Lori Ruffin is an entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of the COO Team, formerly known as Stream Strategic Planning Co. With extensive experience in the international and national non-profit world’s inner workings, Lori joins her clients on their journey to expand their business and create the systems they need to grow their organization. She is passionate […]
How To Develop Your Small Business Employees Into Leaders
Every week as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. The show takes place every Wednesday on Twitter from 8-9 pm ET. This is excerpted from my recent interview with Christy Rutherford @coachchristyr. Christy is a globally recognized leader and Women’s Leadership Development Expert. She’s also a keynote speaker, leadership […]
How To Find Your Number 2
Guest Article Tell me about a Steve Jobs, and I can show you a Steve Wozniak. Show me a Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast and look no further than Stephen Burke his Senior Executive Vice President. Explain to me the magnitude of the Civil Rights Movement lead by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and […]
How to Bring Minimalism Into Your Small Business
Guest Article Ever visited a home designed around the simple principles of minimalism? From the moment you enter the space, it’s obvious that something is different. Clutter is nearly nonexistent. The few knick knacks that made the cut actually have purpose. The space somehow seems bigger. When you’re in a place like this, you feel […]
How to Inspire Your Team by Putting Them First
Every week as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. The show takes place every Wednesday on Twitter from 8-9 pm ET. This is excerpted from my recent interview with Karyn Schoenbart, who is the CEO of The NPD Group, a global provider of information and advisory services. Karyn is […]
How much should you tell your employees about business finances?
Guest Post Money is the blood supply of every business. It courses through each department bringing life and growth, and without it, businesses die. Traditional advice has kept the realities of how well—or badly—a company is doing behind the closed doors of the management office. Yet keeping employees completely in the dark about company finances […]
Do You Have the Right Team in Your Small Business?
As you grow your small business, it’s essential that you have the right people on your team to help you run your business. The better aligned all your staff is with your company culture and values, the more efficiently you can all work together to move forward with your business. You also need to make […]
Building A Team For Your Small Business
When you get to the point where you can no longer survive as an “army of one”, that means it is time to bring reinforcements…employees. Hiring and working with employees will be an adjustment, but it’s one you will thank yourself for later, particularly if you choose well. One of the first skills you must […]