A consistent findings about family business systems; the business, its owners, and the family in control is that strong, long-term business performance also requires strong performance by the family and by the ownership group. You cannot keep a family business performing well over many years just focusing on the business. Family unity, united ownership and […]
Leadership style has a huge impact on how employees feel and perform at work. And while many leaders may think they inspire innovation, creativity, collaboration and other traits that move the business forward, research shows their employees might well disagree. To be effective, a leader must make sure his or her perception of personal actions does, in fact, align with […]
Mentor-mentee relationships come in all shapes and sizes. There are company-driven programs that pair new hires with experienced employees, as well as personally driven arrangements where mentees seek out a mentor they believe will enable success. These relationships can be looked at from both sides of the relationship: For mentorship to be effective, mentees must know […]
While email and social media marketing are increasing in popularity, many small businesses have not abandoned their direct mail campaigns. Digital means, such as email and social networking sites, are heavily used in today’s marketing world, but traditional direct mail is still the most efficient form of advertising they can be used for a range […]
As a small business owner, it may be easy to ignore cybercrime as an enterprise problem. Why would criminals target small operations? Yet, small businesses are often the easiest targets for cybercriminals because they are the most vulnerable. According to cyber security technology company, Symantec, 43 percent of all cyber attacks in 2015 were targeted at […]
Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, with different approaches and values that work for them. There is no right or wrong when it comes to leadership styles, so long as you are on the same page as your team and have everyone’s best interests at heart. However, because so many people are relying on […]
Some situations in life are uncomfortable for both parties involved. Performance reviews can be one of those situations. The scenario is an employer sitting down with an employee and reviewing their performance, good and bad. Sometimes there might be news to deliver that is not so pleasant for the employee to hear. In that case, […]
“Impostor syndrome” describes a pattern of thinking that leads people to disregard their accomplishments and constantly fear of being seen as a fraud amongst their peers. It is not a true disorder; rather, it refers to a common pattern of thinking that afflicts many people, especially entrepreneurs. Impostor syndrome can present itself as anxiety, fear and self-doubt […]
It is easy to put off accounting tasks when you are a small business owner; so many other items on your to-do list seem more pressing. But, attending to these tasks daily helps you find and fix issues such as cash shortages and inventory discrepancies in a timely manner, while it is still relatively easy […]
Open offices are increasingly common, saving money and encouraging collaboration. However, seating employees in the same room with an open floor plan can also lead to distraction, inefficiency and sometimes even conflict. It is important to be polite and self-aware in the workplace especially when working directly next to your colleagues. Here are five tips […]