A review by Steve Bush. Seven practical alternatives for improving bottom line results.

1. Stephen Bush
7 Ways to Improve the Bottom Line

2. “Yes” and “No” are often misunderstood
Take time to learn about the positive value of No
Suggested reading: The “No” trilogy by William Ury
“No is perhaps the
most important and
powerful word. Saying
No the right way is
crucial.” (William Ury)
OPTIMIZING THE POWER OF NO — BETTER USE OF YES AND NO CHOICES
Improving the Bottom Line

3. Answer in advance: What if something goes wrong?
Not widely used — can provide a competitive edge
Always Have a Plan B — and possibly Plan C, D, etc.
The goal: reduce unwanted and unknown risks
“The best way to
predict your future is
to plan it.” (Peter
Drucker)
Improving the Bottom Line
CONTINGENCY PLANNING — ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B

4. A cost-effective business development strategy
Overlooked by many small businesses
Recommended: One-page unsolicited proposals
“Successful
proposals usually
lead to immediate
business.” (Stephen
Bush)
Improving the Bottom Line
BUSINESS PROPOSALS — BOTH SOLICITED AND UNSOLICITED

5. Effective negotiating can reduce costs immediately
Avoid paying “full sticker price” for anything
8 key candidates for negotiating in most companies
“You will never
make more money
than when you are
negotiating.” (Roger
Dawson)
Improving the Bottom Line
NEGOTIATING AND REDUCING EXPENDITURES

6. Reduce expenses for advertising and cold calling
Educational content: use 3 to 5 alternative strategies
Avoid 12 common inbound marketing mistakes
“Successful inbound
marketing requires
more than a blog —
Thinking Outside of the
Blog.” (Stephen Bush)
Improving the Bottom Line
ADDING OR ENHANCING INBOUND MARKETING

7. Avoid 10 primary business writing mistakes
Press releases: 9 suggested guidelines
Overlooking business writing: 8 common reasons
“Writing is the
best way to talk
without being
interrupted.” (Jules
Renard)
Improving the Bottom Line
IMPROVE ALL FORMS OF BUSINESS WRITING

8. Most organizations: 9 or more recurring problems
The working goal: prevent and avoid Zombie Business Problems
“Intellectuals solve
problems, geniuses
prevent them.” (Albert
Einstein)
Improving the Bottom Line
AVOID OR ELIMINATE RECURRING BUSINESS PROBLEMS (ZOMBIE PROBLEMS)

9. If necessary, consider firing your bank
Use less debt instead of more debt
Increase collaborative efforts
Include cost-effectiveness criteria in decisions
Improving the Bottom Line
MORE SUCCESS TIPS

10. Optimizing the Power of No
Contingency planning (Always Have a Plan B)
Solicited and unsolicited business proposals
Negotiating and reducing expenditures
Adding or improving inbound marketing strategies
Improving all forms of business writing
Prevent Zombie Business Problems
Improving the Bottom Line
ONE MORE THING — A REVIEW OF 7 WAYS TO IMPROVE THE BOTTOM LINE

11. Stephen Bush
7 WAYS TO IMPROVE THE BOTTOM LINE