Every business relies on other businesses to provide materials, products, and services to accomplish your mission. These relationships are collectively referred to as your supply chain. They supply … [Read more...] about Maximizing Your Supply Chain Advantage
Time Management for Balanced Productivity
Widely considered a vital skill for workers, entrepreneurs, and anyone with a tight schedule, time management is something that many swear by. A recent study finally looked at the importance of time … [Read more...] about Time Management for Balanced Productivity
How to Adapt Operations and Scale Your Business
Every business owner dreams of his company growing from the very beginning. This dream often includes providing more income, more jobs, more products on a large scale. The challenge is, … [Read more...] about How to Adapt Operations and Scale Your Business
Strategic Planning – Clear examples of Success
What is strategic planning? Let’s start with the most basic. Strategic planning is the process in which a business defines and executes a long-term plan to achieve organizational objectives through … [Read more...] about Strategic Planning – Clear examples of Success
How to Design Incentive Programs that Work
To use incentives or not to use incentives, that is the question often being asked by managers in today’s competitive marketplace. Combating high turnover and looking for ways to increase productivity … [Read more...] about How to Design Incentive Programs that Work
Leadership and Succession Planning
Typically, when starting a business, it is very uncommon for the entrepreneurial mind to see itself not being part of that business in the future. As companies endure through time, it becomes … [Read more...] about Leadership and Succession Planning
Two Ways to Make Your Business More Successful
You know what is odd? Nobody expects successful experts - doctors, electricians, sports figures, lawyers, plumbers - to just wing it. We know they put a lot of time into learning about and training … [Read more...] about Two Ways to Make Your Business More Successful
The Secret to Business Success
Small business owners often struggle with how they can attract top talent for positions within their company that will best grow their business. Every business started small and will have at some … [Read more...] about The Secret to Business Success
Using Outlook to Get Organized in a Digital World
Why become organized with Outlook? Because the tools it offers can help you master the myriad and an increasing number of tasks you undertake each day. Disorganized people suffer more stress, become … [Read more...] about Using Outlook to Get Organized in a Digital World
Designing Organizational Systems
In today’s global market, it is becoming more complex and competitive to efficiently and effectively run an organization. This article will address some key principles which need to be … [Read more...] about Designing Organizational Systems
Recruiting and Hiring Practices
When speaking with clients about Recruiting and Hiring processes, one of the first things I always hear about is their challenges in filling the role with the right candidate. This always gets me … [Read more...] about Recruiting and Hiring Practices
How Root Cause Analysis Applies to the Business Owner
As a business owner, how many of you end up spending a great deal of valuable time addressing the same issues over and over? Many of you can identify with this question and are looking for ways to … [Read more...] about How Root Cause Analysis Applies to the Business Owner
Is Digital Transformation Necessary for Your Business?
The short answer to this question is yes. Digital transformation is not only necessary; it’s inevitable. As Henrique Dos Santos (past Senior Project Director for Cogent Analytics) writes, the topmost … [Read more...] about Is Digital Transformation Necessary for Your Business?
8 Steps for Small Business Project Management
Small Business Have a Big RoleSmall businesses play a big role in the overall health of the US economy and in the well-being of a large percent of the population. They employ almost half of people in … [Read more...] about 8 Steps for Small Business Project Management
Best Practices For Small Businesses
Small and large companies share many of the same challenges on their paths to success. For a company to be successful, management needs to understand that many different moving pieces need to be … [Read more...] about Best Practices For Small Businesses
OSHA and the Small Business Owner
The Occupational Safety Administration (OSHA) was created in 1970 when the Occupational Safety Act (OSH Act) was passed. The OSH act was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed … [Read more...] about OSHA and the Small Business Owner
SOPs to Improve Performance and Profit
Day to day operations of a business are what drive the week to week and year to year profits. The most valuable asset that companies sometimes overlook is time. Proficient allocation of time is a … [Read more...] about SOPs to Improve Performance and Profit
Accomplishing The Uncomfortable
Recently I've found several of my clients doing their employees jobs while neglecting their duties as an owner. The most typical reason I hear is, it's easier to do it myself, or I really needed it … [Read more...] about Accomplishing The Uncomfortable
Creating Accountability in the Workplace
Accountability in the workplace is a topic everyone seems to care about, but surprisingly few people understand. Many people feel like it refers to some type of “score keeping” … [Read more...] about Creating Accountability in the Workplace
Busyness Isn’t Productivity
To paraphrase - everybody talks about productivity, but nobody does anything about it. This is certainly true for the majority of small business owners. Most routinely mistake their employees' … [Read more...] about Busyness Isn’t Productivity
Business Continuity For Small Business Owners
Business Continuity is a highly relevant concept for any business. For an SMB/SME, it is even more critical as the SMB/SME typically has less duplication and redundancy than a Fortune 500 … [Read more...] about Business Continuity For Small Business Owners
Net Cash Flow for Small Business Owners
Net Cash Flow for an SMB/E is a critical component of a correct cash flow analysis. To make a correct Net Cash Flow for an SMB/E the SMB/E’s accounting needs to be in at least good order. … [Read more...] about Net Cash Flow for Small Business Owners
3 Biggest Hiring Mistakes That Businesses Make
When the time comes to grow your company or your team, it's easy to slip up and get stuck with a new employee who is a bad match. A great many factors play into acquiring a new employee, but there are … [Read more...] about 3 Biggest Hiring Mistakes That Businesses Make
Excel Features Less Known For Entrepreneurs
An SMB should use every useful tool that makes sense; the critical test is to make sure the tool makes sense for your business and is not just an over-promoted feature that will take hours from your … [Read more...] about Excel Features Less Known For Entrepreneurs
Train Your Mind for Business Success (Part 2)
You know the old saying, “If all you have is a hammer then everything looks like a nail.” It reminds us that we need several tools in our “successful business toolbox” to get the job done right. We … [Read more...] about Train Your Mind for Business Success (Part 2)
Train Your Mind for Business Success (Part 1)
Are you looking for the secrets to long term business success? If so, you are not alone, many business owners are. You know that success can be hard to find, and is even harder to … [Read more...] about Train Your Mind for Business Success (Part 1)
Understanding the Concept of Business Development
Business development is one of those strange business concepts. When you ask someone to define it, depending on their occupation, you will get different answers. People usually describe it based on … [Read more...] about Understanding the Concept of Business Development
Talent Acquisition – Why is it Hard to Find Good People?
Talent acquisition is an on-going problem for most business owners. One of their biggest complaints is - I can’t find good people to work for me. What if they could change that? They can do so by … [Read more...] about Talent Acquisition – Why is it Hard to Find Good People?
Why Your “Laid-back” Management Style Isn’t Working
One of the first decisions - consciously or unconsciously - people make when they become the boss is what their management style is going to be. Some decide theirs is going to be “laid-back.” … [Read more...] about Why Your “Laid-back” Management Style Isn’t Working
A Managing Partner is Key to Success
In most architectural and engineering firms the person who is “in charge” ends up that way by default, and is not a trained managing partner. They are usually the person who founded the company, or … [Read more...] about A Managing Partner is Key to Success
Effective Employee Training = Fewer Meetings
Employee training is an effective way for a business owner to ensure his company’s stability, growth, and long-term success. When done correctly - initially upon hire and consistently afterward - it … [Read more...] about Effective Employee Training = Fewer Meetings
Organizational Resistance and Accountability – Part 2
If you recall we left off with our business owner being told by the sales rep, all the other customers pay their employees based on the time they log against the tickets, in fact, most bill their … [Read more...] about Organizational Resistance and Accountability – Part 2
Organizational Resistance and Accountability – Part 1
Are you thinking about changing out your time tracking, quoting, or sales system? Are your computer systems one of the top complaints of your staff? Maybe you are using spreadsheets for estimates … [Read more...] about Organizational Resistance and Accountability – Part 1
Are You and Your Employees Sick of Each Other?
"Yup, you better believe it! How'd you know?" A business goes through phases, just like personal relationships. When a business, or a couple, get through the "will we or won't we make it" startup … [Read more...] about Are You and Your Employees Sick of Each Other?
10 Tips for Finding the Right People for Your Business
Businesses are finding it increasingly more difficult to locate, recruit and onboard talented new employees, particularly for high skill positions. Here are 10 recommendations we developed for … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for Finding the Right People for Your Business
Make Risk Less Risky
It is imperative that business owners take risks. That is how owners reach their goals, grow companies and make money. But, not all risks are good risks. They are more likely to succeed if planned and … [Read more...] about Make Risk Less Risky
How Much “Hidden Talent” is in your Company? Almost None
Talk to any business owner about their business, and it won't be long before the conversation turns to the problem of finding talent and keeping it. It's a key issue in the marketplace. Those who do … [Read more...] about How Much “Hidden Talent” is in your Company? Almost None
The Value of Bench Marking
Bench marking is the process of comparing one's business processes and performance metrics to industry best practices from other companies. This gives a business perspective on how they compare to … [Read more...] about The Value of Bench Marking
Don’t Let Employee Theft Decide Your Success or Failure
A major part of the American Dream is building and owning a successful business. Every year millions of dollars, hours of sweat equity and unlimited hope are poured into starting and running them. … [Read more...] about Don’t Let Employee Theft Decide Your Success or Failure
Education for Community Youth, A Growth Strategy
Education and preparation will become critical to continued growth in the U.S. manufacturing industry during the remainder of 2018 and beyond. In order to produce continued growth, there will be a … [Read more...] about Education for Community Youth, A Growth Strategy
Your Business is Successful – CIRCLE THE WAGONS!
Congratulations on your accomplishment. You have built a successful business through hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. You have invested time, money and sweat, and it has finally paid off. It is … [Read more...] about Your Business is Successful – CIRCLE THE WAGONS!
Rewards: Unnecessary Pay, or Positive Reinforcement?
Most every small business owner desires dedicated, hardworking and loyal employees. The problem is how to do you cultivate and reinforce those values? We pay people what we believe to be a fair and … [Read more...] about Rewards: Unnecessary Pay, or Positive Reinforcement?
OWNERSHIP
Why does one go into business? Consider these four classifications of Owners; the inventor, the salesman, the entrepreneur and next generation. Where does your client fall? There is almost no one who … [Read more...] about OWNERSHIP
Time to Start Taking 3-D Printing Seriously
There is no doubt - 3D printers have a wow factor. Whether they are creating a plastic knee joint, one-of-a-kind metal turbine blades or a chocolate pyramid, they are a marvel. But, are they … [Read more...] about Time to Start Taking 3-D Printing Seriously
Tired of Babysitting? Try Organizational Engineering
Most business owners start their companies so they can be their own boss - they want to get away from others telling them what to do. However, they forget, ignore or do not understand there is another … [Read more...] about Tired of Babysitting? Try Organizational Engineering
Adding Spice to Your Organization
I've done some recruiting during my career, and the first thing I ask an applicant is, "Which company did you work for before, and why did you leave?" Money only rises to the number 4 or 5 reason for … [Read more...] about Adding Spice to Your Organization
3 Challenges in Transportation
It is an excellent time to be in the transportation industry. E-commerce has been good for it and will continue to fuel its growth. Growth creates challenges and trucking companies - who want to be … [Read more...] about 3 Challenges in Transportation
Applicants 50+ Are The Source of Thought Leadership
Every day employers complain that while they truly need, if not require, reliable, trustworthy, ethical employees, these qualities just aren't that simple to acquire in many of their prospective … [Read more...] about Applicants 50+ Are The Source of Thought Leadership
Want to be a More Productive Business Owner?
Do you want it to seem like you have more hours in the day? Do you want to work smarter, not harder or longer? Do you want to reach those goals which have been on the back-burner year after year? Here … [Read more...] about Want to be a More Productive Business Owner?
One Simple Tool to Save You Time and Money!
In this blog, we discuss basic checklists and the importance of implementation in business operations. If you've ever been on a plane, you may have noticed the pilots completing their 'Pre-flight … [Read more...] about One Simple Tool to Save You Time and Money!
