Owning or managing a business can come with a lot of stress. Ensuring you are turning a profit, staying fully staffed, stocking your supplies and even just getting the doors opened and closed are daily tasks that can quickly become a lot to juggle. Aside from the daily tightrope walk that operating a business can be, there are also big-picture scenarios to worry about—from natural disasters to cyber-attacks to other financial hurdles that we all hope never to have to cross. Read on →

Flexibility is a term that is said so often and can mean so many things in the workforce today. Job seekers want it and schedules require it, but how do you manage it? How do you create a unified team when your team may or may not ever see each other? Flexibility is more than just a buzzword, so learning how to manage a workforce with diversified work locations and schedules is crucial. Read on →

What resolutions are you making for the new year? Is making a resolution more about goal setting for you or simply dreaming grand ideas? However you approach this tradition, or even if you skip it altogether, the new year is the perfect time to reevaluate the benefits you offer your team. Taking a look at the ways you are building your staff is crucial throughout the year, but perhaps this year you could resolve to give your employees what they really want—and perhaps by taking a more personal approach, the reward to you will be employees that build your brand and live out your mission. Read on →

There is no denying that we live in a digital age and that flexibility in scheduling and workspaces is a top priority of job seekers these days. There is also no denying that the more we connect via the cyber-world, the more we open ourselves and our businesses up to risks. If you are hiring remote workers or even hybrid workers and skipping face-to-face interactions, you could end up with staff who are under-qualified or involved in fraudulent activities. Read on →

Management will always come with a unique set of challenges, but if you have stepped into a leadership role for the first time, it can be doubly difficult. Even for those who have been in leadership for years, accepting a management position with a new company can feel like starting all over again. Whether you were recently promoted or a seasoned pro stepping into a new company, there is plenty of advice for easing the newness and allowing you to show your staff exactly what you are made of. Read on →

As we enter into the biggest shopping season of the year, many places add to their staff with seasonal hires. Seasonal workers are defined as those who only work for a short period of time to meet the needs of your company. While hiring these short-term staffers is a common practice in retail environments, it is also a great way to staff seasonal tourist spots like ski resorts. Regardless of your reason for bringing on additional short-term staff, managing them and the additional risks they bring can be tricky. Read on →

You know that insurance is important, but it can be easy to get lost in deciphering the different kinds of insurance out there. When you own a franchise, there is typically a minimum amount of coverage that you are required to carry. But what if you want to go above and beyond? Your business is your investment. The better protected you are, the more you can focus on growing your brand and the lower your stress levels will be. Read on →

Being in leadership means being a lifelong learner. You are always looking for a book, article or webinar that can bolster your skills and help guide you through the challenges of the business world today. Some positions may even require continued education or regular meetings designed to refine some facet of your job. This pursuit of knowledge can become cumbersome, even for those that love learning. Finding ways to keep your interest piqued so that you can continue to grow is crucial in being the best leader you can be. Read on →

If you have ever attended a recreational children’s sports event, you have likely heard “hustle up” screamed over and over by well meaning and overly excited parents. As a culture, hustling often means so much more than just running a little faster down the soccer field. We hustle through morning routines, hustle to and from work and hustle to get dinner on the table and the kids in bed. Read on →

Does the list of responsibilities ever end when you own your own business? You enter into ownership knowing that it won’t be your typical 9–5, but some aspects of managing the day to day can feel complicated and cumbersome. Risk management is defined as the process of finding, assessing and controlling threats to your company’s financial security. Most franchisees or small business owners will consider a variety of risks as they are stepping into their business endeavor, but risks should be continually factored throughout the life of your business—and managing those risks should be part of your daily routine. Read on →