Business/Marketing/Sales

Standard operating procedures, or SOPs, are the backbone of safe, consistent and efficient operations. They define how work gets done, reduce variability...

Slowly read that headline again. Can you feel the grease in my slicked-back hair and sleaziness oozing out my pores? That’s the...

The service agreement model at Tri-County Water Services is built around a single truth: People would rather prevent a disaster than respond...

Businesses are currently facing one of the most severe employee engagement crises in history. Burnout, dissatisfaction, transactional mindsets and a global political...

In the trades, it’s easy for a quiet divide to form. Owners are thinking about payroll, insurance, scheduling, customer retention, equipment costs, and...

I have now worked in the wastewater industry for 37 years. One might think of retiring after 37 years. One’s wife might...

Once you’ve grown past five employees, winging it stops working. You cannot keep eyes on everything yourself, and you cannot personally train...

In many trades, when someone with years of experience buys a business of their own, you often hear them say that while...

Finding good employees is difficult. Keeping them on board is no picnic, either. But at Hoover Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Troy,...

In today's competitive business landscape, achieving operational efficiency and maximizing profitability is crucial for long-term success. To optimize resource allocation, control costs, and...

When most people think about work, “fun” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind. Deadlines, meetings and spreadsheets? Sure. But...

There’s a common refrain employees hear these days: “AI isn’t coming for your job. It’s the person who understands AI who will...

At Cornel’s Plumbing, Heating & Air in Portland, Oregon, culture is always top of mind, according to Westie Magnuson. Magnuson’s official job title...

Most leaders don’t ignore change because they don’t care. They ignore it because, in the moment, it doesn’t feel urgent. When the...

No business owner wakes up excited to raise prices. For many, it feels uncomfortable, risky, and even a little personal. You worry...

John Bottala, Western Rooter & Plumbing CEO, says he is not happy about the price gouging and overinflated quotes he’s been seeing...

You’ve secured the job. Your crew is ready. Yet, before any work is done, the prospective client Googles your firm. They find a negative review:...