However you choose to measure or define growth is probably how I would measure or define it. If you decide to pursue a growth rate of 3 percent next year, then that’s your definition of growth as it relates to your business. I would not try to convince you otherwise on such a personal decision. If your goal is to make the Inc. 500 list and grow over 1,000 percent over the next five years, then that’s also a legitimate benchmark of growth. Either way, the rules I’ve presented here and the lessons I’ve shared (more…)

As I travel the country speaking to groups of entrepreneurs, there’s often one person at the end of my time who wants to play “stump the speaker.” These are usually good natured people who aren’t trying to raise a big fuss. But they do want to see if they can trip up this “expert” with the microphone. Over the years, like a stand-up dealing with hecklers, I’ve heard most of the comments meant to throw me. By far the most common example is something like, “Steve, you’ve talked a lot today about growth. What about profit? Don’t you think profit is more important than growth?”

So here’s the answer I give them: an emphatic “yes” and “no.”

Yes, in this sense: For those people who don’t want to grow, maximizing profitability is the most important thing. Big businesses often milk their brands for profit when growth becomes too difficult or expensive. Many small business owners also have good reasons they might not want to grow. They may be happy with their current level. They may have other interests outside the business that (more…)

I get email from foreign with subject “Donation for all” and when I open it I see a letter from a man with name “Dave Katragadda”. It contain an offer to help other people via Dave Katragadda foundation because it is a non profit foundation and its purpose to help other people who stay under poor line. If we want to (more…)