Linda Ames: Five ways to take the sting out of change

1) Your company will continue to experience dynamic change. 2) Your employees will hate it.   Change generally starts this way. After endless strategy sessions, the CEO announces an important change (i.e. merger/acquisition, software implementation, new product rollout, etc.). Employees are told how vital this change is for the company. Facts are laid out. High […]

Suzanne Esber: Why corporate social responsibility can go a long way

Companies that make a commitment to social responsibility can do great things in their community while also yielding tremendous benefits for the business itself, including loyal customers and satisfied employees. In The Civic 50, a study by Bloomberg Businessweek on the country’s most community-minded businesses, 96 percent of the ranked companies reported they were able […]

How to address issues when rezoning properties for a different use

So you want renovate an old warehouse that’s zoned for manufacturing so your office can be part of your city’s urban redevelopment. Before you pull the trigger on that renovation, there’s a lot to consider. Here’s the best way to approach the unique situations that come with urban redevelopment.

Looking for the unknown — To fill your niche, you’ve got to find it first

I’ve been conducting an informal poll. Every time I run across people who feel strongly about living in Columbus, I ask them: “What’s unique about Columbus?” This helps me with our Uniquely Columbus series, which explores the people, places and things that give Columbus its identity. Nearly everyone — you can see my tabulating efforts […]

Joseph James Slawek: Nine keys to building a foundation of trust in your business

I recently had the privilege to meet a fellow business leader who was a great “talker.” He was inspirational, enthusiastic, confident and enjoyable to listen to — but his business was only a modest performer. I began to consider the idea that if talking were enough in the world of leadership, his organization should have […]

How an experienced investigator performs background due diligence

When trying to learn about an individual, many companies turn to online background checks. This could be a mistake, however, as much of the available information may not be fully verified, which is why many businesses turn to a licensed investigator to help provide a more complete and accurate picture. Smart Business spoke with Theresa […]