Author Archives: Erna Koch

Learn what it takes to double your profits this year!

February 3, 2016 | Erna Koch

The Strategic Seven: How to energize your business, so you can DOUBLE your profits in the next year Do the results suggested in the above topic seem impossible to achieve to you? The reality is that there are Seven Strategic areas that work together to energize the performance of all… Read More

Categories Business ownership, Financial management, General News, Marketing, Planning and Strategy, Profit, Sales
Learn to sell more effectively and more easily: APRIL 2

March 26, 2015 | Erna Koch

Come learn power selling skills that grow to be second nature. In session 2 of this 3 part Academy, we will cover the sales meeting, and will learn the seven stages of a sales call. Each participant will work on how to use their own natural language at each step… Read More

Categories Business ownership, General News, Marketing, Sales
Are you living on the Mouse Wheel?

February 28, 2015 | Erna Koch

Do you sometimes feel like a mouse running on a mouse wheel? You’re working hard, "fighting fires," dealing with everything from sales & marketing, customer service, accounting, bank deposits and even performing your business’s core service or shipping product. The day is over, you’re exhausted and as you look back… Read More

Categories Business Books, Business Exit, Business ownership, Financial management, General News, Planning and Strategy
We Did It – Well …. Not Really

January 23, 2015 | Erna Koch

But …. three of our clients here at NEXT Level did do it! E-Waste Recycling Solutions, Don’s Automotive AND Uncle Andy’s Digest all won Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce awards last night. So we really didn’t do it, but they did! What a great tribute to the focused efforts each… Read More

Categories General News, Next Level Clients, Recognitions
The Key to Accomplishing Goals in Business

December 18, 2014 | Erna Koch

Business owners need to set goals. We all know that. Most of us are working on our goals for 2015. There is almost too much information available on goal setting, its importance, AND that it is critical to write your goals down. Blah, blah, blah.... Every business owner sets goals. … Read More

Categories Business ownership, General News, Planning and Strategy
Cash Flow: The Pulse of Your Business

September 19, 2014 | Erna Koch

Cash flow - the lifeblood of every business. For your business survival, cash flow is as important as your business’s ability to deliver goods and services. If you fail to satisfy a customer and lose their business, you can learn from that and make modifications for future customers. However, if… Read More

Categories Business ownership, Financial management, General News
We all leave our businesses – one way or another

August 27, 2014 | Erna Koch

Did you know that one out of every two businesses will change hands in the next 15 years? And that 70-80% of all businesses put up for sale do not sell? There are many reasons for this - high among them is that the business owner cannot accept that his… Read More

Categories Business Books, Business Exit, Business ownership, General News
Do you Own a Business, or a Job?

July 9, 2014 | Erna Koch

"By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day." – Robert Frost Business ownership is an evolution. This evolution has been summarized in blogs, books and whitepapers. For this message, we can look at it in three basic phases… Read More

Categories Business ownership, General News
Review: The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It

June 28, 2014 | Erna Koch

We highly recommend this book for anyone who owns a business, and for anyone contemplating opening a business. The book "The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It." is Michael Gerber's first book, which spawned a number of more specific books for Managers, Contractors,… Read More

Categories Business Books, General News
Are you responsible for sales in your company?

May 22, 2014 | Erna Koch

Lately, in client meetings, business meetings, and at networking events, SALES and how and how not to do it has been a recurring topic - Here's a great reminder - pay attention, regardless of what your expensive sales training may direct. YOUR sales stye MUST include: A: being yourself, and… Read More

Categories General News, Sales