The next greatest thing in technology isn’t a product, but a process where AI solves business problems. Artificial intelligence means many different things because its potential applications are so wide and varied. While we may think of it as mimicking the brain processing and creativity of humans, to the business owner its promise lies in … Continue reading "How AI Solves Business Problems"

Business integrity is earned, not automatic. Have you ever come across these situations? A person says one thing and does another. Someone lies to obtain an advantage. A story is made up to protect yourself or put others in jeopardy. You may get away with it in the short run. But there is usually … Continue reading "How to Gain Business Integrity"

Voice search is going mainstream. How often do you use your golden vocal chords to search the internet? Its estimated half of all internet searches will be done by voice two years from now. (Social Lens) Why? eMarketer projects the number of smart speaker users, those who have an Amazon Alexa or a Google Home … Continue reading "Prepare Your Business for Voice Search"

Small business may be overlooking a marketing opportunity through radio advertising. The Nielsen Company estimates that 93% of all U.S. adults listen to radio weekly. Your business customer or prospect is probably one of them. It’s true that more and more marketing dollars are going to online advertising, particularly for mobile video at the expense … Continue reading "When Radio Advertising Works for Business"

In the game of poker, deception is often more powerful than the cards you hold. Could we be seeing much the same thing play out in a trade war between the United States, China, Canada, Mexico, and other countries around the world? For the vast majority of business the situation may be more uncomfortable than … Continue reading "What’s the Trade War End Game?"

Small business owners with less than 50 employees are calling their healthcare consultants for advice and feasibility studies on a potential opportunity to reduce their employee healthcare costs. They’re responding to a recent Trump administration final ruling on health plans offered by associations. Listen to what two Horan Associates experts have to say about the … Continue reading "A Small Business Healthcare Cost Victory?"

If you’re a business owner, do you prepare to lose employees? It’s no secret that there hasn’t been a better time in the last 17 years for quitting a job than now. In some parts of the country there are more jobs available than workers. Less risk, greater reward is the prevailing attitude. Planning … Continue reading "Why Prepare to Lose Employees?"

When you go back to the same restaurant, salon, store, or business regularly, chances are you do so because you receive servant customer service. Those serving you know you by name, recognize your interests, or meet your needs in an exceptional way. Have you ever tried to put a value on this type of customer … Continue reading "The Value of Servant Customer Service"

Does a good economy have you thinking about making a business move or expanding? In May this year the unemployment rate in the U.S. was 3.8%. It was 49 years ago, 1969, that the annual unemployment rate average was below 4%. So this indicator suggests that conditions are ripe today for finding ways to grow … Continue reading "Risk a Business Move, Expansion or Stay Put?"

There are more jobs in the Midwest today than there are workers. Business is filling jobs by recruiting from other states and dipping into the ranks of high school students. But that’s not enough. Recruiting and developing workers is a comprehensive effort that requires a partnership between business, vocational training centers, and higher education. According … Continue reading "Filling Jobs for Business Starts in 5th Grade"