The topic of how entrepreneurs should spend their weekends generates a wealth of information, as a quick online search will confirm. However, opinions tend to fall on two ends of the spectrum.

Some highlight the need for entrepreneurs to be fully committed, advocating for a seven-day workweek. Others underline the importance of a balanced lifestyle and the need for rest to maintain productivity. Each viewpoint is backed by a host of successful entrepreneurs, suggesting that either approach can lead to success.

As the business world evolves, the dynamics of entrepreneurship are changing. Concepts like the four-day workweek seemingly clash with the stereotype of an entrepreneur always on the grind, yet remote work allows flexibility for those who wish to optimize their time.

But can a driven entrepreneur, known for their innovative and creative thinking, genuinely unplug for an entire weekend? And does this unplugging imply zero engagement in business-related activities?

It’s important to define what ‘business activities’ are in this context. Apart from tasks such as number crunching, proposal writing, strategy formulation, and report analysis, should business activities also encompass ideation, reflection, future planning, or reading business literature?

Can an entrepreneur truly disengage from work for the weekend without letting business-related thoughts creep in? Is it feasible to free one’s mind entirely?

Moreover, given an entrepreneur’s passion and dedication to their venture, can they swiftly switch their focus away from their work?

The key to these questions might be balance. Operating at full throttle around the clock is a surefire recipe for burnout and health issues. Conversely, can entrepreneurs fully disconnect for the weekend and then seamlessly switch back to work mode two days later?

Do we count those two days accurately, or are we disregarding the advice to prepare for the upcoming week on Sunday evenings? When exactly does the weekend begin – Friday nights or Saturday mornings?

Balance is indeed crucial, but it’s also vital to structure the business in a way that doesn’t monopolize the entrepreneur’s time. An entrepreneurial mindset should also embrace effective delegation, team building, and fostering a healthy organizational culture.

In essence, an entrepreneur needs a harmonious mental framework that allows a co-existence of work and life, rather than an either-or scenario.

This weekend, why not take a little extra time for yourself? Push a bit harder in your workout, spend meaningful time with your loved ones, take an afternoon siesta, enjoy a leisurely meal, or perhaps golf with your friends. It’s entirely up to you.

However, don’t feel obliged to do any of these things out of guilt, doubt, or because an article suggested a specific routine. Engage in activities that rejuvenate you physically and mentally, and in those that bring you joy.

If your entrepreneurial journey isn’t making you happy, it might be time to reconsider your future path.

Make it a great weekend. Make it happen. Make it count!

Long weekends such as those three consecutive days away from work for holidays such as Memorial Day and Labor Day are the perfect time for rest, relaxation, and reconnecting with loved ones. But what about for entrepreneurs, those tireless individuals often consumed with the passion for their enterprise? Can they carve out time for themselves and their family amidst the demands of their ambitious endeavors?

The answer is complex, shaped by the individual’s work habits, their business demands, and the nature of entrepreneurship itself. However, a healthy blend of leisure, creativity, and minimal work can often be the recipe for an entrepreneur’s long holiday weekend.

The Rest

These three-day weekends for entrepreneurs should ideally involve downtime. A rest period is essential to replenish energy levels, improve productivity, and stimulate creative thinking. Entrepreneurs are well-known for their work ethic, but there’s a growing understanding that constant work without breaks can lead to burnout. It’s crucial for entrepreneurs to take time to recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Rest can take different forms for different people. Some entrepreneurs may choose to unwind by engaging in physical activities like sports, hiking, or yoga. Others might opt for quieter pursuits, such as reading, meditating, or simply catching up on sleep. The key is to step away from work-related activities and let the mind relax and reset.

The Relationships

Long holiday weekends often provide entrepreneurs with a valuable opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones. It’s a time for family outings, catching up with friends, and rekindling relationships that might have taken a backseat due to demanding work schedules. This interpersonal connection not only enriches their personal lives but can also contribute to their professional success by reducing stress and providing emotional support.

The Work

While it might be ideal for an entrepreneur to completely disconnect from work during a holiday weekend, it’s often not practical or even desirable. Some entrepreneurs thrive on their work, finding it a source of joy and fulfillment. They might choose to spend some time during their holiday brainstorming new ideas, reading industry-related articles, or jotting down strategies for upcoming projects.

However, there’s a distinction between obsessively checking emails and doing a little work that feels invigorating or fulfilling. Setting clear boundaries between work and rest is crucial to avoid encroaching on the time meant for relaxation and relationships.

The Creativity

Entrepreneurs are often creative individuals, and a break from routine work can often lead to an outpouring of new ideas and innovation. This could involve anything from brainstorming sessions on the beach to casually discussing new business strategies over a barbeque.

Long holiday weekends can be a particularly fruitful time for these creative insights. When the mind is relaxed, it’s often more open to novel ideas and approaches. Taking a step back from the daily grind allows entrepreneurs to see the bigger picture and potentially come up with groundbreaking ideas that they wouldn’t have thought of in the midst of a busy work week.

Conclusion

In essence, an entrepreneur’s long holiday weekend is a delicate balance between rest, family time, minimal work, and creative thinking. While the entrepreneurial drive makes it challenging to entirely switch off, incorporating leisure and relaxation is not only beneficial for personal well-being but also for the long-term success of the business. The trick is to find a balance that respects both the demands of entrepreneurship and the human need for rest and connection.

Make it a great long holiday weekend. Make it happen. Make it count!

Building a company culture that inspires loyalty, promotes teamwork, and incentivizes high performance isn’t an exclusive preserve of large corporations with expansive career growth opportunities. Even with a relatively small staff and limited upward mobility, a small business can create a robust and engaging work culture. Here’s a step-by-step process on how to create such a culture, encouraging employees to go beyond the call of duty and take pride in their contribution to the company’s success.

Step 1: Communicate the Vision and Mission

The first step towards creating a powerful work culture is communicating the company’s vision and mission to the employees. As a small business, it’s crucial to explain your purpose, goals, and what you stand for. Employees are more likely to take ownership and pride in their roles when they understand how their individual contributions align with the company’s broader objectives. Therefore, consistently communicate your vision and how each role plays a part in achieving it.

Step 2: Empower Your Employees

Even in a company with limited growth opportunities, empowerment can be a significant motivating factor. This involves entrusting employees with responsibilities and giving them autonomy over their work. Empowered employees tend to be more engaged, creative, and committed. Providing training, offering regular feedback, and promoting a culture of learning can help empower employees, making them more likely to deliver memorable experiences for customers and peers alike.

Step 3: Promote a Culture of Collaboration and Support

To encourage staff members to go beyond their basic job description, cultivate a culture of collaboration and support. Make it standard operating procedure for staff to assist one another, regardless of their roles or responsibilities. Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable asking for and offering help. Celebrate teamwork and highlight instances where collaborative efforts have led to success. This can inspire employees to actively support each other and promote a team atmosphere.

Step 4: Recognize and Reward Effort

Recognizing and rewarding employees’ efforts can incentivize them to consistently deliver high-quality work. Even without the prospect of promotions or significant salary increases, a culture that acknowledges hard work and commitment can motivate employees. This can be done through simple gestures, such as public acknowledgments, awards, or small tokens of appreciation. Consider implementing an Employee of the Month program, or recognize teams for successful project completions. This can foster a culture where calling in sick or not fulfilling responsibilities is not an option for employees who take pride in their contributions.

Step 5: Cultivate a Sense of Ownership

The final step in creating a culture where everyone is concerned with the bottom line is cultivating a sense of ownership. This can be achieved by involving employees in decision-making processes, being transparent about the business’s financial situation, and showing how their roles directly impact the company’s success. Encourage employees to propose ideas for improvement and cost-saving measures. Recognizing these contributions can help instill a sense of ownership, aligning employees with the company’s financial goals.

While it might seem challenging to create a vibrant culture in a small business with limited growth opportunities, these steps can help establish an environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and invested in the company’s success. Remember, the key to building a robust work culture is not the size of the company or the breadth of opportunities available but the shared sense of purpose, commitment to collaboration, recognition of effort, and a collective sense of ownership.

Resources & Support

The future may be a bit bumpy for some, more so for others. Knowing who to turn to and when to turn to for guidance and help is important. Having resources at your disposal is also important.

So, if you hit a wall, for whatever reason, please feel free to reach out to me for assistance or even if you just need someone to talk to. Please do not hesitate.

You can reach me on LinkedIn, by email to Paul@Acceler8Success.com, and by phone or text at (832) 797–9851.

Learn more about Acceler8Success Group at Acceler8Success.com and at Entrepreneurship411.com.

Make it a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and although there have been articles written about mental health and entrepreneurs, I’ve yet to see information about the impact of mental health on the families of entrepreneurs. So, let’s give it a shot…

In the contemporary discourse on entrepreneurship, we often glorify the resilience, creativity, and relentless pursuit of success demonstrated by entrepreneurs. However, one often overlooked dimension of this journey is its impact on the mental health of the entrepreneur’s family. The families of entrepreneurs can experience a unique set of mental health stressors that stem from the uncertainty, instability, and high-pressure environment associated with entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurial Stress and Family Dynamics

Entrepreneurship is often synonymous with long hours, financial instability, and high levels of stress. This can create an environment of chronic uncertainty that impacts not only the entrepreneurs themselves but also their families. The volatility of entrepreneurship can bring about heightened anxiety and stress levels in family members, who often share the burdens of financial instability and unpredictability.

Studies have shown that these elevated levels of stress can lead to various mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Children in these environments may also experience academic difficulties due to the heightened tension at home, while spouses can feel the brunt of bearing additional responsibilities and emotional support.

Work-Life Balance Challenges

The demanding nature of entrepreneurship often blurs the boundaries between professional and personal life. This blurred line can mean less quality family time, which can potentially result in feelings of neglect among family members. The entrepreneur’s preoccupation with their venture could lead to a sense of emotional distance, potentially creating feelings of isolation and loneliness among their family members.

Role Reversals and Shifts

The uncertainty that entrepreneurship brings can often lead to role reversals or shifts within the family. For instance, a previously stay-at-home parent may need to enter the workforce to provide financial stability. This adjustment, while necessary, can place additional stress on the family unit and may require professional assistance to navigate effectively.

Support and Resilience

Despite these challenges, it is essential to note that families of entrepreneurs can also exhibit remarkable resilience and adaptability. Support networks, open communication, and counseling can mitigate the mental health impacts significantly. In particular, family therapy can provide strategies to manage stress, facilitate communication, and foster understanding of each member’s experiences and feelings.

Strategies for Mitigation

There are several strategies that families of entrepreneurs can employ to mitigate these potential mental health effects:

1. Communication: Open and honest communication about the challenges and realities of entrepreneurship can help to align family expectations and foster understanding.
2. Shared decision making: Involving family members in decisions about the business can help them feel more invested and less anxious about its outcomes.
3. Boundary setting: Entrepreneurs can delineate clear boundaries between work and home life, thereby reducing the potential for conflict and resentment.
4. Self-care: Encouraging all family members, including the entrepreneur, to practice self-care can help manage stress levels.
5. Professional help: In cases where stress or other mental health issues become overwhelming, seeking professional help can provide necessary support and intervention.

In conclusion, the mental health effects on the families of entrepreneurs can be significant, but they are not insurmountable. Through awareness, communication, and proactive steps towards mental wellbeing, these challenges can be managed effectively. As we strive to support entrepreneurs, let’s also remember to care for and attend to the needs of the families that stand behind them. The health of these families is integral to the overall success of the entrepreneurial journey.

Resources & Support

The future may be a bit bumpy for some, more so for others. Knowing who to turn to and when to turn to for guidance and help is important. Having resources at your disposal is also important.

So, if you hit a wall, for whatever reason, please feel free to reach out to me for assistance or even if you just need someone to talk to. Please do not hesitate.

You can reach me on LinkedIn, by email to Paul@Acceler8Success.com, and by phone or text at (832) 797-9851.

Learn more about Acceler8Success Group at Acceler8Success.com and at Entrepreneurship411.com.

Make it a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!

Every company, whether consciously nurtured or not, possesses a brand that holds significance in the business landscape. Brand equity brings benefits to organizations in two important ways: directly by generating revenue through customer purchases, and indirectly by influencing market capitalization. Consequently, it becomes imperative to prioritize and focus on brand equity when rebranding is deemed necessary or desired.

In today’s fiercely competitive landscape, where companies face an increasing number of rivals across multiple platforms, the importance of a strong brand has reached new heights. A robust brand provides a company with durability and establishes its unique identity. However, as time progresses, most companies will inevitably find themselves needing to update their brand to align with market shifts or internal transformations. This becomes even more crucial when expanding into a new region or country, or when the goal is to reach a new demographic or reintroduce the brand to a diminishing customer base – all entail a significant shift and transformation.

Nevertheless, it is crucial not to lose sight of the foundational components of the original brand, whether from its past or from another geographic, demographic, or psychographic market or base. Determining how to transition or convert from the original brand to the rebranding effort becomes a vital aspect of the process.

Rebranding is a complex endeavor that demands significant time and resources. It often involves multiple teams, internal stakeholders, and external agencies. To ensure a smooth execution of the process while not overlooking essential elements, it is crucial to establish a clear procedure that all key stakeholders are familiar with and support.

Although the specific process may vary slightly for each company, it generally begins with a brand audit, followed by the development of a “new” brand identity, refinement, and creation of materials, the launch, and ongoing monitoring. Once again, it is crucial to emphasize that rebranding should not lose sight of the achievements of the past. Commitment to the process and the necessary interaction to achieve the goals and objectives of rebranding remain paramount.

Unfortunately, rebranding is often mistaken as a mere process of creating a new logo and tagline. However, logos and taglines should be the result of a deliberate rebranding effort rather than the primary driving force behind it. Merely introducing a new logo without addressing the underlying reasons that necessitated the brand update, especially in the case of expansion into a new region or country, will not solve anything.

Successful rebranding involves the establishment of a fresh corporate identity. This requires a thorough examination of positioning, messaging, and value proposition statements for all key audiences. It also entails understanding how this identity is reflected throughout the company, from customer service to advertising campaigns. Once an overall corporate brand personality is redefined, creative assets that align with the new brand identity can be developed.

Undertaking a rebranding endeavor requires substantial time and resources, and it cannot be overstated that a failed rebrand can be a costly mistake. Implementing a thorough testing process can help guarantee the desired outcomes, such as eliciting positive responses from customers, ensuring easy understanding of the logo and messaging, avoiding offense or ambiguity in messaging, effectively connecting marketing and advertising campaigns with the target audience, aligning the brand’s digital footprint including social media with the customer experience, accurate customer recall of the brand and messages, and successfully influencing the audience to take desired actions.

In the rebranding process, the involvement of the C-suite is crucial. However, it is equally important to gather input from various stakeholders. Beyond the leadership level, three key groups should be consulted: customers, prospective customers, and employees. These groups offer diverse perspectives and valuable experiences that the C-suite and other stakeholders should consider when assessing a brand update. Additionally, these groups serve as an initial coalition of brand ambassadors, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the new brand. This consideration ranks second in our determination of the most impactful considerations for rebranding.

The foremost tip in our rebranding determination is to construct the brand around customers’ expectations. It is essential to gauge whether customers anticipate your company to be intelligent and dependable, or warm and amiable. Failure to align with these expectations can lead to significant customer dissatisfaction and attrition.

Furthermore, customers’ perceptions of your brand are not isolated; they are shaped by the broader landscape of your competitors and adjacent brands within the entire market. To best understand customer expectations, companies should analyze customer feedback, satisfaction levels, and thoroughly examine the current competitive landscape to gain insight into their market position.

It is important to acknowledge that certain elements of a brand, such as color or logo, are deemed crucial to the brand’s identity by customers and should remain unchanged. These elements should be identified and preserved separately from the rebranding process to maintain continuity and recognition among existing customers.

To guide the rebranding process effectively, it is beneficial to outline a project plan:

1. Perform a comprehensive brand audit: Conduct an in-depth assessment of the current brand to establish a baseline from which to progress. This audit should evaluate brand perception, customer feedback, market position, and competitive analysis.
2. Develop a transition strategy: Identify foundational components of the business model, culture, and customer experience that will carry over from the original or parent brand to the new brand. Determine how these elements can be seamlessly integrated into the rebranding effort.
3. Conduct interactive meetings: Foster creative thinking and innovation by engaging key stakeholders and teams. Encourage collaboration to tap into both existing successful approaches and potentially new messaging for the current or new markets. Ensure that key components transcend seamlessly and align with the overall rebranding goals.
4. Implement a testing process: Conduct focus groups with previous customers as well as non-customers to gather diverse perspectives and insights. Test the rebranded elements to ensure they elicit positive responses, are easily understood, avoid offense or ambiguity, effectively connect with the target audience, align with the brand’s digital footprint, and successfully influence desired actions.
5. Create a rebranded identity: Incorporate the origins of the parent brand while developing a fresh “look” that resonates with the brand and its products/services. Ensure that the new brand identity aligns with the customer experience, represents a bold transition, and captures the essence of the rebranding effort. Consider iconic examples as inspiration including Exxon, Apple, MasterCard, Starbucks, and McDonald’s – all logos without words.

By following a comprehensive approach, companies can navigate the rebranding process effectively, harnessing the power of their brand to drive success. A well-executed rebranding effort can breathe new life into a company’s identity, strengthen its position in the market, and ultimately create a stronger connection with customers and stakeholders.

Resources & Support

The Acceler8Success Group social media & digital marketing team delivers comprehensive services in a hybrid coaching / consulting manner. From strategic planning to full social media & digital marketing management, the team continues to excel at accelerating digital success. 

Working hand-in-hand with clients, the team truly becomes an interactive partner. To this end, joint efforts result in development of unique content for blogs & newsletters, online meeting content, podcasts, webinars, social networking and other digital activities & virtual events. 

Personal Branding programs are also developed for entrepreneurs, brand founders and executives to help establish a strong digital footprint in full alignment with their brand.

The future may be a bit bumpy for some, more so for others. Knowing who to turn to and when to turn to for guidance and help is important. Having resources at your disposal is also important.

So, if you hit a wall, for whatever reason, please feel free to reach out to me for assistance or even if you just need someone to talk to. Please do not hesitate.

You can reach me on LinkedIn, by email to Paul@Acceler8Success.com, and by phone or text at (832) 797-9851.

Learn more about Acceler8Success Group at Acceler8Success.com and at Entrepreneurship411.com.

Make it a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!

Monday mornings can be a challenging time for everyone, and entrepreneurs are no exception. As the start of the workweek, Mondays often come with a list of tasks to complete, goals to reach, and problems to solve. However, it is also a fresh opportunity to make progress and to accomplish great things.

To help you kick-start your week with a dose of motivation, here are some quotes from famous entrepreneurs:

1. Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple Inc., once said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” This Monday, strive to be a leader in your field, pushing the boundaries and innovating in ways that only you can.
2. Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder, gives us a fitting phrase for the challenges of entrepreneurship, “If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.” Remember, it’s okay to iterate and improve. Use your Mondays to create, make mistakes, learn, and grow.
3. Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, imparts wisdom about the importance of enjoying your work. “Fun is one of the most important and underrated ingredients in any successful venture. If you’re not having fun, then it’s probably time to call it quits.” Don’t forget to sprinkle fun into your Monday routine, even amidst all the hustle.
4. Oprah Winfrey, renowned media executive and entrepreneur, offers a reminder of the importance of perseverance. “Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.” Use your Mondays to put in the work, and soon, you’ll reap the benefits.
5. Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX CEO, famously said, “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.” Remember, every Monday is a new opportunity to tackle the week, no matter what the odds might be.
6. Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, shared an important lesson about prioritizing, “There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened.” On this Monday, strive to be the one who makes things happen.
7. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, advises us about the nature of experimentation and failure: “If you know in advance that it’s going to work, it’s not an experiment.” Use your Mondays to experiment, innovate, and occasionally, to fail. Every failure is another step closer to success.

Every Monday presents a fresh canvas on which you can paint the success story of your venture. Draw inspiration from these entrepreneur quotes and make the most of each Monday and every other day of the week. Success is not a destination, but a journey that begins afresh with each sunrise. And remember, motivation gets you started, but habit is what keeps you going. Be motivated this Monday, develop those habits, and the rest of the week will follow suit.

Resources & Support

The future may be a bit bumpy for some, more so for others. Knowing who to turn to and when to turn to for guidance and help is important. Having resources at your disposal is also important.

So, if you hit a wall, for whatever reason, please feel free to reach out to me for assistance or even if you just need someone to talk to. Please do not hesitate.

You can reach me on LinkedIn, by email to Paul@Acceler8Success.com, and by phone or text at (832) 797-9851.

Learn more about Acceler8Success Group at Acceler8Success.com and at Entrepreneurship411.com.

Make it a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!

Uncertainty is inherent to any business landscape, but economic downturns can significantly intensify these unknowns, particularly for small business owners. Navigating these challenging periods requires resilience, creativity, and strategic thinking. This article outlines five effective strategies that can help small business owners thrive during economic uncertainty.

1. Financial Risk Assessment and Management

The first step in successfully navigating an uncertain economy is to understand your financial position accurately.

• Monitor your financial health: Regularly track your income, expenses, and cash flow. This practice not only helps you spot potential financial issues early but also provides data to inform decisions about reducing expenses or diversifying income.
• Maintain a cash reserve: A healthy cash reserve can be a lifesaver in turbulent times. It’s crucial to have enough cash to cover unexpected costs and downturns in revenue.
• Explore funding options: Keep abreast of government incentives, grants, or loans designed to help small businesses during economic uncertainty. Connecting with your local chamber of commerce or a financial advisor can be helpful in exploring these options.

2. Review and Adjust Business Strategy

In times of uncertainty, agility becomes one of the most valuable qualities a small business can possess.

• Adjust your business model: You may need to pivot or diversify your product offerings or services. For instance, many restaurants adapted to the pandemic by expanding their delivery and take-out options.
• Explore new markets: Economic downturns can also create new opportunities. Is there a new audience that you could serve? A new market where your products or services might be in demand?

3. Invest in Digital Transformation

In the 21st century, digital transformation is no longer optional for businesses.

• Build a strong online presence: Ensure that your website and social media channels are up to date and engaging. If your business does not already sell products or services online, consider implementing e-commerce capabilities.
• Leverage digital tools: Numerous software tools can streamline operations, improve customer service, and enhance productivity.

4. Prioritize Customer Relationships

Customer loyalty is crucial during economic uncertainty.

• Engage your customers: Keep open lines of communication with your customers. Ask for their feedback, and listen to their concerns.
• Provide exceptional service: Now more than ever, excellent customer service is key. It not only helps retain current customers but also attracts new ones.

5. Invest in Your Team

Your employees are your business’s backbone. In times of economic uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to keep them motivated and engaged.

• Communicate openly: Keep your team informed about the business’s situation. Honesty fosters trust and helps everyone pull together.
• Support your team: Provide resources for stress management, offer flexible work arrangements if possible, and show empathy. A supported team is a motivated team.

While uncertain economic times can indeed be challenging, they also offer opportunities for small businesses to prove their resilience, agility, and adaptability. By taking a proactive approach and implementing these strategies, small business owners can not only survive uncertain economic times but emerge stronger on the other side.

Resources & Support

The Business Plan: A Blueprint for Small Business Success

Stress and Worry Rise for Small-Business Owners, Particularly Women

Key Strategies for Turning Around a Struggling Business

The future may be a bit bumpy for some, more so for others. Knowing who to turn to and when to turn to for guidance and help is important. Having resources at your disposal is also important.

So, if you hit a wall, for whatever reason, please feel free to reach out to me for assistance or even if you just need someone to talk to. Please do not hesitate.

You can reach me on LinkedIn, by email to Paul@Acceler8Success.com, and by phone or text at (832) 797-9851.

Learn more about Acceler8Success Group at Acceler8Success.com and at Entrepreneurship411.com.

Make it a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!

Today’s article was originally posted at Acceler8Success Cafe October 22, 2023.

Make it a Great Weekend. Make it Happen. Make it Count. Yes, You Can!

Often, Saturday mornings feel like a much-needed rest stop after driving all day. You know the feeling, right?

You come to a stop and take a deep breath as your arms drop from the steering wheel. It’s then you feel the tenseness in your hands from gripping the wheel tighter than you had realized. A stretch before exiting the car helps the transition from the focus required as you managed your three-thousand-pound vehicle through traffic, turns, sudden stops, other drivers, less than ideal weather conditions, etc.

Upon exiting your vehicle, you stretch once again – this time just a bit longer as you work out the slight pains in your neck or knees. Maybe even a couple of sharp twists of the neck, without even realizing what has really become a habit of sorts – a routine to transition to relaxation and to your next steps, whatever those may be.

Saturdays are key to the transition from the past week. It’s key to the maintaining work-life balance that is essential to your well-being, and to your success. Sometimes, forcing yourself into the right mindset to establish a sense of calm is necessary. Determining ways to do so is essential.

7 Ways Successful Entrepreneurs Refuel Over the Weekend

Now you’re ready to move through the day of different activities that will take you further away from the mental weight of the work week. Whether it’s physical work in the yard or a heart-pounding bicycle ride or even a stroll through the mall, you’ll be recharging your batteries while re-energizing your mind.

Have you ever felt your computer was just a bit faster after restarting? And have you ever sensed your car drove just a bit better after washing it? One is actually a real experience while the other is perception, and that’s perfectly okay as both are positive experiences, each in their own way.

I believe Saturdays are “mindset” days. Better still, “mind reset” days!

The song, Saturday in the Park by Chicago seems to pop into my mind quite often and for me, epitomizes that mindset, especially the last lines of the lyrics…

“People reaching, people touching. A real celebration. Waiting for us all. If we want it, really want it. Can you dig it (yes, I can)? And I’ve been waiting such a long time. For the day, yeah, yeah.”

I strongly recommend taking a few minutes to sit back right now and listen. I believe you’ll find your feet tapping to the melody as you visualize the experience, and wait for it, you’ll begin to smile. Trust me. It will happen!!

How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance Today

Relaxed. Recharged. Re-energized. I’m now ready for Sunday.

To many, Sunday is considered the end of the weekend. To me, it’s the start of a new week, a new beginning.

I love the quiet and solitude of Sunday mornings as I awake by 4AM. I use the time to think about possibilities as I catch up on reading, reviewing the many publications, newsletters & blogs to which I subscribe. Sunday afternoons are typically reserved for family time.

Preparing for the week ahead is reserved for Sunday evenings and typically takes me well into the night. This ensures a stress-free start to the week ahead and goes a long way toward achieving goals. Doing so actually helps plan for free evenings during the week. This allows me to maintain a work-life balance as family commitments & events are firmly in place on my calendar, not to be interrupted by work.

Why Rest Is the Secret to Entrepreneurial Success

Make it a great weekend. Make it happen. Make it count. Yes, you can!

Note: The following article has previously been shared at Acceler8Succes Cafe.

Franchising as a Growth Strategy: Is it right for your restaurant business? (Part 2)

Read Part 1 of this article HERE.

A restaurant operator knows the time is right to franchise his concept, ideally, after duplicating profitability and customer engagement at several locations. That proves systems and processes are working without the restaurateur being on the premises.

Slightly less than ideal, but certainly doable, Segreto continues, is having a single, highly successful location that runs like a well-oiled machine even when the owner is not on site. That said, the time can also be right when the restaurant owner wants to help others follow his vision to success, knowing that the business now is franchising as opposed to foodservice.

Understandably, the smaller and more efficient the restaurant, the better. The lower investment is attractive to experienced operators who may have $1 million to invest but would rather do it with five to I0 units rather than investing it all in one high-dollar operation with little to no room for error. That’s why the QSR (quick-service restaurant) model tends to be attractive, says Segreto.

Segreto also sees an excellent opportunity for successful food truck operations transitioning to brick and mortar. The key in all of this is simplicity in operations while maximizing efficiencies for higher profit margins. This is especially true of QSRs without grills or hoods, but with preparation of fresh salads and other dishes. Some don’t even have freezers, which is even cutting down space requirements.

Franchised takeout and delivery concepts will continue to proliferate, Segreto predicts. What I also see changing is a move away from single-item franchises such as French fries or dessert items. Basically, if it’s a single, complementing, or add-on item on a typical menu it won’t sustain a franchise operation. The few units that survive will be in high-foot-traffic areas albeit with high rents.

It will be a struggle, but some will survive, he suggests. I also believe we’ll see more modeled after typical pizza operations: large takeout and delivery, high percentage of online and phone orders, (and) counter-type operations of a high-margin family style product such as barbecue and fajitas.

Initial Steps

The first thing Segreto recommends would-be restaurant franchisors do is conduct a feasibility study. It’s understanding the competition, he explains. It’s understanding what’s working out in the restaurant industry in your particular food segment. It’s looking at where are the best locations. Where are the successful brands succeeding? What does the real estate footprint look like? What does the size of the space look like? What is the competition that’s out there? Who’s growing in my particular area that I anticipate going head-to-head with? So, the last thing you want to do is open up your Greek food restaurant as a franchise and go directly across the street from an actual brand that is doing the same thing.

Development of an operations manual is another necessary step, Segreto says, and this is really complex. It really is the specific development of every process, every procedure. Keep in mind, as I said before, franchising is being able to repeat the system over and over and over and over again; being able to duplicate it, to replicate it, so somebody can pick up that operations manual and actually learn from it and be able to operate that business.

“Some of the most successful brands – in any sector – are franchises. In the restaurant business, they are household names. For many independent operators, franchising their concept is the so-called Big Hairy Audacious Goal. Before you take that big leap, there are a lot of small and critical steps to consider.” – Paul Segreto

Franchisee and franchisee employee training and program development comes next. How are we going to go ahead and get individuals who are interested into your brand in a franchise situation to be trained correctly? – he asks. You have to develop a training program along with a training manual. You also have to have a train-your-trainer program, because the person who might be doing your training today might not be around (in the future), and you have to make sure you have everything documented from that.

Ongoing support, understandably, is critical. We have to support the individuals who are out there. Obviously, we don’t want to just pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey Joe, how are things going?’ There has to be an action plan. There have to be goals. There has to be a way of motivating them. There has to be a way of coaching them. There has to be a way of understanding at a glance where this franchisee might be having some issues.

Web site development must account for each new franchisee that comes on board. “They’ve got to have specific unique URLs (uniform resource locator, the address of a World Wide Web page) on your site. If you wind up selling 10, 20, 30 franchises, obviously you have to have the structure in place to be able to accommodate those location pages. Is it going to be Pizzarama Number One? Is it going to be Pizzarama, Abilene, Texas? How are we going to identify them? There must also be a franchise development web site, a page on the regular web site that also has its own unique URL that can be used as a landing page.

A franchise relations management computer application is another valuable addition. Compliance mechanisms must be put in place, he urges. How do you track royalty payments? How are you going to do it for multiple franchisees? There are different franchise relationship computer applications out there; some are very proprietary, and you can’t even get in the door at $25,000.

But there are a lot being released now which are Microsoft-dynamic, and are able to integrate QuickBooks very, very effectively. He calls this an absolute necessity in order to track what’s going on. And if you’re selling any type of supplies or goods to them, this is another way of tracking.

Another essential step is prototype restaurant layout and design. Rarely, says Segreto, does someone open a restaurant and afterward say it is exactly what he wanted. We’re always saying, ‘I wish the bathroom was a little bit different. I wish we had a little bit more room in the server area. I wish we had a little bit more room in the kitchen because we’re kind of running into each other.’ Keep in mind; this is something that your franchisees are depending upon you for, so obviously there’s a cost involved.

Likewise, development of signage specifications is a necessity. Whatever the franchisee is going to have, you’re going to have signage specs. What is the sign going to look like from the outside, on the building itself? What does the road sign look like? If it’s on a multi-use line, what is the small side going to be? Of course, make sure your logo fits on it.”

The franchise disclosure document is really the big one, – says Segreto. Within it is a franchise agreement. Again, you could reign in the cost on this, but a lot of it depends on how good your franchise attorney is. I would never, under any circumstances, ever, ever, ever recommend an attorney do your disclosure document that doesn’t specialize – not touch on but specialize – in franchise law.

The timing for a certified financial audit varies according to state. “You won’t need this your first year, at least in the State of Texas, says Segreto. But if you’re franchising in the State of New York, you will need it in the first year.” It calls for an independent audit firm to look at and sign off on the venture. “It says, ‘These are the financials as I know them.’ State administrators look at this to make sure that you can support franchisees, that you’re not just doing this on a wing and a prayer.

According to Segreto, a franchise registry is something that’s popped up of late. It is part of the Small Business Administration (SBA) registration. It’s almost, almost impossible for a franchisee to get an SBA loan without the brand already being vetted out and listed on the franchise registry, and there’s some reason behind it. By the same token, however, it also shows the franchise candidate that this brand is serious and has actually invested in getting listed on the registry.

You Can Do It Yourself… And Other Myths

If we can take anything away from Segreto’s advice it is that franchising is a tremendously complex endeavor. Few operators – even successful franchisors – have the breadth of knowledge and skills to do even a portion of the required steps without professional advisors.

Of course, the franchisor can try to do it himself, he adds. I’ve seen many, many individuals in the restaurant industry, and otherwise, try it. They always come running back and say, ‘I’ve no idea how to handle this. There are too many things going on at one time.’ So, you’re going to need a consultant to kind of ‘hold your hand’ along the way and make sure that everything gets done in a very progressive manner.

The human factor in a franchise relationship should never be overlooked. As Segreto has found, A few individuals may just be needy and whiny about everything. Could you handle that? How about a franchisee that’s not complying, not paying royalties, causing issues in the marketplace, and as a result you must take them to court and possibly terminate the franchise agreement and get them to cease operations? Keep in mind, his lifesavings are on the line. Could you handle that?

His point is that a franchisor has to have the right personality and has to be committed to the long-term vision. There are a lot of myths about franchising: ‘If I franchise, I’ll make tons of money. If I franchise, I won’t have to work as hard as I’m working now. I can just retire.’

The vision of franchising a restaurant concept can make some over-confident, Segreto has found. Some are likely to say, ‘Once I teach a franchisee how to run the business, then I don’t have to do anything else. All they do after they sign is pay me royalties.’ That’s not true. You have obligations.

Indeed, Segreto concludes, this might be the biggest myth there is. A lot of franchisees that, all of a sudden, make an investment have an entitlement attitude that, ‘Because I invested X-amount of dollars, the business should just succeed.’ You find that all of a sudden, they’re on the golf course a lot more. They bought that new boat. You’ll be surprised what comes out of the woodwork.

Read Part 1 of this article HERE.

Assistance & Resources

If you’re interested in exploring whether franchising is right for you and your business, let’s discuss. I can share with you my 40+ years’ franchise development experience while also introducing you to resources necessary for you to make an informed decision – one that is right for you and your brand! You can reach me via a LinkedIn message, by email to Paul@Acceler8Success.com, or by phone or text at (832) 797-9851.

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