Harvard Business Services BLOG: Information on Delaware LLC, Registered Agent, Franchise Tax Payments in DE. » Videos of Interest

Growing Your Business in Today’s Market

Devin Scott — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:00:55 +0000

Growing your business in today’s market will start with a fine-tuned business plan. Business plans and strategies can and will change along the way, however a strong business plan is the template for your business success. A business plan is a wonderful tool whether you are looking to start or grow your business. Picture this as the road map for your business.

As important as it is to know how to grow your business, it is just as important to know when. Whether you started off with the intentions of growing, or the demand for your product or service has increased dramatically, certain questions must be answered before this important business decision is made. Can you afford the growth? With growth, comes the need for more product, more employees, more insurance, etc.. The company’s financials will make up a big part in this decision. Do you plan on financing the growth, or using cash from the company’s funds? The answers to these questions will depend on your personal goals and business plan. We bring it up at this time to simply note that it must be addressed. Where you are versus where you want to be needs to be addressed on a quarterly basis at the minimum.

In their five minute “Strategies for Growth-Preparing for Growth” video, the Small Business Administration talked to Carey Wilson of the Maryland Small Business Development Center who offers five valuable tips for growth.

Knowing when it’s time to grow your business
Use and adjust your business plan to guide your growth
Use available counseling resources
Get help financing your business expansion
Understand the difference between an Ops Plan and a Strategic Business Plan

In this video, he explains that “Strategy is really bout answering the fundamental questions of why you’re in business: What’s our business? Who’s our customer? Why are we special? Why are we better than our competition?”

TED Talks: Let’s Raise Kids to be Entrepreneurs

Carleigh Lowe — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:00:45 +0000

Harvard Business Services has always believed that entrepreneurs are the true innovators of the world. They are the creative life blood of the economy that propels us forward. Imagine a future where the next generation is taught the skills to be an entrepreneur. Check it out!

TED Talks: How Great Leaders Inspire Action

Carleigh Lowe — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:00:35 +0000

An interesting TED Talks video with Simon Sinek explaining how great leaders inspire action using the Golden Circle.

Listen Up

Carleigh Lowe — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:00:22 +0000

Listen up and check out this Tom Peters video as he explains his theory on strategic listening.

Undercover Boss

Michael Bell — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:00:18 +0000

Every top executive wants their company to be the best at what they do. They are always thinking of new ways to make their products or service better than the competition. But, what every executive must know is the one major thing that sets their company apart from their competition is their employees, because the employees are the ones that drive the company every day. Why am I taking the time to tell you this you might wonder…? Well, there is a great show on CBS every Sunday that I believe every business owner and employee should take the time to watch called Undercover Boss. It is quality tv that allows owners and CEO’s to get their hands dirty in the trenches and see what it is like to be an employee at their own company.

Each show features a high ranking executive or the owner of a major corporation such as Waste Management, Hooters, 7-Eleven, White Castle, Churchill Downs and GSI Commerce going undercover in their companies for a week working in various areas. The goal is to go in as a mid-entry hire in his or her company to find out how the company really works, the impact of the company’s corporate policies and finding the unsung heroes among the employees.

What makes this show interesting is the fact that executives are putting themselves in their own employees’ shoes and the show’s format is unique because in order to explain the camera crew the executive says he is being filmed as part of documentary about workers in a particular industry. When in reality he/she is trying to find the good, the bad, and the ugly about the company and will eventually reveal their true identity at the end of the show.

In one of the episodes on 7-Eleven we meet a man named Igor who is from Kazakhstan, he is a delivery truck driver. In this clip he tells us how he came to America with $50 in his pocket with his wife and kids and spoke no English and has survived against the odds to achieve the American Dream. We learn his passion and love for not only his job, but America. This clip taught me many things including to not take anything for granted, to keep your head high and to always maintain a positive attitude because you never know when you will be recognized for your hard work. To view a clip of his story watch this video:

Whether you are an employee, a top executive, business owner or have aspirations to be one, this show will teach you valuable lessons in being a great leader and a great worker.