How being a 'fintech' CEO has surprised me

Financial technology is nothing new, but the relatively recent addition of “fintech” to our corporate lexicon not only added some sex appeal to the space, it also spawned some misconceptions about what the industry’s all about.

How to find the 'secret sauce' for building a great restaurant franchise

All leading franchises have solid infrastructure. They have a rigorous business model, strong management team, and sound financial strategy. They select, train, and support the right franchisees. Because they run such consistent operations, consumers understand the business and what it stands for.

Data: A path to value, action

Cows, combines and cars have a lot more in common than you might think. In Chicago and across the Midwest, they’re at the heart of some of the biggest companies doing business here. Businesses located in this region share more than just geography — they’re collecting masses of data. Some of that data comes from […]

Take these steps to maximizing meeting and event ROI

Are you maximizing the ROI for your meetings and events?
A Google search shows thousands of articles on the importance of calculating meeting and event ROI, however, there is little guidance on how to improve event effectiveness.

Seven ways to ensure that you’re understood when you speak

Those who have developed or grown up in an environment where a specific concept is the norm must remember that communication fails without a base understanding. Effective communication requires that one never assumes that the listener listens from the same mental place from which the speaker speaks.