‘You’re getting warmer’ is not a good way to exercise executive leadership

I’ve come to believe that most leaders are unintentionally playing a game of “You’re getting warmer, you’re getting colder” when it comes to creating clarity around their organization’s purpose, vision and values.

Four ways to tackle employee fatigue

Employees are tired. After 19 months of struggling with COVID-19, employers and employees are reporting a sharp increase in burnout and fatigue.

Are outside salespeople obsolete?

One of my clients recently asked me: “Are outside salespeople obsolete?” He is the CEO of a distributor that specializes in automation equipment. He had just lost three field salespeople and was thinking about replacing them.

Nonresidential construction spending drops to yearly low

Nonresidential construction spending dipped 1.3 percent from April to May, according to analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Nonresidential spending, which totaled $684.9 billion on...

Your 7-step plan for creating chaos in your family business

Most business owners know that proper succession planning can help keep their business running strong into the next generation.

Construction employment momentum should carry into 2015

The U.S. construction industry added 39,000 jobs in January, including 12,700 net new nonresidential jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary estimate...

Four ways to promote well-being resolutions in the workplace

With the drop of the ball to commemorate a brand new calendar year comes a rise in resolutions to improve our lives. Many of...

Yin and yang: Biden didn’t see Snyder’s China

Vice President Joe Biden’s quick stop in Beijing during a six-day Asian trek last week seemed in contrast to Gov. Rick Snyder’s 10-day trip...

State leaders should reject EPA’s carbon rule

The federal government is poised to stick Michigan families with higher energy costs and diminished living standards, unless state legislators act now to resist. The...

State should take environmental clues from GR

Unaddressed environmental issues are heating up politics and firing up sustainability groups, especially in West Michigan. That is not a comment on the weather...

Data, business analytics and a knowledge economy

The amount of data we, as a society, generate is estimated to double every two years. That means in the last two years, the...

The picture of the United States health care crisis

Human resource professionals are expected to deal with all health care matters from a variety perspectives. The general expectation is to make a silk...

Keep that resolution; create your best year ever

More than 200 million Americans made New Year’s resolutions this month and, yet, only 8 percent will keep them. Most people make the same resolution...

Make time work for you, rather than against you

Are you satisfied with what you accomplish in a day? Or are you constantly falling behind?  As an entrepreneurial executive for over 25 years, I’ve...

Legislature: Focus on tax revenue replacement

In the short time between the presidential election and Thanksgiving break, one could question whether legislators are ready to finish business in the lame...

Creating a culture of women supporting women

While we know that strides have been made, women still face considerable social, workforce, economic and political challenges of disparity and inequity. Yet, I’m...

New Year’s resolutions? Let’s talk about reality, instead

What are you doing New Year’s Eve? That is one of the most-asked questions on the planet this time of year. And people (you...

Expect continued growth for construction in 2016

Associated Builders and Contractors is forecasting a continued steady economic recovery for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2016. Despite a weak...

Now is the time to prepare for upcoming changes to FAFSA

Congress recently passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, known by most for providing those who qualified with an additional stimulus check worth $600.

Testimony shows chilling impact on startups, entrepreneurs

Congress has been raising “flags up the pole” in regard to changes in tax code for businesses, and although it seems unlikely this Congress...