Awning business succession: An in-and-out approach

January 14, 2025  |  Awnings & Canopies, Business

The awning business offers enough challenges to keep you growing, consistency you can plan around, and is rewarding enough to keep you fulfilled.
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The four C’s of workforce development

October 11, 2024  |  Business

Workforce development as defined is a multifaceted approach that encompasses programs, policies and initiatives designed to enhance individuals’ skills and knowledge, enabling them to thrive in their respective fields. While workforce development is a problem that all businesses face, more spe…
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Business marketing made simple using AI

October 1, 2024  |  Business, Markets

Full disclosure, I’m not really a marketing guy. When I started AP Consulting more than two years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. And as much as I would like to say I know everything now, I don’t. And that’s OK.
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Effective leaders encourage their employees’ creativity

August 1, 2024  |  Business, Markets

When we think of assets in an organization, our thoughts generally lean toward the accounting definitions. We have cash tied up in inventory and accounts receivable. We have cash tied up in equipment or other fixed assets. And we have cash tied up in, well, cash. These are all perfectly acceptable d…
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An introduction to the PAMA board

June 18, 2024  |  Awnings & Canopies, Business

Professional Awning Manufacturers Association is thrilled to be part of the ATA’s Awning and Shade Newsletter as we will be writing about pertinent industry topics on a quarterly basis. Our goal is to provide a collective voice discussing things that we believe are important for our industry, fro…
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Dealing with difficult customers

June 1, 2024  |  Business, Markets

Every business at some point is forced to deal with difficult customers. Perhaps they are unhappy with the level of service, the product or a member of your team. Or maybe their expectations are just unrealistic. Understanding how to navigate challenging interactions, however, can turn a negative si…
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Succession planning for transitioning your family business

April 1, 2024  |  Business, Markets

I began working with business families in the late 1990s with RSM McGladrey in its family business consulting practice. I was working on my doctoral degree and hoped to gain experience working with leadership development in the “real” world. Then, as my journey continued, I worked with business …
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How to mitigate the online security risks of outsourcing

February 1, 2024  |  Business, Markets

What we now call “hacking” has been around almost as long as humans have existed. Today’s version focuses on technology, but the behavior takes many forms that even go back to the story of the Trojan horse. Hacking is simply the act of exploiting a weakness to gain access to something, whether…
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Develop a business culture of creativity

October 1, 2023  |  Business, Markets

I was recently speaking with one of my coaching clients and the subject of professional curiosity came up. Curiosity is a catalyst for creativity, problem-solving and continuous improvement. By creating a culture of curiosity, we can tap into the collective creativity of the people who work with us …
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The future landscape of the workforce

August 1, 2023  |  Business, Markets

Organizations need to be thinking about tomorrow and, more specifically, how the future of work, the workforce and the workplace will be dramatically different from what we know today. And more important, from what it has been in the past.
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