The Glass Evelator is a concept that is introduced in the book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and continued in its sequal "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator". Both books were written by Roald Dahl. If you are aren't familiar with the Glass Elevator concept, I encourage you to watch this short clip from the original movie.

If you could move your venture in any direction you could quickly adapt to change and explore many possibilities. Many businesses fail to see these other dimensions and directions. They accept the elevator can only go up and down. You may even have heard of startups that are so focused on the elevator going up, they assume it can't even go down. This is limited thinking and causes stagnation in both your business model and employees.

You must encourage creativity, divergent thinking, and asking questions. This is actually very simple; All you need to do is allow the following activities to happen naturally and support them. Accomplishing this task includes making it a priority in…

If your brand was a public speaker, how would it be perceived? Would it leave a lasting or fleeting impression on the audience? This may take some thought, so I encourage you to grab a notepad and pen to scribble out your thoughts. Be honest with yourself and your team. What is your your brand currently saying to your clients, customers and employees?

Imagine your brand as a person, as you think through the following points. This may seem odd, but the majority of people personify brands. Of course understanding this principle can help you determine if your brand is meeting expectations or is falling short.

I want to specifically mention the word elocution. The definition that most closely aligns to my perspective on the matter is the following, "the study and practice of oral delivery, including the control of both voice and gesture". While you are thinking and making notes, refer to this definintion as guidance.

• Outgoing or Passive? - If your brand is outgoing, is it outgoing everywhere it is seen and h…

Sales drive business. That is a simple view of the situation. The question is, how can my sales drive business? Focusing on this question will help you position your venture to make key sales more efficient and personal.

Making a sale is not so different from courting someone in a relationship. Your venture does the wooing. Wooing can be seen as relationship building, educating, advertising, and communicating with your potential customer base. By the time you propose, the infrastructure must exist in a compelling manner that encourages committing to the engagement (closing the deal).

When crafting your sales approach, do not compete on features. Features alone are not persuasive enough to sustain long-term growth. You need to present yourself in a manner that can be easily understood and leveraged by your customers. Connecting in a meaningful way takes more than a polished presentation.

Let's take a tactical approach to the sales pitch, then add some personality into it. Every time you present to a custom…

Today I want to lend some specific advice on how you can use social media to your advantage without creating future headaches for yourself and your startup.

It isn't a stretch to think you will have to incorporate some form of social media into your new venture. But have you taken time to research the best platforms or did you jump on all of them at the same time? I'm not here to tell you which platforms you should or shouldn't participate with, rather I want you to absorb some helpful tips I've learned.

• Consistent Message - Your brand should be the same on social media as it is on your website and your physical location (if you have one). The tone, humor and context should match. Ask yourself if you'd put that information in your office, store or on your website. If the answer is "No", you should probably not post it on social media.

• Avoid Desperation - If you are on social media that involves followers (Twitter, Instagram, Google, or others), asking for someone you follow to follow you back is in poor t…