Do You Have A BizVision?

Business consulting strategies

Written by: Brian Smith

What exactly separates a successful organization manager from less successful peers? Success is generally planned and requires structure and organization. We believe successful managers employ a Business Vision in their management style.

Today’s business environment is more competitive, has more sophisticated customers, and is subject to a rapidly changing economic environment. Maintaining or increasing a company’s performance is a manager’s most critical concern, and managers who empower employees to higher levels will make themselves and their employees indispensable to the organization.

There are some basic successful management qualities uncovered by years of exhaustive management studies. These studies identified that successful managers are as different as they are similar. However, close observation determines that six particular qualities are generally found in all successful managers. These six qualities are:

Being goal driven
Employing effective communication skills
Continually empowering employees
Acting with a caring attitude
Embodying a caring attitude
Managing with organization and structure

Understanding which skills you currently have and those you need to work on is useful in motivating yourself, then your employees, to higher levels of performance. The first step is to be aware of your own needs, giving clarity to your personal agenda and then to those of your subordinates. The level at which your team is currently performing provides an understanding of their personal agendas, just as your performance mirrors yours.

Being goal-driven means being results oriented; aspirations, results, and rewards are evident in all activities. An astute leader helps people set goals compatible to those of the organization and then provides the tools for achievement. Goal-driven managers instinctively know what they and their team need to achieve their goals, and, in doing so, can effectively motivate their team to reach their goals.

Communication means that everyone is informed. Imagine trying to reach goals you don’t understand. High-level communication is required, and this takes time, energy, and creativity. The most powerful medium is your spoken word, privately, to an employee. Your spoken one-on-one communication, followed up with supportive action, can show tremendous results. Newsletters and emails are excellent support tools but will be treated with quiet contempt if the personal touch and follow up are lacking.

Through goal setting and positive communication, you can empower your team. Have you ever noticed how certain people always make you feel good? They don’t shower you with false compliments, they’re not intent on telling you what you want to hear, but they possess a special quality that’s transferred and lifts your spirits. Behavioral experts refer to this as positive energy transference. Every manager needs to master this habit of transferring positive energy to others; this is the nature of empowerment. It brings out the best in others because it brings out the best in you. One of the best ways to empower others is through “dream building.”

Everyone has a dream, including employees, whose dreams may be locked deep within their personal agendas. Indispensable managers uncover these dreams and build a bridge to the corporate mission; to be a successful manager, help people believe in themselves and recognize their talents, and then success can naturally follow. To achieve empowerment, try finding the employee’s dream and help them realize how their dream connects to the organization’s vision, mission, and/or goals. Hold the employees accountable for their goals and objectives.

There is an old saying about caring: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Caring is an extension of communication and empowerment, and it involves action and words. There are a number of ways to develop caring habits. Pick one day a year for each employee and do something that shows them appreciation. Do not talk business – learn about the person, their family, their dreams, and goals. Always follow through with everything you say. Understand the needs and wants of spouses and ask yourself if you really care and make sure you do.

Being fully committed as a leader or manager is required; none of the habits would be worth much if they weren’t coupled with total commitment. This is what provides dedication to one’s mission. The willingness to grow, to get personally involved, to invest time and money, and to be totally focused on performance is not taught in most business schools. These are life skills that the very best managers have developed and used in the conduct of their daily working relationships. Therefore, before any change occurs, total commitment, coupled with an action plan, is a must.

There is a simple successful management equation:

Prosperity = Objectivity + Integrity + Clarity

Management success habits are not discriminating. Any willing leader or manager can develop these qualities into habits, and over time they will become original to anyone who uses them as every manager who develops their own style gains Business Vision. Start with you and as you develop these skills, refine your systems to work naturally with your team. In turn, they will transform into an indispensable team. Use clarity, objectivity, and integrity in the way you manage, and prosperity for you, your team, and the organization will follow.

© 2018 Individual Advantages, LLC

The post Do You Have A BizVision? appeared first on IA Business Advisors.

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.