Anthony Carra

“Hey random Facebook friend I haven’t talked to since high school! How are things going with you? Anyway, I’m selling Mary Kay now and wanted to know if you would be interested. It would really help me a lot if you took a look and maybe bought something from my page here.”

When someone tells entrepreneurs to “use their network” this is typically what we image with thinly veiled horror. The insincerity of it is most striking, and it shows through in the language these messages often employ. I hesitate to call it a sales message as the likelihood of it producing and sort of sale – except perhaps the recipient paying to be left alone – are close to nil. [Read more…] about Using or Abusing Your Network?

Last week we started by mentioning all the metaphors business people use to describe their endeavors – wars, machines, forces, etc. One we did not mention was a roller coaster, and for obvious reasons. While this is sometimes used, it is never in a positive or desirable context. Unfortunately, some businesses can accurately be described this way, especially among those providing professional services. [Read more…] about Grow Your Professional Services Business

We are swimming in a sea of metaphors about business. Sometimes doing business is described as a war, where we invade our competitors markets and try to take their share. Companies go on the offensive or defensive. Warren Buffett seems to take this approach, and he is particularly fond of describing a business’ competitive advantage as a moat, something that holds the besieging army out and prevents them from stealing the treasure in the castle.  [Read more…] about The Team Inside the Machine

Have you ever stopped to think what makes one business more successful than another?  Have you ever marveled over the entrepreneur that just seems to have the Midas Touch, turning every endeavor into a road paved with golden successes?

Read on as we explore the 3 essential roles required to build a successful business… [Read more…] about The 3 Key Roles for a Successful Business

Dream big, start small. It would be cliché at this point to mention the multi-day building process Rome underwent before it became Rome, but it’s cliché for a reason. It is true; Rome was not built in a day. Neither were any of the most successful businesses that are here today.

Too many people all over the world have big dreams but cannot (or will not) act on them because they want to start big as well. Google, Apple, Microsoft – the giants that entrepreneurs all long for their companies to become started off most modestly in their founder’s garage. How many Facebooks will never reach the cradle because those in possession of the idea want to start in a mansion?

[Read more…] about Dream BIG, Start Small

Different people in different situations require different leadership approaches. This is about as radical as saying that the sun rises in the East, and yet it is one of the most overlooked aspects of management in corporate America. The adaptability required of an effective manager is too often stifled by apathy, bureaucracy, or office politics. Those that truly want to inspire do their best with the cards they hold, but often it is not enough. With poor leadership employee morale suffers, turnover increases, and the corporate culture decays. [Read more…] about Leaders Developing Leaders