THE 'YES' COACH BLOG
Where are they now? Peter Switzer catches up with our three 'yes' Coach finalists: JTagz, O'Toole Plumbing and series winner Raw Marketing.
'yes’ Coach has worked many miracles, but did the program manage to turn a pair of tradies from O'Toole Plumbing into savvy businessmen? What about Paul Jowsey of JTagz – larger than life, and sure that in the beginning he was going to teach the coach a thing or two!
As for Sarah Hillier of Raw Marketing, she said she was literally at breaking point before ‘yes’ Coach. But something must have changed. After all, her business made the biggest improvement during the coaching sessions, ensuring she took the title for 2009 ‘yes’ Coach champion.
See how they've all been faring since 'yes' Coach ended.
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 02/09/10 09:09Partnerships to build your business
Running a business can be isolating – both professionally and personally – especially if you’re a one-man (or one-woman) band. There are often days where the only company you’ll keep is your computer screen and endless cups of tea.
A good business partnership will not only add value to your business, it will ensure you’re no longer alone. Partnerships offer strength in…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 20/08/10 15:03Customer service do's and don'ts - tips to ensure repeat business
The secret to great customer service is simple – you have to be on top of things. A great rule of thumb is that 80 per cent of your business will come from 20 per cent of your customers. It makes sense, then, to focus on the customers you have to concentrate your efforts on keeping them happy to ensure repeat business from them.
Repeat business, though, is not the only reason you need to…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 10/08/10 10:10Power to the people - building your business from the inside out
No matter what business you’re in, success boils down to one thing – your people.
I’ve written before about business great and academic Jim Collins – in his best-seller Good to Great, he analysed many US corporate giants to see what was critical in their success of turning their good business into a great business.Great businesses found it was not hiring the right people for the…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 02/08/10 08:08Leadership lessons from the wide world of sports
There are many leadership lessons to be taken from the wide world of sports. These sporting strategies can teach you lots of things – business dos and don’ts included.
Recently, I caught up with the man who skippered Alan Bond’s Australia II to victory in the 1983 America’s Cup, ending the States’ 132-year reign as number one – sporting hero John Bertrand. When we spoke on…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 02/08/10 04:04Imbalance your life - how to be happy and successful
Work-life balance, for many, seems an unachievable reality. Chances are, you’re stretched – and stressed – beyond belief.
But, stop. Ask yourself, what makes you happy? And, how can you be happier? Business great Marcus Buckingham is currently doing the speaking rounds pushing his latest book, Find your Strongest Life. In it, he looks at what makes the happiest, most successful women…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 04/07/10 22:10Interest Rates
After six interest rate rises in seven meetings the consensus of economists who watch every move the Reserve Bank makes think this rate rise phase is over.
A period of pause is expected but two or three more rises could lie ahead this year!
The relentless rises have been driven by the Reserve Bank’s belief that our economy is recovering strongly but you might not agree if you work…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 21/06/10 15:03From the coalface - customer service secrets revealed
Great customer service is at the heart of any good business – after all, if you don’t take care of your customers, another business will.
Think about this – in business, you get what you want by giving others what they want. To do this, you have to know what they want.
It’s all too easy to get tied up in the day-to-day running of your business. Yes, your managerial…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 13/04/10 19:07Cash capers -- Peter Switzer shares seven sure-fire steps to get more cash in the door
Headaches and hiccups in business are almost always related to cash flow. Or, more accurately, a lack of it!
The painful truth is this: in business, cash is king, and any business keen on avoiding an untimely end must be on top of their cash flow.
Your business may be profitable, but if you don’t have enough cash coming in regularly to meet your expenses then you will quickly go out…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 13/04/10 19:07Learning about leadership -- Peter Switzer offers inspiration for those in the leading position
Learning about leadership
Overwhelmed? Overworked? In over your head? If this is the way you feel, don’t fret — you’re far from alone. The road to success is said to be permanently under construction and no one knows this more than someone knee-deep in small business! Yes, you will have good days and you’ll have bad days, but it’s important to keep the faith.
To do…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 15/03/10 18:06People power -- Peter Switzer shows you how to take your business from good to great
If headlines are to be believed (mine included!), the good news continues as the Australian economy looks on the up. Unemployment is shrinking by the month, confidence is clawing its way back — but what does all this mean for your business? And, how can you step up from ‘survive’ mode to full-throttle ‘thrive’?
US academic Jim Collins in his best-seller Good to Great…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 05/03/10 15:03Leadership lessons from big business
On a daily basis, I talk to those at the top of their game, but how did they get there? And, more importantly, how can you get there too?
Let me let you in on a not-very-well-kept business secret. Great leaders are made, not born.
As the leader of your business, it’s up to your business culture to manufacture such leaders — you have to give those following you the faith that they can…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 02/03/10 18:06Create systems that are outside the square
‘My way or the highway’ — rightly or wrongly, this is the slogan of many small business owners.
And sure, this mentality may prove the downfall of many businesses as business owners hell bent on their ‘way’ refuse to listen to new ideas or heed innovations.
But if you’re a savvy business operator, your ‘way’ may prove the point of difference that…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 02/03/10 18:06Why now is the time to invest in your business
When you’re running your own show, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day trivia. Sometimes you neglect to stop — even if it’s just for a few minutes — and take a look around to see the bigger picture, to understand the forces shaping your business’s bottom line.
So, what challenges are Australian businesses — yours included — up against?
Recently,…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 12/02/10 14:02How to thrive through turbulent times
The tough times, it seems, are far from over. Many once-good businesses — and brands — have fallen by the wayside of last year’s crunch. As you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and prepare to face the next challenge, how should you go about it? And how can you brace yourself against another upset? To find out, let’s look to a business that has been there, done that, and is still…
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 11/02/10 11:11Staff - Peter Switzer shows you how to find the right person for the job
With talk of a skills shortage and as unemployment steers clear of the double-digit figures predicted by the many merchants of doom and gloom, now is the time to look out for your star players.
Of late, labour market experts have warned that this is the time for employers to ensure they have a sophisticated recruitment and retention plan for their workforce.
How is your plan looking? If…
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Partnerships to build your business
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 02/09/10 09:09
Running a business can be isolating – both professionally and personally – especially if you’re a one-man (or one-woman) band. Partnerships offer strength in numbers and give your business the resources it needs to do things that would not otherwise
Customer service do's and don'ts - tips to ensure repeat business
Posted by Peter Switzer
On 20/08/10 15:03
Repeat business is not the only reason you need to keep on top of your customer service. Word of mouth can make or break your business – an unsatisfied customer will spread bad news and fast! Peter Switzer reveals the secrets and systems to keep your cust
Switzer's Hint
Want to win in business. Well, try Armand Hammer's advice: "Just think of something that everyone agrees would be wonderful if it were only possible. Then set out to make it so."
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