Sales | The Barefoot Spirit

Does Your Company Have a Customer Intel Department?

MUCH MORE THAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

In most large companies, the customer service department is strictly for complaint resolution. Companies usually relegate customer service to the bottom of the corporate structure pyramid because they’re seen as some kind of a clerical call center. They’re...

3 Ways to Prevent Growth from Killing Your Business!

BUILD OUT OR BLOW OUT?

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

Expansion, growth, or build-out phase, whatever you call it, it is the most perilous time for your business. This is ironic because the perception from outsiders is that your business must be doing well because it is expanding! But it’s the expansion itself that can...

7 Aspects of the Gig Economy

OUTSOURSE RESOURSE

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

Most startups fail because they have too much overhead and not enough sales – period! In fact, in The Barefoot Startup, we advise our clients to outsource everything but sales, accounting, and quality control. Overhead expenses are earned by sales, not the other way...

5 Ways to Get Good Ideas Out of Your People

IT TAKES MORE THAN MONEY

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

Companies ask us, “How can we get the entrepreneurial spirit?” The real question should be, “How did we lose it?” When their founders started in that garage or basement so long ago, there was no question in their minds, if they didn’t make sales, they’d go out of...

Why is The Barefoot Spirit So Relevant Today?

SALES! IT’S WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM

by Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey | Business Blog

We talk a lot about the Barefoot Spirit. But exactly what is the Barefoot Spirit in essence? It is sales! Period! Presales before you open your doors; growth supported by sales; overhead justified by sales; new team members oriented with sales process maps;...