by Lea Strickland | Oct 11, 2025 | Business Articles, Capability, Operations
In every organization, there’s a pivotal figure who thrives in the chaos of daily operations, resolving crises, untangling knots, and ensuring the business stays on track. Meet the Manager of Operational Messes, or Company M.O.M.℠ Though the name carries a playful...
by Lea Strickland | Oct 7, 2025 | Business Articles, Human Resources, Uncategorized
Quiet quitting refers to employees doing the bare minimum without fully committing to their roles. Despite media reports, this is not a new phenomenon. It’s a recurring response to workplace dissatisfaction that has persisted across decades. From the corporate...
by Lea Strickland | Oct 2, 2025 | Business Ownership, Small Business
A few months ago, I had a conversation that has stayed with me and serves as a powerful reminder of why business continuity planning—and specifically keyman insurance—cannot be overlooked. Real Life Example I was talking with a small business owner in his early 30s....
by Lea Strickland | Oct 2, 2025 | Business Growth, Customer Relationships, Small Business
Customer retention is the backbone of sustainable growth for small businesses. Keeping existing customers engaged is not only more cost-effective than acquiring new ones, but it also boosts profitability—studies show that a 5% increase in retention can lift profits by...
by Lea Strickland | Oct 2, 2025 | Budgets and Financial Tools, Opportunity, Results
Strategies to Analyze, Plan, and Thrive into 2026 As the final quarter of 2025 begins, businesses face a critical inflection point: the opportunity to solidify year-end results while laying the groundwork for long-term success in 2026. The closing months of any year...
by Lea Strickland | Oct 2, 2025 | Budgets and Financial Tools, Cash Management
Laying the Foundation You’ve built the framework of your business, structure, operations, and plans. Now, it’s time to pin down the details. Your operational plans serve as the backbone for your budget and forecasting financial needs, including both...
by Lea Strickland | Sep 30, 2025 | Business Articles, Business Management, Operations, Small Business
The Two TOCs You Need to Understand In the face of global disruptions, rising tariffs, and an evolving economic landscape, American manufacturers and small businesses are rethinking their supply chain strategies. At the center of this transformation are two critical...
by Lea Strickland | Sep 25, 2025 | Business Articles, Leadership, Small Business, Strategy
Companies today face the challenge of selling products or services while standing for something. Many businesses adopt core values such as patriotism, “America First,” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), social justice, and environmental...
by Lea Strickland | Sep 18, 2025 | Business Articles, Customer, Marketing, Sales and Business Development, Opportunity
Open for Business: Don’t Start Without a Map Too often, new entrepreneurs fall into the trap of the “Field of Dreams” mindset: Build it, and they will come. It’s a romantic vision that fails the test of economic reality. Opening the doors without a clear plan, a...
by Lea Strickland | Sep 9, 2025 | Business Articles, Business Management, Business Ownership, Results, Uncategorized
We often hear the term “metrics” tossed around in the business world, but what does it mean for your business? More importantly, why should you care about it? The simple truth is that metrics are more than just numbers. They are the compass points that...
