America’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy; small businesses are responsible for 63% of new jobs in the last 25+ years, represent 99.9% of all businesses in America, and employ 46% of America’s private sector employees. It’s clear business owners and small business leaders have one of the most important roles in our society — and [ Read More ]
When it comes to a Board of Advisors, these five qualities separate the exasperating from the exceptional. Does your board have them? A cohesive, high-functioning Board of Advisors can be an invaluable source of wisdom, accountability, and support for a business owner. But if the board is ineffective, misaligned, or poorly managed, it can consume a business owner’s [ Read More ]
At Aileron, we practice customer intimacy and frequently conduct customer research so we can design services and content that support our community of business owners. Part of our process involves completing the Strategyzer Value Proposition Canvas. This tool helps us more deeply understand business owners, the challenges they face, and the outcomes they’re after. Since we started collecting [ Read More ]
As a business owner, you make several investments in your company—like property, resources for operations, and employee training. Have you also considered an outside board as one the most crucial investments? Oftentimes, establishing and leading a board falls further down the entrepreneur’s never-ending list of priorities. Yet it’s one of the most significant investments you can make for [ Read More ]
As a business owner, you understand that running a business is a team sport and your team is your most valuable asset. Your team members are the people who turn your vision into a reality and help you grow your business. As you work to install professional management in your organization, Activating Professional Management can help you onboard [ Read More ]
Aileron’s flagship program, Course for Presidents®, teaches you fundamental skills to direct, operate, and control your business. Key areas of focus include leadership, strategy, people development, business structure, organizational performance, and culture. This in-person program offers a hands-on learning experience that's been transforming businesses for more than 25 years. We’re excited to share we’ve been enhancing and refining the [ Read More ]
Our Course for Presidents alumni have consistently told us over the years that this program is a life-changing experience for the private business owner. It delivers insight and knowledge from people who get it, and everyday tools that impact their professional and personal lives alike. But, taking two days away from your business to work on your business can [ Read More ]
Having an outside board for your business is one of the wisest decisions you can make for your company. This small group of professionals lends their time and expertise to support your company’s vision and help you grow. They can be key to a company’s sustainability. The benefits of working with an outside board are wide-ranging. You can [ Read More ]
Wisdom. Constructive accountability. Professional resources. A business owner should expect to receive these benefits, and more, from their outside board. Being a CEO or President can feel lonely and heavy with responsibility—but the support and feedback from a high performing board enables a business to reach its goals and grow sustainably. What Do Outside Boards Do for Private [ Read More ]
If you’ve spent more than a few minutes with an Aileron coach or community member, you’ve likely heard about professional management and how it can help you lead with confidence to build a sustainable, thriving organization. We define professional management as a systematic way to run a business. Specifically, we use the Aileron DOC System of Professional Management [ Read More ]
In SnackNation’s early years, CEO Sean Kelly was afraid of hearing raw and honest feedback from his team. “Even though I cared massively about what people were feeling, and how they felt the organization was serving them, I was a little bit scared to get feedback in the most open and vulnerable way,” says Sean. SnackNation delivers healthy snacks [ Read More ]
Thoughts from Lindsey Bahr, Director of Finance and Administration Leveraging the power of transparency to release fear in uncertainty When the COVID-19 pandemic began, many of us were thrown into uncertain and stress-provoking situations. Those situations can stir up fearful and worrisome thoughts: Am I going to lose my job? Will there be enough cash to make it through [ Read More ]
