The Alternative Board (with Marco Petersen)

Is Your Business Leveraging AI? Now’s the Time to Explore the Opportunities Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tech buzzword; it’s transforming the way businesses operate. If your business hasn’t yet embraced AI, now might be the perfect moment to consider its potential. AI's most notable advantage is its capacity to process information and make decisions at speeds no human could match. For business owners, this opens the door to faster, more informed decision-making, enhanced operational efficiency, and better customer engagement. From automating repetitive tasks to predicting market trends, AI can significantly impact your bottom line. However, like any innovation, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons before fully integrating it into your day-to-day operations. Explore this topic further in “Does Your Business Need AI? A Look at the Pros and Cons” at The Alternative Board and discover how AI can propel your business to the next level. https://lnkd.in/em9_Gufe #BusinessOwners #TABboards #Businessfuture #ArtificialIntelligence

Multipliers vs. Diminishers: The Leadership Difference that Defines Success What truly sets leaders apart? The ability to amplify their team's intelligence and potential is what differentiates great leaders—often called Multipliers—from those who unknowingly stifle growth, referred to as Diminishers. Multipliers empower their teams to think bigger, act bolder, and maximize their skills, creating an environment where innovation and creativity can flourish. In contrast, Diminishers tend to micromanage, often curbing initiative and limiting their team's contributions. Leadership expert Liz Wiseman, author of "Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter", explains that "Multipliers amplify the intelligence and capabilities of those around them, creating an environment where people can truly thrive and do their best work." This distinction is critical for business leaders aiming to foster a culture of excellence. Listen to The Alternative Board CEO & President Jason Zickerman in a TAB Talk video, where he dives deeper into why being a Multiplier is essential for business leaders who want to elevate their teams and drive sustainable success. #BusinessOwners #TABboards #BusinessCoaching #LeadershipExcellence

Top Tips for Recession-Proofing Your Business Economic uncertainty is always looming, and while you can't predict the future, you can prepare your business for potential downturns. Learn how to weatherproof your business and maintain stability in “Top Tips for Recession-Proofing Your Business.” Do you have any tips on how to prepare for economic uncertainty? https://lnkd.in/dUcxdiGF #BusinessOwners #TABBoards #recession #StrategicPlanning

Avoid Common Exit Planning Mistakes! Planning for your eventual departure from your business is critical. However, many business owners make costly errors in their exit strategies. Discover the most common mistakes and how to avoid them in “Exit Planning: Mistakes to Avoid”, and ensure your business remains strong through a smooth leadership transition. https://lnkd.in/es4FvXYw #BusinessOwners #TABBoards #Businessadvice #ExitPlanning

What’s a Smart Strategy That Can Keep Your Business Afloat in Tough Times? Alan Sweitzer, owner of a B2B catering powerhouse, learned that economic downturns can strike at any time. His strategy? Diversifying his client base helped make his business more resilient during challenging times like the global pandemic. Alan’s insights and his experiences as a member of The Alternative Board reveal how valuable a diversified client base and peer support can be for navigating industry challenges. https://lnkd.in/dTY96TZi Sweitzer - Case Study.pdf? #BusinessOwners #TABBoards #Businessadvice

Comfort Zones Are Where Dreams Go to Die It may sound bold, but it’s true for business owners who become too comfortable with moderate success. While launching a business is exhilarating, it’s easy to get complacent when things start running smoothly. But here’s the catch: that sense of comfort can be a trap that halts growth. In “Your Comfort Zone is a Paradox — 5 Ways to Push Your Limits and Ditch the Comfort Zone”, Jason Zickerman, CEO & President of The Alternative Board, explores how business owners can break free from this cycle and push their limits. https://lnkd.in/eMbJwTq6 #BusinessOwners #TABBoards #BusinessCoaching #ComfortZone

What's the Difference Between Being Self-Employed and Being a Business Owner? It’s more than just a title! When you’re self-employed, your business depends solely on your efforts. In contrast, as a business owner, you’ve built something that can thrive independently of your constant involvement. Read our article, “From Self-Employed to Business Owner: The Path to Sustainable Growth and a Happy Life”, to discover five practical recommendations for transitioning to true business ownership. Read the full article https://lnkd.in/gcirvhRc #BusinessOwners #TABBoards #Businesspartner

Curious about AI but unsure where to start? If you're a small business owner wanting to leverage AI but feeling overwhelmed by the jargon, you’re not alone. Our latest white paper, “Demystifying AI: How Small Businesses Can Leverage Artificial Intelligence for Success,” breaks down complex concepts into simple, practical terms. Learn about AI tools that can boost productivity, streamline operations, and drive growth—no advanced tech knowledge required. Download the guide and unlock the potential of AI in your business. https://lnkd.in/gDsmKvEA #Business #tabboards #artificialintelligence

Board Matters! A recent topic brought to one of my peer boards by a manufacturing member was: How to create a culture of constant innovation. The advice was given to the business owner after diving deeper into the topic, after which the member settled on three commitments based on the advice given: 1. Encourage Team-Driven Improvement Ideas. Empowering your team to come up with ideas is crucial for ownership and motivation. When employees feel like they have a stake in the process and that their contributions are valued, they are more likely to take responsibility for the implementation of new ideas. To achieve this: • Establish regular brainstorming sessions or "innovation days" where employees are encouraged to present ideas. • Foster an open feedback loop that supports the evaluation of ideas without fear of criticism. • Incentivize contributions by recognizing and rewarding valuable ideas, reinforcing a culture where innovation is appreciated. 2. Identify Lean and Innovation Champions. To effectively spread the message of innovation and keep the momentum going, it's vital to identify at least three "improvement champions" from your team. These individuals will take on the cause and act as role models to promote lean thinking and continuous improvement across the organization. They can: • Serve as liaisons between leadership and employees, promoting the innovation agenda. • Help facilitate idea implementation by collaborating with different departments. • Motivate others by sharing success stories and best practices. 3. Provide Change Management Training (ADKAR Methodology). Empowering yourself and your champions with effective change management skills is essential for guiding the organization through innovative transformations. The ADKAR model (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement) is particularly useful in managing change successfully. The steps include: • Awareness: Educating teams on why the change is necessary. • Desire: Ensuring there is buy-in and willingness to participate. • Knowledge: Providing the tools and training needed to make change possible. • Ability: Ensuring that the team can implement new skills effectively. • Reinforcement: Continuously supporting and encouraging the team to sustain the innovation mindset. I’ll be following up with the member in our next 121 meetings on the implementation of these initiatives – in essence being their accountability partner. Business owners are more likely to implement advice given to them by other business owners & leaders rather than consultants. Why not join a peer advisory board and move your business forward? Reach out to me to find out more. “Helping business owners and their leadership teams build better businesses in ways that change their lives.” #Tabboards #Businessadvice #Businessowners

Do you have an exit strategy for your business? Every Business Owner should have an exit strategy, even if retirement or sale seems far off. An exit plan shapes how you run your business, ensuring that you’re building value, streamlining processes, and preparing for a smooth transition when the time comes. Whether you plan to sell, pass it on, or gradually step back, early preparation is key to a seamless exit. Explore why exit planning should begin long before you plan to leave and learn strategies to help guide your journey at The Alternative Board. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ehs5e9aJ #BusinessOwners #tabboards #strategy #exitplanning