The 5 Areas Where Your Company is Most at Risk [Podcast]

A deep-dive explanation about the main categories of strategic risk (Governance, Operational, Competitive, Financial, Reputational), and the 4-step process you can use to evaluate them.

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Completing a Pre-Flight Check of Your Business

An airplane pilot has the responsibility to conduct safety inspections—both before they take off and after they land. Diligent maintenance checks can help to avoid things going wrong: equipment failure, accident, injury, or a catastrophic crash.

Before launching a project or initiative, risk intelligent business owners can identify potential vulnerabilities by conducting a Pre-Flight Check. This evaluation can reveal valuable information that is both quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (experiences and sensations).

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15 More Places to Look for Strategic Risk in a Company: Qualitative

Quality is much different than quantity. It includes sensations and feelings from interviews, discussions, and narrative stories that are difficult to turn into specific numbers.

Although it takes more time to collect, qualitative data is extremely helpful because it provides a depth of understanding about very complex problems.

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Interpreting Numbers and Experiences [Podcast]

What’s the difference between quantitative data (numbers) and qualitative data (experiences & emotions)?

Keep reading to find out why these are both essential parts of overcoming barriers as an owner, and examples of where to look for vulnerabilities in your business.

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Have You Ever Served the Wrong Kind of Customer?

I have made lots of mistakes as a consultant. Most of these happened because I didn’t know myself — my limitations, personality type, and blind spots.

A lot of business owners feel the need to convince customers they are worthy to solve their problems. But this can seem like desperation… and it results in offering too much to the wrong type of customer.

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Frankenstein Management: Why Bias Can Destroy a Great Business

What should you do when policies aren’t being followed, customers are upset, and everything starts to fall apart?

These are all symptoms of Frankenstein Management Syndrome: A condition where harmful outcomes occur because leaders are disconnected from the needs of their employees, customers, and community.

Let’s explore what causes this scary condition and how to avoid it.

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Company Culture FAQs Part 3 of 5

In part 3 of the series about Frequently Asked Questions on creating a sustainable Company Culture, we discuss the benefits and downsides of social media.

I’ll also share my secret to finding balance as a business owner.

Watch the recorded video here, or reading bonus-filled content below.

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Company Culture FAQs Part 2 of 5

This is the second post in a series about Frequently Asked Questions on the topic of Company Culture.

I will explain why it’s important, and provide some examples of companies with a good and bad  culture.

Watch the recorded video here, or keep reading for bonus-filled content.

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Understanding the Culture of a Company, Part 2: Deeper Culture

Some aspects of a company are easy to see from the outside. These “surface” elements include things like the logo, building, language, and communication style.

But there is also a foundational layer that are an extension of the owner’s beliefs and values.

Let’s explore the mysteries that lie under the surface of a company… the Deeper Culture.

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Why Unconscious Aggression is So Hard to See as a Leader

Can we be aggressive toward someone and not even know it?

I think we can.

Aggression is behavior that is hostile, forceful, or destructive. It comes from the Latin ad- (“to”) and the word gradi (“to step toward something or approach; to attack”).

It is an outward expression of inward anger that can cause incredible harm to others, even if we don’t realize it at first. Sometimes it’s difficult to know what aggression looks like, especially if you’re very comfortable with a highly competitive atmosphere.

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