“15 Tough Questions” Every Business Owner Must Ask Themselves

What & Why?

Have you ever stopped and think about your business and where it’s headed? When you do take the time to think about the bigger picture, what are the blunt, provocative and often uncomfortable questions you should be asking yourself?

Fifteen of the industry’s most successful business owners lay out the questions they think are most critical to those who want to think strategically about "what’s next!".

“Do I know what it takes to make or keep the business successful? Do I have the energy and the

resources to make it happen? ”- Ira Neaman, President, Vantage Apparel

“Do I really know what business I’m in, or am I confusing what we use with what we do?”

- Gregg Emmer, VP and CMO, Kaeser & Blair

“How will we balance the online shopping habits of our clients with the brand standards required by

their employers and the product safety standards required by the government?”

- Elizabeth Tate, CAS, Chairman/CEO, Signet, Inc.

“Web sales or personal sales? Alone or in partnership?”

- Francesco Indrio, CEO, Alpi International Ltd

“As an entrepreneur, am I keeping a close eye on the economy, shifts in market trends, and business

competitors?”- Dave Sarro, President & Founder, Promo Direct

“What skill sets will my business need in three to five years?”

- Jeffrey Batson, CAS, President, Next Products, Inc.

“At this point in time, what things matter most for the success of my company? Do I have the right people to get the job done quickly, effectively and optimally? If

not, what am I going to do about it?”- Ross S. Silverstein, President & CEO, iPROMOTEu

“When my customers choose to buy from someone else, what (other than price) is the

motivator?”- Mary Jo Tomasini, MAS, CE Competitive Edge, LLC

“What are the three most important things we need to offer decision makers who want to buy

promotional products in 2016 and beyond?”- Jim Franklyn, VP of Sales and Marketing/Partner,

InkHead Promotional Products

“Would my customers refer/promote our company to others?”

- Jim Hagan, Chairman, Sweda Company LLC

“How do I continue a consistent growth trend?”- C.J. Schmidt, President, Hit Promotional Products

“What is more important: increasing my actual revenue or my actual profit?”

- Rosalind Plummer, MAS, V.P. Sales and Marketing, Clearmount

“What is the single biggest opportunity and what is the single biggest risk to my company in the

upcoming year?”- Jonathan Isaacson, CEO, Gemline

“How am I going to go to market?”- Bonni Sandy, CEO/President, Dard Products, Inc.

“Are we addressing the real needs and wants of our customers?”

- Joe Fleming, President, Hub Pen Co.

Summary!!

Asking these types of candid, open-ended questions is a proven way to release your thoughts for deeper creativity, problem solving and goal setting.

If you are not yet asking yourself questions such as these on a regular basis, consider the opportunities you may miss if you don’t.

A suggestion is to ask yourself one new question every week. Add it to your to-do list, if you must.

Topic Credit - http://pubs.ppai.org/2015/12/15-tough-questions-every-business-owner-must-ask/

Thank You!I am Susan Smith,

I am an online marketing professional and has been with Promo Direct for past 7 years. I am a regular participant in

discussions related to business, marketing & entrepreneurship.

Any Questions?You can find me at @susansmithpd