Question Time with Mentor John – When angry customers are good for business All companies should love getting customer complaints. When a customer voices unhappiness, instead of simply taking business elsewhere, it gives you a chance to find out about the problem and correct it. However, angry people shouting down the phone, costly refunds and…
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“Physician – heal thyself” – Conflict Management By Eliza Quek, First VP, APAC Director, Terrific Mentors International ® Pte Ltd The Grecian root of the proverb is apt when we reflect on what coaches and clients find most challenging – overcoming strong emotions of distaste, distrust and bio-reactions of flight, fight, appease or freeze in…
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Question Time with Mentor John – Doing it right In today’s instant gratification world, it is easy to close an eye to when things are not done right. However, business ethics means making a conscious decision to take the decent path. Business ethics involves a set of principles or standards that guide your personal and…
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Question Time with Mentor John – Improving innovation Most companies state that innovation is a key priority, often without being aware of what this really means. From a business standpoint, innovation involves implementing creative ideas that add value to the company – often through the development of new products and services that lead to increased…
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Question Time with Mentor John – Outsourcing effectively Outsourcing is a business practice of hiring another party to perform certain jobs that were previously done in-house. It allows the business to focus on its core activities, while contracting out other tasks to a service provider, who may be able to handle the outsourced jobs more…
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Question Time with Mentor John – Managing cash flow Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. A healthy cash flow demonstrates that money is coming in from revenue, investments or loans, and this is being used to settle expenses including salaries, R&D, and operating costs. Bad management of cash flow leads to bankruptcy, even…
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This article was first published on Business Times on 18 August 2018 Question Time with Mentor John – Taking your business global In small markets like Singapore, businesses need to think of taking their business global from day one. Expanding into international markets is never easy. Businesses face challenges like dependable shipping, reliable distribution, talent…
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Question Time with Mentor John – Promoting your product Customers are the life-blood of any business. Successful companies need to promote and market their products, in order to have a constant flow of loyal customers, who not only provide repeated business, but are happy to refer their friends. Is there a magic formula for promoting…
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This article first appeared in Business Times on 21 July 2018 Question Time with Mentor John – Dealing with the competition In today’s technologically-advanced, business-savvy environment, it’s never been easier to start a business. This has meant increased levels of competition and difficulties in retaining customers. Some competition can be healthy, as it encourages companies…
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Question Time with Mentor John – Going Public An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the first sale of stock issued by a company to the public. Companies often use an IPO to generate more capital and publicity for the company, helping it to grow it further. How should a business maximise chances for a successful…
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