Image by Michael Giuffrida for Computer security

How do I avoid these latest cyber attacks?

With all of the press about the latest Petya attack on the heels of the WannaCry attack businesses are scrambling to figure out how they can avoid getting hit next.  The latest statistics show that 43% of cyber attacks happen against small businesses and 60% of those attacked go out of business within 6 months.  Read more about How do I avoid these latest cyber attacks?[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about Finance

When selling my business, what kind of information will I have to provide to the prospective buyers?

When you decide to sell your business, the buyer will want lots of information so they can make an educated assessment about the value of your business.  This process is called Due Diligence.  For the seller, the due diligence process can be more invasive than applying for a mortgage while getting a colonoscopy.  While you Read more about When selling my business, what kind of information will I have to provide to the prospective buyers?[…]

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 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?[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about Teams

Attitude or Experience?

In a competitive job market, it gets more and more difficult to find the right candidates for your open positions.  If you then are looking to fill a position that requires some specific skill sets, finding someone with the right experience can be even more challenging.  In traditional hiring methodologies, you would first filter your Read more about Attitude or Experience?[…]

Image for teamwork by Michael Giuffrida

No dirty laundry please!

Have you ever been in a restaurant and heard two employees arguing over something or trashing a 3rd employee?  How about when a service provider shows up at your home or business to do something and they start badmouthing the company they work for?  Does this leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling about Read more about No dirty laundry please![…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about management

Look in the mirror for the source of the problem

How many times have you heard a business owner complaining about their employees calling them lazy, entitled, sloppy, always late, etc.?  Start paying attention if you or someone you know is doing this and you will likely find a pattern.  The pattern is that the same people will complain about the same problems in several Read more about Look in the mirror for the source of the problem[…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida about collaboration

Seriously?!?! Get me off of this email chain!

I’m guessing everyone reading this has thought or said that at least once in their lifetime.  This is what I like to call the “Reply-All-itis” syndrome.  Particularly in business situations, it is important to know when to reply to all and when not to.  Here are some basic guidelines you can use: When Reply All Read more about Seriously?!?! Get me off of this email chain![…]

Image by Michael Giuffrida for Computer security

To be safer, take a layered approach to network security

Network security is a topic that never seems to “get old” as there are new threats and stories we hear every day in the news and from local businesses about a breach or other security challenge that we need to be vigilant about.  Threats are everywhere, even in places that we might not consider such Read more about To be safer, take a layered approach to network security[…]