Blog, News

Blog: SEARS- The Agile Organization From Another Era Files Bankruptcy

October 15, 2018

Last night Sears filed for Chapter XI bankruptcy. Started in 1886 by Richard Sears as R.W. Sears Watch Company, it transformed retailing. Sears developed an innovative distribution delivery system and mail order catalog that offered virtually any product, to anyone, anywhere in the United States. They accomplished this feat by leveraging the US Postal Service’s Rural Free Delivery program that connected the most remote parts of the US. Sears recognized the opportunity to re-imagine retailing as a national versus a local business. In many ways, they started out like the Amazon of its day and then followed with retail stores across the country to become the Walmart as well. Continue reading

News, Video & Podcasts

Video: Will Your Family Business Stay in the Family Business

Family businesses are the lifeblood of the local and global economy yet there are challenges in keeping these businesses in the family.  This is the # video in the series of family and closely-held businesses. Continue reading

News, Video & Podcasts

Video: The Family & The Family Business

In this second video on family and closely-held businesses we discuss the 3 systems of a family business (family system, business system, ownership system) and the challenges of balancing those systems. Continue reading

News, Video & Podcasts

Video: The Family Business Challenge

In this video we breakdown with a Venn diagram the unique elements of the family business system. Continue reading

News, Video & Podcasts

Video: 5 Key Characteristics of a Successful Family Business

In analyzing best practices for success within a family business there are 5 Key Characteristics.  I bet they will surprise you. Continue reading

News, Publications

Publication: Leadership 100 Project Report Study

In 2016 and 2017 we completed an analysis of the behaviors, motivations and skillset of the leaders in Fayetteville and Cumberland County North Carolina.   The process began with inviting a nominated group of community leaders to take the TTI TriMetrix® DNA suite of assessments.  The assessment looks at behavioral style, driving forces (motivations) and skillset.  These leaders came from business, education, non-profits, a government.  One-hundred and sixteen (116) participants completed the assessment.  We looked at the leaders against the national average, men versus women and African Americans versus White leaders. The findings are insightful and provide basis for moving the community forward on a positive path.

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