Category Archives: Management

2013 Planning:
Try Starting with “Who”

For many years, I’ve begun each annum with my clients by helping them answer the Seven Questions,  some simple keys to basic planning for the year. This year the questions have been picked up by my friend Jim Blasingame at the … Continue reading

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Santa Boss: The Role of a Business Owner

Ebenezer Scrooge was visited by three ghosts, so it’s fitting that I tackle the issue of the holidays three times. We’ve discussed terminations close to the holidays, and the custom of dispensing year-end bonuses. But in the end Dicken’s Scrooge was … Continue reading

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Year End Bonuses: Incentive or Entitlement?

It’s time for our annual discussion of the Holiday bonus.I pine for the days of my spiritual ancestor Ebenezer, who was offended at the expectation that he would pay Cratchit a whole day’s wages without receiving any work in return. One year … Continue reading

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Holiday Terminations: Scrooge or Chicken?

This year, my first holiday termination conversation came on November 20th; a bit early in the season. Like traditionalists who hold off on Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving Day, most business owners start avoiding termination announcements a few weeks before the holidays.With the Great … Continue reading

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Employee Confidentiality: Circles Within Circles

The father of a friend, a rancher in South Texas, conveys confidential information by preceding it with the following caution. “Now I’m going to tell you a secret, and you have to swear not to tell another soul. And when … Continue reading

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