If you think about some of the most successful brands in America, they are well-defined in attributes that support the vision, mission and values of the brand. These attributes are often referred to as their brand pillars. Brand pillars serve as a foundation for how the brand behaves, communicates and connects with its target customers.…

Whether you are working in an office, operating a restaurant or manage a retail location, having a consistent set of opening and closing procedures helps minimize customer disruption (and disappointment) and creates a seamless approach to managing your business. Much like a pre-flight checklist for pilots or an NFL team scripting their first 15 plays…

If I were to ask employees and managers what their favorite part of their job is, my guess is that performance reviews wouldn’t be at the top of the list. There is something that is administratively painful about conducting performance reviews, but if you view it as an opportunity rather than a task, it can…

Throughout my career, I have been involved in several high-growth companies. Some of these companies grew organically by adding new locations over time to bolster their portfolios. Others focused their growth through acquisitions — essentially using their capital to purchase existing competitive locations to expand their network. While there isn’t just one path to successfully…

I have worked with many single-store operators that have created a niche brand for their concept. Some have been in business for several years and will ask me my thoughts on whether their concept is “franchisable.” I tell them that is a complex question and there are several aspects to consider, but if they can…

I love to create something from the ground up. As an avid gardener, I have done this many times over — taking a raw piece of dirt and creating a magical paradise creating signature items such as patios, creeks, golf holes, etc., and interweaving this into one overall design that captures the imagination of the…

Effective leadership involves a myriad of skillsets that when properly combined and executed creates a dynamic leader that can take their teams to levels never thought possible. It involves accountability; communication; mentorship; coaching skills; time management prowess; and the ability to adapt and change course when thrown a curve ball. Such challenges will amplify the…

The art of corporate communications stems around the strategic management of information within an organization and its external stakeholders. It should not be left to chance. So, every internal message, public relations announcement, investor relations communication and overall brand messaging — they all have a cohesive, proactive purpose. The goal is to ensure a consistent,…

Most people that know me know that I like to get involved in the details and one area that I really like to dissect is a profit & loss (P&L) statement. In my opinion, this is where many people miss opportunities to “count the pennies” that add up to the real dollars. In addition, when…

I have been putting together business plans for over 30 years and it is clear to me that the strength of its core rests solely on being able to execute the plan. Each year I approach business planning as an opportunity, rather than a burden. I would rather invest the time up front mapping out…