Today I am interviewing Tom Ehrenfeld, author of the startup garden. I
really enjoyed the book and know you will enjoy Tom’s insights.

Here’s what I am hoping will happen. I have asked Tom some tough
questions. I have included his responses as audio links. Just press on the
the little blue tape recorder type buttons to hear Tom speak.

Then I have included my personal answers to these questions, as a small
business owner.

I want to invite all of my readers and anyone who stumbles onto this site
to add comments to these questions…based on your personal experience.
I’m not looking for right or wrong answers…I simply want to collect input.

So let’s go then. Scroll down and pick out any all questions that interest
you!

Tom Ehrenfeld’s answer

John Jantsch – That’s such a tough one for me because I’m not
a number guy. Sell enough each day and the rest takes care of itself. I
know that’s crazy but I also know from working with small business
owners that the real indicator that matters most is usually buried
deeply in the culture of the business. The money numbers make more
sense and provide tangible evidence, but I think the magic is in tracking
intangibles, like customer referrals generated, innovation from within,
compliments.

Tom Ehrenfeld’s answer

John Jantsch This is such an important marketing idea and few
businesses get it fully. (me too) Some of the greatest community building
I have experienced is when I get my clients together somehow…either by
way of referral networking or even in pure social settings.