Resources to run a better business.

Well, we’re here. The tail end of 2024. I took a look back at the past 12 months to see what nugget I could come up with for you. Was there a big takeaway, a major trend, over the past year? Yes and no. Sure, there was inflation, fears of recession, and an election. But what I saw in 98% of businesses, including my own, is that they have exactly one major challenge to overcome. Leads.

You know that saying about people who “wear multiple hats” in a small business? Sometimes, it’s said with an undertone of pride. This is a team that pitches in to get things done. Other times, it’s said—usually by business consultants—as a reminder that your company still has some growing to do. Because most advisors preach that the ideal situation is to have one role per team member.

Join Ryan Villanueva for a 1-hour webinar to discover a structured approach to scaling private equity portfolio companies with OKRs, CEO Coaching, and the Growth Method.

My son is getting ready to go off to college next year. So I recognize that any time I get to spend with him right now is a gift. About 3-4 times a year, we spend time together playing golf. I’m not a great golfer. Neither is Max. We have that in common. Another thing we have in common? Our attitudes determine a lot about our performance.

Join Eric Crews for a free webinar on how to manage conversations surrounding behavior issues, complex dynamics with stakeholders, terminations, and more. You'll learn how to approach sensitive conversations like these with confidence and tact, ultimately enhancing your impact as a leader.‍

I heard this great story from a client the other day. Well, it wasn’t great for him. He was dealing with a significant problem in his business. The story is about seafood, shrink, and scorecards. Here’s what happened.

Once, several years ago, I attended a seminar on business development. This particular seminar was mandated by an organization I was involved in, and it was quite expensive. But I have a philosophy about ongoing education. I try to get just one nugget from everything I see, hear, or attend. And in this case, the nugget has guided my business development ever since.

Making excuses is a response for a perfectly natural, normal, caring individual. You want to protect your team. You want to stay positive. You don’t want to call someone out or make them feel bad. That’s really nice. I mean it. But niceness can be a problem. When you make an excuse for your team, you’re letting them off the hook.

Many of the entrepreneurs I know have a strong sense of urgency. It makes sense. It’s how they will entire businesses into existence. But as the business gets more complex, that sense of urgency can become a liability.