Kirk Zehnder is making Earnest Machine a stronger company
When it comes to running a family business, some decisions can mean the difference between running the company for a few years before selling it and keeping the business in the family for generations. Kirk Zehnder stood at that crossroads a few years ago with Earnest Machine, and it took some critical decisions to find […]
Robert Peterson is working to make Corporate College a better training provider
Unlike most college campus presidents, Robert Peterson doesn’t have a background in academia. He’s spent more than 30 years in the private sector working for Squire Sanders, EY, Park Corp. and I-X Center Corp. When Corporate College, a division of Cuyahoga Community College, went looking for a new president in 2012, however, that’s exactly the […]
November Cleveland Deals Page – Acquisition resurgence
Corporate acquisition activity is seeing a resurgence, signaling optimism for an uptick in the M&A market. Year-to-date, aggregate deal value exceeded the comparable period last year by more than 40 percent, supported by a solid flow of large cap deals, with September reining in Verizon-Vodafone and marking the second largest M&A deal on record. The […]
Matthew Figgie and Rick Solon: Redesigning a product for profit
Company executives are always seeking ways to grow their businesses and increase profitability. Sometimes, brand-new products and services are needed to drive growth. Looking at improving existing products or services, however, is often the best approach. Redesigning them, even with a minor change in materials, process or labor, can lower costs and improve quality, which […]
Andy Kanefield: How you can allow your employees to be better innovators
Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity. — Michael Porter Innovation is on the lips of almost every business leader in the U.S. and probably the world. Each of us loves those moments when, like Archimedes, we can cry out that we’ve solved a vexing problem. In addition, government leaders are also focused on […]
Leslie Braksick: The absence of clear boundaries can lead to inconsistency, confusion, chaos
I grew up in the Northeast, where the year had two seasons: winter and construction. Here in the mid-Atlantic, we have five seasons: fall, winter, spring, summer and a fifth I have come to know as repainting the lines. Repainting the lines comes as predictably as the other seasons, and it happens every August, […]
A responsible sporting event
The Summit of Sustainability Awards Winner, NonProfit CategoryThe Akron Marathon The efforts of the Akron Marathon to become an environmentally responsible sporting event since it started a recycling plan in 2008 have shown impressive gains each year. The first year, a quarter ton of material was diverted from the landfill and sent to be […]
Dale Elwell: How to be outstanding at shopper marketing
Imagine a potential customer walking into a retailer such as an automotive parts store, home improvement center, etc. Now, the customer walks in the door feeling excited, anxious and a bit overwhelmed by the bombardment of information. He or she may need guidance from an associate to help make sense of it all in order […]
What to do if you’re under a public, verbal attack
Deny, deny, deny; fall, tuck and roll; or put your head in the sand? The quick answer to this headline is none of the above. A leader, by definition, must do exactly that — lead, which means being in front of a variety of audiences, including employees, investors and customers. Not everyone is going […]
Alaina Macia didn’t lose sight of the core product at MTM Inc. when looking for new opportunities
Alaina Macia didn’t lose sight of the core product at MTM Inc. when looking for new opportunities