SMALL BUSINESS & STARTUPS

Proposed USDOL rule would decimate Michigan’s gig economy

Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that would decimate the gig economy, drive up costs for our nation’s small business community and crush entrepreneurs.

Mergers and acquisitions: Are they right for my business?

2021 was a record year for mergers and acquisitions, with global M&A volume exceeding $5 trillion, a 64% increase from the previous year.

Why business owners partner with private equity firms

Many stereotypes have been associated with private equity firms, such as reducing employee count to save costs, shutting down locations and making decisions only on financial metrics.

The importance of risk assessment in manufacturing

No one can predict the future, but if we could, it would make certain risks we take in our lives, such as running a business, much less nerve racking.

How a co-CEO model can benefit nonprofits

Although shared leadership models may seem daunting to some, the implementation of co-CEOs or co-executive directors is not a new concept for many organizational structures.

Here’s how small businesses can move past the long-term challenges of COVID-19

The effects of the pandemic are ongoing, and the reality is many small businesses will never again operate as they did in a pre-COVID-19 world.

4 workplace design strategies to get people back to the office

I’m sharing four design principles for creating a high-performing, integrated workspace that supports your talent and empowers them to do their best work.

Plan for 2021: 7 end-of-year checkpoints for your business

As we cross off the final to-dos on our 2020 calendar, it's time to start planning for 2021's challenges and victories.

Legendary leadership requires tenacity — especially in times of crisis

Leaders who succeed in times of crisis — like in the face of COVID-19 and unprecedented racial and social unrest — are the ones who go beyond success and set the mark at legendary.

On the brink of a possible recession: what businesses should do to prepare

While many are in a hurry to put the uncertainties of 2020 in the rearview, continued economic disruption may not be behind us just yet.

Succession planning – optimizing value through a strategic exit

For many business owners, the decision surrounding how and when to exit the business can be complicated and emotional.

How the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced businesses’ footprints

The coronavirus pandemic has, in many ways, rewritten the book on business practices.

Three tips to chart the course for long-term success

Among the strategic areas are three upon which companies must focus to move forward and thrive during these uncertain times.

The critical conversation: setting expectations with your workforce during a pandemic

Embracing what we can control, like having discussions about expectations, is a simple and free way to make a positive impact on the wellness of your teams.

Leading the isolated worker: dealing with conflict

Even with remote teams, we often don't know about issues that arise between co-workers until they erupt into major problems or missed deadlines.

Leading with a people-first focus: lessons from continuous improvement

In the world of continuous improvement and a people-centric business, investing in people should never be a question: it should be a way of life.

COVID-19 from an HR perspective

As conference rooms continue to be traded for conference calls, working from home has slowly become the new normal. With so many unanswerable questions...

The state of play in mobility transformation

Staying abreast of the automotive and mobility sectors’ transformation has been pretty easy if you have a lot of time on your hands. There...

First 5 steps for successfully starting your business

As we swing into the New Year, you are probably reflecting on 2019 and looking toward making your resolutions for 2020. You may decide...

Get involved in Small Business Saturday

Nov. 30 is Small Business Saturday, a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. Small Business Saturday was...

Unpacking sustainability

How do you define sustainability? We use this term so often, but what does it really mean? I’ve seen it tied to environmentalism: using less...

Small Business & Startups Notebook

Small Business & Startups articles Recession marketing basics Accounting for the cannabis industry: Prepare yourself for tax scrutiny New law makes it easier for small businesses to...

The top 5 HR headaches for small business

Admit it: Sometimes human resources can be a pain! Dealing with people, policies, procedures and payroll is often tedious and fraught with the fear...

Business as storytelling

Whenever I tell someone I have a master’s in English, I often hear some variation of, “Well, that’s a long jump from business.” Yes, on...

Why humanizing business matters

Over the years, we have done a lot to promote the importance of local ownership. We have data-driven facts that say supporting local businesses leads to...