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As a business owner, you know what it’s like to lie awake at 2 a.m. Maybe it has happened when you are excited and full of new ideas for your business. More often, it’s because you are worried about issues you will face the next day. Sometimes, it’s because you just woke up with the solution to a problem. I’ve experienced all those emotions about my businesses over the years. Awake at 2 o’clock? is where I share them with you, and hopefully help with answers that will let you sleep.
John F. Dini, CExP, CEPA
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Small business owners are the Hunters of the 21st century. We are 3% of the US population, and yet we create over half of all American jobs. As Hunters, we may not be inclined to manage by the numbers or stick to systems. Are you a Hunter or a Farmer?
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How prepared are you to exit your company?
The Assessment breaks down the four major categories of exit readiness; Finance, Planning, Operations and Revenue/Profit.
Tag Archives: leadership
Holiday Terminations: Scrooge or Chicken?
This year, my first holiday termination conversation came on November 20th; a bit early in the season. Like traditionalists who hold off on Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving Day, most business owners start avoiding termination announcements a few weeks before the holidays.With the Great … Continue reading
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Success: Is Good Enough, Good Enough?
On Friday’s On Point program on NPR, Devlin Barrett and Tom Ricks discussed the burgeoning “Generals’ Affair” scandal. This weekend, the Wall Street Journal has a commentary by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, which reinforces several analyses in that paper … Continue reading
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An Independent Look at the Election
The biggest disappointment of last Tuesday’s election, as I opined in an article by the San Antonio Express News, is that on Wednesday the national political landscape still looked a lot like it did on Monday. I tried to write … Continue reading
2 Responses to An Independent Look at the Election
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In Wisconsin and many other states the GOP got re-elected partially because of the redistricting (read “gerrymandering”) they did. The Dems would have done the same to their benefit if they had been in power.
I think another factor affecting both parties in the state (local) elections is the familiarity the public has with their incumbants. In some cases its “even though he/she votes the party line” they are “nice guys”. In others it’s “the devil we know is probably better than the devil we haven’t gotten to know”.
I think the concusion I have reached from the above and from what you have written and the obvious power of the corporations and their lobbyists (as well as labor and its lobbyists) is that we live in an ungovernable country. I hope your conclusion (election of courageous statesmen and women, comes to pass….but with the cost of campaigns and the need to depend on large donors remains and grows….I don’t know how that will happen. Or whether a public that thinks only in black and whites would accept them
Cleo and I just returned from a European trip including Greece. People we talked with referred to the disenchanted students and others being satisfied for the present with expressing themselves through graffiti and mostly peacful demonstrations against their incompetent and corrupt government officals. They fear for when that will not be enough.
Here at home I fear for the same, as the gap between the haves and have nots grows so fast and far…and the feeling of helplessness and frustration grows among just about everyone.
So, Mrs. Lincoln, other than the shotting….how was the play? -
Unfortunately, “neither” party dared take on the banks, the large corporate givers and the unions; those that sponsor most electiced officials for their own gain. While those outside this inbred system are beginning to be heard, it will take a monumental effort to successfully challenge the current way of doing business and return to a heathly, more balanced approach to our economy and the people they serve.
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Employee Confidentiality: Circles Within Circles
The father of a friend, a rancher in South Texas, conveys confidential information by preceding it with the following caution. “Now I’m going to tell you a secret, and you have to swear not to tell another soul. And when … Continue reading
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More than a Feeling
This is the story of two business owners. It is true. It is real-time. Both stories occurred last week, and I was present in both conversations. The first story is one of disaster. A restaurant owner I work with was … Continue reading
One Response to More than a Feeling
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I like the perspective here and the awareness of the 2nd owner of “what could happen” if this continues. It’s a gut leadership feeling that many of us ignore. Having a leader who has consistent confidence in his teams efforts adn abilities is so important. But that does not just happen it takes effort and investment in leadership and team development. A great ROI.
Thanks for sharing. http://www.churchillleadershipgroup.co
Yesterday I was “involuntarily terminated” for the first time in my 55yr life…no one saw it coming. Anyway, today, still in quite a state of shock, I realize what high hurtles must be vaulted, in addition to the futility of engaging in a job search during the holiday season: filing (and hopefully qualifying) for UI; researching, deciding how to continue, and actually paying for, continued medical insurance which is mandatory in the state where I live; encouraging supervisors, colleagues, and professional associates to provide written recommendations while they are preparing for or are away for the holidays; and coping with depressed immediate family members; just to name a few. Had my employer waited until after the holiday season to terminate me, I could have been spared all these additional, time consuming, challenges and appropriately spent this most holy time of year in the joyful company of family and friends (many of whom are my co-workers). Employee termination during the holidays is an act of spiritual robbery that has a devastating impact which is farther reaching and longer lasting than termination at any other time of year 🙁
I’m sorry for your pain, Sarah. Unexpected termination at any time of year is a terrible experience. In cases where it is because of the performance of the business, I certainly promote sufficient severance compensation to carry the former employee through until interviewing starts again in January. If the termination is because an employee didn’t respond to progressive discipline or a performance improvement plan, then I don’t see an obligation to carry someone in the “spirit of the season.” You say that you didn’t see it coming, so I assume either it was the first issue (overall business performance) or your former employer didn’t follow fair and equitable HR practices. From a job search perspective, use those contacts and stay joyful. Even your best friends don’t want to be dragged down at holiday events. Regardless of how you really feel, use this social time to act excited about making a change, and ask those in your circle outright for connections that might lead to new opportunities. My heartfelt good wishes in your search.