There’s a movement sweeping through business schools and investment firms. It’s called “Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition” (ETA). Young, ambitious MBA graduates and career-changers armed with investor backing are hunting for established small businesses to buy. They study spreadsheets. They calculate ROI. They create elaborate acquisition strategies and funding models. They attend workshops on how to find […]

Culture vs Strategy: A Guide for Business Leaders The late management guru Peter Drucker famously said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” While this quote has become something of a business cliché, its enduring popularity speaks to a fundamental truth: even the most brilliant strategy will fail if your organizational culture doesn’t support it. However, Drucker’s […]

In today’s fast-paced business environment, it’s astonishing how many companies—from small startups to established mid-sized businesses and even some larger organizations—either ignore strategic planning altogether or treat it as a perfunctory exercise. Despite the clear benefits of looking ahead and creating roadmaps for future growth, many business leaders find themselves trapped in the cycle of […]

We have all had bad bosses, but how do we know if our supervisor is really a bad one? Here are 8 warnings signs that your boss can’t do the job, along with ideas about what a great supervisor should look like. 1. Never Has Time for You. Is your supervisor “too busy” to meet, […]

There is an invisible wall in the business world. It’s the wall between management and leadership; being a good manager and becoming a great leader. People can spend an entire career and never break through that wall. The wall is not about equal opportunity, hiring practices, promotion or selection. Nor is it about gender or […]

The news cycle is a relentless beast. Political debates rage, social tensions simmer, and the weight of “big picture” events can feel crushing. It’s easy to get swept away by the current of national discourse, to feel like a tiny boat tossed about in a vast, unpredictable ocean. The political climate, particularly in the United […]

Where it all started I’ve always been that kid who needed to understand how things worked. Not just on the surface – I mean really understand. While other kids were content playing with their toys, I was the one with a screwdriver in hand, carefully dismantling them to see what made them tick. (And yes, […]

Heart and brain on scales. Balance, love, mind, intelligence, logic concept. Flat style. EPS 8 vector illustration, no transparency ” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/dougthorpe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/51636535_m-scaled.webp?fit=650%2C488&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/dougthorpe.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/51636535_m-scaled.webp?fit=847%2C635&ssl=1″ /> As a leader, you have so mnay chocies to make. People, process, product and performance issues surround you. Making the best choice can be difficult. However, nothing can be more powerful than […]

Leadership isn’t about basking in the glow of success; it’s about the shade you provide for those you lead and those considering joining your ranks. It’s about the values you embody, the outcomes you champion, the influences you wield, and the lasting impact you create. True leaders understand that their role is to nurture growth, […]

In the dynamic landscape of business acquisition and entrepreneurship, the concept of SMART goals has evolved far beyond its original 1981 introduction. Today’s successful business leaders are reimagining this classic framework to meet contemporary challenges and opportunities. Let’s explore how modern entrepreneurs are leveraging SMART goals to drive successful business transitions and sustainable growth. The […]