Six Simga and organizational change

 What is your strategy for using six sigma at work?
Your Rant: I thought I’d successfully dodged the whole Six Sigma fad. Then last week my boss announced that we were introducing a Six Sigma program. Can you give me the Cliff Notes version?
911 Repair,
Your question reminded me of a guy I recently read about who [...]

What to ask franchisees before you buy

Dear WW: I’ve been thinking about buying a franchise. Is it worth the time and trouble to talk to existing franchise holders? And if yes, what should I ask? MY WAY
Dear MY,
Your email reminded me of a 35-year old pastor who insisted to his flock that it was possible to walk on water, if you [...]

How to decide if you should invest more in your business

Dear WW: I own a small retail business which has been open for two years. We have a great idea, a great location, and business started off well. But for the last year our sales have been going sideways. I’m not sure what the problem is. My manager thinks I need to pump more money [...]

ROI (return on investment) calculation ability is DOA

What is your strategy for calculating return on investment?
Your Rant: I need to build a case for buying a new piece of equipment. What is the process for doing this?
911 Repair:
Your e-mail reminded me of how a friend of mine used to talk about “Bob dollars.” She was referring to the way I [...]

Is money the only rescue for unhappy employees

What’s your strategy for keeping employees other than money?
Your Rant: Given the economy, money is very tight. So I can’t just throw cash at my people to keep them. Is there anything that I can do that doesn’t involve wads of cash to keep people on board? 
911 Repair,
Over the years we’ve developed all kinds [...]

Negotiating your way to the top

What are your strategies for effective negotiation at work?
Your Rant: I’ve got a big negotiation coming up and I’m really rusty. I haven’t negotiated a contract in decades. Any chance that I could get a quick refresher course?
911 Repair,
We can all learn something about negotiations from Doug Stead. In 1996 he got a speeding [...]

Bad debts, collecting money from customers

What are your strategies for collecting money from customers who won’t pay?
Your Rant: I got cocky one day and told my boss that I could get money from all of our dead accounts. Now I’ve got to produce. But every time I call one of these deadbeats I hear a pack of excuses. I’m sure [...]

Men in Black, metrics to measure business success

What are your strategies for measuring success in your business?
Your Rant: I’m newly promoted to management and suddenly I’m drowning in financial reports and numbers. How do I make sense of all this stuff? And what particular numbers should I focus my efforts on?
911 Repair,
You’ve heard of the expression “eating your investment”? Before the [...]

McEntrepreneur, questions before buying a franchise

What are your strategies for deciding if you should buy a franchise?
Your Rant: My husband wants to buy a franchise. He wants to work for himself and he thinks a franchise will be easy, like paint by numbers business. Isn’t he understating the challenge?
911 Repair,
A few years ago I stayed at a hotel in [...]

Off budget, keys to successfully managing a budget

What are your strategies for managing a budget?
Your Rant: I have two candidates for a job I am filling. The job requires formulating and handling a sizeable budget. One candidate strikes me as the overall better candidate but no budget experience. The other has lots of budget experience but seems slightly weaker all-around. How highly [...]