In my experience, poor financial management is what causes most underperforming small businesses to fail or not achieve their objectives. Often it is a lack of understanding of how basic business finance works that inhibits owners and leadership teams. You need to fully grasp what makes your economic engine work to make the right investments and calculate appropriate risks.
Courage still matters in business and in life. Many of us avoid the difficult decisions or talk ourselves out of taking risks. We strive for comfort where only pain and discomfort exists. It’s better to bet on yourself and your business and accept the consequences then to live in someone else’s shadow or become another fish in the pond of mediocrity.
Leadership isn’t easy or everyone could do it. Some talented people make it look easy, but we often don’t see all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make it look this way. Most leaders struggle at some point and have to learn some difficult lessons along the way. Experience can be the best teacher if you are open to learning. I’ve observed the following 25 ways (in no particular order) that leaders tend to get themselves in trouble:
No matter how far out the tide goes, all waves come crashing back to shore. The same is true with business cycles. We have experienced a particularly good period in business over the past decade or so. After experiencing a difficult recession, our economy roared back to life. Many of us have not only regained
Tony Robbins
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Read moreMihir A. Desai
Read moreRecent global turbulence raises a question: Is the world shifting to a new economic regime for the long run? New McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) research and a recent McKinsey executive survey1 suggest that it might be, but the shape of that future remains uncertain. Business leaders should be aware of potential scenarios so they can adjust and […]
Read moreWhen so much in the world feels beyond our control, costs are to a large extent controllable. But cutting them to drive short-term savings is a mistake. When companies take a one-off approach to cost cutting, they often sacrifice some of their most important investments. If cost-cutting programs are implemented in haste, little (if any) […]
Read moreWhen faced with disruptions and downturns, many leaders and companies instinctively focus on cutting costs to maintain profitability. But some identify opportunities and then take thoughtful action to emerge from crisis even stronger. That means not only planning for worst-case scenarios and pressure-testing operational and financial health but also staying alert for ways to find […]
Read moreNoah Berk, Co-President of obo – https://theobogroup.com, shares his thoughts on leadership and business.
The CPI inflation calculator uses the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) U.S. city average series for all items, not seasonally adjusted. This data represents changes in the prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households.
View moreRisk management is a process in which risks are identified and controlled proactively. It allows businesses to improve their chances of success by minimizing threats and maximizing opportunities. Risk management is essential to a business as it helps prevent financial losses and increase revenue. Other benefits of risk management include, Help to identify projects that […]
View moreTax guidance for small businesses
View moreCreated by Ray Dalio this simple but not simplistic and easy to follow 30-minute, animated video answers the question, “How does the economy really work?” Based on Dalio’s practical template for understanding the economy, which he developed over the course of his career, the video breaks down economic concepts like credit, deficits and interest rates, […]
Ed facilitates panel of successful Maryland-based CEOs (for Founder City) to share their experiences as a founder and offer some valuable lessons learned for others who are following in their path, or are already in the midst of their own journey.
“Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.” —Peter Drucker Part Three: It Takes Vision If you ask the average employee of the typical company why the company exists, what sets it […]
Read moreEd’s books on Leadership, Life and Business will elevate your knowledge and give you the confidence to apply it to your personal and professional life.