How many of us started our own business because, at least in part, we wanted to be in control? ( )But then somehow you realize your business has got control of you. (Or is that just me?) I’ve been thinking … Read More
marketing
Organization vs Automation
“Automation” is one of those buzzwords that’s almost as overused as “AI” (and sometimes people put those buzzwords together). Automation promises massive scalability, and getting us out of a lot of the stuff we don’t want to do (like talk … Read More
The real challenge with follow up
The real challenge with follow up for solo consultants isn’t lack of leads or time (although those can be issues, too). After all, if you had exactly one person to follow up with this week, you could easily make that … Read More
Destroying Trust out of the Gate
I’m apparently at an age where my LinkedIn feed is full of sponsored posts with images of buff men exercising, assuring me that “The average male in the USA lives to 74 Years Old. That means you are middle aged … Read More
Automation and Organization
Almost 2 years ago, I wrote a post on organization vs automation for sales and marketing, and if I may say so, I think it stands up pretty well. Since then, AI-slop has only proliferated, making more noise, more attention … Read More
Using a CRM for effective networking
Traditionally, CRMs are for a VP of sales tracking the sales team’s efforts to push deals through a pipeline by the end of the quarter. They don’t have much to say about networking and referrals. But if you get most … Read More
Why “Sales” Sucks for Solo Consultants, and Trying to Fix It Just Makes It Worse
We’ve all experienced the attack of the aggressive salesman, chasing us across the car lot, shoving a business card at us while we’re just trying to grab a drink, calling and emailing incessantly, trying to wear down our resistance until … Read More
If your TODO list keeps growing, it’s no longer a TODO list
It’s an anxiety-producer. Because your time and energy are finite, an ever-growing TODO list means that tasks are piling up faster than you can process, delete, delegate, or complete them. This leads to the paradox of high-stress, high “business”, but … Read More
AI for Solo Consultants: Your Intern, not Your Replacement
There’s a lot of talk about AI replacing and transforming jobs, which has some kernels of truth alongside a whole lot of AI-hype. It’s hard to throw an AI-generated rock without hitting a newly minted “AI Expert” or “AI Strategist”. … Read More
Selling a Porsche to a Honda Buyer
“It’s even smaller than I pictured, but I guess I can make it work. How much is it?” “$195,000.” “What? But the Honda I’m looking at is $30,000.” “Well, that’s a very different vehicle.” “I know. It has more room, … Read More