How would you go about devising a turnaround plan for your small business?

(Copyright © 2015 by Chesney Bradshaw, all rights reserved)
(Copyright © 2015 by Chesney Bradshaw, all rights reserved)

Businessweek covered the story about McDonald’s turnaround plan but analysts were not impressed with the company’s strategic roadmap. McDonald’s sales at US restaurants fell 2.1% in 2014, the biggest decline since 2000 (US restaurants account for 40% of the company’s operating income).

The turnaround plan announced by the new chief executive officer, Steve Easter Brook, involves making the company more efficient, making its food more appealing to the healthy, a new company structure, selling off corporate stores and reducing expenses. Continue reading “How would you go about devising a turnaround plan for your small business?”

How do you know whether your idea for a product will attract paying customers?

Petit brunch
Petit brunch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Big companies invest resources and time into testing new product ideas but still get it wrong most of the time. So what about the individual who has a new idea or concept for a product, service or new venture? You have limited resources and time and lack the specialist skills.

Yet many people start something of their own and despite the odds make a go of it. I’m not talking about heavily engineered products but home-made, hand-crafted products such as niche foods, hand and body lotions and custom-made clothing. What’s the secret? Continue reading “How do you know whether your idea for a product will attract paying customers?”