CEO Advisor Newsletter
July 2010

         Grow your business to the next level™           

In This Issue
 
 
 
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

Contact CEO Advisor, Inc. today for a FREE Initial Consultation on growing your business to the next level, and receive a FREE copy of the Business Briefing of the 2010 Hiring Incentives Act. Call us at (949) 759-8676 in CA, or (301) 580-8071 in the DC Metro area.

CEO Advisor, Inc. Advises Rhythm Interactive on Strategy/Growth 
 
CEO Advisor advises Rhythm Interactive on Growth Strategies 
 
CEO Advisor, Inc., a leading business advisory firm serving the needs of CEOs of small and mid-sized companies, is advising the owners of Rhythm Interactive, Inc. on strategy and growth initiatives. 
 
Rhythm Interactive, Inc. (
www.Rinteractive.net) is a full-service interactive marketing agency serving clients nationwide. The company combines strategic marketing, design and technology to create value and results for its clients.
 
CEO Advisor, Inc. is focusing on strategy, growth, sales planning and team building, and marketing.  As a trusted advisor to the two owners of Rhythm Interactive, Mark Hartsell, MBA, is working hands-on in a business advisory role with a focus on growth, profitability, building value and leveraging the expertise of the company.
 
 
Mark Hartsell, CEO of CEO Advisor, Inc. states, "We focus on the specific needs of business owners to produce short-term and long-term results.  As a business advisory firm for small to mid-size companies, we provide expertise coupled with actual completed work to achieve the owner's specific goals.  This is how we create value for our clients."

Craig Cooke, CEO of Rhythm Interactive states, "It has been a pleasure to work with CEO Advisor.  The professionalism of Mark Hartsell is greatly appreciated as he helps us to focus on what is truly important for the success of our organization."
 
About Rhythm Interactive, Inc.
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Rhythm Interactive is a full-service marketing agency specializing in digital interactive media. Rhythm Interactive combines strategic marketing, user experience design and elegant technology to create immersive brand experiences that position their clients as the industry leader.   
 
Rhythm Interactive develops innovative solutions that achieve business goals creating a closed loop system from which to measure ROI.  For more information on Rhythm Interactive's digital marketing services, visit (http://www.RInteractive.net).
 
About CEO Advisor, Inc.
CEO Advisor, Inc. provides business advisory services affordably and effectively to meet the specific needs of CEOs and business owners.  CEO Advisor, Inc.'s mission is to advise small and mid-sized companies with the needed expertise and focus, coupled with hands-on advice to grow your business to the next level. By specializing in the needs of CEOs and business owners, we focus on the growth, opportunities and challenges that you and your business encounter every day.
 
 
CEO Advisor has the expertise, coupled with hands-on advice to help you increase sales and profits for a growth year in 2010. Contact us for a free initial consultation at (949) 759-8676 in CA or (301) 580-8071 in the DC Metro area, by email at 
[email protected] or visit us today at www.CEOAdvisor.com.

Quick Links
 
  •  
    Words of Wisdom
     
     
     
    "A competitive world offers two possibilities. You can lose. Or, if you want to win, you can change."
     
    ~ Lester Thurow, former dean of the MIT Sloan School of Management and author of numerous bestsellers on economic topics
     
    Copyright 2010 CEO Advisor, Inc. All rights reserved.
    Greetings!
     
    At CEO Advisor, Inc., our mission is to provide CEOs and business owners of small to mid-size companies the needed focus and expertise, coupled with hands-on work and advice to grow your business to the next level.
     
    With 30 years of business experience from corporate America to funding, growing and selling a software company to a large NASDAQ company, we have the experience to drive your company forward. I have a Masters Degree in Business (MBA) from Loyola University and a certification in Mergers and Acquisitions from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.
     
    To grow your business to the next level, contact Mark Hartsell, MBA, CEO at [email protected] or visit us at www.CEOAdvisor.com for more information.   
     
    Mark Hartsell, MBA
    CEO
    5 Methods to Increase Your Productivity

    CEO Advisor can help you grow your business.

    Your profits and potential for growth are tied to your productivity. It is critical to find needed time in your day by taking a new approach to the tasks that fall within your responsibility. These improvements will enable you to focus on your priorities and effectively accomplish tasks.
     
    1. Effective Business Communication

    Effective business communication is one of the most important skills that any CEO or business owner must have. When you are communicating with staff and clients, make sure that your instructions and directives are understood the way you intend them to be. Simply repeating the same request in different words at the end of a conversation can mean the difference between accomplishing what you need versus your staff having to redo a full days' work.
     
    With communication, clarity of information is the number one objective. By keeping the language you use simple, you increase your chances of having your message understood. In the military, lives can be lost due to miscommunication. In business, money is lost and the loss of just one customer can cost you millions over several years.

    2. Business and Project Planning
    Planning is a key role for all CEOs and business owners.  Whether you are planning for your business growth or large projects, planning and organization is critical. Along with your annual financial forecast, keep a yearly planner on your desk to plan and record key projects so that you can keep them on schedule.
     
    With larger projects, plan the entire project in advance. Break the project down into sections and assign a date for each step. Assign aspects of the project to trusted staff members or consultants, but keep it closely supervised. Once you have planned and scheduled how you will do the project, you will find that you will be more proactive and accomplish more in less time.
     
    3. Prioritizing

    It is critical that you schedule your time every day in your calendar, in advance, and give yourself ample time to complete each task. Jumping around from one project to another or constantly rushing to finish on deadlines is a sign that you need to reorganize how you approach your day and prioritize important tasks and projects.
     
    Review your calendar each morning. Reprioritize, if
    needed, and attack your first task as per your calendar. At the end of each month take a look at the projects that are known for the month ahead and start to schedule the month based on your priorities.  This will drive your business forward to meet your monthly financial forecast and goals.
     
    4. Procrastination

    Procrastination can be the biggest time thief of all! The most vital thing you need to do is acknowledge that you are guilty of procrastination, and then identify the tasks you tend to put off. Once you know which things you are likely to procrastinate about, consider why it is you don't want to do them. Perhaps they are too large or just seem like a low priority.
     
    By identifying the reasoning behind your procrastination, you can find solutions, such as breaking larger projects down into smaller pieces, scheduling certain tasks for first thing in the morning so they are done, and delegating tasks to a staff member, consultant or business advisor. Eliminate procrastination and see how much more you can accomplish in your day.
     
    5. Delegation
    Delegate some of your routine tasks which you can quickly instruct someone else to take responsibility of. Remember to communicate the instructions clearly and ensure they are understood before leaving the task in the employees care. Once you delegate something, do a quick review at the end of the day to ensure it's done correctly and on time. Shuffling a few of these tasks to team members will free up your time for more specialized work.
     
    For more complex or specialized tasks, seek the help of a seasoned business advisor who can add value in several ways and ensure the timely completion.
     
    We have helped many CEOs and small business owners confront their issues, and grow their business to the next level. Contact CEO Advisor, Inc. today for a free initial consultation at (949) 759-8676 in CA, or (301) 580-8071 in the DC Metro area, by email at [email protected] or visit us at www.CEOAdvisor.com.
    Client Testimonial 
     
    "I am pleased with our progress and you are doing a great job. I wish I could have met you earlier."
     
    CEO, Engineering Services Firm
     

     
    Member of Accredited Organizations:
    • Tech Coast Venture Network
    • Technology Council
    • OCTANE/OCVG
     
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    Call (949) 759-8676 in CA or
    (301) 580-8071 in the DC Metro Area