of the building blocks of the components you assemble. Wouldn’t it be nice if it were as simple as, well, walking? But wait:...
Employee Misclassification: Small Businesses At Risk
As a small business owner, it is critical to your business to understand what differentiates an employee from an independent contractor, as well as what positions in your business are eligible for overtime compensation. The failure to properly identify workers and...
Business Plans: Not Fill-in-the-Blank
Business Plans: Not Fill-in-the-Blank Often, it seems that anyone and everyone doing business plans are filling in blanks or using templates. For many organizations, the creation of a business plan is an exercise that gets put in the drawer or on a shelf to be...