Marketing budgets are often one of the first areas cut by businesses facing financial troubles. However, it is in these times that marketing is more important than ever. In this article, Mike explains the need for marketing and advertising and describes his experiences with all forms of media. He also gives tips on how to use diversified marketing to draw customers--and thus profits--to your business.

When running a business, especially in a troubled economy, every penny saved counts. However, in your desire to reduce expenses, you should never cut corners on quality! Read on to learn how to buy first-class materials for cheap and other purchasing strategies that will save your business money, making it more financially secure.

This article describes the different qualifications that locations should meet for various types of businesses, how to choose amongst possible locations for your business, and how to negotiate a fair lease that won't break the bank. Location is one of the most important factors in your business' success...so make sure you choose the right one!

No one person can be an expert in all areas of business. To be successful, you will need advice from a wide range of professionals who can contribute their expertise to help you make the best choices for your needs. Don't wait until the last minute to seek this important knowledge--begin assembling your team now to head off problems in the future!

Employee terminations are difficult and painful for not only the affected employee, but for management and other staff as well. Terminations can also spark lawsuits, which can drain much-needed cash from your business. Read this article for tips on how to avoid legal troubles and terminate employees in the right (caring) way.

It’s no secret that happy employees work harder, smarter, more effectively, and more efficiently than unhappy employees. Happy employees also stay with the company longer. Conversely, employees who are dissatisfied with their jobs create an unhealthy, negative environment where the quality and quantity of work produced are subpar. In this article, Mike describes simple ways to create an environment that moves employee happiness (and companies themselves) to a higher level.

Most business owners have not prepared the business for their death or disability. This article shares some insight into how to plan to succeed and do it right!

No one wants a disaster to happen to their business, but it’s inevitable that you will face a crisis situation at some point in your operation. Though we may not be able to predict exactly when a crisis will happen or what form it will take, it’s important to be prepared for everything! Mike DuBose shares his experience in planning for, preventing, and leading through crises to help you manage your own.

You can have the best ideas in the world, but unless your business is able to execute promptly and effectively, you will never be able to get anything done! In this article, Mike shares insights on execution that came from his own experience and two days he spent with Larry Bossidy, the bestselling author of Execution. Learn how Mike and his staff enabled one of his businesses to execute better and get tips how you can help your business get things done.

The key to knowing where you are going and how to get there. Every organization and business should have a road map that will guide them into the future. This article outlines the reasons for having a strategic plan, how to construct one, and how to implement it. This process can enhance your chances of success by motivating your staff to get in the same boat as you and row passionately together to your new company’s destination!

Effective communications are critical in building a great business. Ineffective communications create more problems within an organization than any other factor. This article describes a variety of simple ways our companies communicate to keep everyone informed throughout the organizations. This enables us to predict problems early on, make good decisions promptly, and ensure that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing!

Many successful business leaders' personal lives, families, and businesses have been ruined by the disease of never being satisfied with the success they have. They want more and more, chasing the never- attainable gold at the end of the rainbow!

How do you stand in front of a group of intelligent adults from various backgrounds and gain their respect, hold their attention, and enthusiastically engage them in discussions and activities?

Many companies and leaders talk about great customer service but fail to produce it. This article gives helpful hints on how to create a high customer service environment — one of the keys to success.

These are two words that entrepreneurs do not want to hear! However, all business owners and leaders need to plan for failure in order to succeed. This information does not address the why’s but rather what to do when failure strikes.

The best seller Good to Great by Jim Collins documents that hiring the right, outstanding staff and then placing them into the right jobs is a major step towards success. This article gives tips on how to select the best employees. Our motto is to, “hire slow and tough!”

This article describes what a business owner and leader should strive for. The 34 keys outline the characteristics of a successful business that will enhance employee satisfaction, exceed customer expectations, and increase the chances of good profits!

This article outlines 29 characteristics that employees look for, the research documents, and what Mike has determined works for great leaders! No leader will ever obtain excellence in all 29 areas, but one should try!

A great, profitable business is built around making good decisions. This article outlines suggestions on how to make the best decisions and what to do when you don’t!

Who says that Santa Claus isn't real? In this article, Mike describes a special experience from his childhood that gave him renewed hope--and belief--in jolly old St. Nick. It's a reminder that sometimes, Christmas miracles do happen!

Many Christians ponder this question as they struggle to reconcile the teachings of their faith to their profound love for their pets. In this article, Mike explores a variety of opinions from ministers and Biblical scholars on the possibility of seeing our pets in the afterlife.

Losing a pet cat, dog, or animal that you have grown to love can be devastating and very painful. This article describes how the DuBose family suffered the loss of their cat BB and how they channeled their hurt into saving other cats destined for death in the shelter.

A new car is a big investment, and consumers need all the help they can get to make the best possible deal. In this article, Mike shares the negotiating techniques he used to get a great price on his new car. He also gives tips on how to determine the best car for you, what time of year to buy, and how to get the most out of dealers.

It is a very harmful condition that chains a person to their past and can affect one’s mental and physical health. This article describes how Mike overcame the bitterness in his life with suggestions on how you can too!

Mike and Deb DuBose describe the people, places, and customs they encountered during their exciting eight-day vacation to Scotland in September 2008. The article includes a link to nearly 100 pictures of the Scottish countryside, quaint small towns, and even Loch Ness—sorry, they weren’t able to capture a picture of Nessie, though!

Mike has visited all of the Hawaiian Islands 14 times. If you are thinking about going to Hawaii, read his detailed article on how to prepare for, fly to, and enjoy the Islands. Even if you are not going to Hawaii, this article contains excellent tips on traveling and flying comfortably.

You may want to read this article before taking off! There are a lot of things that can go wrong that will turn your dream of a lifetime into a nightmare!

If you are thinking about traveling, Mike DuBose has prepared dos and donts that will help you successfully prepare for a decent, but inexpensive trip.