IA Gives Back to the Community

Business consulting community impact

During the month of November, while most of us have our eyes set on our Thanksgiving dinner and, dare we say, Christmas, we want to take some time to show thanks and be humble for what we have. Giving back to your community through volunteer work or donations is a great way to show thanks and give back to those who may not be as fortunate as you.

IA has been volunteering in the community since we began in 1996. We have asked each member of our team to describe the ways in which they have given back to their communities in their lifetime. The key here is intention; volunteering consistently is amazing, but it is important to remember that doing so is not feasible for everyone’s schedule. We want to celebrate all kinds of giving back, big and small, old and new, and hope that it will influence you to do the same.

Mary

I have spent most of my volunteering hours spending time with animals and children. I find their innocence and openness to be refreshing in a world that seems to be moving faster and more chaotically. I spent most of my time volunteering at YAPS (Yucaipa Animal Placement Society) which is an animal sanctuary for dogs and cats. They take in animals from around the inland empire and beyond that are currently in high-kill shelters. An animal sanctuary means they are a no kill sanctuary, so animals are safe there to await their new homes. I also volunteered at San Bernardino Humane Society, Wolf Mountain, Forever Wild, and a private equine sanctuary. I spent a brief time working with special needs children at a pre-school as well.

While in college, my sorority participated in many volunteer activities around our campus and our community; however, our two main philanthropies were RAINN and Relay for Life. During the fall semester we would dedicate most of our time to raising awareness and funds for RAINN, as well as hosting a week-long awareness event at our school. During this time, we would begin planning for Relay for Life in the spring. These kept us relatively busy, but we would also volunteer to help at after school programs, clean up initiatives, and various other programs that would need our help in that moment.

Ciara

I used to volunteer as a lifeguard for a Cub Scouts summer camp called Weekend in Illinois. I also based my senior thesis on advocating for adopting shelter animals by creating bumper stickers and an infographic that was printed in the school newspaper.

Brian

My community service work really began in 1996 when I joined Rotary, whose motto is “Service Above Self.” From that time forward, I have been a Rotarian and increased my participation in community service functions across the US. We have a robust community service initiative at IA, whereby we will sponsor an employee at his/her chosen organization, including time, service, and financial donations. My activities through IA include IKECA, IncubatorEDU, and Boys & Girls Club just in Illinois. It is impossible to imagine a life where I or my company is not heavily associated in community service.

Matt

Brian and I have donated to the INCubator Program at Dundee Crown for the past 3 years. This program is an exceptional way for high schoolers to learn problem solving skills, business solutions, and develop their ideas into reality. From our experience, many of the students really embrace the knowledge that both Brian and I bring to the conversation.

Some of the contributions have been to help the students flesh out their ideas, providing critical thinking and feedback along the way. Other contributions have been in graphic design work (from Jerrod), and others have been contributions to their annual Shark Tank event where I helped evaluate the teams with other “sharks.” But, perhaps the most notable contributions were all the support after the class ended. After the teams won and got funded, the real work began. Brian and I both contributed (as much as we could without doing the work for the teams) to help build the companies that won. We’d help with marketing strategies, corporate structures, policies and procedures, task management, and website support. It’s been an amazing experience helping the students with their business ideas for the past 3 years.

My favorite thing about helping with the INCubator program is the feedback from the faculty and parents. They say things like, “Because of the INCubator Program, my kid comes home and won’t stop talking about their time in the class and building their business. It’s a big change from sitting around the dinner table and hearing crickets when we ask what they learned in school.”

Sarah

Giving back to the community is an essential element of becoming a part of the world we live in. Because my world primarily revolves around my family I donate my time to assist with their activities. In the past I volunteered for Junior Achievement where I would go into the classroom and teach elementary school children about the world of business. I have also volunteered as a coach for the YMCA in both biddy ball basketball and volleyball. Of course, one of my favorite programs to be involved in is the SMART Reading program. I try to also volunteer for school field trips whenever possible.

I can say that many people have been touched by cancer, whether it has been a friend or family member; it is a disease that I personally hope will be cured within my life span. I personally have lost my mother at a very young age to the disease and this compels me to volunteer for the Relay for Life. In the past I served on the committee to run the Relay Store for four years. Once I moved to Illinois, I jumped on the chance to participate on a corporate team. It is a wonderful event to remember those who we have lost and to celebrate those who have survived the disease. So, at some point in the near future, I look forward to participating in my next Relay for Life event.

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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.