A business leader like you spends the majority of their time negotiating. This includes Convincing customers that your offering will solve their problems Encouraging staff to supply that offering in the best possible way Ensuring contracts are fair to all parties Persuading investors your company offers the desired return Influencing regulators to support your vision It… Read more »
Strategy
Answers to your Top Advisory Board Questions
High-quality, independent advice can have a significant positive impact on a business, yet Business Development Bank of Canada’s 2014 study of Canadian small and medium sized businesses found that 76% have neither an Advisory Board nor a Board of Directors. A Board is an excellent way to get ahead of your competitors. Here are answers to… Read more »
Vision Statements: Don’t Make These Mistakes
Your company’s strategy can be encapsulated in its vision, mission, purpose, and values. Could there be anything more important than the ability to clearly communicate to your clients, your staff, your suppliers and your future employees the answers to questions about why you exist, where you are going, and how you conduct yourself? Unfortunately, most… Read more »
Issues Meetings: Fix Problems Once and Forever
Playing the Problem Whack A Mole Game in your company? Don’t let the little critters win. Warren Buffet famously said about investing: “it’s simple, but it isn’t easy.” He was referring to the emotion that comes into play when people make investment decisions. When making decisions in your business, a myriad of reasons can get… Read more »
Know If They Like You. Guaranteed.
The only thing you know for sure is that your business has to adapt, easily and often, if you want to remain profitable. Your clients may be happy today, but what systems and processes can you install to ensure you keep them happy in the future?
5 Ways to Capitalize on LinkedIn

This article is meant for those of you who have either never used LinkedIn, or have used it, but don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Think about this: as of September 30, 2012, LinkedIn had over 6 million members in Canada, and globally, 187m+ members. There are bound to be people using LinkedIn… Read more »
Hiring a Consultant: 3 Common Mistakes and 5 Great Questions
People intuitively understand that there is value in an outside perspective. How much value, however, is largely dependent on whose perspective you get. The difference between good and great is often counter-intuitive, and a consultant’s value can be tough to decipher in just a meeting or two. Finding the right consultant was Bellrock’s challenge when… Read more »
How to Recruit a Great Manager Part 3: Welcoming the Talent
Missed Part 1 or 2 of our series? Check out Finding the Talent Pool for Your Tribe and Finding The One. Most leaders have the best of intentions at the start of the recruiting process, thinking that when this person comes on board, this time things will be different. You will teach him everything he… Read more »
Introducing Bellrock
They said we were crazy to launch a small business consultancy in Vancouver when we had: No relationships No local track record No start-up capital But, we weren’t worried. After all, it was autumn 2008: It was the middle of the greatest economic meltdown in 70 years The Olympics were coming and no one would… Read more »
How to Recruit a Great Manager Part 2: Finding The One
If you consider your people one of your business’s greatest assets, then finding and retaining exceptional managers is a very high priority for you. Those who achieve success in this quest acknowledge that a great manager will pay dividends for many years, and finding a great manager is a time consuming process.