Managing a Brand Change at IA

Brand change management

Written by: Brian Smith

All change is difficult. People generally do not like change, especially when the feeling is that nothing is wrong with the status quo. As I write this month’s blog, I am faced with explaining a lot more change than what was planned. I put off writing this until the day after our elections: not to gloat or complain, but to emphasize the process of change.

A few years ago IA sold our largest operating unit that was based in Texas. When this happened we lost over 500 employees and contractors and faced an uncertain future as we identified what kind of company would remain. We attempted the revival of operating brands YourBizDr.Com and LogoBrandMarket.Com but quickly learned that operating brands are much different than product brands.

As Individual Advantages continued to grow and add employees across the country, I determined that we needed a brand that our target market could identify with, and understand who and what we are from first glance; Individual Advantages has an amazing following but our newfound markets could not understand what we do. Our company name has a definitive meaning; there are advantages in each person, process, and technology in every organization, both individually and individually-together as an organization. IA helps people and organizations realize these advantages.

To take us into the future and give our team the best possible chance to succeed, I have decided to change our company name to IA Business Advisors. This change properly identifies to our market and clients who we are: Advisors, Consultants, and Coaches. Our core philosophy will remain in the advantage of integrating people, process, and technology on an individual and organizational basis.

However, a name change and clearly written corporate vision do not a good company make. People are the foundation of success in all organizations. IA is over twenty years old and with our new name comes new people. We have added some very talented and intelligent people to IA in 2016. On the West Coast we have added Braden Zoet as a Junior Associate. Braden has already made a dramatic difference to our organization by setting a high standard for our marketing consulting and driving our teams to reach and maintain that standard.

In Chicago we have added a number of amazing people. Matthew Wilhelmi is another very talented Junior Associate who is setting his own high standards on our operational and management consulting operations. Matt is also developing a coaching style that is being embraced by a number of new clients in the region. We also have added some very talented and driven support associates. Ms. Sarah Weldon provides invaluable support to our Chicago team by providing organizational and creative thinking, and operational support. Ms. Sarita Buck is an intern working in our Chicago office who, in addition to providing both creative and operational support and thinking, has introduced a high level of excitement and energy to our team. Ms. Brenda Alexander is an accounting and bookkeeping associate in our Chicago office who is shoring up our operational accounting support and consulting operations; she is also a huge Cubs fan and the only IA associate to brave the 5 million person crowd in Chicago and celebrate our city’s World Series Championship.

In Dallas we welcomed Mr. Isaiah Gardena to our team as a Web Design Associate. Isaiah has already had a dramatic impact on our clients by reformatting and designing new web sites and other internet-based support pages.

I am also proud to introduce Mary Smith, my daughter, who upon graduating from college has joined us in Maryland as an Editor and Junior Associate. Mary provides copy editing to our team as well as to our clients. Additionally, Mary ghost writes Blogs and manages social platforms for clients across the country.

These highly educated and very talented individuals join our team of 68 consultants and offer our current and future clients the very best in advisory, consulting and coaching available today.

With our new brand we are introducing our new image. Without losing our 20 year distinctive brand, we have designed a new image with a foundation from our past. Our three interconnected rings remain and identify our philosophy: the integration of people, process, and technology. We have also unveiled our new website: www.IABusinessAdvisors.Com. This website has been designed in house by Mr. Zoet and identifies the depth of our talent and ability to build on a solid foundation. We believe Braden has captured who we are as an organization and the spirit with which we intend to grow our organization and those of our clients.

Finally, IA still relies on its core consulting methodology of using structure and approaching all business issues objectively. We will continue to utilize our BizVision methodology and build each client’s unique solution off of real data and forward-looking ideas, and implementing them in a structured manner that will ensure the best possible success.

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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.