Mark Silverman made a full-court press to embrace his critics and build a better Big Ten Network
Mark Silverman has fond memories of Sept. 1, 2007, the day Big Ten Network went live to TV viewers for the first time. “We had been working nonstop to get the network ready,” Silverman says. “I started in December (2006), and most people didn’t come on board until April and May 2007. Flipping the switch, […]
How the JOBS Act has created funding opportunities for small businesses
The JOBS Act, passed in 2012, changed rules to make it easier for small businesses to secure funding from investors. “The Securities and Exchange Commission actually has three initiatives related to the JOBS Act. Crowdfunding has received most of the attention, but the SEC also amended Regulation D to allow small businesses to use general […]
Rob Dongoski: Why companies are stronger when they get their CFOs engaged
With margin pressures, cost reductions and ongoing economic uncertainty on most corporate agendas, a company’s supply chain has become a key driver of growth. The relationship between the supply chain and senior finance leaders is more important than ever as C-suite executives work to build a cost-effective operating model. Yet, in “Partnering for Performance: CFO […]
Are you and your employees ready for retirement?
Employers are trying to encourage their employees to save more for retirement, but the numbers aren’t in plan sponsors’ favor. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010 census, 73 percent of our population will struggle financially during retirement. Why are employers so interested in employee plan participation? Discrimination testing plan sponsors must go through has […]
Jay Colker: How building a more cohesive team can exceed the sum of its parts
Not long ago, I co-facilitated a World Café discussion at which a group of 50 leaders, consultants and students in organizational development brainstormed answers to two critical questions about a multigenerational workforce: ■ How do you motivate a workforce composed of several generations? ■ How do you develop and prepare the workforce for the challenges […]
Nikolaus Kimla: Three points to consider when shaping your sales strategy
This is an important question when it comes to any opportunity in sales strategies: Is the deal worth winning? In the early days of a business, it may seem that any opportunity is worth pursuing. In the long run, that may have been true. While profit is the senior goal, so is credibility and having […]
Deborah Sweeney: What you need to know when your company screws up
Few brands have forgotten about the waves created by the 2009 debut of “United Breaks Guitars.” The video was made by musician Dave Carroll who was upset about United Airlines breaking his guitar on a flight from Chicago to Omaha, Neb. When it went viral, it cost the airline countless customers. How many customers? The […]
Andrew Outcalt: A workforce that can wear many hats helps smooth out the ups and downs of business cycles
All businesses today have to weather the good times and bad times. How you approach managing up and down cycles has a direct impact on employee morale, productivity, retention and your bottom line. Employees are the heart of any vibrant, continuously improving organization. When sales and profits are down, they worry about job security and […]
Jerry Frantz: While the number of startups grows, the investment capital pool is lagging
The buzz about entrepreneurship continues to explode nationally — today, there are more than 1,200 incubators, 200 accelerators and 450 crowdfunding platforms available across the country to help young companies grow. Also in the mix are networking, training and support programs such as 1 Million Cups, Venture For America and Startup Weekend. Higher education is […]
How to capitalize on the need for speed with your business technology
Cloud technologies have transformed the playing field for small and midsize businesses, largely because of their flexibility. Organizations have the ability to quickly and painlessly ramp up their services when they need something more. “Using their Internet connection, they can harness the power — and reap the rewards — of applications traditionally available only to […]