Work Smarter, Not Longer

Brett Schklar built Market Creation Group into Denver's fastest-growing private company by working fewer hours and relying on shrewd planning and execution. Some of the keys:

- Make sure somebody needs what you are offering. Identify a niche — a void your company is uniquely positioned to fill — and exploit it.

- Define the types of clients you want. And avoid the ones you don't. They're not worth the trouble.

- Tap your network. Known quantities offer fewer unpleasant surprises.

- Hire people to bolster your weaknesses. The goal is to build a balanced, highly capable staff.

- Plan, plan and plan some more. "It's about having a big, awesome long-term vision, plus a staged approach to growth," Schklar says.

- Make team members privy to your company strategy. "That gives everybody a compass," he explains, "and leaves less room for error."

- Deliver superior work. Satisfied clients are sticky clients. In 2008, Schklar notes, Market Creation Group doubled its revenue without adding a single new client.