Author name: Steven Imke

Man looking at off-balance sheet assets

The Off-Balance Sheet Secrets That Can Make or Break a Business

Your Balance Sheet Doesn’t Tell the Full Story of Your Business’s Value. Hidden Off-Balance Sheet (OBS) Assets—Like Brand Reputation and Customer Contracts—Can Significantly Impact Your Financial Health and Business Valuation. Learn How to Identify and Leverage These Critical Assets to Secure Financing, Attract Investors, and Maximize Your Company’s Worth.

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The Certainty Triangle

The Three Certainties That Make or Break Any Sale

Success in Business Hinges on the Prospect’s Certainty. To Win Them Over, They Must Be Certain That Your Solution Will Solve Their Problem, That You Are a Trustworthy Provider, and That Your Company Can Deliver on Its Promise. Learn Why So Many Businesses Struggle and How Strengthening All Three Sides of the Certainty Triangle Can Turn Hesitant Prospects Into Loyal Customers.

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Dr paying Taxes while business man sitting on cash

The Truth About Taxing the Rich: The Misconceptions About Wealth, Income, and Tax Policy

The Phrase “Tax the Rich” Is a Deceptive Tactic Used by Politicians to Justify Raising Taxes on the Working Middle Class While the Truly Wealthy Remain Unaffected. Discover How Business Ownership Can Help You Take Advantage of the Tax Code to Build Lasting Wealth.

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A bot rising from the pages of a book or blog

From Blog to Bot: The Journey of Building SteveBizBot

Discover How a Decade of Blogging Evolved Into SteveBizBot—a Cutting-Edge Conversational AI Chatbot Tailored to Small Business Owners. Learn About the Behind-The-Scenes Journey of Adapting a Trusted Resource Into an Interactive Tool That Redefines How Entrepreneurs Access Advice in the Digital Age.

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Man pitching solution to woman executives

How to Handle Complex Sales for B2B Businesses

Sales processes vary significantly between Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions. While B2C sales are often simple, involving a single decision-maker, B2B sales are more complex, especially when dealing with larger companies. This complexity arises because B2B transactions typically involve multiple stakeholders, each with distinct roles, priorities, and decision-making criteria. To successfully close a complex

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Tips to Make Successful Sales Calls

Tips to Make Successful Sales Calls

Selling to small and midsize businesses often requires reaching top executives, but gatekeepers can pose significant challenges. With thorough preparation, personalized communication, and a strategic approach—including leveraging sales team insights and respecting gatekeeper roles—you can navigate these barriers and connect with key decision-makers effectively.

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AI Identifying Gaps

Using AI to Identify Gaps in the Market: Insights and Strategies for Small Businesses

In the Digital Landscape, Small Businesses Must Identify Market Gaps. AI Excels by Analyzing Vast Amounts of Data and Detecting Patterns Beyond Human Capability, Making It Invaluable for Finding Untapped Niches. Its Superior Data Processing, Pattern Recognition, and Unbiased Analysis Surpass Human Abilities.

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Why New and Novel Offerings Fail and How to Fix It

Discover Why New and Novel Products and Services Often Struggle With Sales Due to Consumer Psychological Barriers. Learn How the Status Quo Bias, the Certainty Gap, and Adoption Challenges Impact Purchasing Decisions. Explore Strategies to Market Your New and Novel Products or Services Effectively and Turn Intriguing Concepts Into Successful Ventures.

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Happy people looking for the best freelance platform to join.

How to Benefit From the Consolidation of Freelance Marketplaces

In the world of business, companies often oscillate between two major strategies: bundling and unbundling. Bundling combines various products or services to offer a comprehensive package, while unbundling entails breaking down these packages into individual components. This cycle of bundling and unbundling is prevalent across industries, driven by changing market demands and technological advancements. One

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Woman Freelancer working on computer

How to Employ Labor Arbitrage to Optimize Business Growth with Offshore Freelancers

Unleash Business Growth With Offshore Freelancers via Labor Arbitrage. Discover How to Access Top Talent at Lower Cost While Retaining Your Client-Facing Functions, Reducing Expenses, Improving Margins, and Accelerating Projects. Discover These Labor Arbitrage Strategies With Practical Examples.

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Upwork Explainer Video

How to Use Upwork.com to Find, Hire, and Manage Talent

Three-Quarters of All Registered Businesses in the US Are Classified as Nonemployer Businesses. But That Does Not Mean That Because You Are the Only Person in the Business, You Can’t Get Help From Other Freelancers and Be a Virtual Business. There Are Many Platforms That Can Help Facilitate the Finding, Hiring, and Managing These Resources. This Video Explores One of Those Platforms, “Upwork.”

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How to Find and Evaluate a Business for Sale

How to Find and Evaluate a Business for Sale

Seize the Opportunity as Retiring Baby Boomers Create a Favorable Market for Business Buyers. Explore Key Steps for a Successful Small Business Acquisition: From Choosing the Right Type of Business, Assembling a Deal Team, Drafting a Letter of Intent, Conducting Due Diligence, Assessing Risks, and Preparing a Forward-Looking Business Plan to Creating a Purchase Agreement.

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Pet Groomer

Beyond the Hype: Demystifying LLCs and Unpacking Their Challenges

For Years, Entrepreneurs Have Been Inundated With the Notion That Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) Are the Go-To Choice for Small Businesses. We Argue That LLCs Are Oversold and Their Management Underrated and Critique the Widespread Endorsement of LLCs For Small Businesses, Highlighting Potential Shortcomings in Liability Protection, Flexibility, and Simplicity.

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Femail Shop Owner

How To Choose Between Startups, Franchises, Or Acquisitions

The Decision to Start a Business from Scratch, Buy into a Franchise Concept, or Acquire an Existing Business Hinges on Your Entrepreneurial Vision, Your Risk Tolerance, Your Financial Capacity, and the Desired Level of Control. Uncover the Unique Advantages and Challenges Associated with Each Pathway.

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Financial Crime Enforcement Network Logo

How To Navigate FinCEN’s Beneficial Ownership Information Report Requirements

In the Dynamic Regulatory Landscape, Small Businesses Face a New Demand Under the Corporate Transparency Act. Starting January 1, 2024, All Businesses Must Now Submit a Beneficial Ownership Information Report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Known as FinCEN.

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Nice female manager posing with the staff in a modern kitchen catering

How To Master Employee Recruitment and Retention in The Great Reshuffle

Businesses Are Grappling with an Unprecedented Employee Turnover, Fueled by Employee Dissatisfaction. Discover The Strategies to Address the Root Causes of Employee Disengagement. Explore The Transformative Power of Meaningful Recognition and Managerial Training, And Review 30 Proven Engagement Best Practices. Elevate Your Workplace Culture and Secure Your Position as An Employer of Choice in Today’s Dynamic Business Landscape.

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Man pitching to Investors

How to Master the 10-Minute Pitch: A Step-By-Step Guide to Compelling Business Presentations

Perfecting the 10-Minute Pitch Is the Art of Conveying Emotion Alongside Information. It’s Clear Which Founders Excel in Creating a Personal Connection, Evoking Empathy, And Maximizing Every Minute of Their Pitch. Learn to Make Every Minute Count.

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Mentor Session

The Secrets of Identifying Entrepreneurial Motivations for Business Mentors.

Business Owners Can Be Divided into Three Categories: Enterprise Builders Who Chase Growth, Lifestyle/Micro Business Owners Who Prioritize Independence, And Specialist/Freelancer Business Owners Who Seek Skills Mastery. Recognizing These Differences Can Aid Business Consultants Tailor Their Guidance, Enabling More Efficient Resource Allocation and More Effective Networking.

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Man Reading Paper

Navigating the New Normal: 10 Lessons for Small Business Owners

Small Business Owners Can Thrive in a Dynamic World by Becoming More Efficient, Building Diverse Networks, Improving Cash Flow, Innovating in Funding, Prioritizing Privacy, Conducting Thorough Due Diligence, Enhancing Financial Literacy, Focusing on Customer Experiences, Bolstering Cybersecurity, And Embracing Digital Transformation.

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Scheels Ferris Wheel

Rediscovering the Art of Creating an Enjoyable Shopping Experience

In Today’s Fast-Paced World, Shopping Has Become More of a Chore Than an Experience. Let’s Explore the Value of Reviving the Joy of Shopping, Drawing Inspiration from IKEA and Scheels’ Unique Approach and the Changing Landscape of Retail. Discover How Businesses Can Reclaim the Lost Art of Creating Memorable Shopping Experiences.

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Woman in Supermarket

Categorical Decisions vs. Incremental Decisions: Unraveling the Dynamics of Decision-Making

Explore the Contrasting Worlds of Categorical Decisions and Incremental Decisions in Decision-Making. From Selecting Suppliers for Your Business to Making Choices as a Voter, Understand the Impact of Swift, Predefined Options Versus Thoughtful, Step-By-Step Evaluations. Uncover The Role of Second-Order Consequences and Incentives.

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Woman Cooking

The Power of Educational Marketing: Unlocking the Potential for Small Businesses

In Today’s Competitive Business Landscape, Standing Out and Connecting With Your Target Audience Can Be Challenging for Small Businesses. Embrace a Paradigm Shift by Leveraging the Power of Educational Marketing. Instead of Solely Focusing on Direct Selling, Provide Valuable Educational Content for Free to Build Trust, Authority, and a Loyal Customer Base. Learn How Educational Marketing Can Transform Your Business and Explore Real Case Studies and Business Ideas to Implement This Strategy Effectively.

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TV Commercial

Beyond The Hype: Uncovering the True Value of Advertising

Discover the Untold Truth About Advertising for Small Businesses. Learn The Real Purpose and Power of Advertising and Why It Is Too Risky and Costly to Use Advertising to Introduce a New Company to The Market. Learn How Advertising Sustains Brand Visibility, Protects Market Leadership, And Creates Barriers to Entry. Unlock The Secrets of Advertising Success in Today’s Competitive Business Landscape.

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Chick-Fil-A Controversy

Think Twice: Powerful Lessons When Taking a Stand on Polarizing Issues

In Today’s Interconnected World, Consumers Consider a Company’s Stance on Social Issues When Making Purchasing Decisions. Taking A Stand on Polarizing Issues Carries the Risk of Alienating One Side, Creating Intense Backlash, And Offering Limited Room for Neutrality. Explore Why Some Companies Choose to Take a Stand on A Polarizing Issue, The Factors That Contribute to Polarization, And the Potential Risk and Rewards Involved. It Emphasizes the Importance of Careful Consideration, Research, And Thoughtful Communication Strategies When Navigating the Complexities of Taking a Stance on Polarizing Issues.

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The Art Of One-Downing the Competition to Improve Sales

How To Harness the Paradox of Technology with One-Downing Tactics

Discover the Paradox of Technology and How It Complicates Our Lives Despite Promising Simplicity. Explore The One-Downing Strategy That Empowers Small Businesses to Differentiate Themselves by Offering Simplified Solutions in A Crowded Market. Uncover Real-Life Examples of How to Remove Unnecessary Complexity from TVs And Car Radios, Highlighting the Importance of Focusing on Users’ Essential Needs. Embrace Simplicity and Improve User Experience to Captivate Customers Seeking Hassle-Free Solutions in A Tech-Centric World.

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Steve giving a speech

Essential Advice You Need to Know Before Starting a Small Business

Unlock the Secrets to Success with This Insightful Guide for First-Time Business Owners. From Perseverance and Authenticity to Problem-Solving and Decision-Making, Discover Essential Advice to Overcome Challenges, Embrace Growth, And Define Your Own Path to Achievement. Learn How to Conquer Fears, Build A Supportive Network, And Harness the Power of Stage-Two Thinking.

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