3 Rules for Building Business Relationships
Are you generating the most value from your professional relationships? Here are three ways to quickly inject some life into your network. Read story
HERDING GAZELLES 
Karl Stark and Bill Stewart
Partner or Not: How to Decide
Bringing in partners to help launch a new business is the ultimate risk and reward proposition. These questions will help to ensure that the relationship is ... Read story
Project 101: Don’t Fumble Your Pass
Every new business initiative needs a champion--someone who takes responsibility for driving its success forward. But be careful how you assign that accounta... Read story
Prepare Your Exit Strategy Now – Just in Case
Here are four things you can do now to increase the value of your business-and give you a smoother transition out when the time is right. Read story
Who Are Your 'Pilot' Customers?
Before investing heavily in a new line of business, it’s important to identify customers who can help you learn quickly about what works and what needs twe... Read story
You Were the Founder. Now What Are You?
As a business grows, the founder’s job description will inevitably change. Here are seven roles a founder can transition into to ensure continued success. Read story
How to Capitalize on Your Lack of Focus
Lack of focus can be a core competency. Here are six principles to encourage innovative thinking, lots of experimentation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Read story
4 Steps to Closing the Deal
Do you have a high-stakes RFP? If so, it’s important to follow a systematic approach to identify how you can best add value for your customer. Read story
Are You Wasting Your Interns?
You may be surprised by the value that an intern can provide to your business's growth strategy. Read story
Selling Your Product at a Loss Can Be Good for Business
Killing an unprofitable product isn’t always the best path. Here are four scenarios where sustaining a poor performer can help the business grow. Read story
3 Ways to Reignite Innovation in Your Business
If your growth has stalled, encouraging innovation on the front line will make all the difference. Read story
Do You Really Need an Outside Investor?
Before soliciting external sources of funding, ask these four questions to ensure that you’re well prepared for the changes ahead. Read story
6 Steps to Building a Better Business Case
Whether you’re pitching a product, an investment, or an idea, these questions will help you seal the deal without any fancy sales pitches or techniques. Read story
How Robust Is Your Customer Pipeline?
A formulaic approach to building a prospect list will help you decide quickly whether a new business has enough potential for growth. Read story
Think Your Business Is Big Enough? Think Again
We struggle every day with the ever-present need to get bigger, then get bigger again, in order to meet our objectives and create a sustainable business. Read story
Want to Start a New Line of Business? Next Steps
Determining the right path for a new business or market begins with a precise examination and prioritization of the target customer. Read story
3 Fundamentals of Building a Great Business
Whether you’re launching a start-up or looking to grow a mature business, you won’t get very far unless you stick to these basics. Read story
In Search of Sustainable Growth
Previous growth is no indicator of continued success. So Karl heads to Inc.’s GrowCo conference looking for new ideas. Read story
Why You’ve Got to Stay Thirsty for Growth
Why we all need to satisfy the thirst to growth, and you should never allow that thirst to be quenched. Read story
Stop Contractors from Stealing Your Customers
Companies that provide most of their value through independent contractors are always at risk. Here’s how to create a model that's win-win for the business... Read story
What to Do When Relationships Sour
Business relationships can sometimes turn bad. Here’s how to protect your business from a bad breakup. Read story
How to Choose Your Battles More Wisely
Compete where you have an advantage and can win, and don’t be tempted by the siren song of business models you don’t know how to execute. Read story
How Attractive Are You to Potential Suitors?
When showcasing your capabilities for a prospective business partner, three key elements could help you close the deal. Read story
How to Make the Toughest Decision
If your business model has run out of steam, you can’t afford to wait. Here are six steps to help you make difficult strategic decisions more quickly. Read story
Outsmart Your Competitors Every Time
How to leveraged a low-cost structure into a strategic growth plan focused on low-risk, low-cost acquisitions. Read story
A Lesson on Cost From American Airlines
How your costs compare to your competitors can have a significant impact on profitability. Just ask American Airlines. Read story
Don’t Grow Your Business into a Corner
Even well-run companies can fail if you don’t manage the business's financing properly. These five questions can help you minimize the risk. Read story
You Can’t Cut Your Way to Growth
Trimming the fat is great; cutting to the bone will reduce your revenues, your profits, and your survival prospects. Read story
All Markets Are Not Created Equal
Developing a better understanding your markets and competitors will give you better insights about where and how to compete. Read story
Are You Bigger Than Your Widget?
The value of customer relationships runs much deeper than a good product or service. Read story
What You're Not Doing to Maximize Profit (But Should Be)
If you don’t know which products create the most value for your business, you’re probably missing out on key growth opportunities. Read story
How We Saved 30% on Our Benefits Plan
When your business is built around talent, you can’t afford to skimp on healthcare and other employee benefits. Read story
Redbox's Smart Move: What You Can Learn
The company's movie streaming deal with Verizon is a classic adjacency move that leverages the brand while limiting the risk. Read story
6 Steps to Define Your 'True North'
Identifying your business’s one true objective will provide a strong foundation for all strategic decision-making. Read story
How to Fix Your Sales Team: 3 Ways
How one company re-incentivized its sale force to pursue high-value customers. Read story
Don’t Grow Your Business With Bad Customers
Take the time to discover which customers add the most value to your business. Read story
Get an Offer That's Just Right
Finding the perfect investor can be a Goldilocks-type challenge. Here's how one company found that 'just right' investor. Read story
3 Characteristics of a Great Investor
Outside investors can propel your business and create a foundation for long-term success. The trick is finding the right ones. Read story
3 Ways to Lower Your Break-even Point
Taking steps to improve profitability can actually help you to increase customer value and build brand equity. Read story
3 Problems with the ‘Bain Capital’ Model
The traditional private equity model could use a makeover. Our goal: build a new model that creates more value for investors and management teams. Read story
