Introduction The pace of business is unrelenting; new technologies, shifting customer expectations, and global uncertainties demand financial systems that not only scale but also adapt proactively. Building on Scaling Smart: Advancing Financial Systems for Long-Term...

With July 1, 2025, just days away, businesses nationwide are preparing for a surge of minimum wage increases across states, cities, and counties. These changes are not uniform. Rates and requirements vary widely by location, and companies operating in multiple jurisdictions face heightened compliance risks and administrative burdens.

Wolf packs, with their cooperative family-based structures, offer profound insights into effective leadership and management. But what happens when an unprepared wolf, say, a young “gamma” or mid-ranking member, is thrust into a leadership role it’s not ready for? In human organizations, placing an ill-equipped individual in a leadership position can mirror this scenario, leading to dysfunction, mistrust, and failure.

Your board of directors is more than a formality. It’s a strategic powerhouse. A strong board drives growth, ensures accountability, and safeguards your business’s future.

Our previous exploration of Dilbert revealed valuable lessons for navigating corporate life, including how to tackle bureaucracy, survive office politics, and maintain sanity. Scott Adams’ satirical strip continues to resonate, capturing universal truths about the workplace. This follow-up delves deeper into subtler dynamics, offering more lessons for thriving in the cubicle jungle.

Scott Adams’ Dilbert has always been one of my favorite comic strips. The comic strip has been a staple of workplace humor since 1989, offering a satirical take on the absurdities of corporate life. I have to admit that when I read it for the first time, I was sure that Scott Adams worked in the next cubicle! I would see everyone (including my managers) posting the paper strip on their cubicle walls. Yet, they didn’t recognize themselves. Through characters like Dilbert, the everyman engineer; Dogbert, the cynical consultant; and the Pointy-Haired Boss, the epitome of managerial incompetence, the strip delivers sharp commentary on office dynamics, bureaucracy, and human behavior.

Wolf packs have long captivated our imagination, often portrayed as rigid hierarchies led by a dominant "alpha" who rules through strength and intimidation. However, modern research into wild wolf packs reveals a more nuanced and cooperative structure rooted in family...

Emotions are an essential aspect of everything we do. They are what make us human. They are what enable us to temper our behaviors, to have both empathy and sympathy. They can also be what causes us to cling to a single person in our company at the expense of the viability of our business.

Common sense in leadership involves making sound decisions based on shared knowledge, experience, and reasoning, such as addressing team burnout or prioritizing core goals. However, modern challenges erode this ability.

Introduction The concept of "teamship" emphasizes collective collaboration, mutual accountability, and shared purpose within a team. Unlike traditional hierarchical models, teamship fosters a culture where every member contributes to decision-making and goal...

Organizational performance requires the company to align resources with objectives. Diagnosing organizational issues starts with an internal assessment and must include customer feedback.

By focusing on financial flexibility, operational excellence, and cultural strength, you create a business that doesn’t just survive change—it leads through it. By recognizing you need the right people and a plan, you are already on the road to strengthening your business. You need agility.

That biotech CEO didn’t just resolve a challenge; they redefined their industry’s potential, proving that profit and purpose can thrive together. To quote Peter Drucker, who said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” In 2025, you have the tools, foundations, donations, and PBCs to create a future where your corporation excels financially and socially. Lead with profit, embrace purpose, and set a new standard for success.

Have you ever wondered what makes a business tick? Like Dorothy when she pulled back the curtain in The Wizard of Oz, peering behind the scenes reveals the actual mechanics of how businesses operate.

Balancing short-term performance with long-term growth requires aligned incentives, strategic foresight, and stakeholder engagement. Executives can drive sustainable success in a competitive landscape by fostering a culture that values both immediate results and future potential.

Introduction The concept of "teamship" emphasizes collective collaboration, mutual accountability, and shared purpose within a team. Unlike traditional hierarchical models, teamship fosters a culture where every member contributes to decision-making and goal...

Acme Contract Manufacturing (a pseudonym to protect the company’s identity), a division of a publicly traded industrial conglomerate, is grappling with a severe operational and financial crisis. The company’s mismanagement of inventory, coupled with incompetent leadership and fraudulent financial reporting, has led to a situation where excess and obsolete inventory far exceeds the components needed to produce current products.

Leadership that reshapes the world demands courage, decisiveness, and an unrelenting commitment to action. This article distills key lessons from that era, focusing on strategies that any leader can apply to inspire, disrupt, and achieve transformative results.

CEOs must navigate uncertainty with resilience and adaptability in this era of rapid change, marked by economic volatility, technological disruption, and global crises. Effective crisis management distinguishes exceptional leaders and ensures organizational stability...

The US manufacturing renaissance offers big opportunities for SMEs. Develop your plan, specialize in niches, use smart tech, stay agile, tap the government for help, build relationships, get funding, act fast, research manufacturers, boost capabilities, network now, connect with MEP centers, update your website, and attend industry events. SMEs with bold moves will win.

The marketing mix — product, price, promotion, and placement —serve as the core drivers of revenue and profit. These four pillars, often referred to as the 4 Ps, provide a strategic framework for understanding how a business can effectively position itself in the market, meet customer needs, and achieve optimal financial outcomes. When executed well, these pillars create a unified strategy that attracts customers, drives sales, and enhances profitability.

Reshoring and onshoring of manufacturing and technology are more than economic buzzwords; they are strategic imperatives. As global instability, supply chain disruptions, and national security concerns continue to rise, the United States must rebuild its industrial base and technological independence. This shift presents substantial opportunities for American small businesses and entrepreneurs to drive innovation, bolster domestic production, and foster long-term economic resilience.

US tariffs, global supply chain risks, and other factors are driving onshoring and reshoring of manufacturing. Manufacturers seeking suppliers are looking for financially stable, capable, local SME manufacturers.

Did you know branding originated as a practical method for farmers to mark livestock with unique symbols (logo) to indicate ownership and prevent theft? Over time, this concept evolved beyond agriculture, as craftsmen began using distinctive marks to signify the...

Boeing, a cornerstone of the global aerospace industry, has faced significant challenges in recent years that have tarnished its reputation and strained its operations. The path forward demands a return to engineering excellence, strategic contract management, and transparent communication to restore confidence among customers, regulators, and the public.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is updating data-sharing rules (public access) to its funded research. Researchers must quickly share everything from datasets to protocols in public repositories. This bold step, tied to the NIH's $47 billion budget, aims to...

Trump's tariffs and economic strategy have refashioned the global trade landscape. These tariffs have sent ripples (and, for some, tsunami-like waves) through markets, creating challenges and opportunities. For U.S. businesses, small and large, these tariffs level the...

“If you find yourself weak in persistence, surround yourself with a mastermind group.” Napoleon Hill Why You Need a Facilitated Mastermind Group Business owners, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs have a lot of demands on their time, and this leads to stress. Stress...

The Nature of Coyotes If asked, you would probably express a negative view of coyotes. However, coyotes have many admirable characteristics. Most notably, the coyote can adapt to thrive in most environments and habitats. We can learn a lot from the coyote and apply...

These days the term “organic” seems ubiquitous.  Organic has come to mean more than the traditional dictionary definition. In this instance, I want to talk about organic growth as it relates to a natural process that is without direct intervention or influence....

Introduction The pace of business is unrelenting; new technologies, shifting customer expectations, and global uncertainties demand financial systems that not only scale but also adapt proactively. Building on Scaling Smart: Advancing Financial Systems for Long-Term...

Organizational performance requires the company to align resources with objectives. Diagnosing organizational issues starts with an internal assessment and must include customer feedback.

companies of all sizes have historically relied on their workforce to remain competitive. However, rising compensation and benefit costs have created a dilemma: businesses struggle to afford full-time, permanent employees. Competing in today’s market requires agility but demands strategic financial planning. The challenge has intensified with new overtime eligibility rules—managers earning less than $55,068 (effective as of 2024) are now eligible for overtime pay. This shift has transformed workforce planning into a complex equation balancing financial affordability, capacity, and customer service.

Effective supply chain risk oversight is vital for business growth and survival. By identifying risks, diversifying their supplier base, leveraging technology, and planning for contingencies, businesses can effectively navigate uncertainties. Start today—audit your supply chain, adopt cutting-edge tools, and build a robust oversight framework to thrive.

Global supply chains, outsourcing, and offshoring have become the norm, many businesses are beginning to look closer to home for key operational functions, including customer service, manufacturing, and administrative support.

In business, habits and routines are the foundation of operational efficiency. While routines provide structure, habits make critical tasks effortless, freeing up mental resources for strategic priorities.

That biotech CEO didn’t just resolve a challenge; they redefined their industry’s potential, proving that profit and purpose can thrive together. To quote Peter Drucker, who said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” In 2025, you have the tools, foundations, donations, and PBCs to create a future where your corporation excels financially and socially. Lead with profit, embrace purpose, and set a new standard for success.

Have you ever wondered what makes a business tick? Like Dorothy when she pulled back the curtain in The Wizard of Oz, peering behind the scenes reveals the actual mechanics of how businesses operate.

In business, success hinges not just on a great idea or a talented team but on the processes that govern how work gets done. Well-defined, transparent processes align goals, optimize resources, and drive profitability, while poor or ad hoc processes can lead to inefficiency, financial losses, and missed opportunities. A real-world case study of a government contractor illustrates how flawed business processes can undermine even a seemingly successful organization, and how addressing them can unlock significant gains.

Our previous exploration of Dilbert revealed valuable lessons for navigating corporate life, including how to tackle bureaucracy, survive office politics, and maintain sanity. Scott Adams’ satirical strip continues to resonate, capturing universal truths about the workplace. This follow-up delves deeper into subtler dynamics, offering more lessons for thriving in the cubicle jungle.

companies of all sizes have historically relied on their workforce to remain competitive. However, rising compensation and benefit costs have created a dilemma: businesses struggle to afford full-time, permanent employees. Competing in today’s market requires agility but demands strategic financial planning. The challenge has intensified with new overtime eligibility rules—managers earning less than $55,068 (effective as of 2024) are now eligible for overtime pay. This shift has transformed workforce planning into a complex equation balancing financial affordability, capacity, and customer service.

While you may not have all the answers upfront, asking the right questions and seeking solutions brings you closer to financial success. By understanding the interplay between operational efficiency, cash flow, and profitability, you can forecast, plan, and act to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities. Effective budgeting and forecasting empower businesses to navigate cash shortages, optimize surpluses, and achieve long-term financial stability.

Internal Controls and Financial Oversight When it comes to growing your business, you can't afford to not understand the financial perspective of their business. Whether it is the day-to-day performance, budgets, taxes, or other aspects of accounting for your...

Business danger signs may be ignored or unnoticed, much like a frog in a pot of water on a stove. Yes, I am referring to the experiment involving a frog and a pot of hot water. If you put the frog in the pot and the water is boiling, he hops
out fast! But when you put the frog in a pot of room temperature water and then turn on the heat, it won’t notice the gradual temperature rise and fails to hop out. The gradual temperature rise prevents the frog from recognizing the danger signs.

Goals, particularly sales targets, must align with your organization’s current results, capabilities, resources, and long-term vision. Generic goals fail to account for unique organizational contexts, making personalization critical for sustainable growth.

One of my new clients is launching a brand-new business. This is the first time she has owned a retail business, and the setup of the operations is expensive. The building requires extensive renovations, and the basic equipment will be another huge investment. Then there are the product and staffing costs. For this client, the time from the investment of substantial funds to opening day will be six months, if everything goes perfectly, but it is more likely to be nine months. I have been encouraging her to spend time developing a business plan that includes an understanding of the day-to-day costs of being open, such as inventory costs, labor costs, and the number of clients that can be served per hour, etc. She doesn’t want to “waste time” (her words) on a business plan. She is confident she can figure it out when she gets the doors open.

Business growth is about changing the organization to do more of what is working and less of what isn’t. Furthermore, it is about equipping the organization, the team, and the systems to maximize results while optimally utilizing resources. To ensure business growth,...

What do I do about customers who consistently pay late? Why does it seem that the money flows out faster than it flows in? These are significant questions for every business. Managing the cash flow is critical to a business's viability. The cash flow equation and...

Becoming a profitable business is an objective that most companies seek, both as a stated goal and as a day-to-day objective. Businesses of all sizes and types, industries, and stages all look forward to profitability. However, as the old saying goes, the two...

Where does innovation take place? What drives innovation? Can an environment be created that fosters innovation? If so, can the opposite also be true? Do organizations hinder innovation by how they are structured and how they are managed? Where can the heart of...

Global supply chains, outsourcing, and offshoring have become the norm, many businesses are beginning to look closer to home for key operational functions, including customer service, manufacturing, and administrative support.

Reshoring and onshoring of manufacturing and technology are more than economic buzzwords; they are strategic imperatives. As global instability, supply chain disruptions, and national security concerns continue to rise, the United States must rebuild its industrial base and technological independence. This shift presents substantial opportunities for American small businesses and entrepreneurs to drive innovation, bolster domestic production, and foster long-term economic resilience.

The Challenge of Punctuality A Missed Appointment You set an appointment with a vendor for a meeting via telephone call for 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. At 9:24 a.m., they still haven’t called. You attempt to contact them. You have provided the number they are to call. You...

Did you know branding originated as a practical method for farmers to mark livestock with unique symbols (logo) to indicate ownership and prevent theft? Over time, this concept evolved beyond agriculture, as craftsmen began using distinctive marks to signify the...

Boeing, a cornerstone of the global aerospace industry, has faced significant challenges in recent years that have tarnished its reputation and strained its operations. The path forward demands a return to engineering excellence, strategic contract management, and transparent communication to restore confidence among customers, regulators, and the public.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is updating data-sharing rules (public access) to its funded research. Researchers must quickly share everything from datasets to protocols in public repositories. This bold step, tied to the NIH's $47 billion budget, aims to...

Trump's tariffs and economic strategy have refashioned the global trade landscape. These tariffs have sent ripples (and, for some, tsunami-like waves) through markets, creating challenges and opportunities. For U.S. businesses, small and large, these tariffs level the...

Many organizations and individuals seek to maximize output. However, maximizing output overlooks the importance of results. Output optimization focuses on utilizing the right resource for the task. It is all about the return on investment (time and money). Every business, especially small businesses, needs to understand the difference.

The Nature of Coyotes If asked, you would probably express a negative view of coyotes. However, coyotes have many admirable characteristics. Most notably, the coyote can adapt to thrive in most environments and habitats. We can learn a lot from the coyote and apply...

These days the term “organic” seems ubiquitous.  Organic has come to mean more than the traditional dictionary definition. In this instance, I want to talk about organic growth as it relates to a natural process that is without direct intervention or influence....

Effective supply chain risk oversight is vital for business growth and survival. By identifying risks, diversifying their supplier base, leveraging technology, and planning for contingencies, businesses can effectively navigate uncertainties. Start today—audit your supply chain, adopt cutting-edge tools, and build a robust oversight framework to thrive.

The US manufacturing renaissance offers big opportunities for SMEs. Develop your plan, specialize in niches, use smart tech, stay agile, tap the government for help, build relationships, get funding, act fast, research manufacturers, boost capabilities, network now, connect with MEP centers, update your website, and attend industry events. SMEs with bold moves will win.

The Challenge of Punctuality A Missed Appointment You set an appointment with a vendor for a meeting via telephone call for 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. At 9:24 a.m., they still haven’t called. You attempt to contact them. You have provided the number they are to call. You...

Have you ever noticed the differences in behavior between dogs and cats? I have always had dogs, never cats for pets, until recently. Two years ago my neighbor’s cat decided to live with us (I am told that is not unusual for a cat). In the past two years I have come...

I have to admit: I had a hard time deciding what to title this article. What isn’t hard to do is actually write the article, at least knowing where to start comes easy. Like many businesses, all too often—despite doing the homework of checking out vendors and getting...

Don’t Turn on Sales Without Operational Capability “Vision without capacity is a recipe for collapse, not success.” Several years ago, I received a call from a marketing agency seeking help from a struggling client. Ironically, the issue wasn’t failure—it was success....

GRAB - Gratitude, Resolve, Attitude, Belief For many of us, December is a month of hectic schedules and holiday gatherings, loosening the reins, indulging in the goodies, and skipping the healthier parts of our routines. It is also the time when we make promises to do...

Crazy Ideas and Business Concept Many highly successful businesses have been started on ideas other people thought were crazy.  Many unsuccessful businesses were started as "sure things."  How do you know before you start if your idea is worthwhile?  How do you...

While every business has elements that are unique to it. Every successful business shares common characteristics with other successful businesses. Concept The first element of a successful business is a clear concept of what the business is and does. This concept is...

Show host Lea Strickland shares insights, tips, and steps to successfully starting a new business based on personal and client experiences. Listen Now

Previous articles have focused on giving the business structure and dimension. Those same articles have foreshadowed the requirements for financial projections.   The operational answers and plans that have been a result of previous discussion and exercises are...

In previous articles you have been asked to consider certain aspects of HOW you plan to operate your business, WHERE you want to set up, and WHEN you want to do WHAT. Now it is time to begin adding some dimension to the generalities of your operating assumptions. Have...

Previous articles focused on considering a business of your own, defining the elements, planning for the business, and then developing the business plan. Last month's article ended by asking you to capture some of the questions and answers that you would ask of...

In a previous article, "Planning Your Business," the introduction included the  basic elements to consider when starting your own business. This article delves into differences between “planning your business” and a “business plan.” Business plans presents every...

Three months ago, you were asked to think about the kind of business you wanted. In subsequent articles, you’ve been asked to gather information and understand some of what it takes to get a business started. Now it is time to take that step further and begin to plan...

Are you thinking about [or curious about] starting your own business? Taking the first step is often the hardest, and is arguably the largest step anyone takes in the business world. You, as founder, are ultimately responsible for every aspect – strategic,...

Get Ready - The First Step Is the Biggest! Are you thinking about [or curious about] starting your own business?  Taking the first step is often the hardest, and is arguably the largest step anyone takes in the business world.  You, as founder, are ultimately...

Zohran Mamdani’s democratic mayoral candidate for NYC, New York City, has proposed tax hikes, on individuals and businesses. His platform risks relocation to lower-tax areas, such as Florida, Texas, or nearby suburbs, is a critical concern, with the potential to erode NYC’s tax base and economic vitality [3][7][8]. Would Mamdani’s election as mayor create NYC’s own “Brexit” event?

The US manufacturing renaissance offers big opportunities for SMEs. Develop your plan, specialize in niches, use smart tech, stay agile, tap the government for help, build relationships, get funding, act fast, research manufacturers, boost capabilities, network now, connect with MEP centers, update your website, and attend industry events. SMEs with bold moves will win.

This MBA internship program offers significant value to SBIR/STTR-funded small businesses by providing cost-effective talent and fresh perspectives. However, lacking direct NDAs, clear sharing boundaries, and robust training, the current structure creates unacceptable confidentiality and IP protection risks.

Did you know branding originated as a practical method for farmers to mark livestock with unique symbols (logo) to indicate ownership and prevent theft? Over time, this concept evolved beyond agriculture, as craftsmen began using distinctive marks to signify the...

Choosing where to incorporate your business shapes your legal, financial, and operational future. Each state offers unique advantages and challenges, from Delaware’s legal predictability to Nevada’s low taxes.

The Dexit trend signals a seismic shift in corporate governance. Corporations leaving Delaware challenge every business to rethink incorporation, governance, and costs. Whether you stay in Delaware, explore Nevada, or Texas, proactive planning is critical. Assess your needs, strengthen governance, and engage stakeholders to navigate this evolving landscape. Delaware’s dominance may wane, but your business can thrive with the right strategy.

Effective customer acquisition is the lifeblood of a new business, especially in its early stages. When customers organically discover and buy your products or services, it proves your business is viable. Early wins can mislead you. The real challenge isn’t attracting...

Trump's tariffs and economic strategy have refashioned the global trade landscape. These tariffs have sent ripples (and, for some, tsunami-like waves) through markets, creating challenges and opportunities. For U.S. businesses, small and large, these tariffs level the...

The first year of business is exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time. You're excited about the potential and eager to prove your idea's worth. You may also be simultaneously anxious to be your boss and scared of leading the organization; your money is on the...

Many organizations and individuals seek to maximize output. However, maximizing output overlooks the importance of results. Output optimization focuses on utilizing the right resource for the task. It is all about the return on investment (time and money). Every business, especially small businesses, needs to understand the difference.