On Words and Business

Just finished reading this very interesting book Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive by Noah Goldstein, Steve Martin, and Robert Cialdini.

It’s a quick read and enjoyable. One of my favorite chapters was on naming things (products, services, projects). Look for the story on Dennis the dentist (or demolition worker).

Well done is better than well said.

Benjamin Franklin

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this study of entrepreneurs from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Among other interesting findings:

• Almost half of those surveyed (47%) had advanced degrees
• Most were married (69.9%) and/or with children (59.7%)
• Very few (4.5) cited an inability to find traditional employment as a reason for starting a company
• Almost a quarter of the respondents (23.8%) had two siblings and the most popular answer (and, as it happens, the number of siblings I have)
• In terms of birth order…42.8% were first children, 28.1% were second children (this is where I fit in the categorization), and the percentages drop off precipitously after that.

Take some time to read the report and see if you fit. Or if you are a maverick entrepreneur.

As a sole proprietor, doing all the work can get exhausting at times. Why not join forces with another business to benefit you both? Perhaps a  joint marketing venture, like that discussed here at the Solopreneur’s Million Dollar Mindset or a joint venture of another sort–like sharing resources or using the relationship to break into different markets.

It’s an intriguing way to expand your offerings or your marketing. It’s something I’ve been looking into for a while now.

My new joint venture with the design firm studio;wink is just one example. There are other potential parterships on the horizon and it’s fun to think about new directions to take Alley424.

A customer service tour de force: about how a good relationship with your customer, in addition to solving his or her problems, will stand you in good stead. This is a great story to tell but not one to have experienced, I imagine.

I’ve been yelled at and spit on by an irate customer before, but not in the business I’m running now. I never got a shamefaced apology (or any apology for that matter), so I definitely have something to learn from this story about how I can build the relationship and trust.

What is your worst/best customer service experience?

Here is the blog from the authors of The E-Myth Revisited.

For small business owners who want to create a business that can run without them.

The book and the ideas behind it are fascinating. There is something here for every entrepreneur.