small business

quickie — $100 for $1 (anti-cyber Monday)

I'm in the middle of composing an epic post that simplifies the whole business world and applies it to your web site. In the meantime, I had to let you know about a time-sensitive deal. (It has nothing to do with ''black Friday'', ''cyber Monday'', or ''arbitrary Tuesday'' sales -- but does have a deadline in a couple days!)

Marlon's special video

One of the upstanding pillars of online business, Marlon Sanders, has just posted a video that I think you'll find profitable. I was going to make something like this myself, but Marlon's already done a great job and you can get started with it today.

(Even if you ''know'' what he talks about, it'll be a good check to make sure you're still focusing on the right things.)

Click for Marlon's special video

P.S. Yes, he's selling something. If it makes sense, give him a dollar and he'll give you almost $100 worth of content this week. But only do it if it makes sense for you to earn more right now.

And keep your eyes peeled for my epic post later this week!

Update: Marlon changed his video when he changed his offer. I just updated the link. He's still got a $1 offer and some good content. Check it out.

Atypical Small Business Planning

When most people ask whether you've got a business plan or not they are thinking of the Assets/Liabilities/Income/Expense statements. That's a piece of the whole plan, but if that's all you're relying on then you've bought into A LIE.

Full blown business plans are useful in an Eisenhower sort of way -- Plans are nothing; planning is everything.

What is often most important is to go through the process of identifying your destination (outcome goals), identifying what you need to do (planning), and identifying how you intend to do it (process goals).

Just walking through your typical day in your dream life can make a world of difference in whether you want to really reach that goal or not.

Many people get stuck on setting an outcome: "I want to be a millionaire." A few get as far as a plan: "flipping X houses a month." Very, very few think through the day-to-day process: "I will call # of home owners a day with a cheerful attitude and ..."

So, while the typical formal business plan could help a start-up get VC funding, an arbitrary small business owner is well advised to work on a lifestyle planning process in addition to the usual A/L/I/E business planning.

Whether you have a formal business plan ready or not, check out what I share (a "secret") for how you can save time, energy, and money. (I say "secret" because you probably already know what to do -- the question is: are you doing it?!)