This comprehensive framework guides small business owners through building effective systems using a four-phase approach: definition and alignment, requirements
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79 articlesArticles and insights on operational excellence for middle-market companies.
Culture isn't soft HR fluff—it's physics. Four forces determine whether culture pulls toward high performance or decay.
A production-grade Python framework that enables multiple specialized AI agents to coordinate through a central "spine" architecture, providing enterprise
I built an AI system that automates procurement decisions for manufacturers, learning from experience and adapting to market conditions in real-time to reduce
Every business operates on a simple truth that most leaders overcomplicate: you put resources in, and revenue comes out.
Successful companies thrive when they recognize and properly align their three essential workforce components—Communicators who maintain vision alignment,
Companies that run processes manually first before automating them create more effective systems and avoid costly software implementations that don't match their
Here's how the highest-performing founders systematically leverage people who can do what they're doing 10x better—and why your ego is the biggest obstacle to
Master the art of creating effective job scorecards that define success metrics, align with strategic goals, and transform your hiring and performance management
This article reveals how to transform meeting agendas from perfunctory topic lists into strategic weapons that drive decision momentum, eliminate hidden
Let me ask you a question that might make you uncomfortable: When was the last time you walked out of a meeting thinking, "Wow, that was the absolute best use of...
Ever sat through a weekly meeting and thought, "What a colossal waste of time"? Learn practical strategies for implementation.
True leadership isn't about doing more of what made you successful—it's about embracing a fundamental transformation in how you work, think, and create value
Ever noticed how planning is one of those business activities everyone claims to value but few actually execute well?...
Ever notice how certain businesses navigate market shifts effortlessly while others get absolutely blindsided by problems anyone could see coming?...
Want to know one of the most underrated tools for building company culture? It's not a fancy values poster in your lobby or an expensive offsite retreat.
Ever notice how some business tools get completely misunderstood? Scorecards might be the most underrated—and misused—tool in your business arsenal.
I recently had an enlightening conversation with my friend Rich Jordan about a powerful sales strategy that's transformed how I think about business growth.
Every dollar spent on tasks your customer won't pay for is a dollar eating into your margins. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Once you've identified your ideal customer profile - your 80/20 customers who drive the majority of your business value - it's crucial to align every aspect of...
Let's talk about the single most powerful tool you can implement in your business today: weekly meetings. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Running effective weekly meetings is one of the most crucial skills for any business leader. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Running a successful business isn't about creating the perfect product—it's about building a sustainable operation that generates consistent cash flow.
Running a struggling business feels like being surrounded by fires that all need extinguishing at once. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Ever looked at your business scorecards and thought, "Are these actually helping us grow?" If you're like most business leaders I work with, you've got...
Every successful business runs on systems, not heroics. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Operational Thinking is about systematically reducing friction across every aspect of a business while amplifying its ability to create and deliver value.
Scaling a business is not just about increasing revenue or operations. It’s about scaling the entire system that powers the business.
Five critical systems every growing business needs to scale: transactions, knowledge, communication, execution, and storage. Reduce coordination overhead.
Your brand isn't just your logo or marketing campaigns—it's alive in every single customer interaction. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Taking over an acquisition, or really any new leadership position, is like inheriting someone else's half-finished puzzle.
Energy shapes everything in business - from team dynamics to project outcomes. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
This 3-step framework guides you through understanding, implementing, and documenting new business processes to ensure they are effective, scalable, and aligned
As companies scale, they inevitably encounter breaking points. What worked perfectly at one size begins to crack under the pressure of growth.
I want to dive deep into a concept that's been a game-changer for many businesses, including my own: capability matching.
Definition: A daily huddle is a short, tactical meeting designed to align the team on planned work for the day, setting everyone up for success through...
After spending a few years in middle-market private equity and M&A, I've noticed something interesting: most firms are fighting over the same deals.
It is crucial for new leaders to recognize a fundamental truth: your first 90 days will make or break your leadership journey.
How the Three Machines framework transformed a distribution company's inventory management, driving 310% cash flow improvement.
A systematic approach to organizational design that creates accountability and scales with growth.
Want my take on overseas hiring and AI? Buckle up, because it's not looking good for one of these groups. Let me break it down for you.
Most companies obsess over proving they can deliver. They ignore the deeper trust layer that actually closes deals—and keeps customers loyal when things go wrong.
Learn how to execute a successful 'Day One' as a new CEO or business owner. Discover key strategies for creating value, managing change, and setting a strong foun...
In business, doing things is often more important than thinking about doing things. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Ever wonder why some people seem to achieve the impossible while others struggle to meet basic goals? The answer might surprise you.
Spend analysis is a practice that should be done monthly or quarterly, to analyze where you are spending your money. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
In business efficiency is key. But many companies get bogged down in complex processes that do more harm than good. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Ever feel like you're the only one who truly cares about your company's success? Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Many small business owners and managers find themselves trapped in a cycle of procrastination and delayed action. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Many companies use safety stock as a buffer against supply chain uncertainties, but often set arbitrary limits like "10%" or "1 box" across the board.
If you want to build a world-class company that runs like a well-oiled machine, you have to set culture proactively. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
“In my definition, an entrepreneur is someone who doesn’t just see the problems, but also sees the solutions, the opportunities.”
We all want those A-players who own their work and their team, consistently hit their numbers and get results, and handle problems without you ever even hearing...
One aspect of business management that I often find problematic is the overemphasis on sales as the primary metric of activity and tracking.
02/17/In the complex world of business, having a clear framework is indispensable for thorough analysis and improvement.
In the world of small businesses, your role as a leader or manager can make or break your company's future. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
In the bustling world of small business advice, the allure of piecing together various systems, incentives, and strategies to solve immediate problems is strong.
The key to maintaining a profitable business lies in understanding and implementing fundamental principles that cut across various industries.
As we gear up for the new year, it's time to rethink our approach to annual planning. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Taking over an operation, particularly one that is experiencing turmoil and suboptimal performance, is akin to stepping into a complex puzzle where every piece...
- Internal Challenges: How can I excel in my role? - Personal Ambitions: How do I earn a bigger bonus? - Company Goals: How can we deliver top-quality products?...
Understanding capacity is essential in scaling a small business. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
If you're involved in any facet of Purchase Orders (POs), Sales Orders, Customer Relations, or Quality Control in a manufacturing facility, this article is a...
Laying off employees is an incredibly challenging and sensitive task, and it demands careful planning and thoughtful communication.
Controlling costs is paramount for maintaining efficiency and preventing overhead bloat as your business scales. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
In a world dominated by well-funded corporations and low-cost production hubs like Southeast Asia, small businesses must adopt a different strategy to thrive.
The 1:1 is one of the most important parts of the business cadence. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
In the pursuit of business growth, we all want to boost our capacity, profitability, and sales. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Running a business means dealing with employees who aren’t as invested or as knowledgeable as you. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Want the secret sauce behind Toyota and Danaher's success Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Bandaids are one of the most expensive things a company does, operationally. Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Are you a new manager struggling with the quandary of when to invest in essential resources such as vehicles, employees, or tools?...
Hey there, fellow small business owner!... Learn practical strategies for implementation.
Everyone asks, what does the next, month look like for you? Learn practical strategies for implementation.
When you are great at your work, you have learned how to use the resources around you combined with your skills and experience, to create high-quality outputs.
There are 100s of small improvements you could make each month that would make your business operate smoother, with fewer problems, and a higher growth rate.
Few people write down how to do different jobs in their business. Fewer still write them in a way where they are useful and used.
There are thousands of financial metrics and ratios for looking at and understanding your business, but few are as valuable as RNOA.
Hiring global talent is one of the best ways to grow your business. Learn practical strategies for implementation.