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 […]
The risks of out-of-state liability when doing business over the Internet
You run an Illinois-based business that sells products to customers in your retail stores in the state and online through your website. Although your company has no physical presence outside of Illinois, one of your online customers recently filed a consumer fraud action in Alaska against your business. Do you need to expend the time […]
How your employees can become better health care consumers
Most employers announce annual enrollment for health care benefit plans, give employees two weeks to decide which plan to enroll in, and then expect them to understand how the program works for the balance of the year, says Robert J. Dorsey, Vice President of Consulting at Benefitdecisions, Inc. Open enrollment is no longer just an […]
What your business needs to stay on top of changes in health care reform
Is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) working? That may depend on your political point of view, but based strictly on the numbers, it appears to be a success. About 8 million people have signed up for private insurance in the Health Insurance Marketplace thus far and as of February, another 3 million were enrolled with Medi-Cal, […]
Why today’s workforce needs liberal arts educated critical thinkers
Critical thinking is a major component of business for innovation, product services, manufacturing processes, business models and more, which all create value for customers. As a matter of fact, in a survey conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, nearly all employer respondents said a demonstrated capacity for thinking critically is more important […]
How to consider what you’ll leave behind with a family-owned business
When you run a family business, you must make sure you’re considering the legacy you’ll leave behind for your children. That’s something Betty Uribe, Ed.D., Executive Vice President at California Bank & Trust, has firsthand experience with. She inherited a South American transportation business from her father, which she ran for several years from California […]
Sue Parks: Why you owe it to your team to help them be healthier
Are your employees on drugs? The answer: half of them are. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 percent of Americans use one or more prescription drugs. One out of 10 Americans uses five or more. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief says cholesterol and pain medications are popular […]
Ronald Burr: Why the ability to adapt as your needs change can have a big impact on your culture
Knowing how to recruit the best talent is one mark of a good CEO, but a truly great leader will also understand how to shift staffing gears to accommodate company growth. As your company grows and evolves, staffing does, too. The talent you may require and attract when building a bootstrapped startup differs from that […]