Why do "Real Life Lessons Learned for the SMB Environment

Over the years I have seen many people looking at the great idea of starting their own business. I have had the opportunity to either coach them as to how to begin the endeavor or work with those who are already in business and desire to enhance, improve or grow their businesses. Over the last two years folks have kept nudging me with “Tom, you need to write down what you know about business and provide the information to the masses out there.” I always retorted that there are plenty of business books, web sites and guides available. The response back to that was, “Maybe that is the case but no one puts it together like you do and you have a unique way of presenting the information.” So, one of the many reasons to develop Real Life Lessons Learned for the SMB environment is because I have been strongly asked to do it and I believe that you are entitled to get the best information that I can provide so that you can be a success. The statistics that I’ll mention later indicate that every year 7% of the adult population in the United States is engaged in an attempt to start a small business. Also, there are 26.8 million of you already engaged in small business activities.

Everything I know, lived and researched shows that SMB’s need good information and a trusted resource to start and enhance what they are doing. With that, searching the information on your own can consume inordinate amounts of time when all you want to do is move positively and progressively forward. You want to do this in a cost effective manner and want to have the reassurance that the person or entity you are dealing with is ethical, honest, sincere and willing to saddle up next to you for the long haul. To often the resources that are out there on the Internet are convoluted and only want your credit card dollars with no personal interaction. Then there are some of the consultants who want to come in and do a quick fix type of thing and that often can leave more unresolved issues. What you more often need is someone that will work with you on the long-term strategy. Also, many so called consulting groups or companies don’t have a heart for the SMB environment. At best, they are looking at you as project with quick revenue hit. Granted there are many good consultants out there that will benefit your endeavor. Our philosophy at NCDCS is that the SMB is critical to the local, state and national economy and more importantly, you are hard working individuals that want the best for your families and employees. The desire of NCDCS, Inc is to be that trusted partner that takes the long-term relationship approach, which is meaningful and cost effective for you. That is why we have developed the Rent-A-COO and Rent-A-CFO programs. At this time, I’m not here to promote our services in this discussion. I will encourage you to go to our web site and then give us a call or send an email.

The simple facts are that each person has varied motives for wanting to start or maintain a small business. Some of these are:

• I have a great idea for a new widget and can make this work.

• I can do what I’m doing better than the folks I’m working for now.

• I enjoy my hobby and wouldn’t it be fun to do this full time as a business.

• I want to get rich and having my own business will get me there.

• I’m sick of working for someone else.

• I want more time to do what I want

• For those in business: I know my own business and what it will do that for me.

• Again for those in business: I can’t afford to review what I’m doing, I’ll get by and it’ll get better.

And there is a plethora of other reasons that someone comes up with or that somebody else convinces you; are the good reasons for going into business. Ok, so how do you get there? What does it take to start? And once you are into it, what does it take to keep it going? I am not going to answer all these questions in this introduction. But these questions and hundreds more are why I’m doing Real Life Lessons Learned for SMBs.

Continue Reading the Introduction to "Real Life Lessons Learned for the SMB Environment" by downloading the pdf or listen to the podcast at www.ncdcs.com/rlll.htm

/Why%20are%20we%20doing%20RLLL.pdf

HR - How Does it Matter?

When we consider that Human Resources includes all members of an organizational entity no matter what size it may be, than HR does matter to the SMB environment. In the most recently released and posted ( http://www.ncdcs.com/rlll.htm ) segment of the mini-series Real Life Lessons Learned for the SMB Environment, we discuss the areas of basic concern to the sole proprietor and the single member LLC.

The fundamentals are often missed in small business usually due to the owner spinning the many hats that are worn. If you're the do-it-yourself or one person small business then you need to look into the discussion just to take a quick refresher regarding Benefits. Specifically your retirement and health insurance. We have several quick ideas that you can take a look at.

Now when it comes to adding people to grow the business then it is critical to look at more of the basics that will make clear what you expect from your employees and eventually save you heated-red-eared frustration in the future.

HR is an important aspect of business and often ignored for a lot of reasons. But without this valued resource of people, then we sure wouldn't get much accomplished. As small business people, we owe it to ourselves and those that endeavor with us to ensure that we are building the best business environment for all to succeed and leave a legacy of integrity.

New Podcast for Small Business Environment

We have completed publishing our podcast for the small & medium business environments.

Our first topics in the mini- series "Real Life Lessons Learned for the SMB Environment" focus on why we are doing Real Life Lessons Learned, Organization - A Living Entity and Communication - Are You? The latter two have pdf's that can be downloaded off the NCDCS web site (http://www.ncdcs.com/NCDCSPodcasts.xml) or http://www.ncdcs.com/rlll.htm or at ClickCaster or Podcast Alley.

Our intend in presenting the podcast and other resource materials is to assist those desiring to start a business and to bring over 100 years of combined business expertise to the SMB environment as every organization can benefit from what a trusted partner can assist with.

We look forward to continued development of our mini-series, podcasts and other resources for your benefit.

Our Rent-A-COO service allows you to gain the expertise of a COO or CFO without having to hire one full time. Our concept for how this works is available to review on the web site and by having a conversation.

Looking forward to great discussions and providing you with trusted Real Life Lessons Learned in business development and management.