Southeastern Mass and Cape Cod Business Blog

When the Employment Rate Hit 91.1% for February 2009 Did You Start a Business?

Well, that is a fact. And did you know that based on US Department of Labor Statistics, 153,804,000 people were in the labor force in February 2009, nearly 1,301,000 more than were in the labor force in February 2008. Yet, there are 4,445,000 fewer people employed since February 2008. Last year at this time the employment rate was 94.8%. 16 countries in the European Union report a January 2009 employment rate of 91.8% and for 27 EU countries the January 2009 employment rate was 92.4%. Why twist the emphasis on these statistics? Well, quite frankly, I am getting tired of all the negative economic news. As an executive coach, business consultant, and business advisor I really yearn for more positive news. As a matter of fact, so does my financial advisor. << MORE >>
Posted by Warren Rutherford at 3/10/2009 1:47 PM | Add Comment

12 Steps to Business Health and Success during the Economic Recovery (1st of 6 entries)

Wouldn’t you agree that successful businesses grow, are financially strong, and have integrated sales, marketing and operations? Wouldn’t you also agree that when these are combined with superior leadership, teams, and employees that develop and implement good planning, that businesses will be top performers? Why then, do so many businesses fail to be more successful? During this challenging economic recovery period, what opportunities for improvement might they be missing? As business owners lead their company through this economic recovery period, which of these factors are most important? You might be surprised how many of my executive coaching and business consulting clients had not thought about the importance of these business functions to their business health and success. << MORE >>
Posted by Warren Rutherford at 2/20/2009 5:16 PM | Add Comment

How can a visioning strategy assist your business in the economic recovery?

Recently I wrote about several strategies that business owners could use to participate in an economic recovery. I have found in my executive coaching practice that my clients benefit greatly from the use of a visioning strategy. Business owners can use this strategy to increase growth and profitability, and to improve the attitude and outlook of those whom they service.


When I work with my business consulting and executive coaching clients I find owners have either lost sight of their business vision or have not established one (or at least one that they could actually visualize). ...<< MORE >>

Posted by Warren Rutherford at 2/3/2009 8:38 PM | Add Comment

Plan for Your Networking Success in the Year Ahead!

At the end of each year I find it helpful to review our successes and set goals for the year ahead. When I am working with members of my networking groups we always take a little time to do this review.


I make the assumption that you have established networking goals for your year. So if you have not, it is not too late, and I hope the suggestions help you see the need for focused goal setting.


So if you are ready, let's take a few moments to review our Networking Successes in 2008. Oh ...<< MORE >>

Posted by Warren Rutherford at 2/3/2009 8:03 PM | Add Comment

Four Steps to Setting Business Goals

During a meeting with one of my executive coaching clients recently, we discussed a different method to develop business goals. I call it my four-step method. I worked on it with him and found he took to it rather quickly, so I thought I would share it and invite comments.


The steps are straightforward.



  1. Establish a starting point – In One Page Business Plan parlance, we call this "what results will you measure?"

  2. Next, examine your results for the previous reporting period that you will want to measure, usually a year.

  3. Then you ...<< MORE >>
Posted by Warren Rutherford at 2/3/2009 7:56 PM | Add Comment

What if you could achieve your goals in 1 year?

I often look at this scenario in the first or second session of an executive coaching encounter, so I thought I would share the thought process. If you identify parts of your business life in this scenario, take heart – you will always gain from another fresh perspective!


Think about it. You have been running your business for several years now, have hired a number of staff, have made a good amount in sales, your customers appear happy, and, it appears you are on your way to accomplishing your dream! You may have even hired an executive ...<< MORE >>

Posted by Warren Rutherford at 2/3/2009 7:39 PM | Add Comment

Seven Ways to Create (and keep) a One Page Business Plan

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Posted by Warren Rutherford at 12/27/2008 5:10 PM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

Seven Ways to Create (and keep) a One Page Business Plan

During this year end review and the holidays I took time recently to reflect on my accomplishments this past year in preparation for 2009. First I looked for my Plan, the Plan for my Business, oh oh, the one my closest canine friend Treva munched on last April – where did I put it? I asked Treva, she looked at me, wagged her tail, and was hoping I gave her another treat. (I did).<< MORE >>
Posted by Warren Rutherford at 12/24/2008 4:06 PM | Add Comment

5 Effective Ways to Raise Sales in the Economic Recovery

When I mentioned this statement to one of my business clients he asked me whether I had been listening to and reading the news on the state of our economy. Of course I have, and that is precisely my point. If you want to think recession - you will have one. If you want the economy to recover - it will. Is the cup half empty or half full! The best sales people in the world always see the cup more than half full of opportunities. As an executive coach I thought it would help to share my perspective with you.<< MORE >>
Posted by Warren Rutherford at 12/19/2008 8:35 PM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

What if we really want to know what our employees think?

For those who want to learn how to create a positive, creative, and innovative thought exchange with your employees, please read on. One of my business clients recently talked to me about something that occurred at one of his company’s recent department manager meetings. << MORE >>
Posted by Warren Rutherford at 8/6/2008 7:35 AM | Add Comment
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