Image for leadership posts by michael giuffrida from southington ct

Does my company have a “culture”?

Your company culture is the foundation on which your organization is built.  Technologies, markets, talent, pricing and all of the other components of an organization can vary over time, but your culture is WHO you are, why you do this, and how you will be a standout organization.  If you can create a great culture Read more about Does my company have a “culture”?[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about Advice

Tips to get a fresh start at a new job by Mike Giuffrida

A new job or place of employment is always a welcome opportunity to change, improve, and work without any of the bad stuff that plagued you at your last job. But making a fresh start isn’t always easy, especially if you have been over-stressed, overworked, and jaded by circumstances for years and years. Here are Read more about Tips to get a fresh start at a new job by Mike Giuffrida[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about Finance

When should I look for bank financing for my business? – By: Michael Giuffrida

When most small businesses owners hand their shingle, they have a certain amount of money they plan on using to get started.  Perhaps it is money they have saved or borrowed from friends and family but in any case, it is usually limited.  While not true in every case, a business often takes longer to Read more about When should I look for bank financing for my business? – By: Michael Giuffrida[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about marketing

What is inbound marketing and how can I use it for my organization?

With the number of options available to consumers today, many of the traditional marketing techniques get filtered out as “white noise”.  Because of this and the importance of the web, many businesses are using newer techniques called “inbound marketing” to achieve their lead generation goals. The basic concept behind inbound marketing is that you draw Read more about What is inbound marketing and how can I use it for my organization?[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about customers

How do I differentiate my business from the competition?

This age old question will persist forever as new businesses, and therefore new competition,ares created every day.  Regardless of how innovative your idea is today, by tomorrow 30 “me too” companies could pop up doing the same thing, maybe for less money since they didn’t have to “invent” it.  Of course if you have some Read more about How do I differentiate my business from the competition?[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about Performance

How should I compensate my sales hunters?

First note that I did not title this “how much should I compensate my sales hunters?”.  What you pay will vary based upon your geography, industry, availability of quality candidates, and the experience of your hunter.  This post will focus on how to structure what you pay them to gain the best performance and results. Read more about How should I compensate my sales hunters?[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about marketing

What should my first small business marketing plan look like?

For many small businesses, marketing is an optional thing that you do if you have extra money, which often is not the case.  Now that doesn’t mean that they don’t spend money on trinkets and sponsor the local baseball team, its just that they don’t put together an intentional effort to market their business.  If Read more about What should my first small business marketing plan look like?[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about Teams

When is it time to hire my first employee?

For many entrepreneurs, they believe that the first real outward sign of their success is when they hire their first employee.  Makes sense right?  Now their venture went from “my job” to a “real business”.  However, this decision is not one to take lightly and also not one to rush in to. Having employees can Read more about When is it time to hire my first employee?[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about marketing

How important is brand identity?

Let’s get right to the point on this one.  Having a strong brand identity can be the difference between having a business from which you can make an “ok” salary or having one that thrives and provides well for you, your family in future generations, and the community you serve. Now that we have answered Read more about How important is brand identity?[…]