Your organization’s actions speak volumes

We’ve all heard the old proverb, “Actions speak louder than words.” In today’s high-tech society, the phrase takes on new meanings, including actions on social media, chats, marketing, and other communications. ... Read More

Upending your public image

Your marketing leadership has devoted many hours of work and significant budget dollars to develop, establish and maintain an impactful and effective brand, capturing your company’s image in ways that support your business objectives. And then someone ordered those golf shirts.... Read More

Our family’s commitment to emerging leaders

Just a few months ago, we announced Class XLVII of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. It is an annual tradition that applauds the role emerging leaders play in our city. It is a time of celebration and optimism. But what many people may not know, is that SKL was born out of tragedy.... Read More

Building a stronger education ecosystem

In the world of education, the headlines often scream about the shortage of teachers. Many entrepreneurs have sought to create education technology to solve this structural issue by creating solutions for the buyer (educational institutions). A key consideration that appears absent in many of these solutions is identifying the difference between the buyer and the end user. ... Read More

Did the Federal Reserve stick the (soft) landing?

When Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell began increasing interest rates in early 2022, few economists predicted a resilient economic response. It wasn't a matter of "if" we would be pushed into a recession but how bad the recession would be. Nearly two years into the steepest increase in interest rates in over 40 years, can we now say we've achieved a soft landing? Or is this a delayed economic response with a 2024 recession certain to come?... Read More

More than ever, we need strong, diverse community financial institutions

For almost a century, credit unions have been an integral part of the American financial landscape. During the Great Depression, as the U.S. financial system was faltering, people came together around the concept of cooperative community finance as an alternative solution. What resulted was an entirely different approach to consumer and business banking that operates in peaceful parallel with conventional banks of all sizes.... Read More

Grow your business: Learn from failure

Basketball phenom Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors is no stranger to losing, much less failure, even though he is one of the most successful professional basketball players of today. His record-breaking career has had countless ups and downs.... Read More

Factors in determining your company’s value

Determining the right asking price is crucial for a successful sale. An accurate valuation of your business requires considering multiple factors, such as financial performance, assets, intellectual property, customer base, and market share. Careful analysis of your business's unique attributes and the current market landscape can aid in setting a competitive and realistic asking price. Here are some key points to consider regarding the influence of market pricing on the timing of a company sale.... Read More

Worried about health care expenses?

How much have you spent on your health care in the last 12 months? Would you believe Americans spent $12,914 per person on health care expenses in 2021? That’s a fact, according to the National Health Expenditure Accounts. ... Read More

Performance management plays a key role in employee engagement

Employee engagement is a catchall term that refers to the degree to which employees are committed to their work and their organization. We all know that engaged employees are more productive, more creative, and more likely to stay with their organization. So, how does performance management impact employee engagement?... Read More

See the unseen: The silent crisis of youth homelessness in central Indiana

It is a startling fact that an estimated 7,800 youth experience homelessness in our city every year. These aren't just statistics; they represent the lives of young people, each with a story, a dream, and the potential to thrive if given the opportunity. The shock factor lies in the magnitude of this issue – the magnitude of despair, isolation, and uncertainty that thousands of our city's youth grapple with daily.... Read More

National Diabetes Month: The business case for battling diabetes in Indianapolis

Diabetes has exploded in the U.S. and Indiana. Today, there is a greater than one-in-three chance you know someone in Indiana who has been diagnosed with diabetes (Type I, Type II or gestational), is prediabetic or doesn’t know they have diabetes. I know this from experience – my mother was diabetic, and my wife has had Type I diabetes since she was 13 years old.... Read More

Are You at Risk of Concentrated Returns?

Despite turbulence, the S&P 500 Index is on track to post a healthy double-digit return in 2023. While this is generally considered a success, looking under the hood reveals that most of the S&P 500's return has been concentrated in just a few of the largest stocks. ... Read More

If you’re an entrepreneur, you should be celebrating today

It’s National Entrepreneur Day today, but if I know my fellow founders and serial startup-ers, few of us will take the time to celebrate ourselves. We’re too busy trying to get our great ideas to market. Yes, we’re busy. Our work is important. But I think you should find five minutes to at least give yourself a silent toast. Because we all need a bit of encouragement from time-to-time.... Read More

Act Now! This Deal Won’t Last!

Does this title look like every other email subject in your inbox? Then you know it’s the holiday season. But don’t rush to click on these enticing offers. Put down your phone and start making a holiday plan.... Read More

Why is it so hard for relatives to care for children in Indiana?

A grandmother was vacationing in Florida when her phone rang. The call she received changed her life. Two of her grandchildren—one only 4 days old and the other 11 months old—needed a home. She took both in without question. Another grandmother took in 8-year-old twins. Their parents dropped them off on her doorstep since they physically couldn’t care for them. Since taking them in, she has struggled to find adequate legal and financial assistance.  ... Read More

School-based telehealth clinics offer health care options in rural areas

Busy parents know this scenario all too well: you’re in the middle of a hectic work day, and your child’s school calls with the news your child isn’t feeling well. Now plans need to be rearranged, and you are faced with the prospect of trying to get the child in to see their doctor or waiting at an urgent care clinic, all while juggling transportation and other responsibilities. You may end up missing time at work, your child misses school, and an already busy day just got tougher for everyone.... Read More