When Negotiating, Always Listen Before You Speak
It pays to find out what the other side is thinking, then adjust your position accordingly Read more
Street Smarts
Norm Brodsky
Recent Street Smarts Articles
How to Fix Cash-Flow Problems
Cash-flow problems have just a few possible causes. More often than you might think, business is all about the basics Read more
My First Year
When my start-up found itself face to face with catastrophe because of conditions beyond my control, I learned how to cope Read more
Surviving the Recession
It requires conquering your fears and making the right choices. Many business owners won't do either Read more
Our Irrational Fear of Numbers
No, you didn't start a company because you wanted to learn accounting. But you had better learn some – pronto – if you want to really understand your bus... Read more
Whose Business is It, Anyway?
It's yours ! So don't apologize for setting aside your emotions and doing the right thing. Read more
What the Financial Crisis Means for You?
The rules of small-business banking have changed, and that's bad news for the economy. But there are ways to cope, and there may even be a silver lining. Read more
Secrets of a $110 Million Man
There are no guarantees when it comes to running a business. But the best entrepreneurs I know follow these guidelines. Read more
Falling in Love With Growth
As everyone on the Inc. 500 knows, building a company can be exhilarating. Just don't forget what got you there. Read more
It Takes a Company
If your best salesperson leaves, how do you make sure you don't lose your best customers, too? Read more
Norm Brodsky, Recession All-Star
Inc. columnist Norm Brodsky just sold three businesses. Two of them were started just as the economy slipped into recession, in 1990 and 2000. ... Read more
The Offer: Part 11
I'll be over here if anyone needs me. Read more
The Offer: Part 10
In which our columnist finally finds the pot at the end of the rainbow. Read more
The Long Road to Nirvana
Part One Norm discovers that getting a substantial offer for your business can actually be a little scary. Part T... Read more
The Simon Cowell of Sales
Few things are more fun--and productive--than critiquing someone else's sales performance. Read more
"You Do What?"
"I import dirt," he said. And if he can keep his focus, it just might work. Read more
Follow the Numbers
It's the best way to spot problems before they become life-threatening. Read more
Do You Really Know Your Problems?
Entrepreneurs have a tendency to see what they want to see. Read more
What Are You, a Bank?
You probably lend your customers more money than you realize. Have you checked lately? Read more
Proof That Good Entrepreneurs Can Make Bad Investors
Or how I figured out how to handle my own money. Read more
Free At Last
There's nothing like getting rid of those personal guarantees. Read more
Taking On Starbucks
How independents can hold their ground. Read more
The Offer, Part Nine
What I learned from my fiasco. Read more
The Offer, Part Eight
You have got to be kidding me. Read more
The Offer, Part Seven
I've just about had it. Are we going to make this deal happen, or not? Read more
The Offer, Part Six
The paranoia moment. Are they stalling? Is this deal about to fall apart? Read more
It's All About Trust
Confronted with the offer of a lifetime, our columnist concludes it's time to sell. Part 5 of a series . Read more
Should Norm Sell? The Readers Have Spoken
By better than a five-to-one ratio, readers who wrote in think Norm should sell. Here's what some of them had to say: Read more
The Offer, Part Four
We interrupt these negotiations while a bunch of outsiders critique my very existence. Read more
The Offer, Part Three
I can sell my businesses for more money than I ever thought possible. But then who will I be? Read more
The Offer, Part Two
After spending decades building his businesses, our columnist managed to negotiate the offer of a lifetime--by refusing to negotiate. Read more
The Offer, Part One
You'd think he'd be celebrating, but our columnist has discovered that getting a great offer for your business can be a very scary proposition. Read more
Are You Listening to Me?
You can if you want to--but you have to make your own decisions. Some advice on how to give, get, and take advice. Read more
Keep Your Customers
It's hard to make the Inc. 500 if you're always churning clients. Read more
What Your Employees Think of You
You think you know, but you don't. Here's how to find out. Read more
Listen Up!
We all like to think we listen to our customers--but do we really hear them? Read more
Sam and Me
Sometimes, even headstrong, go-it-alone entrepreneurs need a partner. I know. Read more
What Are You Trying to Do?
When you are starting a business, it's amazing how easy it is to lose track of your real goal. Columnist Norm Brodsky explains Read more
