In 2001, Blue Plate Catering launched a $10 million dollar project to build a high-profile Chicago restaurant. The project alone would double what the company was worth — if they …
Three Proven Steps to Building Customer Loyalty
In most businesses, customer loyalty is fundamental to long-term growth. So how do you build strong relationships with customers? CEO Jim Horan of Blue Plate Catering has created a team …
Better Bottom Lines Through Open-Book Management
Growth is not the same as profit. That’s a hard business lesson many small and mid-size business leaders learn. Developing a company that focuses on profitability take a concentrated effort. …
Stronger, Better, Faster: How to Build a Resilient Company
Working in internet marketing is like getting shot out of a cannon every day. That’s how a senior leader with Adconion Direct describes their industry. With that sort of dynamic …
Keep Top Talent by Making Them CEO of Their Company
Brain drain is a real concern for small businesses. A talented colleague’s capacity may expand faster than the business around her, making it tempting for the team member to leave …
Use Your Core Values to Drive Decision Making: Here’s How…
Phrases we’ve heard repeated and used in action a dozen times over become engrained in our brains, so they help guide our actions and shape our decisions. This theory is …
Leading the Way: How Honesty & Integrity Drive Long-Term Growth
Your reputation is the foundation on which your profits are built. No one knows this more than CEO Rich Panico, of the consulting group Integrated Project Management (IPM). IPM’s sterling …
How to Build a People-Centered Culture from the Ground Up
“We don’t like command and control. Change the way you lead, or we’re leaving.” That was the strong message that CEO Tom Walter of Tasty Catering heard from his company’s …
Four Principles for Sustainable Growth
Finding a path to sustainable growth pushes leaders to think beyond quick-win strategies, to shape a company that’s built for long-term success. Find four principles for sustainable growth from the …