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The Handoff That Matters: Perfecting Sales-to-Operations Transitions
In many mid-market businesses, the baton pass from sales to operations is where even the best deals can stumble. The sales team...
pbowles3
Aug 4, 20252 min read


Agile Leadership in Action: Empower Teams, Adapt Fast
Adaptability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a survival skill. For small and medium businesses, being prepared to adjust plans, processes, and...
pbowles3
Jul 28, 20252 min read


Feedback That Works: Grow Your Team in Real Time
Creating a culture of continuous feedback is like swapping an old-school map for real-time GPS—your team gets warmer, faster. More small...
pbowles3
Jul 21, 20252 min read


Wellness That Works: Smart, Practical Tips for SMBs
Looking out for your team isn’t just nice—it’s smart business. In fact, a 62% increase in mental health budgets from HR leaders...
pbowles3
Jul 15, 20252 min read


Bounce Back Stronger: Resilience Strategies for SMB Leaders
Resilience isn't just about braving the storm but bouncing back even stronger. That’s the message SMB owners are sending these days....
pbowles3
Jul 8, 20252 min read


Driving Efficiency – Which Tool Is Best?
If you're leading a business today, you're flooded with advice—adopt AI, assess your data, streamline processes, and implement LEAN and...
pbowles3
Jul 1, 20251 min read


Achieving Strategic Focus:
Addressing Root Causes Rather Than Symptoms We have all seen it before. When organizations pursue too many objectives at once, the staff...
pbowles3
Jun 24, 20252 min read


The Strategic Edge of “Cooperatition”: Rethinking Competition in High-Growth Markets
After being a management consultant for over 17 years, I have come to believe in the power of breaking the rules when it is strategic. At...
pbowles3
Jun 17, 20252 min read


Personal Strategic Offsites – A Game Changing Decision
As a business leader, one of my most impactful practices was carving out half a day every other month for big-picture planning. What led...
pbowles3
Jun 10, 20252 min read


Sales Accountability Without Micromanagement: Building a Performance Culture That Works
Sales leaders walk a fine line. On one side is the need to drive results and maintain accountability. On the other is the risk of...
pbowles3
Jun 3, 20252 min read


Are You Managing by Metrics or Managing for Outcomes?
In today’s sales environment, data is everywhere. Dashboards track every call, meeting, proposal, and pipeline stage. Weekly reports show...
number1sarahsmith
May 27, 20252 min read


When the Problem *Is* the Sales Team: Leading Through Underperformance with Clarity and Accountability
Most sales challenges stem from structural issues, unclear targeting, inconsistent processes, and misaligned incentives. But not always....
number1sarahsmith
May 20, 20252 min read


Why Most Sales Teams Stall, and What to Do About It.
Sales performance stalls aren’t always dramatic. Often, they creep in gradually, deals take longer to close, forecasts lose accuracy, and...
number1sarahsmith
May 12, 20252 min read


When Sales and Operations Row in the Same Direction
In many mid-market and privately held companies, growth isn’t limited by ambition, it’s hindered by misalignment. Sales is pushing to win...
number1sarahsmith
May 5, 20252 min read


Focus and Finish: Helping Your Team Prioritize What Matters Most
Why great leaders help their teams cut through the noise and stay on track. It’s a common frustration among business owners and leaders:...
number1sarahsmith
Apr 28, 20252 min read


The Trust Factor: Why Leadership Starts with Belief in Others
Trust isn’t just a virtue—it’s a business advantage for growing companies. In small to mid-sized businesses, trust is more than a...
number1sarahsmith
Apr 21, 20252 min read


The Power of Clarity: Why Great Leaders Are Great Simplifiers
It is amazing how quickly complexity can creep into a business. Strategies get layered, communication gets tangled, and people start...
number1sarahsmith
Apr 15, 20252 min read


From Compliance to Commitment: Building a Culture of Ownership
In many organizations, employees do what’s required, clocking in, checking boxes, and avoiding mistakes. This is compliance. It keeps...
number1sarahsmith
Apr 7, 20252 min read


Succession Planning Drives Success
Secure Your Legacy with Strategic Leadership Transitions In the middle of all the things demanding your time, it is easy to overlook the...
number1sarahsmith
Mar 31, 20252 min read


Future-Proofing Your Business: Strategic Planning for Uncertain Times
In my recent conversations with business leaders, I am hearing uncertainty about how to respond to rapidly changing conditions. This...
number1sarahsmith
Mar 24, 20252 min read
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