Tag Archives: entrepreneur

A Short Course in Numbers – Part 2

Posted on by

numbers-300x2901

In Part 1 I mentioned that John McCarthy, computer and cognitive scientist who coined the term “artificial intelligence” stated…”he who refuses to do arithmetic is doomed to talk nonsense.”

Recently I wrote about KPIs, Key Performance Indicators.  In Part 1 of this series, I presented a few ratios that might be your KPIs, or a part of your overall watchfulness of the numbers in your business.  In this post I’m going to review some calculations to determine what typically happens in your business.  There are four common methods of calculating a typical value: mean, median, mode and midrange.  Don’t run – stick with me – it will be painless, I promise, and if you need more help, call for an appointment to work on the numbers for your business. Continue reading →

A Short Course in Numbers

Posted on by

numbers-300x2901

John McCarthy, computer and cognitive scientist who coined the term “artificial intelligence” stated…”he who refuses to do arithmetic is doomed to talk nonsense.”

In the next few newsletters I hope to help you through some of the numbers of business.  Recently I wrote about KPIs, Key Performance Indicators.  Many of the KPIs in business take at least a basic understanding of a few mathematical concepts.  In this article I’d like to introduce or reintroduce you to Ratio.  Don’t run – stick with me – it will be painless, I promise, and if you need more help, just call for an appointment to work on the numbers for your business. Continue reading →

Key Performance Indicators

Posted on by

looking

There is a primary problem with measurement.  You can measure a million different things.  Measure too much and you’ll drown in a sea of meaningless data.

Some measurements are more important than others.  Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are measurements of the critical parts of a system.  Measurements that don’t help you make improvements to your system are worse than worthless:  they’re a waste of your limited attention and energy.  You don’t have time to pay attention to everything – just a few key measurements that actually matter. Continue reading →

11 Networking Turnoffs Entrepreneurs Make

Posted on by

people2

Many of our clients are making the commitment to network more this year to help get the word out and grow their business.  A quick review of what not to do may help make this year’s networking lead to greater results.

Upstart Business Journal posed this Up Take and question.  The responses that follow are from entrepreneurs regarding their networking experiences.

The UpTake: Networking events are an opportunity to build future relationships, not sell your product and life story. It only takes two to form a healthy business relationship, so don’t waste it by dolling out business cards after saying “hello.”

Question: What’s one common networking mistake or turnoff that you see business owners make? Continue reading →

It Takes a Village

Posted on by

raising

Friday the 13th was a very lucky day for the Cumberland Business Incubator (CBI).  Pauline Sherrer, Crossville Chronicle and CBI Steering Committee member, recognized earlier this year that the CBI, as well as the businesses located within the CBI, needed to be easier to find and took the leadership role in the CBI sign project.  Pauline felt the sign should represent a local business so she and CBI Director Holly Hanson met with Cyndy and Bruce Gardner of Homestead Timber Frames and their team who designed, built and led the raising of the timber frame. Continue reading →

GIST – Great Ideas for Starting Things

Posted on by

GIST

Guy Kawasaki likes to start his speeches with a top-ten list based on the topic he is speaking about.  When it comes to the list of most important things an entrepreneur must accomplish, his list has only five. Continue reading →

Fast Pitch Winners Announced!

Posted on by

Picture1

The Cumberland Business Incubator’s (CBI) Global Entrepreneurship Week’s final event on November 22nd provided the opportunity for 7 business owners to pitch their business plans to a crowd of family, friends and community leaders. Continue reading →

Incubation Increases Success

Posted on by

DSC_8426

Entrepreneurs have limited time, knowledge and resources.  They need to focus on what matters most to them and what they need to do better than their competitors, but the rest still needs to get done and that’s where incubators can be of great help.  Continue reading →

The Power of Accountability

Posted on by

accountability

Personally as the entrepreneur in residence and business coach at the CBI, and our volunteer CBI business mentors, our job is to help business owners develop bigger better businesses.  If you are actively trying to build your company, then you could benefit by looking for an advisor/coach/mentor to help you.

What can an advisor/coach/mentor help you do? Continue reading →