Jay Sachetti joined Jeff O’Brien, partner at Husch Blackwell and Dyanne Ross-Hanson, president of Exit Planning Strategies talked about the market for mergers and acquisitions, exit planning opportunities for companies that don’t end up for sale and how companies can maximize their eventual sale price during an early October panel at the first Upsize on Tap event at Summit Brewing Co. in St. Paul.
When the state Legislature passed a law requiring employers to provide paid leave and safe time for employees, Justin Bieganek started hearing differing details from friends, colleagues and peers.
[now what?]
WE ARE If any group could apply the concept to business it should be small-business owners, often touted for their flexibility. While large corporations are notoriously slow to turn, the thinking goes, their smaller counterparts can be quick to adjust to market conditions and customer tastes.
So why is it so hard to change, no matter your company size?
?We?ve always done it this way,? you might be saying at your company. For business owners who have spent years building their own day-to-day operations, it?s difficult to get out, learn something new, stay current and ahead of the trends.
But why not change? Why not attend that industry conference this year? Make a contact or two. Why not take up something you?ve never tried before, just to expand your thinking?
?We don?t have the resources to make the change,? may be another refrain at your company. It?s true that?s a small-business conundrum. If you shift resources to a promising venture, the existing business is sure to suffer, the thinking goes.
But why not devote just a half-day a week of your and your employees? time to your best shot at the future? You may become energized. You may find the existing business can get done, with room to spare for new projects.
?We don?t know how,? may be your reason to stay the same. Specialized expertise can be lacking at small firms, where owners and employees tend to have many responsibilities. Small-business owners pride themselves on their willingness to do it all, from launching new products to taking out the trash.
But why not tap the unlimited resources available? Naturally, I offer the two dozen how-to articles in this edition of Upsize, and the 300-plus more at dev.divistack.com, along with the expert contributors who live in town and are ready to help. Humbly, I acknowledge there are many, many more outlets for help as well.
Kay Kuba is CEO of GCI Systems Inc. in St. Paul, an information technology consulting firm that has dramatically changed its business model during more than two decades in business. Her mantra each day: ?What do I need to change next??
?Change is inevitable. Just embrace change,? she says.
What are you waiting for?
? Beth Ewen
Editor and co-founder
Upsize Minnesota
be***@*******ag.com
