Consulting | The Barefoot Spirit

3 Types of Hype to Fight

“I WILL GLADLY PAY YOU TUESDAY FOR A HAMBURGER TODAY” -WIMPY

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

When you start a business, it seems like the hype-type descend on you like the plague. You file for a license, a domain, or even a DBA, and bam! They are at your door! We went to a conference recently and one speaker actually advised the audience, “Ya wanna get rich?...

Inc. 500 “INSANE REVENUE GROWTH” VinoPro Award Dinner

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

Last Friday, Michael Houlihan and Martin Jones were honored at VinoPro’s award dinner at Benziger Winery in Glen Ellen, CA. Martin and Michael’s wine country consulting business, Houlihan and Jones, was responsible for helping to establish the business...

5 Ways to Increase Your Service Business

YOU CAN’T UNRING THE BELL

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

In this two part series we are addressing service businesses. Last time we identified a way of classifying your clients and customers. This time we will offer some ways to increase your business. Your goal is to get more referrals. These are new customers who were...

How to Improve your Service Business

“YOU GOT TO SERVE SOMBODY” – BOB DYLAN

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

Over half of all businesses are service businesses. These industries include many professions from legal and engineering to hair cutting and plumbing. All these services require excellent management, positive company culture, and most important, return clients. Brian...

Making Mistakes Right

DON’T WASTE A PERFECTLY GOOD MISTAKE!

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

Everybody makes mistakes, so why not take advantage of them? If your company culture does not give permission to make mistakes, your staff will hide them. They’ll want to ‘fix’ it fast and hope you never find out. They may be the only ones who know how to fix it, and...