The 3 Rs to better delegation
It’s vacation season, and not a moment too soon for most of us. It’s been a while since we felt free enough to hop on planes and go away for longer than a long weekend or a day or two.
WITH MARTHA SULLIVAN
5 reasons to adopt a PE state of mind
Not too long ago, I was working with a business owner who was assessing their options for a sale. We started talking about private equity (PE) as a viable option.
When a bright shiny light takes you into the deep, dark ditch
The hallmark of an entrepreneur is their “Can do!” and “Let’s go!” attitude. They have an energy and sense of possibility that drives them and can be infectious.
When power, courage, and addiction collide — How brave are you?
Are you one of “us” or are you one of “them”? What’s the real deal here? Can I trust you?
Failing, done well, is a kick-tail winning strategy for your team
How often have you heard the statement that “failure is not an option”? In a recent strategic planning session, the owner of the company, Dan, was adamant about this.
Succession food fights: How to have your cake and eat it too
Being a part of a family business is not for the faint of heart. While Succession is an act of fiction, the challenges it depicts can hit too close to home for some family enterprises.
Finding resolve in your resolutions
Every year about this time, scores of people sit down to write out their goals for the new year — for their family, for themselves, and for their business. It is an important exercise that clears the cobwebs out and has the potential to jump-start real progress.
Dead in the wild — It’s what happens when you don’t look up
When was the last time you took a hike in the woods? If you haven’t lately, I highly recommend it, even in these December temperatures. You’re likely to notice a variety of sights and experience things that aren’t possible in the office.
When cheeseheads fumble
When you think about all the uproar in Packerland over the last few weeks, don’t you wonder where the grown-ups were? I do.
Business lessons learned from a trip in New York
The clouds parted and I actually got on a plane in October for the first time since February 2020. Off to New York City, where the best business lessons came from unexpected sources.
A one-time information systems consultant turned her most brilliant act of rebellion into a career as a CPA, CFO, COO, and profit and value growth strategist, consulting to hundreds of clients and colleagues over the past three decades.
Martha Sullivan, president of Provenance Hill Consulting LLC, founded her firm with one purpose: Help business owners build, buy, and sell strong, profitable companies that are attractive enough for someone to want to buy when the owner decides to chase their next adventure.
In addition to Provenance Hill, Martha is a consultant with The Family Business Consulting Group, a Chicago-based group of independent consultants working together to guide enterprising families and create the foundation for better business performance and stronger families.
Martha can be reached at msullivan@provenancehill.com or sullivan@thefbcg.com.
