There’s danger in putting all your eggs in one basket
It takes a lot of effort to retool an organization, and doing so is not without risk, but the payoff could be transformative.
Big goals are reached after taking many little steps
On your way to doing big things with your company, remember it’s all the little steps that get you there.
As more things change, some things must stay the same
Change in a business is inevitable. The market is seemingly being reshaped daily by innovations and disruptions, driving some businesses to entirely rethink how they deliver services.
Stop settling for good. Chase great.
Innovation takes consistent effort. And as leaders, that responsibility falls on us.
The more important the person, the faster the response
There is little reason to believe that internet communications will be reduced in the future. Therefore, managing your workload, minimizing anxiety, and striving for a pristine and uncluttered inbox reflect a day’s work well done.
Gauge your success by how much you can give
Rather than asking how much you should donate, ask how much you really need to keep. Sometimes just a small gift makes a big difference to someone in need.
Measure twice, but only cut once
Learn from these near-heart-stopping fumbles and always proofread three times, the last time aloud before pressing the send key.
Why your budget should include a line for outside advisers
Those who have been in business for a while should be able to sort out the good consultants from the bad. And if you’d like an outside opinion on that, talk with your peers or professional advisers, who will most likely have a name or two to get you started.
Work for the best, prepare for the worst and question overly friendly watchdogs
Success is a balancing act of being a skeptical optimist, preparing for the worst while working unwaveringly for the best.
The importance of being teachable and open to new perspectives
While your past wins may give you confidence, your future success depends on a perspective that’s broad enough to avoid blind spots.
How to enhance your reputation and polish your image
There is nothing egomaniacal or inappropriate about letting others know what you do. This applies to everyone from a newbie manager to an entrenched CEO. I’m not suggesting shameless self-promotion or gratuitous boast-and-brag assertions about yourself that only a mother would care about, and even that’s iffy. Instead, I’m recommending substantive communications, which are the […]
Terminating employees is not easy and should never be
When discharges are done with an emphasis on empathy, you’ll likely be able to sleep through the night knowing that you did the right thing, for the right reasons, in the right way.
Gratitude from the top
Don’t ignore the unsung, everyday contributors in your company
Can nice guys finish first?
Good sportsmanship teaches that every CEO, business leader, politician or government bureaucrat must lead through day-to-day actions, not just words.
Personal and business vows are easy to make but hard to keep
If only personal/marriage relationship issues could be solved like business disagreements, many honeymoons might continue.
Planning is necessary, but so is the flexibility to react to the unexpected
Business leaders do a lot of planning — looking ahead at possibilities and obstacles, setting goals and creating contingencies. But sometimes the unexpected happens.
A timeout can make the difference between success and failure
Companies must always be ready and set to act. Still, they can’t neglect the final steps of stopping, thinking, and studying outcomes to avoid failure.
Give yourself the tools to optimize your performance
You’re not an ordinary person. Don’t rely on ordinary means to perform at your best.
Market challenges increase value of automation solutions
Blue Technologies’ Curtis Verhoff on how automation is helping companies do more with less.
How Chris Gorman led KeyBank to record-setting growth during the pandemic
Chris Gorman led KeyBank through tough times to emerge stronger and better prepared for the rapid changes facing the industry. Here’s how he did it.
Get a grip and have a plan!
It’s 3 a.m., and your mind is racing as you ponder your worst fears.
Count the cost
Before speaking, or choosing not to speak, count the cost.
How to break a promise and retain credibility
When you’re wrong, admit it and turn the page
How to prevent fraud for business accounts
First Federal Lakewood’s Alix Kaufmann on how businesses can combat scammers.
Complacency: enemy of our soul
When you lose discipline in your life, your potential is limited
Try it before you buy it
What do ice cream shops, online entertainment streaming services, and car dealers all have in common?
Be an ex-billionaire
Gauge your success by how much you can give.
The importance of options
It takes a lot of effort to retool an organization, and doing so is not without risk, but the payoff could be transformative.
Get out of your office and get connected
Today’s CEOs should see themselves as the hub of many spokes, connected to a community of ideas that could unlock tremendous growth.
Why a real estate broker is such a valuable asset
Cushman & Wakefield/CRESCO Real Estate’s Simon Caplan lays out the benefits of using a real estate broker.
How automation is helping companies big and small
Clark Schaefer Hackett’s Glenn Plunkett examines how businesses are using automation and custom software development to overcome current business challenges.
Dave’s Markets connects with communities to grow together
Dave’s Markets and its five generations of the family in the business grow by learning from their customers and embedding themselves into the communities they serve.
How corporate philanthropy builds a better workplace culture
The commitment to community is a good lesson in life, and it feels good to be part of — it makes leaders feel good to give, and it makes employees feel good to be a part of it.
3 hard truths about today’s biggest HR challenge
Effective recruiting remains vital as small businesses struggle with the labor shortage. For now, the best approach is to focus on the hard truths to make small businesses more competitive and attractive to job seekers.
Procrastination and these famous last words can lead to bigger troubles
Playing possum by pretending a problem isn’t a problem and waiting too long to fix the issue can lead to far more trouble than simply facing reality and cutting your losses.
Meet the 2021 Smart Women Award honorees
2021 Smart Women Breakfast & Awards celebrates some of our community’s most committed and accomplished women, and champions of women’s leadership.
Cascade Capital Corporation 2021 Business Growth Awards
22 outstanding companies that fortify the strength of our regional economy
J. David Heller’s team of A+ players makes it happen for The NRP Group
The NRP Group, before it was The NRP Group, was essentially two people: J. David Heller and Alan F. Scott. Heller was approached, at the age of 28, by a local neighborhood nonprofit in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland that wanted to develop a project to serve the residents of its community. Heller and Scott […]
Eric Schnur empowers Lubrizol to support those on the front lines of the pandemic
How Lubrizol Corp.’s Eric Schnur stabilized the company while positioning it to protect those serving on the front lines in this global COVID-19 pandemic.