Philippe Matthews Show Guru Advice, Author Reviews, Tech Reviews, Entertainment News

Dealing with low-priced competitors Dear Norm, My husband and I started a business that makes and installs customized sheds. Our plan was to offer better service and higher quality than our competitors.

Learning to take responsibility for your mistakes Lately, several CEOs of troubled businesses have come to me for help, and they've reminded me of an important lesson: You've got to take responsibility for the messes you get your company into. Problems will keep resurfacing until you recognize how your actions helped create them in the first place. That may seem obvious, but most people have a hard time seeing the role they played.

Dealing with a large competitor that intimidates your customers Dear Norm,Trade shows are notorious for the ridiculously high prices exhibitors are forced to pay for basic services. My business partner and I saw an opportunity to provide Internet access at trade shows for a fraction of what the in-house providers charge.

Dear Norm, I own a small roofing company that I started in 2003.