Blog

I Know We Need a KPI Scorecard… But Where Do I Even Start?

If you’re leading a mid-size manufacturing company, you probably already know a KPI scorecard makes sense. Track performance. Align the team. Improve results. But then the questions creep in:Where do I even begin? How do I make this simple? How do I get everyone—from the receptionist to the machine operator to the 40-year veteran—to care? Here’s the truth: ...
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What If Our Organizations Worked More Like an Octopus?

Rethinking the Pyramid Let me start with a simple question. Why are most organizations still built like pyramids? You know the structure: decisions happen at the top, direction flows downward, and the rest of the organization executes. It’s familiar. It’s orderly. And for a long time, it worked reasonably well. But in a world that moves faster every year, ...
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Are You Building a Business… or Just Running One?

Let’s be real for a minute.Most business owners are busy. Like, *really* busy. You’re answering emails, solving customer problems, tracking inventory, managing your team, and still trying to remember to eat lunch.  Oh and who used the last roll of paper towel?It’s a lot.And while all those tasks are part of keeping things running, they ...
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Accountability and Leadership: Why It Matters and How to Build It

There’s that word…Accountability! Gives a person shivers down their back sometimes. We know we want it – we know we need it – but we do not want to slip into the horror or horrors…..micro-managing. Well if you want your team to succeed, and we know you do, accountability can’t be something you talk about only ...
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How Business Leaders Can Build Trust Through Communication at Work

As the business leader, your leadership sets the tone for your entire workplace culture. While strategy and systems matter, the real heart of a thriving company lies in one thing: trust.Trust isn’t built through company policies. It grows through the everyday communication that happens in meetings, in emails, and in how you respond when challenges ...
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Why Do Organizations Define Their Values?

Ever wonder why every company from the corner coffee shop to a Fortune 500 giant has a list of “core values” on their website? It’s not just fluff. Defined values are a big deal—and they can make or break how an organization functions and feels. Let’s break it down. What Are Core Values, Really? At their core (pun intended), ...
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Why Active Listening Matters

Mastering Active Listening: How to Grow Your Skills for Better Communication

In a world full of distractions and fast-paced conversations, truly listening has become a lost art. Active listening isn’t just about hearing the words someone says—it’s about being fully present, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. Whether you’re in the workplace, at home, or engaging in social interactions, active listening is a powerful tool that ...
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Download Our Business Exit Planning Toolbox!

Are you considering exiting your business? Download our FREE Exit Planning Toolbox to start thinking about what your ideal transition would look like. Then, when you’re ready, reserve your appointment to chat with Lori about your questions and concerns! Click to Download Your FREE Business Exit Planning Toolbox
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Improve Business Value to Strengthen Your Exit Strategy

If you put two businesses side by side with the same revenue, the same industry, and even the same customer base, one might sell for twice as much as the other.  Why?  Because buyers aren’t just paying for what exists today—they’re paying for what they can count on tomorrow. Buyers want something they can step into without wondering ...
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7 Financial Metrics for Planning Your Exit Strategy, Part 2

In Part 1, we looked at how operational and free cash flow, net profit margins, and your debt-to-equity ratio ratio can change the impression buyers have on your business and its long-term stability.  To follow that up, we’ll cover three additional considerations: revenue growth rate, customer acquisition cost (CAC) with lifetime value (LTV), and earnings before ...
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