As today is Saint Patrick’s Day, a familiar phrase comes to mind: “The Luck of the Irish”. This holiday in particular exemplifies that phrase. Saint Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest drinking holidays around the world. It is a particularly profitable time for those businesses that choose to sell or make Irish products. According … Continue Reading
In her recent Mind and Matter column in The Wall Street Journal, Alison Gopnik talks about the pitfalls of believing in innate talent. The column, titled “The Dangers of Believing that Talent is Innate”, points to a study, published in the journal Science, that found that professors and students in certain fields, namely philosophy, music, … Continue Reading
I recently heard an NPR story on the topic of allowance. A fairly commonplace practice in families across America. A parent promises to give their child a certain amount of money every month, usually asking for something in return, completing chores, doing their homework, practicing an instrument, etc. Doesn’t that sound a lot like a … Continue Reading
When I start thinking about succession planning and the future leaders of the business world, a familiar Shakespearean quote comes to mind: “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them.” Wouldn’t the easiest way to help our future leaders “be not afraid of greatness”, be … Continue Reading
Most managers dread holding annual reviews with their employees. It’s a stressful time for both parties. But it doesn’t have to be. If, for instance, you had been holding monthly one-on-one meetings with your direct reports (which you should be), the annual review becomes much easier. With 11 months of recorded data on their performance, strengths, … Continue Reading
At a C-suite team meeting to discuss a new employee development program, the CFO turns to the CEO and asks: “What happens if we invest in developing our people and then they leave us?” To which the CEO quickly replies: “What happens if we don’t, and they stay?” This CEO gets it. If you ever … Continue Reading
Your employees should all know how to tackle both internal and external projects. There should be no guess work when it comes to next steps. No room for error. Everyone should know exactly what to do in each stage of a project. You and your management team need to sit down and create a company-wide project management … Continue Reading
We’re excited to announce that Brad has been asked to speak at a VCF Presents event in Richmond, Virginia on May 29th. He will be speaking about our Stages of Growth Model, focusing on the critical changes that accompany entrepreneurial growth. You ca see the full event synopsis below. Small Businesses: Critical Changes with … Continue Reading
If you want to become a great company, you must instill a team-based mindset in your employees. Everyone needs to know that they are all on the same team, fighting to reach common goals. In order to do so, there must be a very clearly defined, and communicated, company-wide vision. Employees like to know where … Continue Reading
As a CEO, the most vital thing you can do to ensure the future success of your company is to start developing your employees to be responsible, accountable and proactive. You need to start grooming your future managers. Once your company reaches a size where you can no longer manage everyone personally, and that will happen, … Continue Reading
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