MSPmentor

If you’re wondering who’s going to do well in this economy, look no further than companies that sell franchises. In a very insightful article on MSNBC.com, Mark Siebert notes that the increase in the unemployment rate of 1.4 percentage points over last year adds 2.2 million people to the jobless pool. And “every 0.1 percent increase in the unemployment rate adds another 150,000 prospective franchise buyers to the marketplace.” Add to those who are being pushed overboard the folks who are going to jump before they are pushed–Siebert calls them the “near layoffs”–and the pool grows larger still.

So lots of workless people are sloshing around. Franchisors are salivating, and that’s true whether you’re in the retail market, the fast food industry or even the managed services market. Read More >

I was introduced to B2Bcfo.com’s Keith Simmons (pictured) by my CPA. I don’t often get together for a cup of coffee with a stranger, but because my accountant is someone I really trust, I decided to do it. We had no particular agenda except to see if there might be some common interests, and indeed there were. Keith is a partner in a fascinating business that helps small firms have access to expert chief financial officers on a temporary basis. His focus is Long Island and the New York metro area, but his company has partners nationwide.

He answers some of my entrepreneur-focused questions here. Read More >

I’ve spent a bunch of time the past several days thinking about ways to reconnect with people who’ve been important to me in various periods of my life. I’ve done a so-so job staying in touch, but the older I get the more important staying in contact feels.

So I did a few things that helped, using services like SentOutCards, LinkedIn and Facebook. Here are the details. Read More >

The Wall Street Journal’s Independent Street blog recently carried an item about getting employees to think like entrepreneurs. The keys are to:

1. Organize them into small groups
2. Share profits
3. Embrace failure
4. Reward ideas
5. Promote risk takers

Those are all worthy ideas. But a fundamental piece is missing. Step Six: The top-down piece. Here’s what I mean. Read More >

For many entrepreneurs and executives, emotions don’t have a place at work. I have met and worked for many senior managers who expect employees to show up in uniform, ready to play, with their game face on. I have also been that manager at times—the one with his own problems who just wishes everyone would do their jobs without complaint and let me do mine.

If only people-management were that simple! In fact, emotions rule in the workplace, whether you want to admit it or not. You think the fight your top tech expert had last night with her husband doesn’t affect you? That you can turn your back when one of your salespeople tells you he’s being ridden so hard by his sales manager that he can’t focus? That it’s not your problem when a customer made your customer service manager break into tears? Read More >

At first glance, franchises are for fast food and retail stores. But franchises are popping up in the managed services market, and quite a few are successful.

Still, franchises aren’t for everyone. I had lunch the other day with a franchise consultant who helps people find a franchise that’s right for them. Here are some key thoughts from the conversation. Read More >