There is nothing more stressful than eking through payroll with fingers crossed, hoping you have enough cash on hand. Of course, businesses sometimes need to operate close to or even in the red, especially during periods of rapid growth, or long-term projects with milestone or progress payments. It’s not sustainable in the long run and is the main reason businesses fail. A U.S. Bank study found that 82% of the time businesses fail the culprit is cash flow.

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Ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu wrote, “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them. That only creates sorrow.”

Wise words, but, unless your office is staffed entirely by Zen masters, you will encounter resistance—and maybe even sorrow—as you introduce new software and processes to your company. When people are asked to change, they can become defensive and protective of their time, especially at work where routines have been established – no matter how ...

Although estimates are a staple of any solid proposal, they can be the source of numerous headaches. Depending on the scope of the project, preparing potential costs can be tedious and time-consuming. Furthermore, if your initial estimates prove to be inaccurate, a previously professional relationship with a client might turn sour.

Yet, with the right tools, listing costs can be a stress-free part of any proposal. Here are a few strategies for creating precise estimates:

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In my last blog, I wrote about the importance of setting the scope of a project. This week, I’d like to focus on what “deliverables” are, why to include them in any proposal, and the importance of being specific when defining them. By being clear and upfront about what deliverables you can offer, your client will know from the beginning what items they’ll be able to keep. You’ll also avoid losing out on profits if a client demands ...