Recently, I ordered some sleeping equipment. A friend of mine had ordered similar equipment from a large bureaucratic organization.   My friend felt that because he went with a large organization his experiences resulted in being impersonal and inflexible. I decided on using a locally owned business instead and I’m glad I did.   This local medical ...

The post Small Business Care appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In business, there are cycles. Some years are good, but there are also years that are a real struggle. Those years can bring financial challenges, personnel issues, or both.  If you’re not clear as to why you’re doing the work you are doing, it can be easier to choose to quit or close your business. ...

The post Do Not Grow Weary appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Worldwide, 41 percent of workers feel “a lot” of stress during their workday, according to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace.1 Twenty-one percent said they experienced “a lot” of anger, 22 percent said they felt “a lot” of sadness, and 20 percent – one in five – said they felt “a lot” of ...

The post Working for the Right Thing appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

A recent Gallup poll1 found that 42 percent of employees who voluntarily left their organizations reported that their manager or organization could have done something to prevent them from leaving. Follow-up research found that managers could have made a difference if they had engaged employees in discussions about their job satisfaction, performance, or future with ...

The post Serving the Team appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Whenever he went to the grocery store, Brian would retrieve at least one wayward grocery cart from the parking lot and return it to the store. He felt it was a small way he could help reduce clutter, improve the store’s aesthetics, and maybe make someone’s job easier.  But on one of his trips, he ...

The post Visible Deeds appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Sam was frustrated with his job and struggling with his role. He and his boss agreed that he would transition to a new role that seemed to be a better fit. Although Sam was grateful for the opportunity, it was still a major change. He processed it by posting his thoughts on an anonymous on-line ...

The post Demonstrating Discretion appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

I was leading a non-profit board when we faced a divisive issue. Emotions were high, so we brought in a seasoned mediator to help us find a solution. The mediator recommended activities focused on building relationships and consensus to allow us to move forward.  I, and a couple other board leaders, decided the issues couldn’t ...

The post Take Time to Learn appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

While I was doing freelance consulting, securing new clients was critical. I was excited to find a woman who was new to her role in an area where I had done work. I reached out, offering to help her in her new role. To showcase my experience, I planned to send her work I ...

The post Customer Relationship Integrity appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Have you ever changed jobs, suddenly immersed into a new culture? Did you infect it with your values, or did they infect you with theirs? As a teenager, the prophet Daniel was captured and immersed into Babylon’s culture. King Nebuchadnezzar wanted Daniel and his friends indoctrinated into Babylon’s ways, so they were placed in a ...

The post Infecting the Culture appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

Recently, an insurance adjuster assessed our roof for hail damage. From the moment the adjuster climbed out of his truck, he moved diligently and at a fast pace.  He knew what he came to accomplish, and he was determined to do it as efficiently as possible. Instead of pulling out a ladder, he pulled ...

The post Working Smarter Not Harder appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.