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5 Ways Great Leaders Stay the Course When the World Outside Seems Crazy

July 31, 2024

  5 Ways Great Leaders Stay the Course When the World Outside Seems Crazy How businesses can scale quickly without losing their way. Photo: Getty Images Aahh, coffee time! Imagine starting your morning trying to enjoy your java-all good until the cacophony of today’s news headlines hits. No matter your stance, relentless messaging that promulgates … Continued

To Be More Successful in the Face of Challenges and Adversity, a Navy SEAL Says Always Keep Your World Small

July 31, 2024

  To Be More Successful in the Face of Challenges and Adversity, a Navy SEAL Says Always Keep Your World Small How businesses can scale quickly without losing their way. Photo: Getty Images The moment went viral (over 200 million people watched the various clips), but if you missed it, here goes. Nascar driver Ross Chastain needed to make up … Continued

July 31, 2024

  This Top Leadership Coach Shares What May Be the Secret Sauce Behind Fast-Growing Organizations How businesses can scale quickly without losing their way. Photo: Getty Images CEOs have plenty of obvious benchmarks for assessing how the company is doing: winning a huge customer, hitting sales forecasts, securing funding, and increasing market share are just a few. … Continued

1 Game-Changing Growth Move for Your Biggest Deals

July 31, 2024

1 Game-Changing Growth Move for Your Biggest Deals Give everyone on the team a role. Everyone. Photo: Getty Images What if the key to sustainable business growth was as simple as giving everyone in your company a role, no matter their title or background? Imagine a workplace with an all-hands-on-deck approach, with each team member, from the CEO to the … Continued

3 Qualities That Will Set You Apart From Other Leaders

July 3, 2024

  3 Qualities That Will Set You Apart From Other Leaders Leadership is about going first, taking responsibility, and leading people somewhere worth going. Where are you taking your people? Photo: Getty Images The most effective leaders create a better world, anchored in unshakable commitment, earnest responsibility, and lasting caring for people. They do not shake things … Continued

5 Keys to Getting Results From People Not Like You

July 3, 2024

  5 Keys to Getting Results From People Not Like You Team members can be difficult, so how you communicate will be the key to your success. Photo: Getty Images One thing is certain in any business — not everyone you have to deal with will be like you, or will like you (and vice versa). These … Continued

Companies Say Skills Matter, but Hiring Skews to Degree Holders

July 3, 2024

  Companies Say Skills Matter, but Hiring Skews to Degree Holders Employers across the U.S. are eliminating diplomas as a job requirement, with smaller businesses leading that shift amid tight labor markets. But candidates with degrees still have an edge. Photo: Getty Images A growing number of companies across the U.S. have committed to reversing … Continued

Your Managers Think They’re Doing Great. Employees Disagree

July 3, 2024

  Your Managers Think They’re Doing Great. Employees Disagree A new Gallup survey finds a clear disconnect between managers and employees. You can fix it. Photo: Getty Images Everyone says people don’t leave jobs; they leave managers. And yet, managers don’t get the feedback they need to improve, according to a new survey from Gallup. As a result, many think they’re … Continued

Inflation Is Still a Big Problem for Small Businesses–but There’s Cause for Hope

July 3, 2024

  Inflation Is Still a Big Problem for Small Businesses–but There’s Cause for Hope While high costs remain a cause for concern for small companies, there’s some good news when it comes to pricing and sales. Photo: Getty Images For the first time this year, small-business optimism increased–but inflation continues to worry owners. The Small Business Optimism Index from the National … Continued

Economists Confident U.S. Economy Can Steer Toward a Soft Landing, Avoiding a Recession

July 3, 2024

  Economists Confident U.S. Economy Can Steer Toward a Soft Landing, Avoiding a Recession But higher growth will come with higher inflation. Photo: Getty Images Economists are increasingly confident the U.S. economy will avoid a recession this year. Nine out of 10 business economists predict the economy is heading for a soft landing in 2024, according to the … Continued

Investing in Durable Skills–the Smart Bet in the Age of AI

July 3, 2024

  Investing in Durable Skills–the Smart Bet in the Age of AI How automation and an unpredictable business environment are driving a new emphasis on human-centric skills. Photo: Getty Images If you’ve ever listened to global business leaders on the main stage of a conference discussing what drove their success, you might have been surprised … Continued

Your Performance Reviews Are Not Enough

July 3, 2024

Your Performance Reviews Are Not Enough Your employees want more from you than a yearly hourlong check-in. Photo: Getty Images It’s no secret that after the pandemic, workplace dynamics and our employees’ career desires changed drastically. Our offices were altered from traditional workplaces to digital workplaces. We were no longer separated by physical barriers like cubicles or offices … Continued

The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Business Success

July 3, 2024

The Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Business Success There are plenty of bottom-line reasons to fully embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Photo: Getty Images Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace are no longer optional but important to have on your radar. Companies that don’t foster an inclusive environment or prioritize diversity initiatives do … Continued

Why Gen-Z Employees Are Some of Your Least Happy Workers

July 3, 2024

Why Gen-Z Employees Are Some of Your Least Happy Workers Gen-Z employees have a strong purpose-driven mindset — but aren’t feeling satisfied with their sense of purpose at work. Here’s what employers need to know. Photo: Getty Images It’s no secret that happy employees are more productive. However, according to a recent report from insurance giant MetLife, Gen-Zers are the least happy … Continued

Strategies for Incorporating AI Into Your Organization

July 3, 2024

Strategies for Incorporating AI Into Your Organization Do it as soon as possible, while preparing both your company and your people. Photo: Getty Images As more organizations adopt AI into everyday operations, the gap between those who choose to innovate with this technology and those who do not is only going to widen. The movement to adopt AI will … Continued

How to Help Your Underperforming Employees Improve

July 3, 2024

How to Help Your Underperforming Employees Improve Reframe how you think about Performance Improvement Plans Photo: Getty Images Are you using the best method to improve the performance of an underperforming employee? Is your framework helping them and your organization stay compliant with current labor laws? It’s a question every employer asks. What’s the best action to take? … Continued

Unlocking Success: How the Millionaire Mindset Can Transform Your Life and Business

July 3, 2024

Unlocking Success: How the Millionaire Mindset Can Transform Your Life and Business Use this to overcome challenges and achieve your ultimate goals. Photo: Getty Images Quite often, achieving success comes down to your mindset. Developing traits like gratitude, empathy, and persistence goes a long way in enabling you to accomplish your goals — both as an entrepreneur and in … Continued

Gen-Z Has Issues. What Bosses Need to Know

July 2, 2024

Gen-Z Has Issues. What Bosses Need to Know Smartphones and social media threaten the stability of the younger generation. Photo: Getty Images The youngest generation entering the workforce, Generation Z, bears a unique burden. Famous social psychologist Jonathan Haidt draws attention to the cohort in his recent book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an … Continued

Sustainable Shopping: What Consumers Really Want

July 2, 2024

Sustainable Shopping: What Consumers Really Want A new sustainability survey gives businesses a glimpse at their target market. Photo: Getty Images Consumers want sustainability, but you need to meet them halfway. That’s the big takeaway from Blue Yonder’s annual sustainability survey. The supply chain company’s report found that consumers are eager for sustainability measures that prioritize reducing waste and saving money. … Continued

How to Build a High-Performance Leadership Team

July 2, 2024

How to Build a High-Performance Leadership Team As a leader, you set the tone for your leadership team. Photo: Getty Images In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, the success of an organization depends heavily on the strength of its leadership team. A high-performance leadership team can drive innovation, foster a positive workplace culture, and guide the company … Continued

8 Times You Should Slow Way Down at Work, According to a Stanford Management Expert

July 2, 2024

8 Times You Should Slow Way Down at Work, According to a Stanford Management Expert Bob Sutton argues 2024 should be the year of ‘strategic slowness.’ He just explained exactly what he means. Photo: Getty Images Last week, I stumbled on a LinkedIn post by Stanford management professor and author Bob Sutton predicting that the next big trend for … Continued

Embrace the Legendary Lasso-Reynolds Approach for Your Company

July 2, 2024

Embrace the Legendary Lasso-Reynolds Approach for Your Company A guide to cultivating a compelling work environment for your small business. Ryan Reynolds (left) and Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso from Apple TV’s original series <i>Ted Lasso</i>. Photos: Getty Images and Apple TV+ In the dynamic tapestry of small-business management, the infusion of character traits from influential … Continued

How to make the most of your Business Reviews

July 2, 2024

How to Make the Most of Your Business Reviews The invisible trap that keeps small businesses, well, small. Photo: Getty Images Customers and vendors both benefit from regular and formal check-ins, also known as business reviews. However, in my experience as a customer success leader, business reviews are not always well attended by the people who … Continued

3 Ways to Develop the Best Mindset for Success

February 8, 2024

3 Ways to Develop the Best Mindset for Success A growth mindset is the key to long-term success because it helps build resiliency. Here’s how to get started. Photo: Getty Images Researchers have identified a key ingredient that often distinguishes those who succeed in the long run, versus those who stop short. It’s called a growth … Continued

4 Marketing Trends Your Brand Needs to Know for 2024

February 8, 2024

4 Marketing Trends Your Brand Needs to Know for 2024 AI is definitely changing the game, but you’ll want to be on watch for these other big shifts happening within the marketing landscape. Photo: Getty Images Trying to keep pace with all of the transformation that’s happening right now, across every area of business? You’re … Continued

How Entrepreneurs Can Succeed Despite Industry Headwinds

February 8, 2024

How Entrepreneurs Can Succeed Despite Industry Headwinds Follow these strategies to deal with today’s challenges. Photo: Getty Images Everything is cyclical. History repeats and markets ebb and flow. Every period of innovation has its naysayers and setbacks – from the Enlightenment leaders who faced resistance from the establishment to more recently, the burst of the … Continued

Keys to Leverage the Future of AI to Grow Your Small Business

February 8, 2024

Keys to Leverage the Future of AI to Grow Your Small Business How to understand the differences between Predictive AI and Generative AI. Photo: Getty Images Over the last year, Artificial intelligence has taken a front-row seat in the conversation across many industries. The utility and power of Generative AI Large Language Models such as ChatGPT have disrupted the … Continued

Jobs Are Changing in 2024: How Experts Predict Roles Will Fade, Shift, and Grow in the New Year

February 8, 2024

Jobs Are Changing in 2024: How Experts Predict Roles Will Fade, Shift, and Grow in the New Year New technologies and growing industries may drive big changes in the labor market. Here’s how company leaders can prepare.  Photo: Getty Images Roles are rapidly shifting–and company leaders will need to keep up in 2024. Changes in demand and technology have … Continued

5 Truth Bombs About Work and Life Nobody Wants to Admit

February 8, 2024

5 Truth Bombs About Work and Life Nobody Wants to Admit Remember: Failure is inevitable. Photo: Getty Images To become successful leaders and entrepreneurs, we must acknowledge and confront the challenges and obstacles shaping our journey. These “truth bombs” may include external factors such as economic conditions and competition, but also internal factors such as our strengths, weaknesses, … Continued

12 Digital Strategies for Business Growth

February 8, 2024

12 Digital Strategies for Business Growth Your social media marketing blueprint. Photo: Getty Images Social media is a wonderful tool to differentiate your business in today’s crowded marketplace. It builds trust, which is uniquely powerful and very difficult to achieve with an ad. I built my first company using social media before it was called … Continued

What’s Your Blind Spot? How Cognitive Biases Limit You as a Leader

February 8, 2024

What’s Your Blind Spot? How Cognitive Biases Limit You as a Leader Few would argue the importance of leadership. Yet only 23 percent of employees strongly see their organization’s leadership as effective. Photo: Getty Images The task of being an effective leader is a difficult one. All the real work of organizations gets done through … Continued

7 Lessons on Creating a Service Experience That Does Your Marketing for You

February 8, 2024

7 Lessons on Creating a Service Experience That Does Your Marketing for You Great service doesn’t happen by accident. Photo: Getty Images As a lifelong student of all things business, I love to look for lessons in my everyday commerce-related interactions. After reading Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara and getting inspired by the transferable lessons in top-tier … Continued

Why Creativity Gets Driven Out of Your Organization as It Grows

February 8, 2024

Why Creativity Gets Driven Out of Your Organization as It Grows You need to balance rules and creativity. Photo: Getty Images As a rule, organizations in their early stages are highly creative and have few rules or low rule density. They might have a rule guiding everything they do in the business, such as “We … Continued

Improve Your Communication Skills at Work With These Tips and Watch Your Productivity Soar

February 8, 2024

Improve Your Communication Skills at Work With These Tips and Watch Your Productivity Soar Clarity in communication is key to everything. Photo: Getty Images As an entrepreneur, you know how important communication at work is. And in order to successfully work with others, you need to clearly communicate your ideas, thoughts, and goals to others in a way that’s … Continued

1 Thing Smart People Do to Boost Their Willpower, Determination, and Odds of Success

February 8, 2024

1 Thing Smart People Do to Boost Their Willpower, Determination, and Odds of Success Not sleep. Not nutrition. And certainly not self-talk. When you need to stay the course, make sure you don’t do this. Photo: Getty Images Achieving any challenging long-term goal requires perseverance. Determination. Staying the course. Obvious? Absolutely. But no less true. So what makes … Continued

3 Hard Questions No One Is Asking About A.I., but Everyone Should

February 8, 2024

3 Hard Questions No One Is Asking About A.I., but Everyone Should At recent high-profile tech event, VCs, entrepreneurs, and big-tech executives discussed A.I.’s potential–and its drawbacks. Photo: Getty Images A.I. is a powerful tool, but it can also bring negative consequences for those who work alongside it or are affected by it. It has already cost some … Continued

How to Make Better Decisions, Faster

February 8, 2024

How to Make Better Decisions, Faster Daniel Kahneman, John Smoltz, and A.J. Pierzynski on why data and analysis are important, as long as you also develop a feel for whatever game you play. Photo: Getty Images Contemplation and reflection are important, but nothing ever gets done until you actually get started. In business (and in life), a bias … Continued

Why Are Employees Really Quitting? You Can Boil It Down to 6 Simple Reasons

February 8, 2024

Why Are Employees Really Quitting? You Can Boil It Down to 6 Simple Reasons When a manager doesn’t solicit the opinions of others, trust weakens and morale plummets. Photo: Getty Images After extensive research conducted over the years, I have uncovered key insights into the primary factors contributing to employee turnover. The financial impact of turnover … Continued

3 Habits for Effective Coaching and Building High-Performing Teams

February 8, 2024

  3 Habits for Effective Coaching and Building High-Performing Teams How coaching can unlock performance and growth. Photo: Getty Images No one person has every leadership attribute because different seasons call for different skills. One of the most overlooked leadership skills is coaching. Early in my career, I sought advice and mentorship to help learn the ropes and gain … Continued

How to Build an Advisory Board to Protect and Grow Your Company

September 28, 2023

  How to Build an Advisory Board to Protect and Grow Your Company Harness expertise, gain accountability, and unlock strategic wisdom from board members who have already been where you aim to go. Photo: Getty Images Kent Lewis, an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member in Portland, Oregon, is the founder of pdxMindShare, an online career community focused on Portland … Continued

6 Strategies for Futureproofing Your Team and Navigating the Next Crisis

September 28, 2023

  6 Strategies for Futureproofing Your Team and Navigating the Next Crisis Don’t let the recent multiple crises cause you and your team to become stressed and dysfunctional. Photo: Getty Images Most companies I work with, like yours, are still reeling from the effects of Covid-19, the rise of inflation, and talent shortages. They are rightly … Continued

Harvard Research Shows Using 1 Word Dramatically Increases Your Ability to Build Consensus and Buy-In

September 28, 2023

  Harvard Research Shows Using 1 Word Dramatically Increases Your Ability to Build Consensus and Buy-In Swapping one word for another changes the nature of the conversation, and its outcome. Photo: Getty Images Some people are unusually persuasive. They influence — in a good way — the people around them. They make people feel a part of … Continued

How to Unlock Your Business’s Growth Potential

September 28, 2023

  How to Unlock Your Business’s Growth Potential Ten sources for continuous business growth. Photo: Getty Images The pursuit of business growth is a fundamental goal for every business. However, for investor-backed companies, particularly those supported by venture capital (VC) or private equity (PE) investors, this pursuit becomes even more critical. With investors seeking substantial returns … Continued

8 Mindsets to Keep You Calm and Productive Despite Increasing Demands

September 28, 2023

  8 Mindsets to Keep You Calm and Productive Despite Increasing Demands You may think that multitasking is the answer, but it takes a terrible toll on your productivity and health. Photo: Getty Images Unfortunately, many of the business professionals I meet these days in my mentoring and consulting activities feel perennially stressed and out of … Continued

How Smart Leaders Use the 10x Rule to Clarify Everything in Their Business

September 28, 2023

  How Smart Leaders Use the 10x Rule to Clarify Everything in Their Business This rule is a simple way to eliminate everything that won’t work and hone in on what will. Photo: Getty Images Are you tired of striving for consistent growth, trying to figure out a hundred different ways to grow your business by 10 … Continued

How to Deal With Customers Who Are Angry, and Prevent Others From Getting That Way? Use Emotional Intelligence

September 28, 2023

  How to Deal With Customers Who Are Angry, and Prevent Others From Getting That Way? Use Emotional Intelligence Dealing with irate customers requires two qualities: transparency and empathy. Photo: Getty Images Inc.com columnist Justin Bariso answers questions about how to handle workplace and management problems using emotional intelligence. (Note: Some names have been changed.) … Continued

Your Customers Will Tell You Where to Focus, If You Let Them

September 28, 2023

  Your Customers Will Tell You Where to Focus, If You Let Them Evite expanded the way it thought about the journey to parenthood to serve more people. Here’s what every brand can learn from its approach. Photo: Getty Images As brands plan for how to grow and include more people, a wonderful place to start … Continued

Once Is Not Enough–Why Repeating Is the Lesson You Should Keep Repeating

September 28, 2023

  Once Is Not Enough–Why Repeating Is the Lesson You Should Keep Repeating We know the lesson, even believe in it, but we err in thinking applying it once is enough. Photo: Getty Images Lather, rinse, repeat. There’s an urban legend around these three words. The story goes that a few decades ago, leading consumer … Continued

Don’t Call Your Mother. Call Your Competitors First

September 28, 2023

Don’t Call Your Mother. Call Your Competitors First Rather than fear your competitors, find ways to cooperate and learn from them. Photo: Getty Images I’ve been friendly to my competitors throughout my career. I’ve habitually called leaders in my space to chat them up whether I had an agenda or not. And this is a … Continued

3 Crucial Factors to Manage Your Company’s Growth Without Losing Its Spark

July 19, 2023

  3 Crucial Factors to Manage Your Company’s Growth Without Losing Its Spark How a fast-growing business can restore its entrepreneurial soul Photo: Getty Images As a business professor, I have studied organizations that range in size from startups with just a few employees to huge multinationals that employ tens of thousands of people. In … Continued

How To Be A Customer

July 19, 2023

  How To Be A Customer Are there classes for that? Photo: Getty Images In my first career life, I was in some form of department store management.  Everything from managing particular departments, operations manager and store manager.  I’ve spent countless hours helping my associates deal with every customer type known to mankind.  At one … Continued

4 Kinds of Worker Misery You Must Eliminate Now

July 19, 2023

  4 Kinds of Worker Misery You Must Eliminate Now Spend time in workers’ shoes to see how your company keeps them from serving customers well. Photo: Getty Images Business leaders who walk in workers’ shoes are better than those who spend their days holed up in their corner offices. The reason seems clear: if … Continued

3 Things You Need to Know to Build a Strong Network

July 19, 2023

  3 Things You Need to Know to Build a Strong Network It can seem a lower priority when you’re building your business, but a small-time investment here will pay off later. Photo: Getty Images The biggest misconception I hear about building and nurturing a strong network is that it takes a lot of time … Continued

How Can I Get Better at Spotting Talent?

July 19, 2023

  How Can I Get Better at Spotting Talent? And three other tricky workplace dilemmas Photo: Getty Images Inc.com columnist Alison Green answers questions about workplace and management issues–everything from how to deal with a micromanaging boss to how to talk to someone on your team about body odor. Here’s a roundup of answers to … Continued

5 Ways to Better Manage Your Gen-Z Employees

July 19, 2023

  5 Ways to Better Manage Your Gen-Z Employees This generation of young employees is different. Here’s how to work with them. Photo: Getty Images   As a business owner and CEO, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented young professionals over the years. For the platform Apprentice, we’ve even done significant research … Continued

The Keys to Top-Quality Customer Service, According to 24 Business Leaders in the Know

July 19, 2023

  The Keys to Top-Quality Customer Service, According to 24 Business Leaders in the Know They share their advice on how to hire the best CX talent, train your team to walk in your customers’ shoes, and offer support that goes above and beyond expectations. ILLUSTRATIONS BY ESTHER AARTS Entrepreneurship can feel like a lonely … Continued

3 Innovative Ways to Build Brand Loyalty

July 19, 2023

  3 Innovative Ways to Build Brand Loyalty Gaining a customer is a feat in and of itself. Keeping a customer, however, takes that initial effort plus innovative thinking. Photo: Getty Images Building brand loyalty is one of the most critical contributors to the success of any business in today’s highly competitive market. A loyal … Continued

The Owner Versus Employee Mindset

July 19, 2023

  The Owner Versus Employee Mindset Some people just want to be employees. Photo: Getty Images In the early stages of a company, you want everyone on the team–from your front-line employees to your partners who own equity with you–to go above and beyond toward making the company successful. You hope everyone thinks strategically and … Continued

5 Steps to Take to Stand Out in a Rough Market

July 19, 2023

  5 Steps to Take to Stand Out in a Rough Market Follow these steps and the market might not mean your startup will die Photo: Getty Images If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve surely noticed that the market is not exactly sympathetic to startups nowadays. You’ve been hearing a lot about layoffs in tech, … Continued

The Power of Connection: How Relationship-Focused Leadership Drives Success

July 19, 2023

  The Power of Connection: How Relationship-Focused Leadership Drives Success Why leaders need to focus on relationship building now more than ever Photo: Getty Images Outcomes > hours. I hope to be able to convince you of this by the end of this article. Why? Because if you’re looking to create more reliable revenue in … Continued

The Power of Connection: How Relationship-Focused Leadership Drives Success

July 19, 2023

  The Power of Connection: How Relationship-Focused Leadership Drives Success Why leaders need to focus on relationship building now more than ever Photo: Getty Images Doing this one thing changed everything about how I lead. I stopped thinking about leadership as a role with responsibilities and started treating it as a relationship. You’ve probably heard … Continued

Deepak Chopra: ‘We Need a Pandemic of Joy’

July 19, 2023

  Deepak Chopra: ‘We Need a Pandemic of Joy’ At Inc. Founders House during SXSW, the New Age icon and entrepreneur offered advice on what makes a good company, and predictions on new business opportunities in wellness. Deepak Chopra at Inc. Founders House during SXSW in Austin. Photo: Dennis Burnett   Amid the frenzy that is … Continued

5 Ways to Prepare Your Business Team to Tackle Any Market Change

July 19, 2023

  5 Ways to Prepare Your Business Team to Tackle Any Market Change To survive and thrive in business today, you need every team member engaged and working together. Photo: Getty Images Many business leaders I meet in my consulting practice are frustrated by the challenge of getting their teams working together, increasing engagement, and … Continued

To Keep a Conversation From Becoming a Conflict

July 19, 2023

  To Keep a Conversation From Becoming a Conflict, Understand and Interrupt the Pattern of Escalation There’s only one thing you need to do to defuse a conflict.  Listening isn’t it. Photo: Getty Images Almost every interpersonal conflict follows the same pattern of escalation. Once you are familiar with that pattern, it’s easier to understand how … Continued

How to Create a Consistently High-Performing Team

July 19, 2023

  How to Create a Consistently High-Performing Team Employee performance is an ongoing concern. Here are three areas to focus on if you want to build a team that can perform at a high level over time. Photo: Getty Images I’ve found that getting a team to perform well is a bit like maintaining my … Continued

How to Improve Key Areas of Your Business

July 19, 2023

  How to Improve Key Areas of Your Business While every business has something that makes it unique, they all have similar features that can be streamlined with the right tools. Illustration: Getty Images   Are you finding it tough to streamline your daily work processes, and that most of your business resources remain overworked … Continued

5 Ways to Promote Your Business Without Directly Promoting Your Business

July 19, 2023

  5 Ways to Promote Your Business Without Directly Promoting Your Business Instead of shamelessly self-promoting, try doing this. Illustration: Getty Images As our social-media feeds and inboxes get busier and busier, our attention span decreases accordingly. None of us have time to spend following a company or a person who talks about himself all … Continued

Scaling Your Business Means Taking Risks. Here’s How to Make Sure Yours Are Calculated

July 19, 2023

  Scaling Your Business Means Taking Risks. Here’s How to Make Sure Yours Are Calculated To maximize your chances of success, make sure the risks you take are the right ones.   Illustration: Getty Images Taking risks is a natural part of being in business. The key to dealing with them is to make sure … Continued

7 Simple Steps to Creating a Productivity Tracker for Your Business

July 19, 2023

  7 Simple Steps to Creating a Productivity Tracker for Your Business Work on the right things at the right time in your business using this simple method. Illustration: Getty Images It’s no secret productivity is a serious concern for entrepreneurs. You regularly set lofty goals for yourself and you’re keen on growing your business … Continued

5 Attributes of Team Members and Leaders That Often Limit Success

March 10, 2023

5 Attributes of Team Members and Leaders That Often Limit Success Unleashing your full potential requires that you recognize key attributes in the people around you. Photo: Getty Images   One of the keys to your success as a business professional and leader is your ability to nurture relationships and select associates who have the attributes to … Continued

Beware of This Trap as You Map Out Your Goals and Growth Plans

March 10, 2023

Beware of This Trap as You Map Out Your Goals and Growth Plans Look out for compliments that are not aligned with who you are or where you want to go. Photo: Getty Images   Have you ever received a compliment that once would have made you puff up with pride, but now feels like … Continued

You May Be Over-Coaching Your Team. Here’s How to Tell

March 10, 2023

You May Be Over-Coaching Your Team. Here’s How to Tell Here’s how to tell if you are at risk of self-sabotage. Photo: Getty Images   As a business coach for more than 25 years, I can attest to the power of a good company wide coaching program. If done correctly, you can help your team … Continued

4 Simple Ways to Make Yourself Really Happy in 10 Minutes or Less, Backed by Harvard Research

March 10, 2023

4 Simple Ways to Make Yourself Really Happy in 10 Minutes or Less, Backed by Harvard Research An 85-year-long study reveals the secret to long-term happiness. Should you try it? Photo: Getty Images   What makes you genuinely happy? There could be a wide range of answers ranging from closing a big sale or investment, reaching … Continued

Don’t Burn Out in the First Month of the Year 

March 10, 2023

 Don’t Burn Out in the First Month of the Year See 2023 as a marathon, not a sprint. Run it accordingly. Photo: Getty Images   We are just about two weeks into the new year and I’m already noticing a trend among friends and colleagues: People are already feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted from all that there is … Continued

5 Keys to Learning From Business Setbacks and Achieving Long-Term Success

March 10, 2023

5 Keys to Learning From Business Setbacks and Achieving Long-Term Success Most business professionals experience failure and iterative learning before long-term success. How to improve the process. Photo: Getty Images   After years of working in small businesses as well as large ones, I’m convinced that you shouldn’t expect to get it all right the first … Continued

4 Timeless Business Lessons To Improve Your Company’s Future Profitability, Learned From Studying Successes and Failures of The Past

March 10, 2023

4 Timeless Business Lessons To Improve Your Company’s Future Profitability, Learned From Studying Successes and Failures of The Past Now is the best time to analyze past successes and failures and apply what you find to drive profitability. Illustration: Getty Images   Brooke Lively, an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member in Fort Worth, is founder and president of Cathedral … Continued

‘Gaslighting’ Is the Word of the Year.

January 12, 2023

‘Gaslighting’ Is the Word of the Year. Learn What It Is, How You Might Be a Victim, and How to Protect Yourself What exactly does gaslighting look like? Let’s break it down, and see how you can improve your emotional alarm system. Illustration: Getty Images Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster announced its word of the year this … Continued

Why Everything You Know About Setting Goals–Including the Need for Setting Goals–Could Be Wrong

January 12, 2023

Why Everything You Know About Setting Goals–Including the Need for Setting Goals–Could Be Wrong Emmanuel Acho told Adam Grant he ‘hates goals.’ Instead, this is what he thinks you should do. Photo: Getty Images   Tony Robbins says setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. Mark Cuban says effort is measured by setting goals and … Continued

7 Practical Steps to Healthy Competition That Keeps You Human

January 12, 2023

7 Practical Steps to Healthy Competition That Keeps You Human You can love your competitors and still win. Photo: Getty Images   “Every week, I have lunch with a competitor,” Scott shared. “We catch up, talk about the market, even share trade secrets.” As head of a leading architectural firm in a highly competitive market, … Continued

Engage in Community Outreach to Thrive in Business

January 12, 2023

Engage in Community Outreach to Thrive in Business Effect change and inspire others with your work in the community and the community will return the favor. Photo: Getty Images   The ability to thrive in today’s complex society requires entrepreneurs to embrace their social responsibility and engage in community outreach. The impact of social issues on businesses, reputations and community … Continued

How to Grab and Keep your Customer’s Attention

January 12, 2023

How to Grab and Keep your Customer’s Attention And why being quiet is more important in marketing today. Photo: Getty Images   The world is busier today than ever before which means consumers are bombarded by marketing messages all day long. It also doesn’t help that the average attention span of humans today is as short as a goldfish. I constantly … Continued

4 Ways to Grow Revenue in a Downturn

January 12, 2023

4 Ways to Grow Revenue in a Downturn With fundraising all but out of the question, businesses must turn to their profits to fuel growth.  Photo: Getty Images As the stock market continues to plummet and experts predict a recession that could last longer than average, fundraising is no longer a viable way to fuel growth for many startups. Instead, … Continued

What do today’s customers expect from in-store retail?

January 12, 2023

What do today’s customers expect from in-store retail? Shutterstock / Jacob Lund    Sponsored content By Mood Media Mood Media, the world’s leading experiential media company, collaborated on a global research study in October with Miya Knights, a retail expert, author and publisher, to gain an understanding of the evolving customer expectations of physical stores. The survey focused … Continued

5 Keys to Learning From Business Setbacks and Achieving Long-Term Success

January 12, 2023

5 Keys to Learning From Business Setbacks and Achieving Long-Term Success Most business professionals experience failure and iterative learning before long-term success. How to improve the process. Photo: Getty Images   After years of working in small businesses as well as large ones, I’m convinced that you shouldn’t expect to get it all right the first … Continued

How to Know If You’re on the Right Track? Question Everything

October 26, 2022

How to Know If You’re on the Right Track? Question Everything You can’t discover what you really need to know about your product or service unless you interrogate your customers, suppliers, and manufacturers. Illustration by Gracia Lam   Any founder interested in thriving over the long term needs to be addicted to innovation. I know I am. … Continued

Customers Are Expected to Pull Back on Holiday Spending. Here’s How to Adapt

October 26, 2022

Customers Are Expected to Pull Back on Holiday Spending. Here’s How to Adapt Shoppers are expected to spend less than they did last year, but some smart promotions can help you earn their dollars. Photo: Getty Images   This holiday season, it’s all about quality over quantity–and flexibility over everything else.   Shoppers are pulling back … Continued

Win More Customers by Avoiding These 7 Questions

October 26, 2022

Win More Customers by Avoiding These 7 Questions While there are a lot of right things to say during a sales conversation, there are also wrong things that could turn a potential customer away. Photo: Getty Images   Sales calls can be high-pressure situations for a sales rep, as it can be difficult to hit … Continued

Solving the “Purpose Gap” between Executives and Workers

October 26, 2022

Solving the “Purpose Gap” between Executives and Workers There is a growing distance between how employees and top executives feel purpose is being activated inside America’s largest companies, according to a new study. Photo: Getty Images   The Purpose Power Index is a first-of-its-kind research study to empirically rank companies based on public perception of … Continued

6 Super Effective Ways to Show Your Emotional Intelligence at Work

October 26, 2022

6 Super Effective Ways to Show Your Emotional Intelligence at Work When it comes to work effectiveness, emotional intelligence can matter as much, if not more, than IQ. Photo: Getty Images   In the Future of Jobs Report, which the World Economic Forum published in 2015, chief human resources officers from global companies were asked what they … Continued

No Matter Your Company’s Size, Customers Will Hold You Accountable for Ethical Lapses

October 25, 2022

Survey: No Matter Your Company’s Size, Customers Will Hold You Accountable for Ethical Lapses A new report from ‘Harvard Business Review’ shows how a company’s perceived ethical violations can impact public opinion. Photo: Getty Images   Companies of all sizes have a responsibility to do the right thing–according to their customers, at least.   When … Continued

3 Tips for Improving Team Productivity in Hybrid and Remote Workplaces

October 25, 2022

3 Tips for Improving Team Productivity in Hybrid and Remote Workplaces Psychological safety is a critical factor in removing obstacles that hold back teamwork. Photo: Getty Images   Improving team participation is a constant challenge for leaders, whether people are working together in the office or remotely. Many teams can suffer from “domination by the few,” where several … Continued

If Shoppers Pull Back, It’s Time to Target Premium Buyers

October 25, 2022

If Shoppers Pull Back, It’s Time to Target Premium Buyers Budget retailers tend to benefit when the economy hits a rough patch. But there’s also something to be said for re-targeting a higher-end audience. Photo: Getty Images   As shoppers cut back on unnecessary expenses, some businesses are promoting their higher-priced goods and services. And no, that’s … Continued

How to Humanize a Brand

October 25, 2022

How to Humanize a Brand: 15 Best Tips for Humanizing Your Voice What’s the one thing business owners and their employees, partners and even customers all have in common? Well, at the most basic level, they’re all human. So why is it sometimes so challenging for businesses to showcase this in their marketing efforts? Perhaps … Continued

Sunday Scaries

August 17, 2022

Sunday Scaries: How they stole half the weekend and what you can do about it Have you ever found yourself reaching for the perfect, ripe tomato at your local Sunday farmers market, smiling and blissful, only to get hit with a sudden sense of impending doom out of nowhere? No, it’s not a bad piece … Continued

It’s Time To Rethink ‘Best Practices’

August 17, 2022

 It’s Time To Rethink ‘Best Practices’ Best practices may be ingrained in your organization, but they may also be limiting your company’s potential. Adam Grant. Photo: Getty Images   Almost everyone is thinking about the future of work and the new tools businesses will use. But less thought is given to the tools and strategies they’ll stop using.   … Continued

5 Rare Strategies to Successfully Lead a Company During Tough Times

August 17, 2022

5 Rare Strategies to Successfully Lead a Company During Tough Times Here’s how to safeguard the workplace from becoming toxic. Photo: Getty Images   A global pandemic, racial riots, the Great Resignation, the spread of gun violence, and now inflation and a recession. We have been caught in a cycle of uncertainty and upheaval for over two years … Continued

The Labor Shortage Is Only Set to Grow

August 17, 2022

The Labor Shortage Is Only Set to Grow. These Companies Think Apprenticeships Are the Answer Employers are struggling to find the skilled workers they need. Paid, on-the-job training could transform the workforce for good.  The team at Multiverse. Photo: Courtesy Multiverse   White collar industries are just starting to embrace the apprenticeship–and some businesses say it’s the future of … Continued

What Gen-Z Wants From Employers

August 17, 2022

What Gen-Z Wants From Employers: Skip the Flexibility, Bring on the Career Mobility Employers are struggling to find the skilled workers they need. Paid, on-the-job training could transform the workforce for good.  Photo: Getty Images   Money talks, but for some employees, it isn’t everything. In fact, some workers would be willing to take pay … Continued

5 Tips for How Your Business Can Help Save the Planet

August 17, 2022

 Seth Godin’s 5 Tips for How Your Business Can Help Save the Planet The marketing mind behind the purple cow takes on climate change in the new book, ‘The Carbon Almanac: It’s Not Too Late.’ Illustration: Raymond Biesinger   Seth Godin doesn’t care about your company’s coffee habits, at least not as they relate to saving … Continued

What role does social media play in the shopper journey?

August 17, 2022

What role does social media play in the shopper journey? Online shopping has become the norm. But how are consumers using social media throughout the shopping process? Social media and the shopper journey  While shopping behaviors have been steadily transforming for decades, the past two years sped up the rate of change exponentially. Not only … Continued