The Will to Win … Northeast Ohio's Smart 50
Introducing the leaders of the region’s Smart 50 companies presented by Corporate College Cuyahoga Community College, a member of the League for Innovation in the Community College, is a nationally-recognized leader in higher education; as a result, developing innovative training solutions for the business community that make a difference is embedded in the culture of […]
Nature or nurture? How EY decoded the DNA of the entrepreneur
Despite their vital role in the global economy, entrepreneurs are often misunderstood. “By developing new businesses, they create jobs, increase economic activity and drive innovation,” explains Maria T. Pinelli, global vice chair, Strategic Growth Markets, EY. Yet, she says, decades of academic research into the topic have produced no universal definition of entrepreneurship, and no […]
MCO open enrollment ongoing through May
A GUIDE TO OPEN ENROLLMENT It happens every other year as the weather gets warmer and the summer months approach. But it doesn’t have anything to do with April showers or May flowers — it’s the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s MCO open-enrollment period. This is the biennial time in which employers can choose to […]
Why it might not be a bad idea to look outside of your industry when you make that next big hire
In this month’s issue of Smart Business Los Angeles, we learn about Tommy Skinner’s desire to transform the logistics industry. Here are some of his thoughts on how you find the people that can help you drive big changes. Tommy Skinner wants to build a business that transforms the way people think of logistics. […]
John Myers: A letter to startups
Dear entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial support in Northeast Ohio has come a long way since I first got involved with the Akron Regional CHange Angel in 2005. Back then, the term entrepreneur, and all its variations, was just beginning to be used to describe startup companies and their drivers, long before reaching the nauseating overuse of […]
What good leaders have the willingness to do when they know they aren’t the best person to handle a problem
We spoke with EY’s Rick Fezell back in February about transitioning to his new leadership post in Chicago. Here’s a little more from that conversation as Rick talks about the value of asking for help – even when you’re the leader. When Rick Fezell became the new managing partner of the Midwest Region for […]
E-commerce: A sea change in retail
Columbus has been very attractive to many West Coast e-retailers that need a presence on the East Coast, like Seattle-based Zulily, says Kenny McDonald, CEO of Columbus 2020. As e-commerce grows, many companies are discovering Columbus works well for their fulfillment centers, even as they struggle to control supply chain costs. “When you’re pulled to […]
How to avoid common customer service mistakes
One of the worst things to say to customers is “no.” Instead of responding that you don’t have a product in stock or provide a service, always provide some other option, says Rick Voigt, president of Today’s Business Products. “If it’s something you don’t sell, suggest an equivalent product. Mention that you have this alternate […]
How recent changes in health care regulations will impact your business
In February, the IRS issued some final regulations relating to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), basically delaying full implementation. One major change was allowing employers with 50 to 99 employees until Jan. 1, 2016, to comply with the mandate to either provide health insurance or pay excise taxes in certain circumstances. “In effect, smaller employers […]
How to have a bilingual organization across communication styles
Many business leaders find themselves asking: “Why can’t it be easier? Why is it so hard for us to make decisions together and get some of the simplest things done?” Whether your company is a professional firm, family-owned business or manufacturer, people with different communication styles can get tied into knots working together. That in […]