Explore practical tools, real-world observations, and thought starters to help small and mid-sized businesses run better. These aren’t one-way answers—they’re invitations to explore new perspectives, challenge old habits, and open conversations about what it really takes to build a stronger company.
Quick reads, thoughtful takes, and experience-driven insights to help business leaders think more clearly and act more confidently.
What’s Hype and What’s Real? AI is everywhere. It’s in our inboxes, in the headlines, and in nearly every conversation about the future of business. But for small and mid-sized businesses trying to navigate real operational challenges, the question is simple: Is AI actually useful for me?
Whether you're preparing for a sale, bringing in new investors, or handing the business to new leadership, a smooth transition doesn't just happen—it’s built over time. And it’s never too early to start. A business that runs well without its owner is not only easier to hand off, it’s also significantly more valuable and attractive to potential buyers.
Metrics are everywhere—dashboards, reports, scorecards. But despite the abundance of data, many organizations still struggle to make better decisions or drive real change. A recent Forrester report noted that 74% of firms want to be data-driven, but only 29% say they’re successful at connecting analytics to action. The problem isn’t a lack of metrics—it’s the wrong ones getting the most attention.
Spotting problems early is the key to improving performance. These red flags often show up before bigger issues surface—and they’re almost always fixable. Here are 10 signs your operations may need attention, along with practical next steps to address them.
In business, we often chase breakthroughs—major process overhauls, big strategic shifts, bold bets. However, small wins are big things—they build trust and accelerate progress in meaningful ways. When we see visible signs of progress, even in small steps, it affirms that change is real and achievable. This sense of movement helps teams lean in rather than resist. Instead of viewing change as risky or disruptive, it becomes something that can be influenced.
It’s easy to get caught up solving what’s visible: the delayed project, the underperforming team, the glitchy system. But symptoms often point to deeper issues—and focusing only on the surface can waste time, effort, and credibility.
Tools, templates, and checklists you can use right away to improve structure, save time, and make operations run more smoothly.
Simple checklist to assess your organization’s readiness—and take the first practical steps toward using AI effectively.
Compare options, stay objective, and make better vendor decisions—without second-guessing.
Quick checklist to assess your organization's readiness—and reduce the risk of change fatigue, confusion, or slow adoption.
Simple, powerful tool to organize, assess, and prioritize the processes that keep your business running.
Simple but powerful scorecard to assess where your business is strong—and where friction might be holding you back.
Use this SOP template to bring clarity, consistency, and confidence to your operations—without overcomplicating the process.
