Featured HTG Peer Group Content

41. How To Apply The Principles Of Effective Metrics 2/6/2015

    A few weeks ago, I wrote about the “Quest for the Holy Grail of Metrics”. In that post, I talked about some principles that I recommend using to build a set of metrics to help in three critical areas. Those areas are customer satisfaction, profitability, and employee engagement.

42. Using Opportunities In Your PSA To Track Leads 1/27/2015

    The most common business issue we hear in serving our HTG peer group members is far and away: “How do we generate more business?” The marketing and sales functions are viewed as a necessary evil to people who get more excited designing, building, and fixing technology solutions. We all know the lifeblood of a business is generating new opportunities from prospects as well as our existing clients. It is critical to the success of the business.

43. Four Steps To Casting A Clear Vision 1/15/2015

    Vision casting is one of those topics that most people tend to run from. It seems mystical to many. The reality is that not only is it a discipline, but a very important skill to have and implement if you want to succeed both personally and professionally.  Scripture says it most clearly when it says in Proverbs 29 “where there is no vision, the people perish.” Many small businesses today flounder around because the vision has not been defined even by the leaders and certainly has not been shared with the team in a way that compels them to want to participate.

44. Ask Coach: Tap Into The Power Of Your Team To Set A Strategic Path 1/15/2015

    How do I set a strategic direction for the company? The “how” is a relatively simple process. The implementation of the process is the hard part — but more on that in a minute. Procedurally, I’d recommend something like the following steps:

45. Your Top 5 New HR Habits For 2015 1/14/2015

    Happy 2015!  The start of a new year brings so much hope, promise and excitement for us all, both personally and professionally. And while many business owners and managers have spent the last few weeks focused on strategically planning execution of their 2015 business plans, I would suggest few have given much thought to their HR strategic plans. So here’s my shortlist of HR “habits” every leader and company, big to small, needs to incorporate into their 2015 plan (and every year thereafter).

46. Israel's Bookshelf: New Year's Edition 1/14/2015

    If I am completely honest with all of you, I buy way more books than I read. On average, I probably buy three or four books a month. In addition to those books, I normally get three or four a quarter sent to me from publisher and marketing friends in hopes that I will be part of the social media team that will help promote the book. I say all of that to make the point that the books that I suggest in this column are the ones that I don’t simply read, but that I engage with … books that significantly impact my thinking.

47. Ask Coach: What's The Process Behind Developing A Leadership Team? 12/23/2014

    How do I develop a true leadership team? Well, that’s a topic that could consume an entire library of books! That said, let’s see if we can’t whittle the topic down to a manageable scope. Beginning with the end in mind … effective development always starts with defining success. Said differently, ask yourself if you have a clear sense for what a real leadership team looks like?

48. Books Services Providers Can Reference Again And Again 12/23/2014

    As we wrap up 2014, I wanted to give my Service Manager Brethren a few of the books that have helped me in an operational or managerial capacity over the last 15 years. Some of the books are pricey and are more like text books than typical business book fare.

49. Why You Should Stop Using Unpaid Interns 12/16/2014

    Interns have been used in many companies across almost all industries for dozens, if not hundreds of years. Many SMBs find the use of interns invaluable, as they can ease the burden of operations from both a staffing and financial perspective. Additionally, many interns gain valuable skills and connections as a result of their exposure to their chosen profession, and these are the “perks” many employers hang their hats on. 

50. Ask The Consultant: How Accountable Executives Turn Learning At Industry Events Into Action 11/12/2014

    Why do you attend industry conferences? How do you turn the knowledge, contacts and experience into actionable value? Who is accountable for making sure this happens? These are the types of questions I hear business owners and executives ask themselves before, during, and after the events and meetings.