Recommendations Received (2)
"George is the gentleman’s gentleman. I highly respect his wisdom. After reviewing Fine Arts..."
Read more
"George is the gentleman’s gentleman. I highly respect his wisdom. After reviewing Fine Arts Gallery I really do feel they are a reputable organization and highly regarded in their field. "
Recommendations Given (5)
"Great quality and variety of wines and friendly knowledgeable proprietor helpful in educating and..."
Read more
"Great quality and variety of wines and friendly knowledgeable proprietor helpful in educating and guiding choices. Shop is charming with lots of parking in the rear."
"Best auto repair shop in Westchester.Quality repairs at fair prices."
Recent Activity
How much to spend on advertising versus relying on word of mouth referrals.
(more)
How much to spend on advertising versus relying on word of mouth referrals.
With so much uncertainty it’s all about cash flow. Spend time on a spreadsheet developing three cash flow projections...optimistic, most likely and downside. Test and retest over and over in your mind each element of cash inflow and outflow and what actions that leads you to consider taking now...
(more)
With so much uncertainty it’s all about cash flow. Spend time on a spreadsheet developing three cash flow projections...optimistic, most likely and downside. Test and retest over and over in your mind each element of cash inflow and outflow and what actions that leads you to consider taking now (cut costs, renegotiate lease terms, etc) to keep your business afloat. Cash flow is the life blood of every business.Hope for the best but plan for the worse so you are prepared for whatever happens when the economy is jumpstarted.
1 Reply
It takes longer to establish a business than anticipated so cash is king. Make sure you are adequately funded for the first year to meet your obligations and promote your business. Only spend money during the startup period on absolute essentials. Hope for the best but plan for the worse starting...
(more)
It takes longer to establish a business than anticipated so cash is king. Make sure you are adequately funded for the first year to meet your obligations and promote your business. Only spend money during the startup period on absolute essentials. Hope for the best but plan for the worse starting out.
Working years ago in a situation where two brothers were in control I learned that "Blood is thicker than pretax." Blood relationships will protect each other even if it hurts profits so what chance does an outsider have...little to none. It taught me that even if you are right and have the...
(more)
Working years ago in a situation where two brothers were in control I learned that "Blood is thicker than pretax." Blood relationships will protect each other even if it hurts profits so what chance does an outsider have...little to none. It taught me that even if you are right and have the business's best interest in mind you cannot win or prevail if it means you come between blood relations or their friends. Its a real dilemma for you with no easy answer between keeping your head down and bearing it or changing jobs. Harsh as it may sound you cannot win or change it and if you try it will cause you more pain.
About four years back, a young man came into the gallery and asked my wife if she could help him.
He said that he bought a painting on vacation, but it did not come with a wire to hang it. He had been to two other galleries but both refused to install a wire, because the painting wasn't...
(more)
About four years back, a young man came into the gallery and asked my wife if she could help him.
He said that he bought a painting on vacation, but it did not come with a wire to hang it. He had been to two other galleries but both refused to install a wire, because the painting wasn't purchased from them. My wife said she could help. After taking measurements she installed hooks and a wire handing the painting back to the young fellow.
When he inquired how much it cost she said it was on the house and that she was only too happy to help another art lover. Last year, on a weekday afternoon the gentleman returned to the gallery with some framing work to be performed. My wife talked about a number of subjects, including discussions about one of our grandsons named Joe.
When chatting my wife inquired how he was able to get a mid-week summer afternoon off from work. He told her he was in a line of work where the people he was responsible for helping at work were out of town often and he had much free time. When she inquired what kind of work he does, he told her that he was one of the club house managers for the NY Yankees.
Weeks later upon returning to pick up his art work, he handed my wife an acrylic cube which contained a baseball with the inscription "To Joe, All the best! Aaron Judge."
He told her that he never forgot the kindness she extend him years ago and that one good turn deserves another. The gentleman comes into the gallery frequently now just to chat about family, cooking and friends.
This year he has invitedus to a Yankee game as his guest and will take our grandson into the clubhouse to meet all the current players.
It's a reminder that small businesses are built on service, personal relations. And as a wise man once told me in my youth: "Make something happen and five more things will happen."
6 Replies
In business you may find yourself in one of these two situations but highly unlikely if ever by choice. The more compelling question for discussion to me is "If you find yourself in either role what should your appropriate response be and responsibility to the business, to the team and to...
(more)
In business you may find yourself in one of these two situations but highly unlikely if ever by choice. The more compelling question for discussion to me is "If you find yourself in either role what should your appropriate response be and responsibility to the business, to the team and to yourself?" No business can succeed over time without a strong team but at the end of the day everyone acts in their own best interests. Reconciling the skills, aspirations and needs of individual team members with a team's strategy, goals and execution will shape and define enterprise success or not.
Your charitable efforts are noble and a beautiful loving tribute to your son. Much of the advice you have been given is sound and worth exploring. Most of the largest successful charities and businesses have started from modest small beginnings, like your own.They succeed and grow through the...
(more)
Your charitable efforts are noble and a beautiful loving tribute to your son. Much of the advice you have been given is sound and worth exploring. Most of the largest successful charities and businesses have started from modest small beginnings, like your own.They succeed and grow through the effort and energy of their founders and the power of their reason for being. Your reason is most admirable, heartfelt and resonates with all caring people. Its message and service fulfills a strong universal need and yearning. The road ahead will not be easy at times but it needs you to provide the way forward. Stay strong. You are fighting the good fight to bring peace, calm and closure to so many hurting badly as you know. My only suggestion for consideration is that you personally write hand written notes to the founders of successful charities asking for their advice on how to get traction for your noble cause. They have been where you are now, know how tough it is, what worked and didn't work. As charitable people like you I am sure they will openly share their experiences and knowledge and help you find a way forward. God Bless.
The most powerful tool in building a small business especially in a highly competitive market has and may always be word of mouth referrals. My wife's gallery has been in business 30 years and she has never advertised and does not use social media. Sounds counter intuitive in today's electronic...
(more)
The most powerful tool in building a small business especially in a highly competitive market has and may always be word of mouth referrals. My wife's gallery has been in business 30 years and she has never advertised and does not use social media. Sounds counter intuitive in today's electronic age but direct contact with potential customers through participating in local groups (chamber of commerce, church functions, charities, teaching a course in adult education on art, presenting at senior citizen gatherings, etc etc) provides traction and an initial customer base. People like to deal with people they know and can trust and if you provide excellent service they will tell their friends and give you a personal recommendation and connection.
3 Replies
