When thinking about operations, remember every business operates — some just operate better than others. Whether your approach to operations is reactive or proactive determines how smoothly your team handles day-to-day activities as well as unexpected crises.

Last month, as a way to look at how businesses face different challenges, we introduced two new business owners trying to stake out (or keep) their places in the auto repair industry.

We are going to take a look at two fictional companies and their decisions. Although they are not real businesses, they are made up of composites and circumstances we have dealt with and observed in our years as advisors. At points along the story, you may think you’d surely see things clearly and make the right decision if you were in that scenario. Remember though, decisions always feel right in the moment. This can be due to inexperience, overconfidence or simply not having access to the tools and resources that can help a business grow.

Spring is almost upon us, and it’s normal to feel a sense of renewal as daylight hours increase, warm weather returns, and flowers bloom. How are you channeling some of this springtime energy into positive changes for your business?

As we continue looking at how some of the eight business fundamentals work together, it’s time to examine the relationship between marketing and sales. These two roles rely on each other, and it’s hard to overstate the importance of making sure a marketing team and sales team talk to each other and cooperate.

As Christmas approaches and we gather loved ones near, it’s a good time to reflect on some of the larger things in life. Holidays bring out the desire to be a better person, help others, and be appreciative of blessings that aren’t packaged in bright paper or festive bows. Sometimes the best gifts are hard-won lessons, a changed outlook, or a spark of insight about how to approach a given situation.

November Newsletter November 22, 2022 The word “courage” is thrown around loosely these days, but have you ever thought about what it means to you and your business? Before you even opened your doors to customers, you demonstrated courage as a business owner. And that courage is tested regularly — while weathering bad markets, considering expansion, or hiring new employees.

There are huge opportunities to continue to improve efficiency in the way your business operates. Yet business owners are often unable to see past the way they’ve “always done things.”

Where are your important documents when you need them? One good rule of business (and life) is to expect the unexpected. Through the normal life of a company, there will be times when you must have important documents close at hand due to something unexpected.

Market cycles make headlines, no matter which way things are going. While it’s useful to understand past cycles and be aware of market changes, that awareness won’t be of use unless your business is also prepared.

Summer is in full swing, and the sunny weather brings thoughts of vacation adventures and quality time with family. Some like to fly by the seat of their pants and not plan anything ahead of time, while others put in serious research and map out every meal and bathroom break in order to get the most out of their time away.

The topic of most concern to our clients over the last few months has been finding and retaining labor. After one such conversation with a client, we went to a sandwich shop for lunch and noticed a full staff bustling about the food preparation area. And yet, another sandwich chain across the street had a HELP WANTED sign out front.

With the current business environment and lack of quality labor, the level to which your employees feel engaged is paramount to the success and growth of your business. How do you show appreciation to your staff?

When was the last time you improved a business relationship by making a referral? When was the last time you leveraged a business relationship and asked for a referral? We feel making referrals is vital in a world so reliant on customer reviews and feedback. We further explore the topic in this month’s Navigator.

We’d like to focus this issue of The Navigator on public relations. What can it do for your company? A standard ad is designed to show the benefits of using a service or product. Public relations, on the other hand, is designed to inspire one or more media decision-makers to include your voice in their story. Whether it is in an article they’re writing or a story they’re producing, as an expert in your field, your inclusion will increase credibility.