I'd like some cold, cruel opinions

[Doc]

After a couple of years of procrastination, I finally decided to start a blog. Since business management is my current area of expertise, that's the topic I chose. I've never tried wordpress before, but it seems fairly straightforward, so I'm not too concerned about the structure. Mostly I'm hoping for editorial opinion. I've been told I have a habit of being too verbose. Probably some truth in that. I'll appreciate any opinions offered, particularly on my writing style, length of posts, that sort of thing.
Small Business 101

[Uncle Dog]

Sorry to disappoint you Doc, but I'm unable to find a reason for a cold or cruel opinion.
I really like your blog. It's chatty style comes across as friendly and convinces me you know what you're talking about. Good length too. Long enough to be informative, short enough to deter skip reading.

[Doc]

Well, thanks. I'll have to live with my disappointment, I suppose.

I try to write like I speak, when giving a seminar. Unfortunately, I find that I do sometimes get a little over the top in my writing, though.

'Appreciate the review!

[Tubby]

I do not think you are Verbose. I do think you chop up your subject matter into bigger bites than you need to.

example "Making them aware of an order change BEFORE their truck is loading"

Is a topic. Getting the right order, from the correct customer, on to the specific truck. on the exact day, without damaging it. Expecting or even hoping it will arrive at the expected destination. Is a huge monumental task. . I know, I have tried it . . Just when you think everything is rolling sweetly and your secretary is making you the coffee to go with your bikky's. The truck breaks down, or the driver never arrives at work. Or somebody spilled strawberry jam on to the packing slip and it is sticky and the bees are attracted to it.
and the worse thing - you overhear someone say. "what the hell, it happens all the time" Huge topic

Not verbose Doc. . Just need smaller bites. not shorter in length - more concentrated topic.

[Tubby]

MORE - (just for fun)

Then having the accounts department synchonise the paperwork . is another Topic. . Sychronising paperwork is a bigger topic than drive by shootings. . More people have arrived at an early grave because the paperwork was not synchonised with the goods than all the drive by shootings in the USA.
Its true. need proof, just send me an invoice without the goods. I will kill you, or help me I will hire a hit man .
and the worse thing - you overhear someone say "what the hell, it happens all the time"
Huge topic

Not verbose Doc. . Just need smaller bites.

[Doc]

Got it!

Smaller bites....

what the hell...it happens all the time...

you're going to kill me...

got it!

[Tubby]

No - smaller topic, your page length is fine - more specific, better for reader, easier for search engines to target.

getting a search engine result for 'slow delivery' is easier than business management -
slow delivery will have no problem forwarding users to business management.

you will never run out of more content if you break it smaller topics.


Ad some humour, maybe a series of management advise. images

[Tubby]

blog topic

MANAGEMENT & REALISTIC GOALS

]

I always like the idea of a bit of humor to make a point - I selected a topic for you to blog on.

more available Doc.

[amxfan]

Interesting blog, but personally I found it too fluffy and did not provide enough info. On many of your posts you scratch the surface and leave the visitors hanging as to what to do. A quick example, your post 'You're tired of working for someone else part 1'. This could be an entire blog in itself, and although I found this post to be enlightening, I did not find it all that informative as you really didn't answer any of the common questions or concerns that people would have if they answered yes to the question. Also reading your blogs' title, managing a business is a lot different than starting one and I got kinda lost as to what you actually want to cover on your site. If you want to get in to start up, then there are many areas that I feel you should touch on.
1. BBB - is the cost worth the while.
2. True costs of ownership - hidden costs of brick and mortar stores "sprinkler, parking lot, garbage, electrical inspector, equipment, etc.".
3. Less money, less time. You quite often at start up are making less and putting in a lot more hours.
4. No vacation time. Until you get well established, vacation is out of the question.
5. Small Business Administration - more than likely won't be much assistance to you.
6. Bank rolling / start up.
7. E-commerce websites - truths about charge backs, building trust, PCI compliance, storing credit card info, etc.

Along the lines of management
1. Conflict resolution.
2. Hiring and firing of employees.
3. Interview process.
4. Dealing with irate customers.

Legal issues.
1. To corp or not to corp?
2. Copyright infringements.
3. Dealing with collection agencies.
4. Prepaid legal...good enough?
5. Truth behind tracking number, signature required, and email communication - none matter in proving anything.

Your post that is on the front page now, I found to be too story like and while it made the visitor think what would they do if in that situation, it never gave an explanation of what you should do. After reading the story I had the same answer as I did before I read the story, and that was none.

You have stories, you have fluff, you have content. What I did not see were answers or insight. I feel you have both of these, but I did not see them in your post.

On a different note, I found the text in your header a bit small and feel it would look better aligned left so it appears in the sky rather than on top of the sand dune.

[Doc]

Thanks, amxfan, great points. That's the kind of stuff I can sink my teeth into!