Small Business Resources^.

Spend time in “The Zone” every day working on your business not just in your business (Michael Gerber). Here you will find FREE audio, video, articles, links, and downloads that will stimulate your thinking and teach principles for building more effective business systems and processes. HAVE FUN!

19 Jul 2018

There is one essential job position that is rarely talked about and almost always ignored by entrepreneurs and small-business owners. Whether it is YOU, a manager or employee (full or part-time, and not necessarily a new hire), someone in your company needs to fill the essential role of a “Process Improvement Manager.” What does this person do to help you build a remarkable business? The article below will benefit small and more established companies. Click the link to download your printable copy (pdf).

What is a Process Improvement Manager and Why You Need One? (full article with images)

What is a Process Improvement Manager and Why You Need One? (text only/fewer pages)

Business Improvement: Better Than a Suggestion Box

Ron Carroll

9 Apr 2013

Collectively, your employees have a wealth of experience, talent, insight, and creative ideas that could improve your business operations. But, do you have a system to tap into this hidden treasure?

Some companies have tried using a “suggestion box,” which typically doesn’t work very well. They allow anonymity leading to frivolous suggestions or mean-spirited remarks. They tend to focus on problems, not solutions. They put more work on already busy people; oftentimes no action is taken. Finally, they are not usually set up to reward successful implementation and results.

There is a better way. You can learn more by reading, “Better Than a Suggestion Box: Tap Into a Wealth of Employee Ideas.”

Download the suggestion form below to implement a business system that can add hundreds of improvements and innovations to your business in the coming year.

Suggestions for Business Improvements Form- Microsoft Word (modify to your needs)

Suggestions for Business Improvements Form – pdf (print and go)

The Results-Oriented Job Description

Ron Carroll

18 Sep 2012

Results-Oriented Job Description Many small business owners do not have formal job descriptions. Big Mistake!

People are your most valuable and expensive components of your business systems. Every hire is important. Every mis-hire is expensive. The job candidate should fit the job function just as you would fit a component part in a piece of equipment. The better your part fits, the better your business system will work.

Job descriptions are used in the selection process, employee training, performance appraisals, and compensation. Results-oriented job descriptions define what job results the organization needs to accomplish its mission, values, strategy and goals.

Prepare your company Results-Oriented Job Descriptions using the sample form below.

Results-Oriented Job Description Form – Microsoft Word (fill in the blanks)

Results Oriented Job Description Form – pdf (print and hand write)

*Check out the World’s Largest Database of Results-Oriented Job Descriptions offered by my friends Roger and Sandra Plachy at the Job Results Management Institute.

Uncover Stubborn Quality Problems

Ron Carroll

28 Jan 2012

Could put three Pareto processs bonus worksheets here and 5-Whys analysis worksheet and link from Pareto article and Total Quality Management Article.

Business executive Jack Welch, said, “The value decade is upon us. If you can’t sell a top-quality product at the lowest price (link), you’re going to be out of the game.”

I like to think of quality as a product or service that conforms to—and exceeds where possible— customer specifications or expectations.

Turn Your Business Strategy into a Balanced Scorecard

Ron Carroll

12 Dec 2011

Doctors Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton of Harvard Business School introduced the Balanced Scorecard in 1991. It has gained wide acceptance as an effective strategic management system, a performance measurement system, and a communication tool. Simply put, the Balanced Scorecard enables organization leaders to convert mission, vision and strategy into specific and measurable objectives, with action plans to achieve those objectives.

Below are worksheets for helping you develop your business strategy and create a company Balanced Scorecard—a one-page summary of your organization’s strategy and goals!

Prepare your company Balanced Scorecard now, and like your SWOT Analysis, re-evaluate it at least annually.

Strategy-Balanced Scorecard Worksheets – Microsoft Word (fill in the blanks)

Strategy-Balanced Scorecard Worksheets – pdf (print and hand write)

SWOT Analysis Worksheets

Perform a SWOT Analysis to Guide Your Business Strategy

Ron Carroll

24 Sep 2011

SWOY Analysis The SWOT Analysis, developed in the 1960s at Stanford University, is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or business venture. It considers internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieve the business objective.

Early Greek philosophers summed up the desired results of this process in two words, “Know Thyself.”

Below is a questionnaire to stimulate your thinking, combined with a worksheet to perform a SWOT Analysis on your company. Ideally, you will match your strengths against market opportunities that result from your competitors’ weaknesses or voids.

Take an hour or so to do this important exercise. Re-evaluate your business at least annually.

SWOT Analysis Worksheets – Microsoft Word (fill in the blanks)

SWOT Analysis Worksheets – pdf (print and hand write)

Balanced Scorecard Worksheets

Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, and The Theory of Constraints

Ron Carroll

2 Jul 2011

Business Improvement Everyone wants to have a better business. In larger companies methodologies are routinely applied that bring about dramatic improvements to increase customer loyalty, profitability and growth. Such strategies and techniques are collectively called Business Process Management (BPM) and have names like Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, and the Theory of Constraints. You can get a quick overview of these methods at the following links. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of.

Six Sigma for Small Business–Improve Quality
Lean Thinking for Small Business–Add Value
The Theory of Constraints for Small Business–Eliminate Bottlenecks

You can also read about these topics in more detail from some contributing experts.

Lean Six Sigma
Lean Primer
Toyota’s Fourteen Principles of Lean
Better Systems-Better Business (Intro to Box Theory)

And one last thing. All of these amazing principles are combined in a methodology developed just for small business. It is call Box Theory. Get the eCourse, “Box Theory: Double Your Profit with High Performance Business Systems and Processes” or try the software, Box Theory Gold.

Ten Values of a Systems Thinker

Ron Carroll

7 Jul 2010

We talk a lot about becoming a Systems Thinker, but what exactly does that mean? If you haven’t already read this one-page document, click the link below to view ten foundational values of a Systems Thinker. Carefully ponder each principle and then apply them to your organization. The payoff can be enormous!

Click to Discover
“The Ten Values of a Systems Thinker”

To become an accomplished Systems Thinker and developer, Check out my eCourse at:
Box Theory™: Double Your Profit with High Performance Systems and Processes.

Business Systems 101: “Become a Systems Thinker”

Ron Carroll

24 Jun 2010

Continuous learning is vital to the success of every business. Systems are the primary means of converting knowledge into action. When all your employees are Systems Thinkers—pushing in the same direction with common goals and methods—progress is accelerated. Help your employees become System Thinkers by watching this brief video. Then discuss the concepts with them.

Click link to watch video
Business Systems 101: Become a Systems Thinker

Learn How to Do a Business Break-even Analysis

Ron Carroll

9 Jun 2010

Business owners who “manage by the numbers” are ahead of the game. One important number to know is the business break-even point. This is the point during the month at which your sales revenue equals total costs. After reaching the monthly break-even point, your business begins to make a profit. The break-even point is not generated by most accounting software, nor is it one that is normally produced by your accountant, but it is an important number for you to know and understand.

Click Here for an Explanation of a Business Break-even Point

Click Here to Learn How to Calculate a Break-Even Point

Click Here to Access a Spreadsheet for Doing a Break-Even Analysis