Dustin S. Klein: Take a moment to consider the journeys you’re on and what they mean
I recently visited with an entrepreneur whose journey over the past nine years included excitement, challenge, transformation and growth. Brand Castle founder Jimmy Zeilinger and I first crossed paths in 2005 when he and his wife, Andrea, were honored by Smart Business as one of that year’s “Rising Stars.” At the time, Brand Castle was […]
Lise Stewart: Light the flame and carry the torch to retain your family business’ culture
Many people ask me how the new generation of leadership can honor the family legacy and tradition while still putting its own “stamp” on the company culture. This can be particularly difficult today when we have so many generations working in the same place. However, history and tradition form a strong foundation for the company […]
New Goodyear headquarters is where collaborative efforts will open the next chapter
When the new $160 million global headquarters of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. was designed, the themes that would be followed were a far cry from those of the first Goodyear office building. The new headquarters was built based on five themes: Team — One campus optimized for collaboration. Innovation — Market and technology are […]
Leslie W. Braksick: How your company can retain your best and brightest employees
When unwanted attrition happens, the usual reaction is, “Why? Where are they going?” Most organizations use the exit interview to answer these questions. An HR professional meets with the departing person and attempts to learn the good, bad and ugly about why they are leaving. Unfulfilled promises and hopes are revealed as the interviewer shrinks […]
Veteran-owned – Northstar Contracting is on an upward trajectory in Cleveland
Stephen and Pam Coleman finally realized their new company was going to be taken seriously one day in 2009, six months after they had unfairly lost a bid for a critical contract. The Colemans had submitted a proposal for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers job they felt perfectly suited for. Their company, Northstar Contracting, […]
Fred Koury: Set your goal, then relentlessly pursue it
In the sports world, there is a clearly defined champion each year. Every team strives to be the one that finishes on top, but most don’t make it. Many teams have good seasons and might be satisfied with that, but only one is the true No. 1. The question to ask yourself is, what is […]
Are you branding yourself for the future? Elevate your professional exposure
Are you one of many professionals so busy working in your career that you do not have time to work on your career? How much time do you think you spend each day or week facilitating the right level of relationships and exposure to advance your career trajectory? If you are like many professionals, you […]
Davis Young: Be the business leader others will follow by using these tips
Leaders of organizations are role models — either good or bad. If they cut corners, their people will cut corners. If they wink at bad practices, their managers will wink too. If they verbally abuse colleagues, others will follow their lead. If they focus only on today and ignore tomorrow, associates will do the same. […]
Euro-Pro’s Shark products have real suction in the vacuum appliances marketgreg
Few companies today consider the vacuum cleaner market as an area to grow and expand business. That market four or five years ago, however, was very interesting and caught the attention of executives at Euro-Pro Operating LLC, a Newton, Mass.-based pioneer in innovative cleaning solutions and small household appliances. The company looked at the market […]
Beware of red herrings … why an executive must learn to be both a detective and an interpreter
First, a quick refresher. The term red herring is derived from the practice of training hounds to follow a scent, or distracting them with a different smell, during a fox hunt. In a story it can be a clue that leads the reader towards a false impression or conclusion. Not to muddy the waters, but […]