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September 2024 Newsletter

FEATURED ARTICLE

It’s football season, and there's no better time to consider your small business's fundamentals, the “blocking and tackling”. I wrote this article over 20 years ago and am pleased to share it with you again.


Blocking and Tackling in the Game of Business

by Tim Fulton

My dad used to love the old Green Bay Packers. Coach Vince Lombardi was an icon in his mind. The reason the Packers so enamored him was how they won football games. “They won the old-fashioned way”, he used to say. That meant that they won games because they did two things better than their opponents: blocking and tackling.


They had players like Jerry Kramer on the offensive line and Ray Nitschke on defense, who were the best at their respective positions at football basics. As a result, they didn’t have to rely solely on their skilled players at quarterback, wide receiver, or a kicker to always make “big plays” to win games. The games were won in the “trenches,” the broadcasters would always remind us.


I remember reading once about Lombardi and those great Packer teams. The article described how consumed Lombardi was with practicing the football basics. His teams spent almost all of their practice time working on and perfecting their blocking and tackling skills. They would do endless drills from sunrise to late at night, practicing these key skills. Lombardi knew that if his teams didn’t excel in these areas, they would never enjoy the level of success they did because he didn’t necessarily have any more talented players than the other teams in the league.


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AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

We're honored to receive the APEX 2024 Award of Excellence for the SBM newsletter. APEX awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content, and the entry’s success in achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence. helps readers take action,

FEATURED PODCAST

Born and raised in Atlanta, Andy Suggs started solving visual problems as a high school sophomore by helping the Roswell Hornet cheerleaders concept and design football banners. Andy graduated from UGA in 1997 and became a Partner at Reckon in 2004. He aims to build a company where creatives can grow and flourish alongside their clients.


In this episode of the SBM Podcast, Andy stops by to shed light on one of the small business owner’s most confusing areas of responsibility: marketing. Andy shares his expertise on defining and building your brand, understanding the 12 different brand archetypes, and common mistakes small businesses make. Tune in to learn how consumers digest information today, how Aaron Rents underwent a successful engagement that transformed their brand, and how a simple day of fishing turned into an epic tale.


LISTEN TO PODCAST >

ALLOY CONFERENCE

Last week, Tim Fulton had the honor of presenting at the Alloy National Franchise Conference on "Talent Matters". Founded by SBM friend Rick Mayo, Alloy Personal Training is the fastest-growing fitness franchise in the country. Over 250 guests attended the conference held in Alpharetta, Georgia.

BOOK OF THE MONTH

In Stories That Stick, Kindra Hall delivers a masterclass on the art of storytelling, proving this timeless technique is a crucial tool for modern business success. Hall, a renowned storytelling expert, lays out a clear and actionable framework for using stories to captivate and persuade.


The book is structured around four types of stories: Value, Founder, Customer, and Social Proof. Each type plays a distinct role in building a brand narrative that resonates with audiences. Hall’s practical advice, illustrated with real-world examples, gives small business owners the tools they need to craft compelling stories that cut through the noise and make a lasting impact.


For small business owners, this book is a treasure trove of insights. It’s not just about telling any story but about telling the right story—one that highlights your business’s unique value, connects emotionally with your audience, and reinforces your credibility. Hall’s step-by-step approach ensures that even those new to storytelling can start applying these techniques immediately.



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Purchase your copy of Stories That Stick today. This is a paid link.

MASTERMIND GROUP

Hosted by former Vistage Chair and SBM President Tim Fulton, the SBM MasterMind Group enables small business executives to work virtually with growth-minded peers to hone their leadership skills and prioritize their most important weekly action items. The MasterMind Group offers each member the following:


  • A weekly one-hour virtual group meeting
  • Quarterly one-to-one individual coaching sessions
  • An annual group retreat
  • Ready access to a growth-minded peer group


All for the small investment of $295/month!



Mastermind group member Mary Ritz shares her experience...

To learn more or to join the SBM Mastermind Group,

contact tim@smallbusinessmattersonline.com

TIM'S BOOKS

— Available on Amazon —

Order The Meeting

Order Small Business Matters

Order Small Business Matters & All That Jazz

DID YOU KNOW?

  • All polar bears are left-handed.
  • Elephants are the only animals that can’t jump.
  • Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people.
  • The average human eats eight spiders in their lifetime at night.
  • The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.
  • Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
WORDS OF WISDOM
A LITTLE HUMOR

Watch this 8th-grade teacher read her students’ comments — and somehow manage to keep a straight face. This hilarious 2-minute video triggers flashbacks to middle school and empathy for educators.

Please let me know if I can help you in any way.


Remember, small business does MATTER.


TIM FULTON

President & CEO

Small Business Matters

(678) 427-9436

tim@smallbusinessmattersonline.com

www.smallbusinessmattersonline.com


We help small businesses grow.

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