The North Central Florida Business Report

Have you ever thought about what makes good salespeople great? Consider the difference between winning the Kentucky Derby and finishing in second place. The difference between being ordinary and being extraordinary is actually quite small, especially if you work in sales. Great salespeople smile. You may not realize this, but a simple smile acts as [...]

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s… an incredible marketing and public relations tool. Let’s examine the role and use of animals in corporate logos, marketing and sales campaigns. Use of animals in corporate marketing can be cost-effective, highly effective and memorable. It’s time to put your [...]

Although it might not seem to directly impact your bottom line, your employees’ financial troubles may be dragging down their work. While as their employer you don’t want to pry into their personal lives, you can be of help. I would know. As a credit union branch manager, I see the results of having a [...]

How are you communicating with potential customers online? What is your website saying to them, and what kind of impact is that having on your business? The last thing that you want your website to do is “we-we-we” on people. Successful businesses are customer-centric and so are their websites. Last month, more than 372 million [...]

The calendar indicates that we are beginning spring. Unemployment figures have dropped a bit, and consumers are starting to spend again. All is well with the world, right? Well, maybe. Undertake some of the following springtime activities to “spring” ahead of the competition. By being proactive in your business planning and management, you should be able [...]

Those who describe themselves as “bookkeepers” fall between two extremes—from secretaries with data-entry skills to professionals with degrees and years of experience. There is no regulatory body that oversees the bookkeeping profession, so anyone can say they are a bookkeeper. When hiring a bookkeeper, it’s important to know what skill level your company needs and [...]

Admitting that they might need a little help-—or coaching—is one of the smartest decisions a businessperson can make. However, for the investment of time and money to be worthwhile, taking the time to choose a coach who can deliver the assistance and support you require is critical. The first decision you’ll need to make is: [...]

by Chad Paris You might have heard of the benefits of “going green” in attracting customers and doing your part to help the planet. “Greening” refers to the sustainable business practices that are incorporated into both a business’s actions and products, and while some might label it a trend, I consider it essential if you [...]

I am always looking for noteworthy selling success stories. Usually, I find these in newspaper and magazine articles. The one I’m about to share with you, however, landed in my email inbox. One of my newsletter subscribers, Greg Bradshaw, sent me an email about his father Max, who is an extraordinary sales professional. Max, 78, [...]

In the early stages of starting and running a business, entrepreneurs do it all, essentially being the chief operating officer, chief cook and chief bottle washer in their business. As the chief operating officer, the COO is responsible for managing the company’s day-to-day operations and reporting to the chief executive officer. While that is necessary [...]