Silos can happen in any business, in all industries. So, what exactly is a “silo”? Growing up a farm kid, I would refer to this as a grain bin, which is a place to store the crop after harvest and keep it dry before selling the grain. From a business perspective, it has a different…
We all have things that we have done and we all have some things left undone. Ask yourself the question: Why have I started and completed certain goals, actions, or tasks in my life? Now ask the next question: Why have I not yet completed certain goals, actions, or tasks in my life? I remember…
Is your company going through major and necessary change? Or more importantly, are you in desperate need of challenging the status quo? Effective change management, cultural innovation and helping employees understand the change process is critical to building and maintaining growth and positive momentum in any organization. Those organizations that are quickly able to adapt…
Weekly Planning – Why it Matters What Next Week Looks Like Most companies will pay lip-service to the importance of planning ahead and staying on top of their game, but only the most successful companies make organization and time management habits a key focus of their company culture. The resulting increase in efficiency and productivity…
Drop a Pebble…Chase the Ripples I am at a stage in my life, at 82 years, where it is difficult to remember what was “original” with me, or something I picked up from someone else. I used the phrase, “drop a pebble” way back when I started in my business and sales activities. The words…
Are You on the Same Page? – How to Get Your Entire Business Aligned Most entrepreneurs understand on some level that they need to have a clear and succinct vision for their company. Who are we? What do we offer? Who are our customers? A business is largely defined by its vision, and its success…
Team Engagement – Simple Steps to Make Them Want to Help Your Business The key to succeeding in any industry is to have productive and effective employees. While you can hire the best people and create an effective company vision and structure, you still need to bring your employees on board to ensure that they…
Unlike many terms in business jargon that seem to come and go with little lasting impact, business silos are a persistent problem faced by modern businesses for decades now. Many experienced managers and management specialists believe that silos are a natural development as a business grows beyond its unified roots into a more complex departmental…
There is nothing quite as frustrating and disheartening as operating a business during an economic downturn. Your customers are hesitant, your investors are nervous, your suppliers are under pressure, and everyone is uncertain what the future will bring. Trying to maintain business-driving sales in a downturn economy often feels like trying to empty the ocean…
When the team at X5 Management provides business consulting services to leaders and executives, we often get asked the same question – what is the secret of success? In truth, there is no magic wand to ensure success. Success is a long, winding road that others aren’t even aware of. Much like an iceberg, others only…
