Sage Conversations

2010 Emerging Business Conversation (part 2)

  

 Email Article  

Tweet  

  

  

  

By Todd Ostrander

An Introduction

As we embark on a new decade, many of us are looking forward with the promise of better things to come.  The decade of 2000 to 2009 was difficult for many and 2008 and 2009 were among the worst economic years in memory.  What we know for sure is that the world is a different place than it was in 2000.

The idea of a ‘career' with a single company is long gone and many people have replaced that dream with a new reality, one of owning their own business - being an entrepreneur.  Many of you reading this ‘blog' or conversation, have already made that leap and some of you are even ‘veteran' entrepreneurs like me.

As an entrepreneur, I am always looking for that new piece of information that can help accelerate or transform my business or, simply give me an extra moment of time with my family.  I sincerely hope that this conversation will provide entrepreneurs with valuable insights that will do that and much more.

I have been fortunate enough to live the life of an entrepreneur and have been blessed by a family that supports me through the ups and downs that it brings.  I am passionate about looking back on my experience (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and passing it on to you so you don't have to experience all the mistakes I've made but can revel in the successes.

Over time, we'll address issues from starting and structuring your business to financing your business to marketing on a limited budget and maximizing your limited resources.  We'll address the latest trends in marketing and communications and how you can build your business on a shoestring while looking like a big brand.
The Sage Group is in the business of creating value for our clients.  Sounds like a cliché', doesn't it? Think of us as your outsourced Chief Strategy Officer.  Our experience over time proves that emerging companies rarely have the time to step back and evaluate what they are creating because you're moving so fast through the trees.  We view our role as that of giving an external view to your business and not only giving you the candid feedback that your team may not be comfortable giving but rolling up our sleeves beside you and getting our hands dirty executing with you.

This conversation is just one of the ways in which we add value to our clients and the emerging business market as a whole.  In it, we will address your business from the following areas:

• The Mind of the Owner - Why are you doing this? What motivates you?
• The Mind of the Investor - What are your investors expecting in return? Are they aligned with you?
• The Mind of the Market - Is what you're doing unique and of value to the market? Does the market know who you are? Are you reaching your target market?
• The Mind of the Company - Are you and your employees aligned with the Market and your objectives?

While we'll touch on each of these over time, our ultimate objective is to help you - the entrepreneur, achieve your ultimate objective over time.  This can only be done by sitting down with you and discussing your plan.  We look forward to that opportunity.  Only you can decide when your business is ready to take that next step toward your future.  The first quarter of the next decade isn't a bad time to start.