If you search Google for "why businesses fail" you will get about 6.9 million results. Many of those articles will talk about the pitfalls and numerous reasons why businesses go out of business. Our stance is, instead of the focusing on what went wrong, focus on planning and building for success. Outcomes that are focused on are typically the outcomes that are generated. If you want to build a successful business you need to focus on success.

We can learn a great deal from businesses that fail and apply that knowledge to actions step that propel a business toward success and away from failure. Here are some important elements of a successful business to consider.

In the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season, remember to take time to give ... give your time ... give a smile ... give away a parking space at the mall. It's the little things that count! In that spirit of giving, here are a few of our favorite quotes:

Seeing the 2009 edition of Forbes' The 400 Richest People in America (see article on-line) made me wonder what these super-wealthy people do with all of their money.

From the just-updated book "200 Best Jobs for College Graduates" by Laurence Shatkin and Michael Farr.

As prefaced last month, many people get confused by the role of a consultant versus that of a coach.

A consultant gives professional or expert advice. There are many types of consultants, but they typically have an expertise in a particular industry or specific field. A coach, on the other hand, often works with organizations and individuals to help them use more of their potential and achieve their desired results. These two roles bring important, yet different, benefits to companies and individuals. Let's take a closer look at coaching.