Paul Hammes: How to plan early, plan rigorously and achieve divestiture success
However, companies taking a “wait-and-see” approach to deal-making as economic uncertainty persists, may be missing out on growth and value opportunities. Many companies have looked to divestments to offset cash and credit challenges and to free up capital to drive growth. But this short-term thinking is shifting as companies plan for the long term and […]
Bruce Leon needed leaders at Tandem HR who were ready to tackle any challenge they faced
Bruce Leon has seen managers who work 12 to 13 hours every day who are not shy about telling others how overworked they are in their job. He’s also looked deeper into the way some of those managers spend their day. “When you really dive into it, they are doing the same things all the […]
Energy and the future: How planning now is the key to tapping into endless opportunities ahead
Looking to the future, every business can benefit by seeing what the trends are in the energy market and how those trends ultimately may affect business. As societies advance, they will continue to need energy to power homes, business, industry, transportation and other services. By assessing the trends in energy supply, demand and technology, companies […]
Angie’s List passes 2 million subscribers and Angie Hicks credits authentic reviews
Angie Hicks is pleased to note that new categories get created all the time on the eponymous website Angie’s List, where consumers go to find reliable and recommended local service professionals in fields from home improvement to health care. In fact, she lists one category that is particularly representative. “There are categories today where services […]
How to take ERM beyond risk identification and assessment
Social, technological and political changes, a global business environment and evolving regulatory demands have put increased emphasis on organizations to proactively identify and treat risks that impact their performance and even their survival. Yet efforts to initiate enterprise risk management (ERM) programs often result only in frustration. “In many cases, ERM has consisted of creating […]
Deborah Sweeney: Three things to keep in mind before you try to raise capital for your business
Your ability to attract investments can make or break your business. Extra capital allows companies to expand their operations and find new customers. Most business owners do eventually reach the point where they need some sort of outside investment — whether it’s from family, a bank or an actual investor — to help them make […]
Joe Takash: Four tips on how to have a productive confrontation with your boss
Art was 58 when he realized that his company might have passed him by. He had been with the same employer for 35 years. He still loved the business, enjoyed the young up-and-comers and genuinely respected his boss. Yet, he did not feel like as valuable of a contributor to his company as he was […]
Fred Koury: Establish benchmarks to guide your company to success
As businesspeople, we have a fiduciary responsibility to ourselves and to our companies to measure the investments we make. Investments include acquisitions, funding new expansion initiatives, inventory, office space, equipment, even employees. Too often, we don’t have benchmarks in place to really measure the return on these investments. Jack Welch, the former CEO of General […]
Tony Little: How staying grounded will move you forward
In his autobiography, famed filmmaker Frank Capra wrote, “If you have to think about it, forget it.” The idea that one’s gut instincts were the best guide to success certainly served the man who made such timeless classics as “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” I’m a firm believer in that […]
Patrick Hiller: How to get ROI by creating a great place to work
“On Point” by Patrick Hiller For the second year in a row, Abacus Solutions has won a workplace award, and I’d like to tell you that it was the result of a very detailed plan — but it wasn’t. It started with a simple premise of respect and teamwork. Along the way, we learned specific […]