Chris Knudsen on Life & Business

Devin Thorpe posted a great commentary the other day on how people can change. I highly encourage you to read it. Thanks, Devin for inspiring this post.
People can and do change. Change comes intentionally and unintentionally. Change comes with age. I know that I am a very different person now compared to when I was 18. Marriage changes [...]

Here’s a strange idea - listening also applies to reading. How often do we read into something that’s not really there? We often read something, misinterpret what was written and then make false assumptions about the author or his position. This happens to me all the time on my blog. Read this post then read the [...]

“I haven’t spoken to my wife in years. I didn’t want to interrupt her.” -Rodney Dangerfield 
There is no more important communications skill in business (especially sales) than listening. What does that mean? It means just what I said - open your ears and listen. I sometimes find myself formulating a response to a question or comment [...]

When you were growing up you probably had someone tell you to be a lawyer or a doctor. The idea being that these professions pay well and are stable - which they do and are.
Market demand has created an environment and new economy that is rewarding performers - not just the highly educated. I have a [...]

Having conquered the world of big business, many corporate executives set there sites on small business or a start up as something new. Why? There are many reasons - change of scenery, change of pace, try something new, aim for the big buy out or IPO, etc. The transition is usually more difficult than most former executives [...]

Here are six wrong reasons for starting a business. If you disagree or have one to add then sound off in the comments.  
I Hate My Boss.  Sorry but everybody, even the one man small business owner, has a boss.
I Hate My Job.  That’s not a reason to start a company. Have you considered just finding a [...]

Everybody has to face fear of the unknown at some point in their life. I remember watching a program about the U.S. Navy SEAL’s on the Discovery Channel.  They were interviewing a young SEAL who said something to the effect that every time he entered a combat situation he was scared. I was really taken [...]

My two year old son, Tyler, is an amazing kid. I am constantly in awe of him. I have learned so much watching him and listening to him. I started to think the other days about how things I am learning from him related to business. Here are “Tyler’s Rules” of business: 
Sometimes you hit back. Now [...]

The success of any one business is rarely attributable to the sole efforts of one individual. This why I have such a problem with the many so called “entrepreneur of the whatever” awards.  Usually these awards are given to one person, the CEO, in recognition of his great efforts in making his business a success. I am [...]

I was once told that you are “paranoid” if you think someone will come along and steal your business idea. I bought into that for a long time. Then I had a business idea stolen right out from underneath me. That was one of those belief changing moments in my life. 
Here’s the story. 
I had secured a deal [...]