Practical advice from people who’ve actually built businesses

Expert insights to help you build a business that serves your life, not one that consumes it, grounded in real-world experience rather than theory.

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Cold Stream Logistics meeting and discussion. The owner, featured, listens intently to the conversation.

Actual Cogent client

Quality of Life

3 minute read

· 2 months ago

Do you enjoy your business, or is it a drag? (Part 1)

Accuvent HVAC Contractor in Houston, TX. Two men review a worksheet.

Actual Cogent client

Measurement

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Employee productivity measurement: The why and the how

Somdal Associates Architecture Firm in Shreveport, LA. Two people review plans.

Actual Cogent client

Quality of Life

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Do you enjoy your business, or is it a drag? (Part 2)

Waggoner Manufacturing in Round Rock, Texas. Young man in hat pointing to info on the walls.

Actual Cogent client

Leadership

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Adapting for growth: A comprehensive guide for leaders

SR Trident, Inc. based in Gregory, Texas. Specializing in Industrial, Marine, and Civil Construction. Man in glasses teaching a group of 4 in the conference room.

Actual Cogent client

Leadership

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Regaining business vision when the pressure is high

ThermalTran Mechanical Inc., based in Wilmington, NC. HVAC Contractor. 2 men looking at hvac unit

Actual Cogent client

People

5 minute read

· 2 months ago

What do your employees want from you, anyway?

Matik, Inc based in Hartford, CT. Equipment Supplier.

Actual Cogent client

People

5 minute read

· 2 months ago

Refreshing your hiring practices: Intentionality, data, and transparency

Three colleagues gather around a conference table to review architectural blueprints.

Actual Cogent client

Leadership

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Transformational leadership: The kind of leadership that changes people and performance

HydraTech Engineered Products LLC, based in Cincinnati, OH. B1. Trenchless Pipe and Sewer Repair Products with a man working in the facility.

Actual Cogent client

People

5 minute read

· 2 months ago

Why your culture might be driving people out the door

Heavy Machines Inc. Piperton, TN. C1. Specializes in forestry, scrap and heavy construction applications. Man in hat in front of a large machine.

Actual Cogent client

Process

6 minute read

· 2 months ago

Is it a people problem or a process problem? How to tell the difference and what to do about it

Everlasting Fence Company. Glenside, PA. Specializing in all fence types: Wood, PVC, Chain Link, Aluminum and more. Man writing in notepad on desk.

Actual Cogent client

People

5 minute read

· 2 months ago

Hiring and recruiting: How to attract the right people without burning yourself out

Discca Environmental Services. Greensboro, NC. A Full Service Mechanical, Electrical, and HVAC Contractor Serving the Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Market. A2

Actual Cogent client

Hiring

6 minute read

· 2 months ago

Stop hiring friends & family: You aren’t helping anyone

Daytona Glass Works, Inc. Daytona, Florida. A technical quartz company leading the way in R&D and innovation in the fiber optic, medical, and semi conductor industries. B2

Actual Cogent client

Operational efficiency

5 minute read

· 2 months ago

Improving operational systems: A guide to sustainable business growth

Two men in white shirts and ties discuss operations while standing on a large factory floor.

Actual Cogent client

Quality of Life

5 minute read

· 2 months ago

Burnout: The hidden cost of success

STVA Scaffold, Cypress, TX. A2. STVA Scaffold distributes and supplies complex scaffolding systems for industrial and construction businesses

Actual Cogent client

Quality of Life

3 minute read

· 2 months ago

Does your business have you in golden handcuffs?

Stigler Supply. Cincinnati, OH. C1. Custodial Supply. 2 men looking at supplies

Actual Cogent client

Succession

5 minute read

· 2 months ago

Succession without sacrifice

Stansbury Electric. Louisville, KY. Electrical contractors handling new installations, repairs and upgrades, as well as electric vehicle charger and solar panel service.

Actual Cogent client

Growth planning

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Surge protection strategies

Garwood Metal Company, Garwood NJ. Custom sheet metal manufacturing and finishing. B1 Men in manufacturing facility.

Actual Cogent client

Quality of Life

8 minute read

· 2 months ago

Boundaries: The leadership skill that protects your business and your life

Associated Construction Company. Hartford, CT. A1 woman in hardhat looking at blueprints

Actual Cogent client

Leadership

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Daily habits that boost your lifestyle as an entrepreneur without slowing growth

Cardinal Transportation. Columbus, OH. E4. EVENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES man waving out of car window

Actual Cogent client

Quality of Life

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Your business is successful. Circle the wagons!

Davis Kane Architects. Raleigh, NC. D2. two men looking at blueprints on a table.

Actual Cogent client

Strategic Planning

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

How to start strategic planning without overcomplicating it

Guerrero Plating Technology. Houston, TX. B5. Industrial plating and coating solutions.

Actual Cogent client

Process

5 minute read

· 2 months ago

How to adapt operations and scale your business

Tuck-Hinton Architects. Nashville, TN. D2. a man and 2 women engaging in a computer screen

Actual Cogent client

Strategic Planning

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Strategic planning: How important is it?

Iowa Countertops. Grimes, IA. A3. 2 men working on marble countertops in a garage facility smiling

Actual Cogent client

Process

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

The structured improvement process

KB Service Co. St. Paul, MN. A2. 2 men in an open garage looking at boxed up product

Actual Cogent client

Strategic Planning

6 minute read

· 2 months ago

Clear examples of strategic planning that actually work

Prestige Motorsports, Concord, NC. B1 man under car doing an oil change

Actual Cogent client

Strategy

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

3 ways to maintain long-term business success

RDG Company. Greenville, SC. B1 woman in orange hat working in a manufacturing facility

Actual Cogent client

Growth planning

5 minute read

· 2 months ago

How to scale your company

River Bend Hose Specialty. South Bend, IN. C1 welder in welding hat and torch

Actual Cogent client

Quality of Life

4 minute read

· 2 months ago

Procedural systems: How structure creates the freedom business owners want

Solid Refrigeration LLC. Minneapolis, MN. A2 2 women look at computer screen reports

Actual Cogent client

Finance

4 minute read

· 2 months ago