When I was in banking, we occasionally complained about competing with credit unions and savings and loans. At least they were local, however, and we could compete using a more convenient location. In today’s world, banks, and most other industries, are now competing with online alternatives. Leaders who refuse to seek counsel beyond their traditional industry consultants run the ...
In this series, we’re discussing preparing for economic storms. With inflation and interest rates soaring and the stock market crumbling, the storm clouds appear to be rolling in. One of my favorite indexes is the National Federation of Independent Business Optimism Index. Because it’s a survey of small business owners’ perceptions, it has helped predict economic storms. In ...
When I was young, clothes dryers were a luxury. We took our clothes outside to our clothesline and hung them up for the sun and wind to dry. This required remaining alert for upcoming storms. When dark clouds rolled in or the wind whipped up, we knew to prepare for the storm by gathering our clothes before they were ...
For the first time, it cost me over $50 to fill my car with gas. For me, $5 per gallon gas is an annoyance, but it’s not devastating. For many front-line workers, however, $5 a gallon gas, can devastate your employees and their families. Much more than your highest paid people. These pain points can impact your team’s ability ...
When Jill Donovan, founder of Rustic Cuff’s, launched her jewelry business in Tulsa, God led her to some very creative marketing ideas that worked brilliantly. So, when Jill opened a store in Dallas, she decided to use the same approach with no traditional announcements or marketing. But customers never materialized. Jill told me she learned the hard way that ...
A big surprise many new entrepreneurs experience is their first-year tax bill! For example, a new social media influencer on TikTok receives money from TikTok each month. Many spend that money without considering taxes. What many new entrepreneurs don’t realize is that the money they received throughout the year isn’t really theirs. A significant percent of money earned is owed ...
During the pandemic, the US Government offered tax credits to help small businesses weather the troubling times. The government, however, seems to have forgotten to plan and fund the additional support the IRS needs to distribute the funds. Many businesses filed for these credits early in 2021 and have yet to receive any monies. In business, it’s easy to ...
As I’ve reviewed dozens of job applications lately, it’s not uncommon to see applicants with five jobs in just a three-to-five-year period. Brevity of time on a job reflects in part our cultural changes to loyalty. There was a time when loyalty was valued by both the employer and the employee. My father was loyal to General Motors for his ...
A Stanford Economics professor, Nicolas Bloom, has been researching remote work for the last several years. Bloom believes that there are three different work options for the future. He believes 50% of workers will be required to work in a workplace setting. These include retail, healthcare, or manufacturing jobs. Option two is hybrid work. He predicts 40% will work at ...
In the book of Acts, the disciples were faced with a significant transition in their ministry. Following Jesus’ departure, Peter led his team in prayer, filled their leadership gaps, rallied people around the vision and built a close-knit, well-trained community. The time had come for Peter to personally execute the 5th key in organizational transitions by implementing the plan Jesus ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
