Small Business Insights

A group of young colleagues stacking hands indoors, showing teamwork and unity.

Stop Hiring for the Job. Start Hiring for the Culture.

Jim Hendley May 1, 2026

Leader’s Edge Consulting · 6 min read LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS What if the most powerful leadership decision you make this year isn’t a strategy, a restructure, or a budget call — but a single hiring philosophy that ripples across your entire organization? In an industry notorious for high turnover and inconsistent service, Chick-fil-A has quietly built one of the most admired

Professional businesswoman leading a meeting with colleagues in an office, discussing agenda items on a whiteboard.

Empowered Leadership: The Catalyst Your Organization Has Been Missing

Jim Hendley April 29, 2026

By Jim Hendley | Leader’s Edge Consulting Most business owners I talk to have the same blind spot. They’re focused on what’s broken on the outside — leads, revenue, marketing — when the real problem is happening on the inside. And nowhere does that show up more painfully than in employee retention. You’ve seen it. You hire someone, invest time

A group engaged in a business meeting analyzing charts on laptops and papers.

5 Steps to Building a Business Plan That Actually Works

Jim Hendley April 9, 2026

As an entrepreneur, you know the journey is rarely straightforward. The market shifts, customer preferences evolve, and competition intensifies. Having a solid business plan isn’t just a formality—it’s your roadmap to navigate this dynamic landscape.

Close-up of a paper with branding, identity, design, strategy, and marketing concepts in orange and black.

Stop Competing on Price. Own Your Market Instead

Jim Hendley April 2, 2026

As an entrepreneur, you’re constantly faced with decisions that can make or break your business. The pressure to conform, to replicate successful models, is immense.

Group of young professionals celebrating together in a modern office setting.

Your Best Growth Strategy Is Probably Walking Out the Door Every Day at 5PM

Jim Hendley March 31, 2026

Small businesses operate in a relentlessly competitive landscape. While technology plays a role, many entrepreneurs are discovering that the most significant driver of sustainable growth isn’t the latest software or hardware, but the experience of their employees.

U.S. tax documents with a 'Tax time!' reminder, highlighting the importance of filing deadlines.

Tax Planning for Small Business Owners: What You Should Know Before It’s Too Late

Jim Hendley March 27, 2026

Every year, I watch business owners go through the same painful ritual. January arrives. The accountant sends a document request. The owner scrambles to find receipts, reconstruct records, and remember what happened ten months ago. There’s stress, there’s a tax bill they weren’t expecting, and there’s a vague promise to “do better next year.”