Who you know can trump what you know … Being a know-it-all can be self-defeating
Sometimes who you know is much more important than what you know. As an example, although it’s not always fair, being acquainted with a CEO of a non-related company to get your kid a scarce summer job trumps his or her being a genius. Knowing someone who has previously solved a thorny problem also beats […]
In business, loyal customers are paramount to success
Along the way, you will undoubtedly lose customers for a variety of reasons — they go out of business, they discontinue the product or service you were providing, they switch to a competitor. When you can obtain a loyal customer, it’s basically an annuity and an important aspect of growing a business. When pursuing a […]
All in the family / A homecoming can be evidence of what teamwork brings out in a business
The Feast of the Assumption set for Aug. 15 in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood attracts more than 100,000 people, and many families consider it a type of homecoming. As you will find out in this issue’s Uniquely Cleveland feature, there are generations of people coming back to see the old neighborhood and rekindle with family. […]
Why Jett McCandless does not allow CarrierDirect to dwell on mistakes
Jett McCandless helped the company grow to $80 million in revenue and began to accrue all the symbols of wealth. And then in the blink of an eye, he lost it all.
Local resources help keep the region’s economic engine churning
Investment is the driver of success. Investing in education, in home ownership or the market are all ways to build for the future. The same is true of investment in our community. At the Greater Akron Chamber, our Investors — members who contribute at least $2,500 annually to the Chamber’s initiatives — are the backbone […]
Why the divestment of underperforming business units can be a smart play
Today’s business environment is one of continuous change. Amid fast-paced technological innovation, shifting consumer demands and increased investor scrutiny, companies have no room to idly sit by and maintain the status quo. Top priority for executives today is facilitating financial growth and deriving more value from their company. For many businesses, divestments are now a […]
A look at what’s driving businesses to identify more ways to work together
Many businesses want to create and nurture a workplace environment in which both leaders and employees share ideas and work collaboratively to provide a great product or service to customers. Technology is a tool that can serve as an important component to reaching this outcome.
Managing the expansion of your business takes work, guidance through challenges
Growth is something all businesses want to achieve. From an outsider’s perspective, growth is a no brainer — do everything possible to scale your business. Sure, why not? You’re experiencing some success. You’ve talked to your board of directors. You have market demand. You have a plan. But any company going through growth mode knows […]
Five things to keep in mind when evaluating a co-founder
Nine years ago, a few friends who worked together and liked talking e-commerce decided to start a company. That “wolf pack” of four people turned into a company of 250, with more than $40 million in revenue and offices on three continents. While cleverbridge has had a successful run, it has not been without bumps […]
The drive to succeed can drive some right over the edge
Employees are working harder than ever, motivated by any number of factors — ambition, anxiety, necessity, passion. They’re increasingly pushing themselves to the brink of burnout as they strive to excel, or in some cases, just keep up. Americans work an average of 8.8 hours every day, including the weekends, according to 2012 data from […]