One of the most effective ways to improve financial performance is by managing variable costs strategically.  Variable costs change with activity, think direct materials, hourly labor, shipping, utilities, commissions, or packaging.

Consider a variable cost “lever” strategy built on three essential pillars:

1.       Change is constant. Markets shift, costs evolve, and customer expectations rise.

2.       Learning never stops. New tools and methods are always emerging.

3.       Continuous improvement is, well, continuous. There’s always room to get better.

Below are some proven strategies to effectively manage variable costs without sacrificing quality or performance, with real examples for manufacturing, distribution, and service businesses.

Investing in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can transform how small and mid-sized businesses operate. But it’s not a simple decision, and it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution.

A CRM can do many things:  manage customer data, streamline the sales process, improve follow-up, and drive growth. But if implemented without planning, it can waste money, frustrate your team, and create more headaches than it solves.

Before you choose a system (or even decide if you need one at all), here are some practical questions leaders should ask.

A CRM can be one of your best business investments, helping you manage growth, improve customer experience, gain valuable insights, and boost close rates. But it only delivers value if you ask the right questions first.

In today’s uncertain economic environment, small and mid-sized businesses face the same demanding expectations as their larger counterparts. Customers want fast, consistent service and seamless experiences.

But at the midpoint of 2025, leaders are navigating a uniquely challenging landscape: uncharted tariffs impacting global supply chains, pending federal tax legislation that could reshape planning, persistently high interest rates driving up the cost of capital, and ongoing headwinds in the housing market that ripple through many industries.

Unlike large corporations with deep reserves and large teams, smaller businesses need to do more with less. That’s where automation is proving to be a game-changer, helping companies streamline operations, reduce costs, and deliver consistent, high-quality service even in the face of uncertainty.

Why Automation Isn’t Just for Big Companies Anymore

Why Now Is the Time to Look Under the Hood

Today’s business leaders are navigating in murky waters:

• Uncharted tariff deals that could reshape supply chains overnight

• Pending tax legislation with unknown bottom-line implications

• Global unrest adding volatility to material costs and market demand

• Stubbornly high interest rates, increasing the cost of capital for growth initiatives

With uncertainty at nearly every turn, companies can’t afford to “wait and see” if operations will hold under pressure. They need to know, and that begins with looking inward.

In business, it's easy to get lost in the noise of new tools, trends, and tactics. But at the heart of every successful company is a timeless principle: strategy sets the course, structure builds the road, and execution is the vehicle that drives the journey.

Let’s connect for a complimentary operations review session.

Let’s Talk if You’re Asking Questions Like…

• Why does growth seem to be creating more complexity instead of momentum?

• Where are we leaking profit within our day-to-day operations?

• Why do our departments operate in silos instead of as a cohesive team?

• What’s really behind the performance gaps we’re seeing, and how do we fix them?

You do not need a business degree to successfully plan, structure, launch, and move a new business into its early growth stage. Many of us who dream of starting a business are motivated by a great idea and the opportunity to work for ourselves, manage our schedules, make our own decisions, make more money, and make a difference.

Whatever your motivation, Your Small Business Blueprint offers a straightforward, step-by-step framework to build your startup, help you discover what works best for you, and ensure your dream becomes a reality.

A simple analogy to building a startup business is the process of constructing a new home. From the design layout in the blueprints to the construction, the final inspection, and the move-in day, there is a sequence of steps every contractor must follow to build a new home successfully.

I recently had an experience that profoundly shifted the direction of my life — both personally and professionally. And while I want to share that journey, this post isn’t really about me. It’s about you—and what you might discover through a LifePlan™.

Ask yourself:

• “I want to contribute differently—maybe even more meaningfully—but I’m not sure where to begin.”

• “Change makes me uneasy, but I know I could be happier.”

• “Someday, I’m going to make a change and finally do that thing I’ve been thinking about.”

Are you overwhelmed by the endless decisions and challenges of launching a startup? You’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs dive in without a clear roadmap, only to find themselves stuck, stressed, and struggling to stay afloat. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

That’s why I wrote Your Small Business Blueprint — a step-by-step guide designed to help you build, launch, and grow your dream startup with confidence. Whether you’re just starting or turning a side hustle into a full-fledged business, this book breaks down the process into clear, actionable steps — minimizing risk and maximizing results.

Growing a business is exciting, but let’s be real — it’s not always easy! As your business expands, new challenges pop up, and what once worked smoothly may start feeling like running in quicksand. If you’re hitting some roadblocks, you’re not alone! Here are five common growth challenges small businesses face and how you can tackle them head-on.

Providing a world-class customer experience doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require consistency, attentiveness, and a customer-first mindset. Here are three key strategies to elevate your customer experience:

Feb 26

Background

In 2018, I co-founded an e-commerce distribution business specializing in a unique, design-driven interior wall covering product. I describe it as "modified" e-commerce because, unlike traditional self-serve platforms, successful transactions require direct interaction between the seller and the customer.

The market was on a strong upward growth trend, and we believed we had a product that stood out in a competitive landscape. The market was saturated with local, regional, and national distributors in the building materials industry, offering a wide range of wall-covering solutions — from paint to wallpaper, wood to stone, and everything in between. While our product had several distinct advantages — such as low installation cost, minimal scrap waste, ultimate design flexibility, and superior quality — we faced an important question:

The Challenge

Is having the best product at the best price enough to win customers?

The answer: NO WAY!

Despite having an outstanding product at one of the lowest price points in the category, we quickly realized that quality, price and basic order to delivery service alone would not be enough to drive sales and customer loyalty.