By: Rich Russakoff and Mary Goodman Entrepreneurs and leaders each have their place in the business world. It's the entrepreneur that forges the path and the leader that turns it into a highway. Even more rare is the entrepreneurial leader who changes our...

Essential employees for building any company By: Rich Russakoff "Hire people who are better than you, then leave them to get on with it."   --David Ogilvy I know, I know - you want to do it all. Entrepreneurs are slow to give up the reins to others. We...

If there was just one thing you could do better that was guaranteed to make you more successful, would you do it? Well, then, listen up! We mean it. Really - listen up and listen better. The better we listen, the more others appreciate us and, in return,...

by Rich Russakoff and Mary Goodman "What is the single difference between a good and a great driver?" Phil Wicks asked. Wicks has been racing small cars for 50 plus years and owns Phil Wicks Driving Academy. It's not ability, experience, talent, or timing - though...

"What am I doing wrong?" This was the subject line of an email we received recently requesting a late night conference call with us. It was from one of our favorite clients -- a really smart guy. He has great ideas, and he develops outstanding...

"No matter what I do or where I am, I feel like I should be somewhere else. My world right now is totally reactive, and it sucks." That's how our conversation started. I was talking to a business owner recently whose business is in high season....

Finding the right bank for your business is not all that different from finding the right mechanic for your car, or the right surgeon for an operation. You need some objective information first. The best way to determine whether or not to consider a particular bank is...

How can your Coach to the Best Loan Package be leveraged for more than just a loan? Think of it as a sort of financial Swiss Army knife. If prepared properly, your loan package can be a valuable tool for growing your business. It can “sell” and inspire company...

Unless you have been on a walk-about in New Guinea, hibernating in a cave for the last century, or visiting us from another planet, you know that debt fuels just about everything in our world, from helicopters to housing, countries to cosmetics,  derivatives to...

In the 1990s, Michael Dell re-engineered Dell Computer's distribution model. It went from a sell-from-inventory system to a build-to-order system. The switch catapulted the company to the top of its industry and revolutionized Dell's cash and profit picture as well....

  Today's focus is on an article of Seth Golden's (which was absolutely terrific) entitled, The Struggle to Raise Money. When I look at companies, and particularly startups, the two worst things that can happen to a start-up is they have not enough money or too...