Sociologists have discovered there is a saying in every culture that is best illustrated by the title to this article (which is the Chinese version). Basically, it refers to the lowly peasant who works hard to break out of the rice paddy life by starting a business which he then passes on to his heirs. [...]
We live in a litigious society. More and more practitioners are ending up in lawsuits. Often it isn't really their fault. Lawyers will tell you to make sure you always CYA! Richard Callahan, former funeral home owner and funeral director has spent the last 20 years of his career as an Expert Witness in a [...]
Most of us know that success requires that we spend, at least, some time working "on" our business instead of "in" our business. Yet, in practice, we find this piece of essential wisdom to be nothing more than a tired cliche'. Having spent the bulk of my career studying funeral practitioners and all of my [...]
Many years ago I fell prey to a "woe-is-me" episode. A friend made an offhand comment that changed my life direction and I want to share it with you. But, first, let me say that his comment really offended me. That's a true friend...someone who tells you what you NEED to hear regardless of how it [...]
The prevailing culture in funeral service is Passive Aggressive. I have talked about the "ten call man" before and how that person subversively undermines a business. But, unwittingly, owners and staff can undermine themselves. Here are 5 ways you can commit "self-sabotage." Never permit short cuts. It's necessary to establish procedures and rules to avoid [...]
Some years ago a study was conducted. A group of people were divided into "tappers" and "listeners". The tappers were asked to pick a popular tune and tap it out and the listeners were asked to identify it. The study found that the "tappers" predicted that the listeners got it right at least 50% of [...]
Every once in a while you run across something that is so sound that you can't improve on it. This advice from Daniel Pink is one of those. Watch this 81 second video and you will see what I mean.
I like the approach demonstrated in the attached picture. My friend, David Storke, shows this wicker green burial casket on top of his rental. He tells me that he no longer has any trouble explaining "combustible" caskets to his families, the wicker casket is a great conversation piece (he has sold 2 for "green" burial) [...]
Maybe you are anxious to exit your business. Or perhaps you dread the day you will no longer be involved. Either way for a successful business transfer you need to be ready. It has been my experience that when people think they are ready and even eager to exit the business they have only given [...]
I have lived in my house for 30+ years and we are getting ready to sell and move closer to my daughter and her family. I have two goals: Sell for top dollar Sell quickly So we are getting it ready by repainting it and updating a few odds and ends. Not more than we [...]
