This Insights post has been updated. For our latest thinking on professional management, see our most recent post here. In the video below a number of small business owners explain—in their own words—how professional management has helped their businesses. Professional management is something that can help you run your business, rather than letting it run you. It [ Read More ]
It's hard enough to define your culture. And it's even harder to align your business to it. Once your culture is defined and aligned, how do you ensure your culture is ready to scale? “When we were a smaller organization, I had a lot more influence on the culture than I do now,” says Sean Kelly, CEO of SnackNation, [ Read More ]
John Werner, President/CEO of White Commercial Corporation, knew something had changed around his organization when, one day, he walked by a conference room and noticed a meeting he was completely unaware was taking place. No invite or no notification—nothing. “We have a big window that you see from the hallway, and it looked like they were really getting work accomplished,” [ Read More ]
What’s one of the biggest challenges in small business today? Keeping employees motivated and productive, says Marty Grunder, President and CEO of Grunder Landscaping Co., in Dayton, Ohio. Knowing how difficult this can be, Marty shared a few lessons on how to create a high-energy, productive atmosphere at work. Lesson #1: Make Time For Individuals to Express How They [ Read More ]
Those that have attended my competitive strategy workshops have heard me say that the key to a great strategy is choosing what not to do: what products/services do I choose not to offer; what activities will I not undertake; and what customers will I not attempt to attract. But we all know that its hard to say “no” to a new opportunity. Especially the [ Read More ]
What can you expect with a Business Coach at Aileron? How can you get the most out of all your Business Coaching Sessions? Whether you have Business Coaching Sessions or are considering them, here are 5 things you should know about Business Coach guidance at Aileron. 1. Business Coaching is all about you. As Mark Thompson, a former Aileron [ Read More ]
It can be difficult when you lose a great employee. For Tim Rettig, Founder, President, and CEO of Intrust IT, the departure of an employee spurred his decision to put a Holacracy model into place after years of considering it. “That decision was prompted by his departure, and now, he’s actually returned to the company,” says Tim. Tim goes on to [ Read More ]
Mike Mathile is an entrepreneur, family business executive, a private investor, husband, and father. He’s also an advisory and board member for multiple companies. While the business community may know him in such roles (Mike is Chairman of CYMI Holdings), many are unaware of the experience that’s greatly shaped how he leads today: his professional baseball past with the [ Read More ]
“Most people live in their heads. They have their dream, they have their goal, they have the desire, they get hyped up about it, they get fearful about it, and they just don't execute,” says Tony Robbins, speaker, author, entrepreneur, and life coach. “We all have kind of a blueprint, if you will, of how we're supposed to be, how [ Read More ]
Profits have dipped, productivity has slowed, and your business has felt like it’s been on a roller coaster for years. I hear it all the time when leading business owners through Aileron’s Course for Presidents® program. Sure, maybe it's the economy. Or those conditions could be clues that your organization is lacking the right kind of leadership. Here are some [ Read More ]
“We prioritize people over everything,” says Ben Callahan, President of Sparkbox, an Ohio-based company that designs and develops responsive websites and applications. Ben says putting employees first is embedded in Sparkbox’s culture, and has been from the start. One of the most fundamental ways he nurtures talent and retains his leaders is by investing in the "whole person." Invest in [ Read More ]
It was the first time in 13 years as a business owner that Barry Chandler had faced this kind of emotional challenge. For the first time ever, Barry was feeling a sense of loss. It had been two years since Barry sold his subscription services and marketing agency. He had built the organization from the ground up. As part [ Read More ]
