Blue Mountain Community College

Biz Tips: Give Yourselves a Hand
Sunday, September 12, 2004
By Art Hill

Once a year our Small Business Management program participants and alumni take an evening off to share a barbeque and stories about the year gone by and the year to come. There are tales of triumph and tragedy, of youth and experience, of perseverance and success. Besides personal stories, special guest owners share a glimpse of their business that few outsiders ever see. Last year we enjoyed the wisdom and humor of Duff Severe; this year it was Peggy Clough’s turn.

Their lessons are so clear and so real that they deserve to be told again and again. Here’s a sample (not exact quotes, but you get the idea):

• What's changed in the past year? What hasn't!
• Hire for personality. You can teach an employee everything else.
• Do as much as you can in partnerships. You can accomplish a lot more together.
• Stick with a consistent message.
• Look months ahead at major market trends.
• Network, advertise, spread the word. If nobody knows, nobody will buy.
• Change with the times. Are you e-mailing your customers?
• Make old products and services new by presenting them in new ways.
• Balance your product mix with your budget.
• My spouse has worked with me in the business for a year, and we still like each other – most of the time.
• Benefits cost me a fortune, but my employees are the most important part of my business.
• I never get up in the morning wondering "What I am going to do today?"
• Volunteer in your community.
• Remember to make time for yourselves.

Thank you all for sharing your business experience of 12 months to 28 years. Because you did the work, hired the people, and built the businesses that built our communities, we bring you our business. Now give yourselves a hand.