I’ve come to realize there are two questions that every business owner better be able to answer real fast — like your life depended on it fast. First, why the hell do you own a business? Second, what is your business’ core competency?

If you can’t answer both of these very fast, close up your business now. If you can’t offer a simple answer to both, close up your business now. You’re wasting your time and money.

I’m in business for two reasons: make money and have fun. Making money is obvious. Having fun, perhaps that’s not so obvious. But I structure as much of my business dealings as possible so that I have fun. I write Blogenberg because it’s fun. I’ve been approached about doing an Internet talk radio show — I might do it, if I’m convinced it would be fun and not get in the way of business. I write memos with lines like, “some of the themes of this memo will be familiar; others will be as fresh as oyster stuffing on Thanksgiving afternoon!” That’s a really goofy statement to put in a professional memo — but, one, I’m the boss, and two, it’s fun to write inanity such as that!

I make money and have fun (and God willing, will continue to do so) by creating a business that puts together creative packages that allow clients to build relationships with target audiences. That’s our core competency.

I’m surprised by how many business owners I come across who can’t answer those two questions very quickly — they must not realize that their lives depend on it.

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