Getting Ready for Growth
Here's the challenge: Look to the future, but also stay focused on the present. Read more
Street Smarts
Norm Brodsky
Recent Street Smarts Articles
Don't Worry; Grow Happy
Inc.'s Norm Brodsky talks about knowing when to walk away from opportunities that others consider can't-miss. Read more
When Not to Join the Family Business
You always face the challenge of keeping your emotions from getting in the way of making sound business decisions. Those emotions are especially strong when ... Read more
Don't Let Your Breaking Point Upend Your Goals
This business has grown so well that the owner can't take it anymore. Should he hire an expensive manager? Read more
When Business Gets Boring
You don't enjoy the work anymore, but retirement isn't all that far off. Chin up, or shove off? Read more
The Upside of Having Setbacks
Every business has problems. To build a business, you need to learn how to love the process of solving them. Read more
The Difference Between a Mentor and a Consultant
How to find a mentor and what to expect from the relationship. Read more
Knowing When to End a Partnership
Unfortunately it can take some time before you realize that a business partnership isn't built to last, and hopefully you have documents in place to mitigate... Read more
The Single Most Important Rule of Business
Entrepreneurs are great at meeting challenges with optimism--but sometimes that's not what the business needs. Read more
How to Find the Perfect Acquisition Target
You know your business better than anyone else. So skip the broker--and do the homework yourself. Read more
How to Stay Alive When Business Shrinks
You've used everything you had to keep going, but it may not be enough. Norm Brodsky weighs in on what to do next. Read more
How to Handle Employee Sabotage
Not all employees resign gracefully. Some try to sabotage your company on their way out. Here's how veteran entrepreneur Norm Brodsky deals with it. Read more
Buying a Business? Expect the Unexpected
If you're considering buying a business, consider veteran entrepreneur Norm Brodsky's advice first. Read more
How to Deal with Late Payments
When times are tough, customers take longer to pay their bills. You can count on it. Veteran entrepreneur Norm Brodsky says that's the wrong time to start th... Read more
The Commodity-Pricing Trap
Norm Brodsky advises on how to avoid the race to the bottom. Read more
Do You Need a Business Broker?
When buying a business, what's the going rate for hiring a broker, and who is responsible for paying it? Read more
When Is It Time to Throw in the Towel?
Giving up isn't something that comes easy to entrepreneurs, but sometimes, giving up might just be the best move. Read more
Norm Brodsky on the New Breed of Entrepreneur
If nine out of 10 entrepreneurs are starting Web-based businesses. Is that trouble? Read more
Norm Brodsky on Weighing Prospective Clients
How much time is too much time for a small-but-growing company to spend talking to and preparing estimates for prospective clients? Read more
Norm Brodsky on the Right Way to Reward Top Employees
When you have a stand-out employee, is increasing pay and benefits enough? Read more
No Vacancy at the Hotel Brodsky
By the time Norm's new hotel opens, it will have been booked for the next three years, and therein lies an important lesson for any entrepreneur. Read more
Keeping Peace in the Family
The best way to avoid bickering over family ownership of a company is to put everything in writing early on. Read more
Making a Smooth Transition When Buying a Business
How can you retain a great company culture when forcing an ownership transition? Read more
Entrepreneurs: Leash Your Optimism
Even in tough times, entrepreneurs are incurable optimists. But too much optimism can blind you to the obstacles ahead. Read more
Norm Brodsky on Overcoming Your Fear of Competition
Norm Brodsky says that buying a business to stifle competition is never a good move. Spend the time and money improving your own business. Read more
Norm Brodsky on Dealing With Picky Customers
What should you do when customers insist on working only with you? Read more
Norm Brodsky on Identifying Outstanding Salespeople
Good salespeople focus on the particular feature the customer cares about. Read more
Being Prepared When Things Go Wrong
What’s the best policy for raising prices to offset the cost of materials? Read more
When to Change Your Business Model
If a competitor offers its product for free, should you do the same in hopes of increasing market share? Read more
Keeping Your Company Healthy
A balance sheet is like a thermometer that provides a reading on the health of your business. Ignoring it could be fatal. Read more
Prospecting for Black Gold
Norm’s next big move: opening a hotel in North Dakota Read more
Divvying Up the Business
Making sure you have a good ownership agreement Read more
Growing Up as a CEO
Learning to take responsibility for your mistakes Read more
How to Avoid the Price-War Trap
Dealing with low-priced competitors Read more
6 Lessons on Starting Up From Norm Brodsky
"Street Smarts" columnist and senior contributing editor Norm Brodsky is a veteran entrepreneur who has founded and built six businesses. Here, he shares his... View slideshow
How to Take On a Bully
Dealing with a large competitor that intimidates your customers Read more
How to Adapt Your Business Model for Hard Times
Norm Brodsky suggests getting a second opinion on big decisions. Read more
How to Prepare Your Business for Inflation
Norm Brodsky warns that a period of high inflation is coming and offers tips on what you need to do now. Read more
Building Your Business
Norm Brodsky talks about deciding which opportunities a small business should pursue. Read more
How to Drum Up Customer Referrals
Norm Brodsky gives advice on how to get more customer referrals and sales leads. Read more
