Posts by Greg Conder
Does Your Organization Resist Change and Innovation?
A business viewpoint article, authored by Greg Conder, was recently published in the Tulsa World. For the full article, please click here The article discusses four organization types and how they resist or embrace change and innovation. Large businesses – their comfort with their current market position along with very bureaucratic processes can…
Read MoreSystem of PiTM Workshop Scheduled for 4/25/17
A System of Pi (Profitable ideas) Lunch & Learn workshop will take place in Tulsa, OK on April 25, 2017. Although the System of Pi can be utilized by companies in any industry, this workshop is geared towards small and medium sized manufacturing businesses. Please come learn and experience how to: Utilize your team…
Read MoreContech Enterprises – Growth Through Acquisition
A growth through acquisition strategy is not just for big business. You may have heard the terms “mergers & acquisitions” or “M&A activity”. Smaller businesses can merge with or purchase other companies, product lines and service lines as well. Consider this real-world example. We recently worked with the fine folks at Contech Enterprises on acquiring…
Read MoreThe Innovation of Silly Putty
You never know where innovations will come from… Have you ever played with silly putty? I have. As a kid, I played with it and made small copies of newspaper print. Then, I would wad up the silly putty, flatten it out and make another copy. Other people used the stuff for more practical uses…
Read MoreWhy We Fear Change and Innovation
I have discovered three basic reasons why small businesses fear change and innovation. We have a fear of failure. We do not want to put forth the effort. We do not know how to properly change and innovate. We Have a Fear of Failure We don’t like taking risks because of a fear of failure. …
Read MoreTakeaways from “Good to Great” Book
Jim Collins’ book Good to Great is another excellent business book that discusses concepts from large business points of view. As I have noted before, I am interested in how these large company concepts can be applied to your small business to help you survive, grow and meet your goals. There were many great points…
Read MoreJunior Achievement of Oklahoma 2016
I recently participated in a Junior Achievement (JA) event called the JA Investor Challenge. JA is an organization that teaches kids skills in work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The JA Investor Challenge is designed for high school kids to learn about the stock market through an exciting “hands-on” simulation. This gives the kids a…
Read MoreWhy Small Businesses Should Perform Research
Small businesses should perform research to help guide in critical decision making. Research should be performed before launching new products or services. Research should be performed before laying out a growth plan, marketing plan or making major operational changes. Below are some areas of research that the small business owner should consider. CURRENT CUSTOMERS Current…
Read MoreSales Forecasting and Risk Assessment
Large companies use statistical techniques and predictive modeling that utilize regression analysis, weighted averages, exponential smoothing, etc. They have access to pools of data and operate in relatively stable environments. Generally, small businesses don’t have access to such complex forecasting models or pools of data. They often operate in environments where one small change in…
Read MoreDo I Do Business Plans?
Tulsa Business Plans Do I Do Business Plans? I am often asked if I help businesses in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area develop business plans. My answer is yes if you believe business planning helps in decision making, reducing risk, increasing the odds of success and is frequently required to satisfy the business loan application process.…
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