Brooklyn's Progress
December 2007/January 2008

BY JEFF MORDKOWITZ

Can business owners raise their profits without raising their blood pressure? That was the question I put to the attendees of a Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce small business seminar, which took place on Oct. 23.

After experiencing my integrated approach, which combines business with awareness, many of the participants would answer with an enthusiastic “yes!” 

“Jeff Mordkowitz's unique approach to assisting businesses and entrepreneurs is revolutionary,” said Rick Russo, director of the Brooklyn Business Solutions Center. “He helps people learn to step back, evaluate and take stock of their venture. Mr. Mordkowitz provides a refreshing perspective that allows one to focus on alternative ways to reach their business goals.” 

The seminar continued with a brief round of introductions, which included an opportunity for each participant to present any critical questions they wished addressed. After some definitions and discussion, I asked them to choose which type(s) of profitability they would choose to gauge their success in the coming months, such as gross profit, operating profit, net profit, bottom line profit, personal or non-financial profit, etc. I try to emphasize that you can’t easily improve what you can’t measure.

The most excitement and discussion centered around the “Monthly Business Health Check” handout. It contained over two dozen business areas that could be rated from “Immediate Action Needed” to “No Change Required.”  The wide range of answers and questions it generated underscored its value as a learning aid and profitability tool. 

“It was a fresh approach to business coaching,” said Vince Lisi, principal of Two Dogs Design. “I especially loved the quick effectiveness of his Monthly Business Health Check."

The last part of the seminar took most participants by surprise – the unveiling of an eighteen inch skeleton affectionately know as “Charley” - to aid in teaching awareness of breathing when conducting business. Through several experiments in sitting and standing, positive connections were made between allowing one’s breathing to follow its natural course and the efficacy of our business decisions. 

A magic wand was also thrown in for good measure, which challenged everyone to choose a six month goal and an initial weekly action to begin their journey towards increasing profitability. 

“Not only did he give us management and analytical tools that could translate into millions of dollars - if applied properly and consistently - he gave us physical and intellectual tools to help us manage ourselves. He understands what most people in his profession do not: One must … manage one's emotions and health if one is to be effective in managing one's business,” said Francisco J. Acosta, EVP, Internal Business Consulting.

Jeff Mordkowitz, president of The Profit Coach®, coaches small business owners and entrepreneurs on improving profitability without sacrificing quality of life.  For more information call 866-262-2456 or visit http://www.theprofitcoach.net/.