JSB Business Solutions Group Blog

The Predictability of Your Income is Found In Your Process

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

Who is your target market? Your ideal client? Or buyer persona? 

Understanding who your ideal customer really is, or what many refer to as your buyer persona is critical. It doesn’t mean you dismiss potential clients, but you need to know who is already seeking or predisposed to patronize you, don’t need much in the way of education regarding your value proposition, and can easily afford your services. Your branding, marketing and prospecting techniques, and how you execute your client services should all be geared to attract and retain your ideal client. 

Besides, not being willing to do the work. This unarguably kills a small business faster than anything else. There is a famous axiom out there about money not being everything. Well, it is, if you don't have it. Capital is the lifeblood of your business. The following questions are designed to help you put together a process to help you consistently enjoy cash flow.   

In order to curate processes that work, you must identify the habits that work. This lays the groundwork for you, the self employed entrepreneur, to grow from a team of ME to a team of WE. In other words, transition from being a practitioner or creative that is owned by their business, to becoming a business owner, building an asset (organism that breathes, produces, and re-produces) that generates revenues independently of you having to do everything.

Let's begin!!

 

CREATE A LIST The list is your starting block. In the previous questionnaire you were asked to identify your niche and the 3 unique characteristics that set you apart from the rest of the field. Now it's time to identify those individuals or business entities that will be most receptive to both. At some point you are going to establish a database/CRM of all your prospects and clients, so you can track your progress and quickly identify where your process may be failing you, or serving your interests. 

How big should the list be? Big list. Big checks. Small list. Small checks. No list. No checks. I encourage you to start a Project 100: build a list of prospects until you reach 100 names on your list. For those working in the B2C market (to a lesser extent the B2B market), the following memory jogger may be helpful. 

 

WRITE DOWN YOUR PROCESS Your process is the track you run on. Every professional, entrepreneur, and business has a process. If you don't have a process, that is your process. Processes allow you to inventory your RGAs (revenue generating activities) systemically, and the predictability of your business is found in your RGAs. It is where the fodder is found to begin to make projections about your profitability in the future.

Not having a proven process is tantamount to waking up, jumping in your car, and attempting to drive to an overseas destination you've never visited before without a map or a compass. For the purposes of this exercise, I'm going to provide a simplified process that applies to most business models generally.

1. How do I ensure that new people are learning about my business on a daily basis? 
1. Social Media Campaigns, 
2. Inboxing Prospects Online,
3. Cold Calling, 
4. Referrals, 
5. Email Campaigns, 
6. Door Knocking, 
7. Networking Events, 
8. Open Houses, 
9. etc.  
1. How many new people do I need to introduce to my business on a daily basis for it to be viable? 
2. What kind of tools or marketing artifacts am I going to use to introduce my business offerings? 

 

1.  Once a new prospect is aware of my services or products, how do I help them make an educated buying decision? 
1. Landing Pages & Sales Funnels 
2. Invitation to a Zoom Presentation or Webcast 
3. Schedule a One on One Appointment 
4. Social Media Tutorial or Presentation: YouTube, Instagram, SoundCloud, etc. 
5. Website 
6. Invite to a Demonstration
7. Seminars
8. etc.
1. How many guests (people who have seen a presentation of some kind) must learn about my presentation in order to onboard a new client? 

 

Here is a simplified formula I still employ to this day, when I’m attempting to assess the amount of work and resources I will need to employ to reach my target. 

Simplified Formula for Sales Success

Your income goal per month:

Average compensation / NOI (net operating income) per sale:

What is your closing percentage?

Days per week (52 weeks/12 months) = 4.33

Number of days per week you will work building your dream:

 

Example:

Income Goal $8,333.33 divided by,

Average Compensation $300 divided by,

Closing Ration 30% divided by

Days per Week 4.33 divided by

Chosen Number of Work Days 5 =  4.5 presentations daily

 

 

1. Once I’ve taken on a new client, what steps am I going to take to make sure they are a happy client? 
1. What is the System for Following Up to Confirm Their Satisfaction? 
2. How Do I Confirm or Deliver the Guarantee? 
3. How Do I Ensure Services/Products are Meeting Expectations? 
4. How Do I Continually Engage My Client After Their Purchase? 

 

1. What process do I have in place to obtain referrals on a consistent basis? 
1. Email Campaigns
2. Phone Calls
3. Text Messages
4. CRM - Automated Messages
1. Do I have a Script/s?
5. Social Media Group, Membership Club, Subscription 
6. etc.

 

Over the course of time you want to be very intentional about documenting your scripts and inventorying what tools you are using. WHY?  When it’s time to grow from a team of ME to a team of WE, this process will reduce your hiring, training, and supervisory expenses. Plan with the end in mind. 

Give your process or approach a name. In one of my organizations, I refer to it as Our Uplifting Service Agreement. Once you’ve named (branded) your process, at some point you’ll want to create some type of marketing artifact, logo, symbol, or image that people can identify with your process (prospects, clients, and employees alike). 

 

 

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How to Find or Regain Focus, Energy, & Remain Inspired As An Entrepreneur

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

Why does your business exist, beyond simply making a profit? What do you want your impact or legacy to be in the world? What is your WHY?  

Being able to answer these questions is important because it's hard to expend your life's energies on a compromise, and success is an inside job. There is not enough motivation in the world (books, podcasts, videos, seminars, etc.) to feed you and push you to achieve your best life. At some point you have to identify the values, beliefs, and ideas that give you energy. You need to have a well to pull from that will propel you forward before the recognition; create accountability when people are not looking; and push you to be excellent before the rewards become apparent. 

Answering these questions will also help you frame your value proposition to the rest of the world. They will help you determine how you show up at an initial meet up, at networking events, when you give an elevator pitch, and how you accentuate your value to the world via social media and elsewhere. They are essential to helping you attract your tribe: the business partners you will eventually work with; your ideal clients; and those who are willing to support and advocate for you when you're not in the room. 

And just as important, answering these questions will help you stay focused on your focus. I've read that a light bulb and a laser use and produce the same amount of energy. However, the light bulb’s energy illuminates, but dissipates into a space. Whereas, a laser's energy is focused, and can cut through, chisel, and curate the environment around it. When you're flying from project to project, and you lack focus, you'll find very often that while the calendar moves, you haven't moved or progressed any further toward your goals.

Additionally, you are unable to resonate with your tribe, because people don’t know WHO or WHAT you are from day to day, and therefore you fail repeatedly to gain the traction (trust) and momentum (social evidence) required to push your business endeavors forward. There's a hidden inertia that exists in business, akin to pushing a 5000 lb vehicle. In the beginning it's tough, but once the wheels get rolling you and those observing you may begin to marvel about how easily you're able to achieve progress. Inertia allows you to accomplish more, attract more, and invest more in your endeavors as opposed to being bogged down with the psychological strain of surviving day to day. 

So, how do you begin? This is an abbreviated version of a questionnaire I typically distribute to clients who are in the start up phase of their businesses, or entrepreneurs who need a hard reset. The questions are designed to help you identify and answer the following questions?

And by the way, if you like the appetizer, and desire a deeper dive, reach out to me using the contact information at the end of this article to schedule an appointment. 

 

• Why does my business exist?
• What are my core services? 
• What are my competitive advantages? 

 

WHAT ARE MY CORE VALUES? One way to answer this question is to ask yourself, what are your key principles? What are the issues or matters that matter the most to you? What are the things you'd draw the line in the sand for? Fight for? Sacrifice for?

If you could describe the culture of your organization you’re building in 3 to 5 words what would they be? Take a moment and think about the professionals or individuals you respect most, and ask yourself what characteristics do they embody? For example: 

• financial independence
• legacy
• professionalism
• uplifting service
• providers for their family and community
• unabashed accountability
• absolute commitment
• passionate about having fun
• constant learning & growing
• entrepreneurship is empowerment
• longevity and forever relevant

 

WHAT IS MY CORE FOCUS? One way of answering this question is to ask why does my business exist? What is the purpose, cause, or passion? Once again, choose only 3 - 5 (less is more). For example:

• to help people live, lives of satisfaction through entrepreneurship
• to help women overcome financial, relationship, & emotional distress
• to help men adopt & sustain healthy mindsets
• to be a highly effective change agent
• help people achieve agency & control of the lives
• to serve the best, most smacking waffles ever known
• to use my art to make people smile and forget their worries

 

WHAT IS MY NICHE? Or who do I want to serve? Be specific. What is the one thing you believe you can do better than anyone else? For example:

• make complex ideas easy to understand
• provide actionable content for entrepreneurs
• write compelling marketing content
• provide start ups with the most comprehensive, affordable tools to grow their businesses
• help single african american men navigate (step by step) fatherhood 
• helping distressed property owners avoid foreclosure
• provide healthy catering alternatives for diabetics
• coach people to become their best selves
• help people improve the performance in quantifiable steps  

 

WHERE DO I WANT MY BUSINESS OR WHAT DO I WANT MY BUSINESS TO BE 5 YEARS FROM NOW? Be specific. For example:

• to have 3000 clients who regularly refer at least 10 clients yearly 
• to own 20,000 family units & 500 multiplexes 
• to generate $10,000,000 in insurance premium yearly 
• to help 520 families achieve financial independence annually  

 

WHAT ARE MY 3 UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS THAT SET ME OR US APART? What are your guarantees? 

• we are an organization of entrepreneurs, serving entrepreneurs
• we guarantee funding or a 100% refund
• we provide uplifting service and exceed our clients expectations 
• we invest in our people
• we get what you do 
• your priorities are our priorities 
• we guarantee delivery in 2 days or a 50% refund

 

This condensed version of my business questionnaire should be a great start. And as always, I look forward to learning what is most important to you at whatever stage of your business you may be in, what you're taking aim at, and sharing additional information. 

Let's connect soon! @  http://bit.ly/JuJuanBufordOfficial

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment

___________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

 

Website: https://thebufordco.com/

Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/ 

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextoppsocial

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford

Twitter: @JSBUFORD

How Micro & Small Business Owners Can Attract & Retain Good Talent?

Posted by JuJuan Buford  @JSBUFORD 

AUDIO VERSION - http://bit.ly/microsattractretaintalent

 

 

Talent is Not Tantamount to Leadership 

Nine times out of ten, if you made the transition from a highly accomplished, overachieving professional to an entrepreneur, you may be overconfident in your own ability. In traditional work environments being exceptionally competent or having an invaluable skill set that is not easily duplicated, affords you recognition, perks, and material rewards (ideally). And of course we all know that birds of a feather flock together, and this creates cultural bias or blind spots. 

More often than not, overachievers assume that other people have the same baseline of knowledge and skill sets. They can become irritated when others don’t execute to their expectations or at the level they would expect of themselves: asking questions and offering critiques that dissuade others from taking initiative around them; ultimately behaving like idiosyncratic overseers, driving down morale and eventually fomenting decreasing levels of performance than previously experienced. 

Good leaders know that the more you learn, the more you understand what you don’t know. They are empathetic to the fact that even the most talented individuals come to the table at different places developmentally. Instead of asking why certain tasks aren’t being implemented to standard, they ask what systems can I put into place to help everyone one level up? Instead of asking “why aren’t you/they doing this?” They approach with “how can we accomplish this task…. let’s discuss how we can improve the situation.”

 

Leadership is a Skilled Trade 

For well over a two decades you endured organized schooling, attended an innumerable amount of training, delved into self education, and worked assiduously to chisel yourself into the fine oiled machine you’ve become today. If you are an exceptional writer, musician, world class athlete, salesperson, attorney, doctor, real estate agent, cook, celebrity stylists, etc., etc., this sounds familiar.

Becoming an excellent leader requires the same commitment. Not only do you have to become technically sound in your skilled trade and a subject matter expert in your industry, but you have to become exceptionally skilled at influencing people. At the end of the day, that is what good leaders do. Military leaders are able to induce people to follow them 50 yards against the hail of bullets. Football coaches can engender such respect and affection that grown men, earning millions of dollars (with accompanying colossal egos) to continue to play despite horrific pain and adverse physical effects.

In other words, you must become a student of how to motivate people, engender belief, inspire sacrifice, and influence people.  

Here is one caveat to remember though. Don’t expect your employees to want the success of your business, more than you do. However, if they believe in you, and see you running a hundred miles per hour, they may keep pace at 90 miles per hour.

 

Don’t Be a Butthead 

People are emotional creatures. We make decisions predicated upon gut feelings, our level of excitement and belief, or our level of distrust or discomfort. Then we use our cerebral cortex to justify our decisions after the fact. Ever hear of the axiom, people don’t remember what you said, but rather how you made them feel? Don’t be lazy with language.

Before you unleash your justified wave of indignation and self righteous criticisms, remember you were an ugly duckling at one time. You stumbled. Made mistakes. At a certain age most of us learn to flee from people who believe they can do no wrong. People are more receptive when you talk with them, rather than at them.

 

More Conventional & Non-Conventional Strategies and Tools

1. Golden handcuffs. Offering benefits such as key person insurance, identity theft and legal services, access to child care resources, the provision of transportation options, etc., etc.,  These types of benefits help to alleviate expenses that today’s generation of employees are becoming increasingly sensitive to….in other words there is more than one way to compensate an employee.
2. Take the time to hire a professional to help you identify the key performance indicators (KPIs are tasks and activities) that drive the most profitable outcomes for your business. Then gamify or simply find ways to incentivize employees that exhibit the ability to hone in and execute on these KPIs.
3. Host events that recognize peak performers, but more importantly, highlight the KPIs  (key performance indicators) that contribute to their achievements.  
4. Incorporate into the on-boarding process (invest in an employee hand book and/or operating manuals) an informal interview process whereas you help employees to identify what they’re taking aim at financially and personally. Find ways to marry their performance and success in your company, to their short and long term goals. If your employees can’t envision how working for you can serve as a means to achieve their goals, your business becomes just another job, pit-stop, or bus stop on the way to the next one.
5. Not to be redundant but incorporate an on-boarding process, and invest in an employee handbook, training, and or operating manual. The way you on-board an employee sends a clear signal about whether your business is built to last. Stop complaining about not being able to find "good" employees, when you don't have a "good", professional onboarding process. 
6. Don’t operate out of fear or jealousy, and be ok with others being more competent in other areas than you. If you truly desire to scale your business, you're going to need good leaders to hand the ball off to.
7. Resist the urge to be nepotistic!! Here is a checklist I adopted and refined for my purposes after reading a book on leadership authored by John C. Maxwell.

• What is this person’s value to the team: skills, talents, aptitudes?
• What natural abilities or energies do they possess?
• Are they self motivated, doers, self-starters, who take responsibility for their performance?
• Is the timing right for them to be a part of the team, or are they operating in a tempest?
• Do they have potential that can be identified via their performance?
• Are they a good mentoring fit and willing to be held accountable?

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment 

 

 

______________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Schedule a FREE consultation using my Initial Free Consultation Link

Learn More & Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

 

Trademarks and DBAs: What’s the Difference?

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

 

By Deborah Sweeney | January 14, 2020

 

 

Trademarks and DBAs may seem like the same concept, if you’re fairly new to understanding small business terminology. Trademarks may include business names and other media that distinguishes a startup and its uniqueness to the world while a DBA is an acronym for “doing business as.”

Businesses may register for trademarks and DBAs to protect their marks. However, each form of protection has a different function for your company’s intellectual property. Let’s take a look at what sets trademark and DBA registrations apart and whether or not entrepreneurs receive exclusive rights to both marks.

Trademarks

A trademark protects much more than the name of a business. Additional media that may qualify for trademark registration include phrases and taglines, logos, symbols, and designs unique to the business.

How do you know that your trademark is unique? The easiest way to find out is by conducting a trademark search. One of the simplest ways to start doing this is to search through a trademark database. Consider using The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s popular tool called the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). This database allows you to see which trademark applications have already been registered or if there are any pending or similar marks. If you notice a pending or registered mark is similar to your own, you’ll cannot register your existing mark. Your impending registration will infringe upon the other mark. Instead, you will need to revise the trademark you wish to register to be a bit more unique or come up with a new idea altogether.

If you discover that there are no pending applications for your trademark, it’s a good idea to start filing for federal trademark registration. File a trademark application with your local Secretary of State or get help from a third party document filing service, like MyCorporation!

The sooner you file to register a trademark,.... (continue reading @ https://gosmallbiz.com/trademarks-and-dbas-whats-the-difference/)

 

Do you have additional questions, desire consultation, or would like assistance with setting up your own trademark or DBA? Click the following link to set up a free consultation today! > https://calendly.com/jsb_business_solutions

 

 

CLICK THE LINK TO SUBCRIBE

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment


__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Learn More & Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/  

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD

 

 

VERY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ENTREPRENEURS SHOULD ASK WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW THAT KILLS YOU IN BUSINESS. IT’S WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW. THE SMALL DECISIONS TODAY, CAN CUT DEEPEST TOMORROW. BE CURIOUS. BE A LITTLE PARANOID.

 

• ASK WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESS STRUCTURE WOULD BE MOST APPROPRIATE? DON’T ASSUME THAT AN LLC OR A DBA IS ALWAYS THE MOST APPROPRIATE. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN DBA, LLC, S-CORP, C-CORP, L3C? 

• WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SINGLE-MEMBER AND MULTI- MEMBER LLC?

• ASK HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR BUSINESS COMPLIANT OR IN GOOD STANDING? 

• ASK WHAT ARE THE TAX REQUIREMENTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH EACH BUSINESS STRUCTURE? 

• WHAT TAX DEDUCTIONS AM I ELIGIBLE FOR? WHAT IS THE SELF EMPLOYMENT TAX? 

• SHOULD I PAY MYSELF 1099 VS. W-2? WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIIRED?

• WHAT IS THE TAX RAMIFICATIONS OF PAYING MYSELF 1099 VS. W-2?

• IF I HAVE A BUSINESS PARTNER, A FRIEND, A DEPENDENT, SPOUSE, OR A PART TIME OR FULL TIME EMPLOYEE THAT WORKS FOR OR WITH ME, SHOULD I PAY THEM W-2 OR 1099? 

• IS THERE CITY, COUNTY, STATE, OR FEDERAL LICENSING REQUIRED TO START MY BUSINESS?

• HOW CAN PAYING SOMEONE UNDERNEATH THE TABLE HURT MY ABILITY TO GROW MY BUSINESS?

• HOW DO I AVOID COMMINGLING PERSONAL AND BUSINESS INCOME? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? 

• HOW DO I PROTECT MY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS? YOUR BUSINESS NAME? YOUR DESIGNS, LOGOS, OR SYMBOLS THAT IDENTIFY YOUR BUSINESS? WHAT IS A COPYRIGHT? WHAT IS A TRADEMARK? 

• DON’T SIGN CONTRACTING, AFFILIATE, LICENSING, OR VENDOR AGREEMENTS WITHOUT HAVING AN ATTORNEY REVIEW IT. 

• WHY IS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTING AGREEMENT IMPORTANT?

• WHY IS A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT OR A NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT IMPORTANT? 

• WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NON-COMPETE AND A NON-CIRCUMVENT?

• WHAT IS AN OPERATING AGREEMENT & WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? 

• IF YOU ARE SECURING CUSTOMERS/CLIENTS ACROSS STATE LINES, WHAT IS YOUR TAX EXPOSURE OR RESPONSIBILITIES?

• IF I DEPOSIT PERSONAL INCOME INTO YOUR BUSINESS CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT, HOW DO I ACCOUNT FOR IT?

• IF SOMEONE GIFTS ME MONEY, OR LOANS ME MONEY, HOW DO I ACCOUNT FOR IT?

 

This list is by no means complete, but these are the questions I wished I would have known to ask, and received answers about when I first began my entrepreneurial journey 20 years ago.

Desire additional information? Or additional technical assistance? Listen the following corporate overview to learn more about how we may be of service to you. > Abbreviated Audio of Small Business Support Services

 

AND REMEMBER,......................

 

 

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment


__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join my email group to receive my best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

Learn More & Follow him online here:

Website: https://thebufordco.com/
Website: https://www.nextoppsocial.com/
LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSBUFORD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catchjsbuford/

Starting a Business With Family. No One Wins When the Family Feuds.

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If you have specific questions about any legal matter, you should consult with an attorney or other professional services provider.  

 

You’ve started a business with a dynastic vision serving as your inspiration. You scheduled the family gathering, corralled all the interested parties, inventoried everyone’s commitments, and stepped boldly into the incredible future that awaits you. Very soon the capital starts pouring in, and smiling faces and good feelings abound. You’ve won. 

However, just as there was a beginning to the honeymoon, there will be an end. The open house was a hit, and the winds of support and enthusiasm are very much still at your back. However, there’s been some attrition. A key employee has recently become engaged, and is planning to move to another state. Another found a better job, allowing for more time with the children. A couple family members have begun to behave nonchalantly, arriving late and leaving early. 

You’ve exhausted your warm market collectively, and entrepreneurship is skilled trade. Unfortunately, you’re discovering that much of your staff doesn’t  have the skills to pay the bills. This new phase of your business requires that you upgrade your current roster of employees, and invest in marketing your business more effectively. Additionally, after a couple months of managing your accounts payables and receivables, you’ve realized you need to tighten up your operating expenditures. In other words, you turn off the spigot on unnecessary spending and immediately put a halt to family members using cash deposits, and the business account like their personal piggy bank. 

In business - especially in the beginning - you often have to do things you’re not being compensated for, so later on down the line you can be compensated for things you longer have to do. Your people are still investing time and energy, but some are feeling entitled to receive more income because of the increased profitability, ignoring the fact that reinvestments need to be made. 

Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you know what is about to happen next. 

Very soon people’s feelings begin to creep into discussions and impact expectations; accountability begins to fade; and smoldering animosities begin to surface. Finally, one of the siblings, aunts, or cousins decide they’ve had enough and want their initial investment back. Another, decides to start up a competing venture, and siphon your business resources to launch it without telling you. And depending on how much time you can dedicate to bandaging egos and wounds, accusations of theft and betrayal begin to inundate relationships, and the rest becomes bad history.  

Unfortunately, some version of this narrative transpires everyday in business, and often with devastating consequences. The owner or owners believe these people are my friends, my family, and lacking the business acumen and professionals who have the life experience to help owners prepare and anticipate these challenges there misguided beliefs often become their own undoing. Call it willful ignorance, pomposity, or a combination thereof. The bottom line is these types of conflicts can be more easily managed and avoided by taking a couple simple steps. 

 

Implement An Operating Agreement / Partnership Agreement

Plainly speaking an operating agreement is an arrangement between members or shareholders of a business entity regarding how they conduct business affairs. It spells out the rights of members or shareholders, obligations, and procedures regarding how the business is to be managed. It provides clarity, and helps parties stay in their lane, and play nice. 

As a business owner/s your value proposition can be phenomenal and you can be surrounded by all the talent in the world, but if individuals aren’t clear about what is expected of each other, things can go south very quickly. People don’t rehearse accidents resulting in disabilities, untimely deaths, divorces, or simply losing personal interest in a business. And regardless of how fine of character you believe someone to be, we all have been surprised at one time in our lives by wolves hiding in sheep's clothing. Operating agreements resolve these issues and more. 

• Voting rights,
• Issues related to parties leaving and possibly becoming competition,
• How a buyout may need to be handled,
• How & When profits are distributed,
• Expectations regarding how monies invested will be handled, 
• Buyout provisions,
• Clarification regarding roles and responsibilities,
• What happens in the event of disability or death,
• How the business will manage its tax obligations and debts,
• And how personal infusions of cash will be handled. 

As an aside, having an operating agreement also helps to demarcate the lines between personal affairs and business affairs, offering greater protection from legal challenges arising from tax issues as well. 

 

Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, Non-Circumvents

These documents place restrictions upon employees, contract workers, shareholders, and even passive investors from directly or indirectly competing against your business. Depending on how these documents are drawn up, they can address issues relating to an employee or contractor joining another competitor while employed by you, after the end of working relationship, or a period following termination. They can also be effective at preventing parties from investing in or lending monetary assistance to a competitor. 

They are especially effective at preventing or limiting activities such as disclosing confidential information, information regarding clients, sharing information for the purposes of disparagement, or usurping activities involving suppliers or providers of technical assistance.

 

Address Intellectual Property Concerns Upfront - Trademarks & Copyrights Specifically

Trademark protections can be used for business names, logos and symbols, and some creative artifacts, assuming they are being used to distinguish, or identify goods and services being offered by a specific person or entity. In other words you trademark content that is being used to brand or draw a distinction between you and your competition. 

You can register for trademarks on the state level or employ ghetto copyright tactics however taking these steps only offer limited protection, and if your intellectual property rights are abridged, there is a strong likelihood that you will not be able to pursue punitive damages. And complications can occur resulting in your rights being denied altogether. 

In other words, don’t do it. Your intellectual property rights are evergreen. They have long term value, because they are assets. Invest in your assets casually, and your business will become a casualty. Go through the proper channels, and don’t cut corners when it comes to your IP rights. While filing a trademark registration yourself may be the least expensive method, you may encounter name conflicts or other registration issues that require legal or other trademark professional input.

Employ copyrights to protect written works, artistic expression, songs, paintings, and drawings, designs, symbols or logos even if the work is purely for decorative purposes. If you desire for your business to grow away from you, meaning become an income producing asset that generates revenue independently of your sweat equity, copyrighting your content is essential. While some protection exists without registration, such as a copyright, you need to register for protection of other intellectual properties and generally to defend your property rights in court, including copyrights. 

To help assess whether you want to file trademark or copyright registrations yourself review the following sites for additional information::

United States Patent and Trademark Office > https://www.uspto.gov/trademark

United States Copyrights Office > https://www.copyright.gov/

As with anything, it is best to be proactive. Take the time to determine ownership rights of all intellectual property before launching and be sure to determine how intellectual property will be handled in the event that a business is dissolved. 

 

While there are no foolproof methods to prevent conflicts from occurring when conducting business with family, especially if there isn’t an established culture (hierarchy) of business ownership and collaboration among relatives. These aforementioned considerations can both dissuade and provide incentives for desired outcomes. And in the event that things do go south, there is an established blueprint and road map to resolve conflicts, rather than decisions being made in the heat of the moment or while passions are high. 

Lastly, understand the moment you believe you know it all, your obituary is being written. No different than an athlete believing they no longer have to review film or prepare any more. Seek professional guidance and expertise regarding these matters. And remember nobody wins when the family feuds.

 

__________________________________________________

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

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Why Entrepreneurs Quit

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

I was recently asked by a fellow entrepreneur, why I thought entrepreneurs fail. Admittedly, I was reluctant to address the topic initially, because it’s not the sexiest or fun conversation to have regarding entrepreneurship for obvious reasons. When most start a business for the first time (especially), they are at their highest level of enthusiasm, but also lowest level of competency at the same time. You don't want bruise them, or diminish this much needed excitement before things get underway.

Also, it's easier for so-called leaders simply to chalk it up to people being lazy, not willing or able to learn, or being beset with character defects when they come up short. Sometimes it's easy to forget the ugly duckling stage we mature out of as entrepreneurs and leaders. And if the quitting or failure rate continues to grow, this thinking is usually a sign that those charged with the responsibility of creating fertile ground for success, haven’t taken the time for introspection.  

Once again, it’s always easier to blame than to take the time to contemplate, and as the tough questions like…..am I as a leader effectively creating environments of opportunity that truly empowers and brings out the best in people?

As in most cases when making generalizations, it's always important to take into account context. However, when taking inventory of yourself, as an aspiring entrepreneur, as a leader, or the owner of a business, there are a couple icebergs we all need to be aware of when starting or scaling a business. 

 

ARE YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS BIG ENOUGH?

One of the first questions I encourage every entrepreneur to seriously think about is what inspired you to start your endeavor, or why did you choose entrepreneurship? The answer to this question is the most important determinant of whether or not someone is going to succeed in business. Please believe.

Not having a solid answer to this question is a sure sign that someone is either headed straight down mediocrity road or is about to experience an imminent, and fatal failure. Whenever, I hear some combination of the following words, you might as well start writing the eulogy:

I started this little thing. My little business. Can you participate in this little conference call? I got this little presentation I want to invite you to. 

Starting a new business from scratch, especially if the goal is to immediately draw a significant income or one is required, takes a huge expenditure of energy and effort physically and psychologically. One of the biggest challenges for most is overcoming the sneers or negative perspectives others attempt to project upon you if your success isn't perceived as imminent, especially from those closest to you. For many the fear of judgment is crippling, and unfortunately many will allow other people's opinions to torpedo their endeavors before they even get started. 

Also, there is going to be turbulence. One of my favorite quotes often attributed to Albert Einstein is, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." Nor can you overcome your current circumstances with the same habits and itinerary that created them. The circle of people you spend the most time talking to will most likely need to change, if they're not coming along for the journey. Don't misunderstand this. This is not an invitation to diss your current circle, but you may have to distance yourself from many of them, to make space for people who can help you achieve your goals.

Your reading, sleeping, and eating habits will most likely need to change. You may be surprised to find the music, audio content, videos, or even your taste in movies and other cinematic tastes may change. As you begin to change the inputs being deposited into your mind and body, you're growing into a new you. No different than if a person switches from eating a couple 1 pound fast food burgers everyday to a vegan diet. You can rest assured some significant changes in energy, appearance, and mindset will accompany the switch. 

Or just like elite swimmers, boxers, sprinters, and cyclists tend to have different muscular attributes and physiques that can be strikingly apparent, due to their workout routines and habits, so will entrepreneurship alter you as well. And it will require a level of humility and will power to embrace it all.   

There is going to be stress any time you're forced to move outside your comfort zone, but remember those who exhibit courage aren't lacking in fear. They are simply willing to do what must be done anyway. Remember, you’ve already earned and already accomplished all you’re going to in your comfort zone.

If you're going to transform your life, then your goals must be big enough to incite, compel, and force you to make the necessary changes. They have to be ever present to prevent you from drifting, and be so LARGE that they literally dwarf the trials and tribulations that inevitably await you. So much so, that your family, friends, neighbors, or those who are close to you, look at you in sincere disbelief, but stick around anyway, not wanting to miss it if you achieve it.  

Remember your goals act like filters, and also create resonance. They are the beats and notes that characterize your music. The words that flow from your mouth, and the way you respond to others, especially when under duress are tell tale signs of how deep of a dive you’ve taken regarding your objectives. And your music will either attract the right people and repel those who may be wrong for you, or the opposite. 

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR ITINERARY

People spend days, weeks, months planning for a vacation. A gratifying pursuit no doubt, but the super-majority of the time, that one vacation is not going to change the fabric of your family tree. Neither are birthday parties, prepping for the Super Bowl, or the New Years eve party. 

However, if you were to challenge most people regarding how much time they spend planning, thinking critically about their habits, preparing, and learning about how to be an elite business owner, all of a sudden they don’t have time. When in reality you don't have time not too. 

Just as athletes spend countless hours practicing the same shots repeatedly, musicians and dancers endure backbreaking rehearsals, and hours of prep occur before a surgeon performs his skilled trade, so must you be willing to craft an itinerary and prepare meticulously for your success as an entrepreneur. There are no overnight success stories.We just find out about them overnight.

Not taking the time to create a success itinerary doesn't prove fatal overnight. It shows up the same way knocking back three 2 liter sodas and a fast food burger on a daily basis shows up. It's like a slow moving train gathering momentum and before you know it you're headed to severe heart attack. If you don’t take the time to make success deposits into your business, the alternative reality is waiting and begging for your participation.  

A question we should all ask ourselves on a regular basis, is what is your entrepreneurial workout routine? Or another way of thinking about it is, ask yourself what are the three to five things that you're going to commit to on a daily basis, whereas if applied daily over time would make the biggest difference in your life. Choose a work out routine that will slowly chisel you into the entrepreneur you desire to be. Perhaps it's committing to:

#1. Introducing your service to 20 new prospects a day. 

#2. Reading 10 pages of a good book a day. That’s a book a month.  

#3. Running 12 miles a week. 

#4. Meditating and reviewing your affirmations when you awake and before you go to sleep. 

#5. Working out for 30 minutes a day. 

#6. Getting in an hour of practice or working on a skill. 

#7. Writing 20 pages or for 30 minutes a day. 

Ask yourself, how much clarity would you have regarding your day? How much more confident would you feel when an unexpected, yet important task is assigned to you (that’s called opportunity). How much more energy would you have? How much more informed, and valuable would your thoughts become to others if you adopted some of these practices? 

It's these monotonous activities and habits that ultimately shape you, and win you the day. One day at a time, then two, three, seven, two weeks, two months, the year. In other words show me your itinerary and I'll show you your future. 

 

WHAT DOES YOUR DIET CONSIST OF? BAD STUFF IN. BAD STUFF OUT. 

According to the National Science Foundation, an average person has approximately 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative and 95% are repetitive thoughts.

What are you consuming on a daily basis to offset the 80%? How often are you taking inventory of the 95% to ensure your thoughts are serving you? Gravity is waiting to greet you from the moment you open your eyes. The BS.com is coming for you 24/7. The 1000s of negative words, images, and moments have to be offset somehow. How often are you viewing your affirmations? Are you really being purposeful, and intentional about the conversations you're having? What of the things you read, and the ideas you allow to occupy space between your ears?

I encourage entrepreneurs to adopt a policy of being able to put their hands and lay their eyeballs on their affirmations, goals, positive meditations just as frequently as they pick up their phones. The screensaver and the home screen are pictures of my affirmations and goals.

Be careful of the counsel you keep. Small people talk about other people all day. Remember, critics don't win championships, performers do. Good, well intentioned minds talk about problems. And great minds are achievers who solve them, overcome them, and dust them off their shoulders.

Is your diet of conversations, readings, training audios, and everything else in between serving you? Is it strengthening you? Improving your endurance? Sharpening you? Or is it making you flabby. Turning you into an excuse making machine, and weakening your immunity to negativity?

Entrepreneurship is not Hollywood. people don't rise to the occasion, but rather their level of training, preparation, and commitment to curating a better self.

#entrepreneurshipisempowerment

__________________________________________________

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JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD
Blog: https://www.thebufordcoblog.com/
Website: https://thebufordco.com/

Lessons Learned From the Building Your Brand Workshop hosted by Rachele Wilson

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

What follows are some reflections and quick takeaways from the Building Your Brand - Grow From Ideation to Launching Your Business workshop with Rachele Wilson, digital marketing trainer and strategist, and CEO of Wright Outcomes. 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ARE TOOLS   

There is a persistent misperception out there, that if you post it people will magically come. Social media is skilled trade, and the tools of the trade must be used frequently and often to bring about a desired impact. And just like a hammer, if you don’t swing it at something repeatedly, or know how to use it, you’re not going to get much work done. The great thing about social media marketing, is it can be learned like anything else, and there will be a learning curve. In other words you may suck for a period of time, and it's OK because that is part of the process of improving at anything. The most important thing you can do is get started.  

Facebook - Engage Them 

Instagram - Get To Know Them 

LinkedIn - Educate Them 

Pinterest - Share With Them 

YouTube - Show Them 

You can't get dirty and look good at the same time. Just do the dirt. 

 

IDENTIFYING WHO YOU SERVE 

You’ve launched your labor of love. You’re passionate about what you do. You’re confident that everyone who learns about what you do, will be just as enthralled as you. Or you have a product or service that you believe a particular demographic will find attractive, and instead you find yourself servicing a different client base then you expected. It happens. Or, you find out, you’re really not sure what your selling. It happens more frequently than you think.  

What is the difference between a $700 grandfather clock and a $5,000 grandfather clock? What is the difference between a 2 cent paperclip and a $1,000 + paperclip? The materials and time spent to craft such things? Perhaps. The end user’s perspective regarding the value of the service or product? That would be a yes. In other words, much of your success is going to based on your willingness to get out of your own head, and root out what the market believes your wares and services are worth. In the beginning, you may have to lean in multiple times, and unabashedly as for the sale, if only to gain more perspective on what people are will pay for your services.  

https://www.tiffany.com/accessories/desk/everyday-objects-18k-gold-paper-clip-bookmark-35917179/

Understanding who your ideal customer really is, or what many refer to as your buyer persona is critical. It doesn’t mean you dismiss potential clients, but know who is already seeking your services or predisposed to patronize you; they don’t need much in the way of education regarding your value proposition (or convincing); and can easily afford your services. Your branding, marketing and prospecting techniques, and how you execute your client services should all be geared to attract and retain your ideal client. 

Besides, not being willing to do the work. This unarguably kills a small business faster than anything else. Why? Typically, especially when first starting out, entrepreneurs are operating on a shoestring budget and not knowing who to target your marketing resources to get the biggest bang for your buck is throwing good money after bad. It also make the difference between merely surviving, versus growing, scaling, and ultimately thriving.

Your ideal customer is not only valuable because of the upfront transaction. They are valuable because they will repeatedly patronize you, refer you to others, and become brand ambassadors (people who are willing to broadcast their patronage of you to others). 

 

FACTS TELL & STORIES SELL: THE SUCCESS STORY 

Not quite sure how to share your business with the world. Here is a simple script to follow. 

• What does your idea client look like? What was their challenge before they met you? 
• How did/does your service or product save the day? 
• What does your idea client look like, sound like, how has their lives been changed as a result of knowing you or experience what you provide? 

 If you’re concerned about what to post, and whether you have the time? It’s because you’re thinking too hard about it.  

 Share the success stories. Share the process of creating - the product, prepping to deliver the services, the sweat equity put into delivering - the value proposition. Share the excitement, exhaustion, elation, epic failures, and the end result of the happy client.

If you’re doing the work, you’ll never run out of stuff to post.  

 

PEEL BACK THE ONION – TELL YOUR STORY 

In a world of curated lives. The constant stream of steak and egg pics, trips to little known vacation destinations, grape juice, celebration of our best lives pics..... People want to know if you’re real. Do you really have the academic chops or are you studied? Are you really passionate about what you do, or do you exist solely to part me with my money? Do you have the experience, or access to the experience. What inspires you, because people are also looking for inspiration.  

 Are you creating emotional attachment? This is a Budweiser commercial, curated by VeynarMedia. But is it?

 

People don’t buy the chocolate chip cookies because they’re cookies. They buy the cookies because of the love that is cooked inside. Until your wares are branded, you’re the brand. If you’re being your authentic self, and you’re not an offensive SSOB, you’ll be ok.  

 And remember, TONE, is important too. That was one of the biggest gems for me personally.  

  

CHOOSE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY? ON SOCIAL MEDIA? 

In order to stay relevant, you must be present. The more regularly people are exposed to you, it’s like priming the pump, baking the popcorn, bringing that prospect one step closer to FEELING more familiar with you, and being willing to do business with you.  

However, identify 3-5 topics that capture who you are, what you do, and why you’re doing it. And consistently drive messaging about these 3-5 topics across all the social media platforms you’re employing. In the beginning, concentrate on the platform that gives you the most traction, and then spread out to the other platforms.  

Don’t be all over the place. Keep your messaging as consistent as possible.  

 

“SOCIAL MEDIA IS INTENDED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS.” - Rachele Wilson 

 Nothing else needs be said.  

  

WHAT ARE THE BEST TOOLS & TACTICS THAT ARE WORKING PRESENTLY? DO YOU HAVE WORKBOOKS? 

Stay Connected with the Next Opportunity Social Community here: https://www.facebook.com/nextoppsocial/

► Subscribe to Next Opportunity Social Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-AJTpK7Ye6tKjlYyxxPB8A/

And YES!! A whole curriculum is coming.   

By the way, Rachele is the real deal, Evander Holyfield. Down to earth. Truthful. Gritty, with a nice splash of lemon juice and honey. 

 

THE BEST COMPLIMENT WE COULD EVER RECEIVE. 

 “This was really good. I can tell you are really doing it. Experienced at this.”  

 When I heard those words repeatedly shared from attendees, all the other stuff didn’t matter anymore. Our goal is to put our clients (those in the audience) in front of people who have done something other than read a book, watched a YouTube video, received a bunch of recognition from well-connected friends, etc., etc,. We are about actionable content. Introducing people who are about the entrepreneurial life and are living it: learners, doers, evaluators, sharers, elevators.

YOU are the most important thing about what we do. Leaving more informed, but also ready, willing, and in a prepared place to execute.   

We believe entrepreneurship is empowerment, and while everyone isn’t ready. We don’t need everyone to be an entrepreneur, although we can all benefit from a more entrepreneurial mindset. We simply need more entrepreneurs making a living and making a difference.  

_____________________________________________________________

IS THERE MORE? YES! Join the email group to receive our best stuff!! Continue to Learn & Grow

JuJuan Buford is a Detroit native, entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of JSB Business Solutions Group, business development professional, and writer dedicated to helping families, entrepreneurs, and business owners establish thriving enterprises, achieve financial independence, and build lives of satisfaction.

Follow him online here:

LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford
Twitter: @JSBUFORD
Blog: https://www.thebufordcoblog.com/
Website: https://thebufordco.com/

Business Origination Documents

Posted by JuJuan Buford @JSBUFORD

 

Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If you have specific questions about any legal matter, you should consult with an attorney or other professional services provider.  

 

One of the most commonly asked questions among new business owners, is how important is it that I seek guidance regarding properly structuring my business? Not fully understanding what structuring a business really entails:

1. Understanding what is the difference between a DBA, LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or L3C?
2. What are my intellectual property rights, and how do I protect them?
3. What is an operating agreement, and what other documents do I need? (Here's a side bar. When I learn of an entrepreneur not being able to secure monies from a bank, micro-lender, or a private investor doesn't return their phone call,  90% of the time it's because they were able to produce an operating agreement, balance sheet, income statement, and or cash flow statement)
4. Am I going to compensate myself as 1099 or W-2? 

Not knowing the answers to these questions, is the equivalent of building a house without investing in or inspecting its foundations. Sooner or later, very expensive troubles are going to find you. 

Additionally, one of the most significant challenges fledgling and established business owners face alike today, is finding and retaining good, talented employees and business partners. Unwittingly, many business owners actually sabotage their efforts to attract and retain talent by not having the following documents in place: an operating agreement, a confidentiality agreement, contracting agreement, and a non-compete or non-circumvent agreement. 

Many will argue that because they are still just a small operation (the attitude comes before the altitude), they are not generating significant revenues, or they are a sole-prop there is not a pressing need for these documents. However, what many entrepreneurs frequently fail to realize is that these documents are very important not simply because of their utility, but  because of what they broadcast to the world about your business. 

Having these documents at your disposal or not having them signals to prospective business partners, affiliates, employees, contract workers, and prospective investors whether you’re a swashbuckling pirate attempting to collect some quick bounty, or whether your running a serious operation with a solid foundation that should be respected. 

An Operating Agreement

Sample Operating Agreement

Plainly speaking an operating agreement is an arrangement between members or shareholders of a business entity regarding they conduct business affairs. It spells out the rights of members or shareholders, obligations, and procedures regarding how the business is to be managed. It provides clarity, and helps parties stay in their lane, and play nice. 

As a business owner/s your value proposition can be phenomenal and you can be surrounded by all the talent in the world, but if individuals aren’t clear about what is expected of each other, things can go south very quickly. People don’t rehearse accidents resulting in disabilities, car accidents and untimely deaths, divorces, or simply losing personal interest in a business. And regardless of how fine of character you believe someone to be, we all have been surprised at one time in our lives by wolves hiding in sheep's clothing. Operating agreements resolve these issues and more. 

• Voting rights,
• Issues related to parties leaving and possibly becoming competition,
• How a buyout may need to be handled,
• How profits are distributed,
• Expectations regarding how monies invested will be handled, 
• Buyout provisions,
• What happens in the event of disability or death, and
• How the company will be taxed.

As an aside, having an operating agreement also helps to demarcate the lines between personal affairs and business affairs, offering greater protection from legal challenges arising from tax issues as well. 

A Confidentiality Agreement / Non-Disclosure Agreeement 

NDA - Sample Non-Disclosure Agreement 

You have this incredible idea, and you throw 100% of your will, intellect, and finances into birthing it into a living, breathing, profit creating reality. You’ve included your best buds and trusted confidants in the process, and sought out talent that you don’t possess to help you scale your blossoming business. Only to find out someone has “stolen” your idea, your recipe, insight into your marketing strategy or business plan, or information about your customers. 

Confidentiality agreements dissuade parties from committing the aforementioned offenses and protects your business interests. 

Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, Non-Circumvents

Sample Non-Circumvent

These documents place restrictions upon employees, contract workers, shareholders, and even passive investors from directly or indirectly competing against your business. Depending on how these documents are drawn up, they can address issues relating to an employee or contractor joining another competitor while employed by you, after the end of working relationship, or a period following termination. They can also be effective at preventing parties from investing in or lending monetary assistance to a competitor. 

 

They are especially effective at preventing or limiting activities such as disclosing confidential information, information regarding clients, sharing information for the purposes of disparagement, or usurping activities involving suppliers or providers of technical assistance.  

 

Contracting Agreement

Sample Independent Contracting Agreement

Contracting agreements outline expectations regarding services to be provided or products to be delivered, accompanied with agreed upon compensation for products and services. This document provides the basis for recompense if a client, vendor, or other parties you’re engaged in business activities with. This isn’t your granddaddy’s economy or society anymore. Unfortunately, a handshake or verbal commitment isn’t worth what it used to be. 

You’re interviewing ideal candidates for work in your business, and they continually opt to work elsewhere? You’ve been taken advantage of, having experienced material theft or property right infringement? Your employees or contract workers arrive late and unprepared, destroy or lose equipment or supplies, or disparage you openly or covertly? You're finding that potential investors listen to you politely, and disappear shortly thereafter? 

Remember, the way you introduce your business and onboard someone - the presence of the aforementioned documents being a critical part of the process - for the purposes of seeking their labor or currency informs them how seriously to take you, and dissuades the bad behavior that occurs all too often in business.

______________________________________

Desire to Learn More? Visit my calendar at https://calendly.com/jsb_business_solutions; whereas you can see my schedule in real time, and select a time that works best for you. I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Want to Know Where you Can Inexpensively Acquire Support, Access, & Assistance with securing these Important Documents? > Build, Scale, & Protect Your Business 

We serve companies and entrepreneurs by significantly reducing the expense of conducting research; acquiring more clients; securing capital; onboarding and retaining valued employees; protecting their intellectual property rights; managing growth; and making better tax, financial, and legal decisions.

 

LISTEN to How We Serve Entrepreneurs & Business Owners > 

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#entrepreneurshipisempowerment

 

 

 

 

JuJuan Buford, Business Development Officer

888.549.9689 / [email protected]

https://thebufordco.com | http://bit.ly/linkedinpublicprofilejujuanbuford

Information, Strategies, Tactics, & Resources to Support Businesses & Entrepreneurs @   https://www.thebufordcoblog.com/

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