Leadership
An effective leader creates an inspiring vision of the future and are passionate about developing the emerging leaders around them. They constantly work to improve their emotional intelligence and know that a strong team culture is the foundation for accomplishing the mission. They are in a perpetual state of preparation and embrace the inevitable changes their businesses will face.
- What to Watch Out for When Getting Outside Advice
 When you bring in an outside advisor — whether it’s an accountant, attorney, consultant, or broker — you’re doing the right thing. You’re acknowledging there’s something you don’t know and going to find someone who does. That’s smart ownership.
But there’s a trap hidden in that process that most business owners never see coming.
Every Expert Has a Favorite Tool
There’s an old saying: to a hammer, everything is a nail.
Think about it this way. You go to ... - The 3% Problem in Advisory Work: A Guide for Business Owners
 As a business owner, you belong to a unique group that makes up only 3% of the population. Yet, many advisors treat you like any other client—using the same approaches they apply to executives, professionals, or retirees. This is a fundamental misunderstanding that can impact your business and personal goals.
Why You’re More Than Just an Asset
You are not simply a high-income individual with concentrated wealth. Your business is not just an investment; it’s an integral ... - NQDCs – “Let Me Count the Ways”
 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plans are a powerful tool for incentivizing and retaining key employees. They offer virtually unlimited flexibility in methodologies, objectives and rewards to suit a company’s strategies and goals.
What is “unqualified?”
Quite simply, NQDCs are discriminatory. Some owners shy away from that term, but discrimination isn’t automatically illegal. Illegal discrimination in the workplace is when an employer or manager treats an employee unfairly due to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 ... - How Much Does the Big Picture Really Matter to Your Business?
 It’s hard to have a business conversation today without someone invoking “the Big Picture.” The 24-hour news cycle runs on urgency, outrage, and uncertainty—and it needs a constant supply to keep attention locked in. The result? Everything sounds like a crisis.
Wars. Tariffs. Sanctions. Inflation. Interest rates. Cyberattacks. Political standoffs. Supply chain disruptions.
If you own a business, you’ve probably asked yourself at least a few of these questions recently:
Will my raw material costs spike again?
Should I ... - Celebrating Mr. Fezziwig
 Since 2013 I’ve updated this piece about the underappreciated and forgotten boss of A Christmas Carol, Mr. Fezziwig. I hope that you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!
Last week was the 182nd anniversary of the publication of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol (December 17, 1843). The immortal words of Ebenezer Scrooge are ingrained in the memory of the entire English-speaking world. I’d venture to guess that “Bah, Humbug!” can be correctly identified as to the source and ... - Business Ownership Isn’t What It Used to Be
 If you’ve been a business owner for a long time, you’ve lived this shift firsthand.
Many Baby Boomer owners started out alone—just an idea, a customer, and a willingness to take a risk. Hiring that first employee was a milestone. Now, years later, some of those same businesses employ dozens or even hundreds of people.
And every one of those people comes with rights, protections, and obligations that ultimately land on you.
As a business grows, so does ... - The Inexperienced Advisor – An Exit Planning Horror Story for Business Owners
 This is a cautionary tale for business owners—one that’s “based on a true story.” The facts are real, although the exact sequence of events might raise questions if the IRS were to take a closer look.
A small business owner received a $1,000,000 offer to sell his company. He had already been thinking about retirement, and the chance to cash out felt like a perfect opportunity. His original plan had been to sell the business to ... - What Business Owners Should Know from the 5th Annual Exit Planners Survey
 Between February 1 and March 2, 2025, ExitMap conducted its 5th annual survey of professionals who help business owners plan successful exits. This is the only survey that gathers insight across multiple advisory specialties—offering a wide-angle view of the professionals supporting entrepreneurs like you during one of the most critical transitions of your life.
The survey included 30 questions and was distributed to over 7,000 experienced advisors worldwide. These are professionals with recognized credentials in exit ... - Decisions Made from Fear
 When Fear Dictates Decisions
I can’t. We won’t. I shouldn’t.
Sound familiar? These thoughts creep in as your business grows. You’ve overcome a lot already—taking that first leap, pushing through uncertainty, making tough calls when the stakes were high. But now, you have something to lose. The fear of getting it wrong can paralyze progress.
- Missed Opportunities
 Your business is doing pretty well. You’re adding to your personal savings every month and are more focused on tax strategies than making payroll. But how do you know if you’re leaving opportunities on the table?
Some indicators are obvious. Others, less so.
One of the easiest to spot is stagnation. Businesses are like living organisms—they either grow or they shrink. Flat or declining sales are a warning sign. Stagnation limits opportunities for your top employees and ...
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