The ground beneath every business feels like thin ice right now, cracking under the weight of economic chaos and political unpredictability. As layoffs spread and consumers pull back, leaders face an impossible choice: hunker down to survive or take bold risks to grow. There’s no clear path forward, only the urgency to stay nimble and transparent with your team. In times like these, the strongest leaders balance ruthless cost control with empathy, honesty and the courage to seize unexpected opportunities. more

Friction exists in every organization — but great leaders know it’s their job to reduce it. Whether it’s a sales rep stuck on box 16a of a form or a new team confused by undocumented workarounds, small inefficiencies add up fast. Often, the obstacles aren’t strategic — they’re self-inflicted. And if you’re not actively seeking out and fixing those pain points, you’re probably standing in the way of your own team’s success. more

When we experience success, it’s easy to say that it’s because we’re outperforming others in key areas. Conversely, when someone in our peer group isn’t doing well, we’re quick to attribute their circumstances to personal failings or a lack of ability on their part. However, E&P columnist Doug Phares says the truth is that every person and business does some things right and others wrong. more

E&P columnist Doug Phares firmly believes that wisdom can be found anywhere, and he recently made a discovery while walking his dog. His dog can recognize patterns and knows that two paths that they sometimes take on their walks are comfortable, and one path pushes him. There's a lesson in this for managers, too. more

In business, emotional swings are to be expected. When you run your own business, whether a growing startup or a plateaued mature company, you will simply have to ride the emotional rollercoaster. But, if it’s easy for owners to ride the emotional rollercoaster down, why can’t we ride it back up to the top? more

When there is mass uncertainty and a lot of the unknown barreling toward you, your best defense is having the right tool. And as a business leader in uncertain times, your best tool is information. In the face of precarity, your ability to absorb, process and act on information will define your success (or lack thereof). more

In business, a name can make or break a product, transforming a great concept into a must-have or letting it fade into obscurity. Doug Phares explores this phenomenon in this month's column, sharing stories from his own experiences, from rebranding a “Base Revenue Worksheet” to a sales success to the rise of “oat milk” over “oat juice.” Phares makes the case that a thoughtful name gives a product identity, purpose, and even power—showing that, in today’s market, words truly matter. more

E&P columnist Doug Phares recently switched from an extremely rigid and stressful time management system to one with an approach that is a lot looser. Now, he lists A, B and C priorities he wants to work on, with special notes for tasks with impending deadlines that can’t be pushed back. Six weeks into the experiment, he says this new approach has really reduced his stress. more

Disinformation has replaced disintermediation as the word of the day, and many consumers aren’t happy. People are starting to miss being able to reliably get products and information that have been vetted and provided by an intermediary. This leads to an important question: Is the pendulum about to swing the other way? more

E&P columnist Doug Phares has built a record of success throughout his career by sticking to the playbook. He says: "That didn’t mean just following it myself — it also meant making sure that my team knew the playbook and knew how to use it. There are times and places to be innovative or creative and make big, sweeping changes. But when it comes right down to it, almost any business’ core operations can be written down in a playbook and followed." more

In the whirlwind of entrepreneurship and leadership, finding moments to step back and gain perspective is often overlooked but crucial. Much like the anecdote of Warren Buffet's seemingly blank calendar, reminding us of the value of taking time to think, E&P's Doug Phares shares his journey of rediscovering this wisdom amidst the chaos of launching a startup enterprise. more

A yesterday business falls back on “well this is how we’ve always done it, so this is how we should continue doing it.” And for much of American history, this strategy has been enough for plenty of businesses to succeed. But in the last 20 years, we’ve seen a growing class of disruptors who take the old model and find a way to change it for tomorrow. more

E&P columnist Doug Phares isn't expecting huge workplace changes during 2024. Instead, as he gazes into his crystal ball, he's predicting change will come with small, gradual steps. Read his predictions about pricing, AI and the job market. more

Managing personnel can be a fraught subject even in the simplest of circumstances. Specifically, it can be hard to balance your desire to do right by the company with your desire to do right by your people. This case study from 1969 offers a lot of insight into how employers should approach managing today. more

Fear is an inherently defensive feeling. It can lead to hunkering down and weathering the storm, but staying safe and growing are two very different things. In business, these two actions may sometimes be mutually exclusive. more

In many organizations, and certainly within organizations of size, a role arises out of necessity: the fix-it guy. This person has a particular talent for getting things done without planning. So when a problem suddenly arises or things get stuck, they’re the one that everyone rushes to. But, is the fix-it guy actually good for the overall health of an organization? more

As a manager, you must balance the things that need to get done and the time available. Are you spending your time wisely? Or are you wasting this resource on things that other people could be doing? That kind of examination is absolutely crucial to getting the most value out of your time. more

Employees who are happy with their current employers aren’t likely to be tempted into another position. So, how do you ensure you don't lose your people to a new, more appealing offer? Simple. You become the other job. Instead of the boring person at home, you become the mistress. more

Business momentum tends to be a more significant factor in gauging a business’ performance than many people think. Some of what is happening to you may be of your own making, but it’s important to remember that you're surrounded by outside forces that could change your trajectory. more

If you’re in charge, your team or organization will inevitably look to you for direction to help lead them down the correct path. And depending on the talent on your team and the type of organization, that might not take much. For example, when you have a lot of strength above and below you, it’s often much easier to make good choices and set a course you feel confident about. Other times, the next steps just aren't as straightforward. more