In Carol Tice’s article for Entrepreneur magazine, she culled stacks of forecasts to create a Top 10 List of Small Business Predictions for 2012. What struck me most was the 10th prediction, because it was hers and mine. 10. Companies that collaborate with each other and help each other have a better chance of prospering. [...]

The other night at a business event I met a fellow networking leader who I had been looking forward to speaking with. In the first few minutes of conversation she asked me what I thought of  “Person X”. “You don’t want to ask me that.” I said, knowing she could be associated with her. “Yes, [...]

When Big Ooga opened for business its guiding principle was to bring really good entrepreneurs and small business owners together across industry and specialty. I’m sure you know from experience that working with new people is risky. If you’ve hired someone to provide a service, they have to meet your standards and expectations. If you’ve [...]

Standing on the edge of tomorrow, seated at my work table and surrounded by fellow travelers, leaders and visionaries, I heard that “Success is a direction – forward” @SandersSays. That the bravery of our individualism is evolutionary and expressed through a Body of Work (“BOW”),  @SteveFarber. I learned it is up to us to “decide” [...]

Yes, it’s going to take a village to raise happy, healthy companies, but being out there on your own isn’t the only way.  Ask yourself,  “If I don’t have to do everything myself, why would I want to?”  By putting a community behind you, you’ll have more resources, less stress, and more time to focus on [...]

If you’ve got a successful career, a family and/or a life, chances are the pace of modern existence has you spinning.  Here are some great suggestions from the ladies of the Triple W Forum on how-to stop the madness and unleash your happy by making some simple, yet important decisions.     1. Write down [...]

There are 27,000 current members in Linked n Chicago, thousands of members & friends of Big Ooga, Local First, BNC, Evanston Chamber, West Suburban Chamber, the Naperville LinkedIn Business Group and the Evanston / North Shore Business Group. Among them, the owners, founders, leaders, volunteers and members share a common vision, to create a working, [...]

If I blog, the comments come from Facebook or email. If I email, I might get Tweeted.  If I Tweet, I might get ReTweeted and if I call, I might get emailed.  I’m your typical entrepreneur on Social Media without advanced social media skills.  In my defense, the entrepreneurs with whom I communicate can’t be [...]

You don’t pick your family but you do pick your business community – and they are a second family of choice.  Surround yourself with good people and they will up your game, watch your back and genuinely help you succeed.  Good people will talk about what is tough and noodle how to get through it.  [...]

Image by Francesca Tronchin via Flickr I can see not wanting to keep meeting overhead – but lowering overhead to meet the future. I can see my current business tools are not sharp enough and that sharpening them means finding new ones. I can see that the power and depth of my relationships are as [...]