In my last article, I focused on the limitations of organic growth and counseled a strategic approach based on inorganic tactics. In this follow-up, I’ll look at a real-life example illustrating the problems of trying to go it alone.... Read More
Every year, thousands of middle and high school students gather together to find inspiration and skills to become a leader. The National FFA Convention & Expo serves as one of the country’s largest conventions and a time-honored tradition of nearly a century, and it happens right here in Indianapolis. ... Read More
"Two guys walk into a bar" is how the joke usually starts, but this time they sit down at the bar and do not say anything; they take out their phones and just stare at their screens. That is the age in which we live. The next time you go into a restaurant, make your own observations and see who is actually talking to someone else, versus looking at their phone or some other digital device.... Read More
Timing plays a pivotal role in achieving a successful sale. Analyzing market conditions and industry trends is essential to identify optimal windows of opportunity. A robust economy, favorable industry growth, or high demand for your business's products or services can increase its value and attract more potential buyers. ... Read More
It's no secret that the housing market is experiencing spooky times, with home prices around all-time highs and mortgage rates at multi-decade highs. This isn't good news if you are looking to buy a home right now, especially if you are a first-time home buyer. ... Read More
This month, we recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month. NDEAM is about creating awareness and educating the public on issues relating to the employment of people with disabilities.... Read More
Small businesses are always looking for ways to keep and retain talent. Job seekers want secure and reliable benefits — which include health care. While affordability for businesses may seem like a problem, there are ways to offer what prospective employees need.... Read More
Temperatures (and leaves) may be falling, but with the new year on the horizon, critical employee compensation issues are rising. With that in mind, let’s look at what’s happening with employee pay topics.... Read More
While there are many critical components to employee benefits packages -- such as healthcare and pay, which generally top the list -- paid time off (PTO) is a critical part of your company’s total rewards. We often talk about remote, hybrid, and flexible work arrangements, which are attractive and gaining a lot of attention, but we aren’t talking as much about paid time off.... Read More
A financial plan consists of many topics, but one of the main focal points is retirement. Having worked as a financial planner for over seven years, I’ve picked up anecdotal and experiential observations that shed light on some of the common retirement myths and misconceptions I’ve noticed over my career.... Read More
There’s understandably a lot of fear surrounding Alzheimer’s. After all, it’s a terrible disease that kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, and its symptoms can be baffling and debilitating. However, as understandable as those fears are, they’re complemented by a pair of myths that we simply can’t allow to persist because, every day, those myths prevent millions of people from living better, happier lives.... Read More
Manufacturing 4.0 is the fourth industrial revolution, which is characterized by the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to automate and optimize manufacturing processes.... Read More
It’s a simple fact: everybody has to write sometimes, whether that means a regular stream of content, a text to the boss, or anything in between. Frankly, most people dread the thought of creating even a simple email.... Read More
The Baby Boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964 and comprising a staggering 78.8 million individuals, stands as one of the most significant and influential demographic cohorts in recent history (Springer, 2023). This generation witnessed and contributed to significant cultural, social, and economic changes, from the civil rights movement to the rise of the internet. ... Read More
Many investors took advantage of the recent high inflation rates to purchase I-Bonds from the Federal Government. Now that inflation rates have decreased significantly, many bondholders are wondering what to do with their investments. ... Read More
For the past 30-plus years, I have worked for someone else. My paychecks grew as my work experience and responsibilities grew, and for the most part I enjoyed a long, fulfilling career. Yet, as retirement loomed closer, my wife and I started thinking about options. ... Read More
Lilly Endowment Inc. probably hasn’t received the societal praise it deserves when considering its history of capacity building among nonprofits. Their foresight and leadership have been a welcome catalyst to growth and change. I think it’s time for leaders in many smaller organizations to aspire to a similar type of transformation. Will a funder out there be willing to be the catalyst for their next steps?... Read More
In a recent Perspectives article, the president of A-1 Cash Advance – a payday lender with several storefronts in Indiana - questioned both the intent of advocacy by Hoosiers for Responsible Lending and our assertions about the impact that high-cost payday loans have on Hoosiers. We are writing to set the record straight on several key points.... Read More
In June 2023, the Federal Trade Commission put new standards in place for any non-banking entity that handles customer financial data. Think mortgage brokers, CPA firms, registered investment advisors and car dealerships. In an era when data breaches make headlines regularly, it’s critical for a business to protect a customer’s private data not only from a service perspective but also from a legal perspective.... Read More
The other day, I got a notice from my auto insurance provider stating that my premium would rise starting on my renewal date next month. When I took a closer look, I discovered it was close to a 30% increase! After some frantic research, I quickly realized that I wasn’t alone. ... Read More
