Clarity - Levelfield's Small Business Blog

What I Did On Super Bowl Sunday...

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

: photo by Anna Cervova

I enjoyed a nice evening with my family watching the remake of the 1961 classic, The Parent Trap with Dennis Quaid. It was a great time to sit with my family and enjoy each other's company plus it turned out to be quite the entertaining film. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a family friendly feature. The most important part of this story is the timing. I was watching The Parent Trap during the Super Bowl.

Optimize for $19.95

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

: photo by Petr Kratochvil

Have you ever fallen victim to one of these Search Engine Optimization claims? They offer to teach you everything you need to know about optimizing your website to get more traffic to your business' site. In the end you find out a bunch of lousy information that will hurt, not help, your search rankings.

There is no easy way to "optimize" your website for any purpose.

How My Father Still Influences My Business...

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

: photo by Anna Cervova

Growing up I always sought my dad's opinions and approval for my new bigger and better ideas for business. More often than not my father used to tell me that my big idea did not meet the 4 rules. As a lifelong Rotarian it was very important to him that all business ideas and ventures reflect completely the four-way test of the things we think, say or do.

1. Is it the truth?

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3.

Focus on Fundamentals

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

: photo by Anna Cervova

Working on your fundamentals is a key element of your daily activities as well as business. I've recently discovered that focusing on fundamentals and being persistent in your efforts is foundational to achievement. I have been involved in some form of organized soccer or running for the last thirty years and throughout this time I have hit the peaks of fitness and the valleys of decadence. On December 24th I attended my first Bikram yoga class.

Move Beyond Your Comfort Zone In 2008.

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

: photo by Petr Kratochvil

Its that time of year to watch the ball drop and to make good on resolutions. Instead of resolving to change a behavior or to stop a behavior that you've become used to over the past year, learn from the things you've done and done right through the duration of 2007.

In your business it's important to always keep innovation top of mind.

Step-by-Step Work Your Plan

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

: photo by Amanda Potter

It's the time of year to reflect on the old and look forward to the new. Another year is almost past and we're trained to be nostalgic about what we did and did not accomplish in 2007. Lets learn from our failures and accomplishments and expand our plan for 2008.

If you don't have a specific measurable plan for your business than you are preemptively planning on failure for the New Year.

Where To Spend Your $$$Money$$$

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A friend of mine recently told me a story about his new business. He had allotted $5000 to launch a website for this business and he wanted to spend $3500 on the art and graphic design of the site with the other $1500 to go toward its functionality. He was willing to spend a significant amount of his budget on the site because he wanted it to be a reflection of himself and his business.

Spend Quality Time with Your Website

Mon, 7 Jan 2008 22:23:29 GMT

Not only should we be constantly building relationships with those around us in our personal and professional life we need to stay in tune with our products and our marketing tactics.

Get to know your website and build a relationship with it. Your website is your face on the web. For many of your customers it’s their first point of contact with you and your business.

The Quality Of The Contacts You Keep

Fri, 4 Jan 2008 22:23:29 GMT

: Photo by: xmasbaby

This time of year brings up a lot of memories. Memorable experiences from your past always return to you over the holidays along with thoughts of loved ones missed and old friends misplaced over the years. We’ve been trained by retail America to spend money on cards to send our loved ones and old friends messages of wellbeing.

The gift of an invitation

Wed, 2 Jan 2008 22:23:29 GMT

I have 4 amazing children. I have realized that my children and I don't share many interests. I would like to do fun stuff with them but most of the things they want to do are not fun for me. I had almost given up on things that I enjoyed doing with my children. I was happy to participate with them in activities that they enjoyed.

Every Tuesday morning I go to a breakfast meeting.