Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash   Thanks to technology, many workers are no longer required to make the commute into the office anymore. Past trends reveal that there has been a  159% growth in remote workers in the...(more)

  Just about every news outlet currently features sad, frightening, and frustrating headlines, but there are bright moments amid the COVID-19 Outbreak - you just have to look closely. Businesses across the country are proving that we can come...(more)

  Leadership is an important attribute when examining the overall success of any team, whether that be in business, sport or education. Without clear and strong leadership, different factions inside a team can pull in different, conflicting...(more)

The holidays are almost here, and whether your office is gearing up for a busy season or things are slowing down, now is a great time to show your hardworking employees just how much their dedication means to you. As a manager, it’s your job to...(more)

Your people are your greatest asset, and sometimes, trying to get the most out of your workforce can be a challenge. There’s only so much training and formation your staff can take, and it can be easy for it to reach the point of saturation....(more)

One of the most important qualities in an effective leader is the ability to lead by example. When your employees see that you are sincere in your desire to improve the business, and that you are willing to practice what you preach, they will be much...(more)

Image Source: Creative Commons   The game of poker is one of the most popular card games out there, but not exactly a trivial and undemanding entertainment. Yes, it’s true that the straightforward rules are easy to follow, and you can...(more)

Organizational strategists help business leaders realize their strategy by framing the organization necessary to achieve it. They look at what the organization is today vs. the business leader’s vision for the future, and then develop the changes...(more)

When studying management or leadership, you’ll probably learn about Six Management Styles, when to use them, when not to use them. You may even participate in a DISC personality assessment to determine where your natural management temperament...(more)

Making sure your employees feel appreciated is an integral part of being an excellent supervisor, and what better way to show your appreciation for a job well done than a company-wide office party? If you’d like to host a shindig for all of your...(more)

As Managers, Leaders and Entrepreneurs we sometimes think about the needs of our people and employees more often than we think about our own needs.    We think about others’ capabilities to produce and ability to get along with the...(more)

What metrics do you use to manage your business? It’s a common question and for many business leaders, generates common answers. Revenue, Unit costs, Overhead, Operating Profit, Customer Complaints, on-time delivery, etc… But when asked,...(more)

Nothing daring happens around here! Where’s the creativity? Where’s the innovation? Where’s the courage? Fortune favors the bold!    Of course we’ve heard that before. Every organization’s senior leadership...(more)

As February annually asks us to reflect on our Presidents, it too allows us to reflect on our own leadership and leaders in our organizations. I cannot help but reflect on the leadership capabilities of our 16th President.  As we lament the...(more)

Effective leaders ask many questions – and listen to the answers they receive.  Great leaders act on what they hear. A right of passage for first year cadets (plebes) at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (USMA) requires the...(more)

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing a fellow West Point graduate, William F. (Bill) Murdy, Chairman of Comfort Systems USA  (Houston) (NYSE: FIX), a $1.3 billion company providing heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) installation...(more)

As 2013 comes to an end and 2014 begins, it is a great time to consider some resolutions that open opportunities for career growth and professional success.  We started this list last year and have added some new opportunities to consider. Here are...(more)

This article was originally published on November 8th, 2013 by NNMC, National Center for the Middle Market.   Middle market companies rely heavily on innovation as a way to differentiate their offerings from larger competitors, often through...(more)

Over the last few months I’ve spent a lot of time talking with executives about emotional intelligence and the impact it has on results.  One individual whom I would deem as highly emotionally intelligent expressed disappointment in his...(more)

Frequently in the business environment we assess managerial capabilities based upon that individual’s ability to be a successful coach. The definition of being a coach can take on many meanings. However all can be summarized as simply; coaching is...(more)

What is the most important management tool?  Good question, I’m glad you asked.  First let’s define Why it’s important to you and every other Manager or Leader interested in growing, fixing, or changing their bottom line...(more)

When we talk about being strategic we focus more on thinking and planning, than on leading and achieving.  The reality is that “being strategic” requires both; it’s the full transformation from dream to result.  It’s...(more)

By Christina Haxton, MA LMFT Speaker, Author & Executive Coach, Sustainable Leadership, Inc. The words you choose as a leader, or in any position of influence, shape the identity of others and as a result their decisions and...(more)

By Joseph Skursky, President of Market Leader Solutions The commitment of leadership to principles, standards, and strategic direction cannot be overstated in terms of the critical importance they play in organizational performance. Too many...(more)

  How do we manage risk while pushing our organization to maximize performance without any significant impact on customer service and product quality?  This is a common concern voiced by executives and business leaders across all...(more)

By David Shaffer, Business Advisor & Executive Coach, David Shaffer Consulting LLC Building a lean culture requires a companywide commitment to efficient & consistent products and services that customers’ want and trust. There are...(more)

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to create a balance between knowing what you don’t know and that what you do know can be improved.  It also means you have the ability to see the same knowledge and balance in others; teaching them how to...(more)

By David Shaffer, Business Advisor & Executive Coach, David Shaffer Consulting LLC Learn to “Charter” Strategic Initiatives, Manage Accountability & Achieve Results Most companies schedule their management retreat to develop...(more)

Offsite meetings can provide a cost effective way to bring several benefits to your organization, and team, if you know how to take full advantage of them through choice of venue, proper planning, execution and event follow-up.  At...(more)

Create a cultural shift that will improve your bottom line & make you more competitive. It happens to all of us.  Our organization, employees or project teams make mistakes and change course, table good ideas for a “later” date, or...(more)

By Tracy Houston, President Board Resource Services, LLC We are living in unprecedented times of uncertainty and challenge. Never has it been more critical for directors and officers to be capable of leading in the boardroom. In light of increased...(more)

By David Shaffer, Business Advisor & Executive Coach, David Shaffer Consulting LLC The overall mission of business today, as it was yesterday, and undoubtedly will be tomorrow, is to maximize customer service. Customer Relationship Management...(more)

By Julie Brignac, President, QuantumSix Solutions, Inc. Business Challenge Business Improvement initiatives are getting a lot of press these days: “…our projects saved over $10M in the first 12 months of deployment using...(more)

By David Shaffer, Business Advisor & Executive Coach, David Shaffer Consulting LLC Strategic planning, for many companies represent the classic definition of an oxymoron.  For far too many companies, the annual process is neither strategic nor...(more)

Is your company innovative?  Are you doing your part? Does your company have an R&D group that appears very busy to everyone, spends millions of dollars, and never seems to roll out any success stories?   Do you wonder how other...(more)

How do you develop a High Potential employee? High Potential employees are typically groomed for promotions.  Their direct boss, the head of human resources, as well as executive leadership, follows their performance.   Most progressive...(more)

Are you an Effective Communicator (Leader)? Leading others is a great responsibility because your entire organization is waiting to hear what you have to say so they can act in accordance with your direction.  Success or failure is based on two...(more)

Is your head spinning from all the stress & time spent on business plans, forecasts and budgets?  Remember, planning is not a science…it’s an exercise…that should refresh you, keep you agile, and make you feel in...(more)

As managers, and leaders, we anticipate challenges, take on responsibility and drive results.  Our ability to communicate well gives us an advantage when motivating, providing direction and giving feedback, however, no matter how good you are at...(more)

When at a decision crossroads, do you know which way to go? A True Leader Knows There Is No Right Answer….and finds strength in that.   There are many traits that define leadership, but one that stands out is the ability to know there is...(more)