Featured Articles
Book Review: Influence
How many times a day do you say “yes”? I’m guessing dozens, if not more. How do we get there? How do we get from a “no” or a “maybe” to a “yes”? Most often, it’s the result of persuasion or influence. Best-selling author Dr. Robert B. Cialdini recently published a new edition of his Read more about Book Review: Influence[…]
Walking the El Camino with Tim Fulton
Small Business Matters founder Tim Fulton recently returned from his tenth sabbatical and his third El Camino. In this episode, Tim sits in the guest chair to share about his latest journey, the benefits of taking time away from your business, and what led him to take that first sabbatical 10 years ago. Small Read more about Walking the El Camino with Tim Fulton[…]
Finding Your Niche with Ali Jamal
Ali Jamal is the chief executive officer of Stablegold Hospitality, a real estate investment company that specializes in affordable accommodations for low/no income individuals and families. What started in 2011 as one rundown and shutdown hotel is now a thriving business, which includes approximately $50 million in assets under management, 1500 rental units – consisting Read more about Finding Your Niche with Ali Jamal[…]
J Curves
“If you are not genuinely pained by the risk involved in your strategic choices, it’s not much of a strategy.” – Reed Hastings, Netflix How often do you get stuck on a big strategic decision? If you’re like many small business owners, the answer is too often. It may be a key employee hire, a Read more about J Curves[…]
Attracting & Retaining Talent with Gus Cawley
In the early 90s, Gus Cawley moved to Atlanta with lofty goals and a degree in accounting from Le Moyne College. He paid his dues working on accounts payables during the day and selling subscriptions for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution door to door at night. Gus diligently combed the Sunday classifieds and faxed resumes until he Read more about Attracting & Retaining Talent with Gus Cawley[…]
From Lambeau Field to the White House with Shaun Bradley
Shaun Bradley has lived the American dream. He has gone from selling peanuts at Green Bay Packer games as a boy, to Naval Academy graduation and service in the U.S. Navy as a young man. He then co-founded and served as CEO of Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI). Shaun is known as a Founding Father of the Read more about From Lambeau Field to the White House with Shaun Bradley[…]
Book Review: A World Without Email
Do you remember sending your first email? I don’t remember the specifics of that first email but I remember thinking what an amazing groundbreaking new technology it was. To communicate so quickly and so easily to just about anyone at any time. What a gift! Fast forward to today’s world. A relentless barrage of incoming Read more about Book Review: A World Without Email[…]
Lessons Learned On My Sabbatical
Ten years ago, I took my first one-month sabbatical. Upon my return, I wrote this article for the newsletter. Since then, I’ve taken a month off each summer. I have traveled to Spain to walk the El Camino Santiago twice. I have traveled with my wife to Italy twice and France one time. I have Read more about Lessons Learned On My Sabbatical[…]
Book Review: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster
Full disclosure. I have been a casual observer of climate change for the past decade. It’s hard not to notice that the planet has gotten warmer. More weird weather. A higher number of electric cars on the road. I see more solar panels on roofs and more wind turbines in remote areas. I have even Read more about Book Review: How to Avoid a Climate Disaster[…]
Lessons Learned at the Ballpark
This is an article I first wrote 24 years ago about customer service, my son, and the national pastime. As it is now baseball season, I am pleased to re-publish the article once again this month. I often receive my best training in customer service in the most unlikely situations. My 6-year-old son, Taylor, Read more about Lessons Learned at the Ballpark[…]