Business Development

Preparing for Business Cycles: Part I

2023-12-02T10:16:21-06:00December 11th, 2023|Tags: , , |

Every budget process I can recall has projected a revenue increase the following year. Yet, since 1923, America has experienced 15 recessions: approximately one every seven years.   This caused me to reflect on UBN’s history. We began in January 2002. Seven years later the Great Recession hit, resulting in a difficult year financially for UBN.   2016 had some personnel and ...

Small Business Confidence

2023-11-02T20:47:35-05:00November 22nd, 2023|Tags: , , |

The Gallup Organization conducts an annual poll to determine which institutions are esteemed most by the American people. Year after year, the number one esteemed institution is small business.   Even though confidence has dropped to 65% of the population, small business by far still surpasses every other institution’s ranking, even the military.  Hebrews 13:17 teaches, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit ...

Whoever is Not Against Us Is For Us

2023-09-16T19:02:53-05:00September 29th, 2023|Tags: , , |

Someone forwarded me an article and asked, “What do you think about this competing program?” My response was, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”   In my opinion, the more people involved in promoting faith and work, the better. The number of organizations in this field has grown from about twenty-five when I started, to an estimated four thousand.  Because of ...

Building an Effective Team: Part III

2023-06-03T13:28:38-05:00June 28th, 2023|Tags: , , |

As a linear and organized thinker, I have been frustrated at times with creative freeform thinkers.   There was a time when I was frustrated with one creative person on my team. It seemed like we were always at odds.  Then we took some personality profiles as a team. After seeing this person’s profile, I realized that God had made this ...

New Grads or Apprentices

2023-04-30T09:29:11-05:00May 16th, 2023|Tags: , , , |

A Wall Street Journal-NORC survey revealed recently that 56% of people no longer believe a college education is worth the cost. This assessment was especially true for younger adults.  The price of college, online learning, and the huge amounts of student loan debt that haunts students for years has driven many to question the need for a college education.   Jesus ...

Not Even a Hint

2023-04-21T20:43:48-05:00May 2nd, 2023|Tags: , , |

Recent accusations against Justice Clarence Thomas is a good reason to discuss conflicts of interest.   Conflict of interest policies are prevalent for board members, and in many industries, such as government roles, banks, and nonprofits. It’s important that there be clear policies, and transparency related to those policies, so that we are confident that self interest doesn’t undermine the public’s ...

Refreshed Vision

2023-03-04T09:58:53-06:00March 24th, 2023|Tags: , , |

For years I have used reading glasses. Recently, I decided to have my eyes examined so that I didn’t have to take my reading glasses on and off when speaking in public.   When I tried my new glasses, I was stunned to discover how much color and detail I had been missing when looking at a distance. My new ...

Piercing the Small Business Ceiling: Part IV

2023-03-13T21:30:25-05:00March 13th, 2023|Tags: , , |

In this series, we’re discussing a common problem in business. Many business leaders reach a point when they struggle in how to take their business to the next level.  There are at least three different hindrances that can prevent an entrepreneur from piercing the imaginary ceilings they face. The final hindrance is a People Deficit.  As a business grows, ...

Piercing the Small Business Ceiling: Part III

2023-01-28T11:56:46-06:00February 23rd, 2023|Tags: , , |

In this series, we’re discussing a common problem in business. Many business leaders reach a point when they struggle in how to take their business to the next level.  There are at least three different hindrances that can prevent an entrepreneur from piercing the imaginary ceilings they face. My second one is Skill Deficits.  As a business grows, eventually you ...

Piercing the Small Business Ceiling: Part II

2023-01-28T11:47:25-06:00February 22nd, 2023|Tags: , , |

In this series, we’re discussing a common problem in a growing small business. Many business leaders struggle with how to grow their business to the next level.  There are at least three hindrances that can prevent an entrepreneur from reaching the next level. The first one we’ll address is having a destructive mindset.  As we approach previously unattained levels of ...

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