Does Your Business Suck?

…the time, the money, the life right out of you?

small business expert

You could fix it. You’ve come to the right place. And, if you are flirting with a business idea, I can help you start one that doesn’t suck.

I’m Ellen Rohr, a small business expert with LOADS of experience starting, fixing and growing extraordinary businesses using bare bones business planning basics.

A business plan can help you…

  • Get clear.
  • Get going.
  • Get profitable!

Get focused and hold yourself (and your team!) accountable for creating your dream business. Don’t bother with one of those “canned” business plan templates. Don’t try to copy someone else’s business plan outline. I can help you clarify what it is you WANT from business – and life – and make it happen.

5 Tips For B2B Referral Marketing Success

5 Tips For B2B Referral Marketing Success

It’s one thing to tell your customers how great you are.  It’s a much bigger, better thing to have respected community influencers tell your customers how great you are.  It’s the thing that can ramp up your marketing to create immediate, measurable results.  Here’s how… Make a list of 10 VIPs…Very Continue...
Date: May 13, 2013

Post-its + a Sharpie + Excel = Your Org Chart

Post-its + a Sharpie + Excel = Your Org Chart

Does it make you cringe to think about imposing the formal structure of an Organization Chart on your small shop?  Fear not!  The Organization Chart can be a wonderful tool.  Recalling my many, many jobs, I can count on three fingers the number of times I actually knew for what Continue...
Date: May 5, 2013

Career Ladder? Or Turnover Turmoil?

Career Ladder? Or Turnover Turmoil?

Sob!  My favorite thing to do is Ride Along with team members.  I love to put on the Super Hero costume and hop in the truck.  I am not very technically skilled - massive understatement! - however, I try to help by carrying things and being entertaining on the job. Continue...
Date: April 30, 2013

Functional Family Business? I Believe In Miracles!

Functional Family Business? I Believe In Miracles!

Last night I watched "The 80's: The Decade That Made Us," The show opened with a recap of the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal Hockey team story. I remember watching the win over the Russian team, with my college roommate, in our dorm rooms. Lisa and I knocked over our Continue...
Date: April 21, 2013

Business is easy.

Business is easy.

Business is not a complicated mystery.  There is not a book or seminar that holds the cryptic message, if only you were clever enough to figure it out. There is no mentor who is withholding the secret formula until you say the magic word. Business is easy.  Consider what you want Continue...
Date: April 15, 2013

I don't like big "buts" and I cannot lie

I don't like big

"You could pick one of these items, do it...and get more sales. So, which one?" I was at a client's shop. We had just done a terrific brainstorming exercise, and come up with a list of 27 rockin' good ideas for getting the phone to ring. So, I asked the owner Continue...
Date: April 8, 2013

4 Ways It Pays To Accept Credit Cards

4 Ways It Pays To Accept Credit Cards

Me, “I’d like to buy this thing.” You, “Oh, I’m sorry.  We don’t take credit cards.” Me, “Why not?” You, “Well, the credit card company adds 3% to every purchase.” Me, “Dang.” Bottom line:  If you don’t take a credit card, or debit card, I am not going to buy from you.  I haven’t carried Continue...
Date: April 4, 2013

Find The Love

Find The Love

"Tell me," Ernie pleaded. "What am I doing wrong?" Ernie had just closed the books for February and he had a loss for the month. He rattled off a laundry list of very good action items and projects that he was initiating to make sure March would be profitable. The problem, Continue...
Date: March 25, 2013

5 Ways To Audit Proof Your Business

5 Ways To Audit Proof Your Business

Imagine…you discover the certified letter in your mailbox from the IRS, announcing you have been selected for an audit.  No worries!  Once upon a time, I made a “Slinky-knot” mess out of my QuickBooks™ file.  Fear of an audit – and a growing pile of unpaid bills – encouraged me Continue...
Date: March 20, 2013

How Much Should You Pay Yourself From Your Small Business?

How Much Should You Pay Yourself From Your Small Business?

What price would you put on the gift of life?  Priceless?  Beyond measure?  No way to put that value in dollars? But we attach a price tag to ourselves every day.  How much do you charge for an hour of your life?  How much for your knowledge, experience, physical and technical Continue...
Date: March 11, 2013

••••••••••

bbbp_3dThe Bare Bones Biz Plan takes you through a six week process to build your business plan…and assemble your custom Biz Plan Binder. Focus on each component of your business for one week…and at the end of six weeks you will have a rock solid, yet flexible and dynamic, business plan. Your Biz Plan Binder will guide you and drive you to implementing the plan.