C-Suite Network™

Categories
Advice Best Practices Strategy

Why Every Business Needs a Business Continuity Plan — Before It’s Too Late

Why Every Business Needs a Business Continuity Plan — Before It’s Too Late

Imagine this: A natural disaster hits your region. Your office is flooded. Systems are down. Employees are unreachable. Customers are calling, and you have no answer. Now what?

This nightmare scenario is more common than you think—and it’s exactly why every business, regardless of size or industry, needs a Business Continuity Plan (BCP).

 

What Is a Business Continuity Plan?

A Business Continuity Plan is a proactive strategy that outlines how your business will continue to operate during and after a disruption. Whether it’s a cyberattack, fire, pandemic, power outage, or data breach, a solid BCP prepares you to respond quickly, minimize downtime, and protect your people, profits, and reputation.

 

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

We live in an unpredictable world. From global pandemics to extreme weather events, supply chain disruptions, and ransomware attacks—disruption is no longer a possibility, it’s a guarantee. Without a plan, even a temporary hiccup can lead to:

  • Lost revenue and customers
  • Damaged brand trust
  • Regulatory penalties
  • Permanent closure

According to FEMA, roughly 40-60% of small businesses never reopen after a disaster. That’s not due to the event itself—but to the lack of preparation.

 

Key Components of an Effective BCP

A strong Business Continuity Plan covers several critical areas:

  • Risk Assessment: Identifying threats to your operations.
  • Business Impact Analysis: Understanding what’s at stake.
  • Communication Plan: Knowing who to contact and how to coordinate during a crisis.
  • Data & IT Recovery: Ensuring backups, cloud access, and cybersecurity.
  • Recovery Strategies: Having alternative suppliers, remote work options, and continuity partners.
  • Training & Testing: Keeping your team sharp and your plan up to date.

Continuity = Confidence

Having a BCP is not just about surviving disasters—it’s about building resilience. Clients, investors, and even employees take comfort in knowing your business has a plan. It shows leadership, foresight, and commitment to long-term success.

 

Final Thought

If your business doesn’t have a continuity plan, you’re gambling with everything you’ve worked for. The time to prepare isn’t after disaster strikes—it’s now.

Need help building your Business Continuity Plan?
At Controllers, Ltd., we help businesses protect what they’ve built through smart planning, compliance, and asset protection. Schedule a complimentary consultation today to make sure your business is ready for whatever comes next.

📞 Call us at 775-384-8124

Categories
Advice Best Practices Leadership

Assign Work to Multi-Functional Teams Whenever Possible

I have found – and I am sure you have discovered too – that multi-functional task forces can do a better job of completing many projects than can teams made up of people with similar skill sets.

When a group of salespeople are charged with the task of increasing sales revenue, for example, they will come up with a sales solution. When a group of social media marketers are charged with the same task, they will devise a social media strategy. And when a group of programmers is given the assignment, they will suggest a programming/software solution.

But sparks really start to fly when you bring together members of different disciplines, with different skill sets, and assign them to a project. (If you can, describe that project as “fact finding,” since those words spark a curious outlook.)

When members of different divisions who have different disciplines coalesce and work together, curiosity will start to infect and inspire people across your organization.  So my advice to you is, break down the silo walls and bring people together.

Action Step: Look at the work and projects that are being completed by your department, division, or other structural unit. Is there a way you can bring in more participants from other units or divisions – in effect, transform it into a multifunctional team?

Today’s article is adapted from my new book Ingaging Leadership: The Ultimate Edition

Categories
Best Practices Entrepreneurship Technology

The Missing Piece: Patients and the Diagnostic Error Puzzle

Misdiagnosis: AI Can Help, But Let’s Get Real First

Jolly Nanda | June 4, 2025

Misdiagnosis is the annoying houseguest that refuses to leave modern medicine. Despite flashy new tech and miracle drugs, millions of patients are still affected every year. The sheer complexity of human health, a mess of fragmented medical records, and doctors juggling patients like a circus act, means even the best practitioners are set up for failure.

As someone who’s been swimming in the healthcare tech and patient advocacy pool for years, I’m calling it: we’re at a turning point. Artificial intelligence, fueled by real-time patient data that isn’t ancient history, has the potential to completely shake up how we spot and react to the unique SOS signals our bodies send. If we do this right, AI can break the misdiagnosis cycle and kickstart an era of personalized care that actually is.

The Shocking Stats on Diagnostic Errors

Diagnostic errors are a leading cause of preventable harm in healthcare. A 2022 study in Diagnosis revealed that nearly 800,000 Americans suffer permanent disability or death annually due to these errors. 1 Government estimates suggest up to a staggering 12 million diagnostic errors happen each year in the U.S. 2 The real kicker? Many of these aren’t due to some rare, complicated disease, but simply missing context: a forgotten drug allergy, a test result from a previous doctor collecting dust, a symptom from months ago that never made it to the physician’s radar. These aren’t edge cases; they’re becoming the norm as we get older, more complex, and bounce between specialists.

The Eye-Watering Cost of Getting It Wrong

Diagnostic errors drain the U.S. healthcare system to the tune of over $100 billion every year2  This number is misleading, as it is much higher when you add the impact of delay in care that misdiagnosis causes. That’s factoring in extra treatments, those hefty malpractice settlements, lost productivity, and long-term care. And the pain isn’t shared equally. Patients with chronic illnesses, the elderly, the uninsured, and those with complicated medical needs get the worst of it. They’re bouncing between providers, drowning in paperwork, and at huge risk of vital information just vanishing into thin air. This kind of fragmentation doesn’t just widen cracks in the system; it’s like a black hole swallowing people whole. Add to that the havoc it causes when trying to diagnose a rare disease. A 2024 study in the state of Pennsylvania reported a 9.5% increase from 2023.3 4

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental organization with 38 member countries that promotes economic growth, prosperity, and sustainable development recently published a working paper stating that the direct consequences for diagnostic errors  on healthcare budget accounts for 17.5% of total healthcare expenditure. In the US, that would amount to $870B each year.5  If you are thinking that this is a US problem alone, let me assure you it is not. It is anticipated that 20-25% of the global population faces this issue. 2

The Problem with How We Do Things Now

Diagnosis has always relied on the doctor’s expertise and, let’s be honest, incomplete, and stale information. Medical records are often locked away in separate systems. Patient histories are spotty, especially if you’ve moved a lot or seen multiple doctors. And, crucially, patients aren’t usually encouraged to be active participants in figuring out what’s wrong.

Your body is constantly changing. The only person who knows what’s really going on is the person living in it. When we don’t capture the patient’s lived experience- the context, symptoms, and little details that you won’t find on a lab report, we miss vital clues. The result? Delayed or missed diagnoses and, sometimes, avoidable harm.

AI: Not a Crystal Ball, But a Powerful Tool

Everyone raves about AI’s ability to crunch massive datasets, but its real power in healthcare is pulling together clinical data with what patients are actually saying. When patients are actively involved, sharing symptoms and concerns, the data gets richer and more relevant. This lets AI flag potential diagnoses, rule out false alarms, and spot patterns that would otherwise be missed.

Now, hold on. It’s tempting to think AI is a magic fix for everything that’s wrong with healthcare. Newsflash: AI models are only as good as the information you feed them. Biases in data, systems that can’t talk to each other, and privacy concerns are all very real hurdles. There’s also the risk of relying too much on algorithms, which should never replace a doctor’s good judgment and bedside manner.

But, there’s growing evidence that AI-powered tools, especially those using real-time patient input, are helping doctors spot early signs of things like sepsis, cancer, and rare diseases. The key is that these systems work best when patients are partners, not just data points.

The Human Element: It’s Still About People

Preventing misdiagnosis requires more than fancy technology. It demands a fundamental shift in healthcare culture, from a “doctor knows best” approach to one where patients are actually heard. Transparency, trust, and genuine partnership is required.

Let’s face it, patients are more than just walking symptoms. It’s time we stop treating them that way! Give them the digital keys to their kingdom, their health data. Make it easy to access, simple to organize, augment, and safe to share. Because frankly, who else knows the full, messy, utterly human story of their health?

We also need to hold ourselves accountable for making sure AI systems reflect the diversity and complexity of the people they’re supposed to help. By combining AI’s analytical power with patients’ lived experiences, we can catch the things that would otherwise slip through the cracks and dramatically reduce the burden of misdiagnosis. This isn’t just about tech; it’s about putting people first.

Sources:

  1. Newman-Toker DE, et al. (2022). Diagnosis. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2021-014130
  2. Newman-Toker DE, Peterson SM, Badihian S, et al. Diagnostic Errors in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2022 Dec. (Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 258.) Introduction. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK588113/
  3. Everylife Foundation for Rare Diseases (2023) Delayed Diagnosis Study. https://everylifefoundation.org/delayed-diagnosis-study/
  4. Patient Safety trends in 2024. https://www.pslhub.org/learn/research-data-and-insight/data-and-insight/patient-safety-trends-in-2024-an-analysis-of-315418-serious-events-and-incidents-from-the-nation%E2%80%99s-largest-event-reporting-database-21-april-2025-r13222/
  5. Slawomirski, L. et al. (2025), “The economics of diagnostic safety”, OECD Health Working Papers, No. 176, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/fc61057a-en.
  6. Patient Safety in primary and outpatient health care. JFMPC https://journals.lww.com/jfmpc/Fulltext/2020/09010/Patient_safety_in_primary_and_outpatient_health.2.aspx
Categories
Best Practices Growth Sales

Millennial Franchise Buyers Have Changed . . . Have You?

Millennial Franchise Buyers Have Changed . . . Have You?

By Evan Hackel

More and more of your potential franchise buyers today are millennials. Do you know who they are? Do you understand them? Are you sure you are selling to them in the most effective ways possible?

Just to review, millennials (who are also known as Generation Y) were born in the 1980s and 1990s and are roughly between the ages 30 and 40 today.

If you think back on the people who have been talking to you about buying your franchise, you will realize that a growing number of them belong to this group.

But are you talking to them in the right way?

What Has Changed?

A great shift has taken place. Millennials shop for franchises and make their buying decision in a much different way than member of older generations did. Here is the most important thing that has changed . . .

  • Millennials do a much larger percentage of their buying research online. They prefer this method. They are likely to know a lot about you before they even talk to you.
  • Members of older generations will review online but will still prefer to learn about you by having conversations with real, living people.

Potential millennial franchisees will usually know a lot more about your franchise before they contact you. Then they will often tell you, “I have read everything on your website, and I need you to tell me more.”

The other difference is that millennials will give you low marks if you’re not providing enough information. In fact they may not ever make the call, if you haven’t satisfied their need or if you have presented yourself poorly.

How can you do a much better job recruiting those Gen Y buyers?

Provide a Deeper Level of Information Online

On your website and your social media channels too, be sure to provide:

  • Testimonials from your current franchisees. Make them videos, and have them really tell a story
  • Deeper information about who you are, what you sell, how your systems work, and more.
  • Information about the unique technology you use, because technology “speaks” to millennials.
  • In-depth information about the training you offer, because when potential franchisees understand that you offer exceptional training, they feel more confident that they will know how to succeed if they become franchisees. Let them test out some of your eLearning, by letting proactive franchisees take a few courses.
  • Still more information about your annual franchise conventions, the systems you use to communicate with franchisees, and more. The more information they know, the more confident they will feel about coming on board.

One Last Thought . . .

The more information you provide before the conversation starts, the more serious your prospects will be when the conversation starts. You will have fewer tire kickers.

Categories
Best Practices Leadership Personal Development

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Executive Decision-Making

Strong leadership isn’t just defined by logic and strategy. At the highest levels of business, emotional intelligence (EQ) sets the great leaders apart from the merely competent. For executives making complex, high-stakes decisions, EQ influences how decisions are made, communicated, and received across an organization.

1. Self-Awareness Creates Clarity
Self-aware executives understand how their emotions influence their thinking and behavior. This level of insight allows leaders to recognize bias, control reactivity, and make clearer, more balanced decisions. Instead of reacting emotionally in tense situations, emotionally intelligent leaders pause, reflect, and respond with intention.

2. Empathy Builds Trust
Empathy is more than being nice, it’s a strategic leadership tool. Executives who can anticipate how decisions will affect employees, partners, and stakeholders are more likely to lead with compassion, foster loyalty, and reduce resistance to change. Empathetic leaders build bridges that data alone cannot.

3. Emotional Regulation Strengthens Decision-Making
Leadership is stressful. But how a leader handles pressure often determines the quality of decisions made. Emotionally intelligent executives are able to manage their emotions, avoid impulsive reactions, and remain composed under fire. This calm presence creates psychological safety and allows others to focus and perform under pressure.

4. Social Awareness Shapes Strategy
Great leaders read the room. They’re tuned in to unspoken dynamics, shifts in morale, and the emotional tone of the workplace. Socially aware executives can navigate conflict, resolve tension, and lead more effectively through periods of uncertainty.

5. Relationship Management Drives Performance
Emotional intelligence enhances a leader’s ability to influence, coach, and resolve conflict with integrity. Executives who excel in relationship management build stronger teams, foster accountability, and create a culture where people feel valued and motivated.

Why EQ Is a Must for Executives Today
In today’s workplace, employees want more than a paycheck, they want purpose, connection, and authenticity. Leaders who develop EQ are better positioned to meet these expectations while making decisions that align with both business goals and human needs.

How Boardwalk Can Help
At Boardwalk Human Resources Consulting, we work with executive teams to strengthen emotional intelligence as part of leadership development. Through coaching, workshops, and culture transformation programs, we help leaders gain the self-awareness and empathy needed to lead with impact. Because smart decisions don’t just come from the head, they’re guided by the heart.

Categories
Accounting Best Practices Marketing

Exploring Essential Business Support Services

Exploring Essential Business Support Services

 

In today’s fast-paced business world, entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes are often overwhelmed with the complexities of day-to-day operations. Navigating the challenges of running a business can be tough, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may lack the resources of larger corporations. This is where business support services come in. These services can provide critical assistance in various areas to help your business thrive.

 

The Importance of Business Support

Business support services encompass a wide range of activities designed to assist businesses in their operations. These services can include anything from administrative support to specialized consulting. By leveraging these services, businesses can streamline their processes, reduce their workload, and ultimately enhance their productivity.

Studies show that companies that utilize business support services experience, on average, a 30% increase in efficiency. This is a significant benefit that could motivate you to seek out support in your own operations. By outsourcing non-core functions, you can focus on what you do best—growing your business.

 

Types of Business Support Services

There are various types of business support services available, each offering distinct benefits. Understanding which services are right for your business is crucial. Let’s explore some common options:

 

Administrative Support

Administrative support is one of the most essential forms of business support services. This can involve virtual assistants, office management, scheduling, and other clerical tasks. These services can help to reduce the administrative burden, allowing business owners to focus more on strategic initiatives.

For example, hiring a virtual assistant can save up to 20 hours a week—time that can be redirected toward customer engagement or business development. This is especially beneficial for startups that are trying to navigate their early stages.

 

Financial Management

Effective financial management is crucial for the success of any business. Business support services that focus on finance can include bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll systems. For instance, professionals such as those at controllers, ltd reno specialize in financial oversight, helping businesses maintain accurate financial records and generate timely reports.

With technology advancing rapidly, many financial management services now provide cloud-based access to financial data, allowing business owners to monitor their finances with ease. This transparency can improve financial decision-making, leading to better budgetary practices and financial health.

 

Marketing Services

Marketing is another area where expert support can make a significant difference. Through digital marketing services, businesses can reach their target audiences more effectively. Whether it’s through social media management, content creation, or search engine optimization (SEO), marketing support can enhance a company’s visibility and customer engagement.

For example, companies utilizing social media marketing can expect an average return of $4 for every $1 spent. This impressive return underscores the value of investing in skilled marketing services that can elevate your brand.

 

IT Support and Cybersecurity

In an increasingly digital world, having reliable IT support is vital. Businesses can access managed IT services, which can handle everything from system updates to cybersecurity measures. This ensures that companies remain protected against potential cyber threats.

For instance, 43% of cyber-attacks target small businesses, making it paramount to have a robust cybersecurity strategy in place. Reliable IT support can help manage these challenges, ensuring your business’s data and systems are secure.

 

Human Resources Services

Managing a workforce can be a daunting task, particularly for small businesses with limited HR resources. Human resource support services can assist with employee recruitment, onboarding, compliance, and payroll management. These services not only streamline HR processes but also help ensure that businesses adhere to relevant laws and regulations.

For example, outsourcing recruitment can save companies significant time and resources, allowing business owners to focus on other strategic areas. Moreover, it ensures that they attract the right talent for their organizational needs.

 

Strategic Consulting

Strategic consulting services can assist businesses in navigating growth challenges and developing long-term strategies. These consultants often take a deep dive into your business operations, identifying inefficiencies and areas for improvement.

For instance, a strategic consultant may uncover that your supply chain management processes are causing delays, suggesting actionable changes that could enhance productivity and performance. The expertise gained from these professionals can be invaluable.

 

Choosing the Right Business Support Services

With so many options available, it’s essential to choose the right business support services. Here are some steps to guide you:

  1. Assess Your Needs: Begin by evaluating the areas in which your business requires assistance. Determine if it’s administrative tasks, financial oversight, marketing efforts, or HR management.

 

  1. Set a Budget: Establish a budget for business support services. This will guide you in selecting services within your financial means while ensuring you still receive quality support.

 

  1. Research Providers: Look for reputable service providers with a track record of success in your required area. Don’t hesitate to ask for testimonials or case studies.

 

  1. Start Small: If you’re unsure, test with a small project to assess the effectiveness of the support services you choose. This allows you to gauge the impact before committing fully.

 

  1. Evaluate Effectiveness: Regularly review the performance of your business support services to ensure that they are meeting your expectations and contributing positively to your operations.

By carefully evaluating and choosing the right business support services, you will set your business up for sustainable success.

 

Benefits of Using Business Support Services

Integrating business support services can yield numerous benefits for your organization, including:

  • Cost Savings: By outsourcing certain tasks, businesses can save on overhead costs associated with hiring in-house employees.
  • Expertise Access: Business support services often provide access to specialists who have considerable experience in their fields.
  • Flexibility: Businesses can scale services up or down as needed, adjusting to changing demands and economic conditions.
  • Enhanced Focus: With time-consuming tasks outsourced, business owners can devote more energy to core activities.
  • Risk Reduction: Professional support can aid in complying with regulations and minimizing the risks associated with non-compliance.

These factors collectively contribute to a more efficient and effective business operation.

 

Final Thoughts on Business Support Services

Incorporating essential business support services can dramatically improve your business operations, allowing you to focus on growth and innovation. From administrative tasks to strategic consulting, the possibilities are endless. Consider your specific needs and explore the various services available to find the right solutions for your business. With the right support, you’ll unlock the potential for greater success.

 

Categories
Best Practices Leadership Strategy

Leading Through Change: Strategies for C-Suite Executives in 2025

In an era marked by rapid innovation, economic volatility, and shifting employee expectations, change is not a question of “if” but “when.” For C-suite executives, leading through change in 2025 requires a balance of vision, agility, and emotional intelligence. Organizations that will thrive are not those that avoid change, but those that embrace it as a continuous, strategic advantage.

  1. Prioritize Transparent Communication
    Frequent, honest communication is the bedrock of navigating change. Executives must share not only what is changing but why, addressing both organizational goals and the impact on individuals. Authenticity matters. Employees can sense when leaders are withholding information, which breeds mistrust. Clear messaging builds credibility and rallies the workforce around a shared vision.
  2. Empower Your Leadership Team
    Change cannot be managed by a single leader. Equip department leaders to become ambassadors of change. Providing them with training on change management, empathetic leadership, and conflict resolution ensures that messaging remains consistent and employee concerns are addressed promptly. A strong leadership bench enables broader adoption and minimizes disruption.
  3. Stay Agile Without Losing Focus
    2025 demands organizations that can pivot quickly. Leaders should define clear priorities but remain flexible on execution, adjusting tactics without compromising core objectives. Agile leadership requires a willingness to reevaluate assumptions, test solutions in real time, and empower teams to experiment without fear of failure. Keeping a strong focus on “why” the change is happening ensures that even as tactics shift, the mission remains clear.
  4. Cultivate a Culture of Resilience
    A resilient organization doesn’t just survive change; it grows stronger through adversity. Executives must lead by example, modeling optimism, persistence, and adaptability. Celebrating small wins, recognizing employee efforts, and openly discussing lessons learned from setbacks can normalize change as a positive force. Investing in employee wellbeing, through mental health resources, flexible work options, and continuous learning opportunities further strengthens organizational resilience.
  5. Embrace Data-Driven Decision-Making
    Leveraging data and analytics enables executives to make informed, proactive decisions during periods of change. By tracking employee sentiment, project milestones, and customer feedback, leaders can identify potential risks early and adjust course accordingly. A data-driven approach demystifies change, making it less intimidating and more actionable.
  6. Reaffirm Core Values
    In times of transformation, it’s easy for companies to lose sight of their core identity. Reinforcing organizational values acts as a compass, guiding decisions and behaviors even when external circumstances shift. Leaders who consistently anchor change initiatives in the company’s mission and values help maintain employee trust and a sense of purpose.

Executives who lead with transparency, empowerment, agility, and empathy won’t just survive change, they’ll leverage it to drive lasting growth and cultural transformation. In 2025 and beyond, change-ready leadership is not an option. It is the defining trait of successful, future-proof organizations.

At Boardwalk Human Resources Consulting, we specialize in helping organizations navigate transformational change. From leadership coaching and strategic planning to culture building and employee engagement, our team partners with you to turn change into a catalyst for growth. If your organization is ready to lead boldly into the future, Boardwalk is ready to help you get there.

About Shelley Majors

Shelley Majors is the Founder and CEO of Boardwalk Human Resources Consulting. With over 25 years of experience advising organizations through periods of growth, change, and transformation, Shelley brings a practical, people-centered approach to leadership and culture development. She is passionate about helping companies build strong, resilient workplaces where employees and businesses thrive.

Categories
Best Practices Growth IT Marketing Personal Development

The Ultimate Podcast Equipment Checklist — Recommended by C-Suite Network™

At C-Suite Network™, we’ve helped over 400 podcasters launch, grow, and scale their shows through our platform. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to upgrade, one thing remains consistent: your equipment matters.

A professional setup isn’t just about sound — it’s about credibility, presence, and brand perception. Based on our experience supporting podcasters across industries, this is the gear we recommend most often.

Everything listed below is tested, trusted, and linked directly to Amazon for your convenience.

CAMERAS

Camera setup

Clear video builds trust — and helps your content stand out.

Even if your podcast is audio-first, video content on YouTube, LinkedIn, or social media extends your reach. A reliable camera is the foundation of a professional setup.

Top Picks:

DEPSTECH 4K Webcam Ultra HD

Plug-and-play setup, with clear visuals and built-in mic.

DEPSTECH Webcam

DEPSTECH 4K Webcam with Streaming Mic

Designed for live-streaming and higher-end video meetings.

DEPSTECH Streaming Webcam

MICROPHONES

Microphone

Poor audio is the fastest way to lose an audience.

Quality audio ensures clarity, improves listener retention, and elevates your guest experience. These are consistent favorites across our network.

Top Picks:

Samson Meteor Microphone

Great sound and a polished, compact look.

Samson Meteor

Blue Yeti Microphone

One of the most popular USB microphones for podcasting, interviews, and webinars.

Blue Yeti

SPEAKERS

Speaker

High-quality speakers make editing and reviewing easier.

While many use headphones, a great speaker setup allows for playback and guest audio monitoring in a more natural environment.

Top Picks:

JBL FLIP 5 Speaker

Powerful sound in a compact form.

JBL Flip 5

JBL FLIP 6 Speaker

Enhanced sound quality for on-the-go production.

JBL Flip 6

WEBCAM MOUNTS

Webcam mount

Look your audience in the eye — without the awkward camera angles.

Positioning your camera at eye level helps create connection and confidence on video. These mounts make it easy.

Top Picks:

PlexiCam Pro V2

Sleek and simple, mounts in front of your screen.

Plexicam

PlexiCam Road Warrior Pro V2

Great for mobile or hybrid setups.

Plexicam Road Warrior

GREEN SCREENS

Green screen

Keep your background clean and on-brand.

Professional podcasters often use green screens to create consistent, distraction-free visuals, especially when recording from home or traveling.

Top Picks:

KHOMO GEAR 62-Inch Green Screen

Easy to collapse and store.

KHOMO GEAR

FUDESY Extra Large Green Screen

Wider coverage for flexible camera angles.

Fudesy

LED LIGHTING

LED lights

Good lighting is non-negotiable in today’s video-first world.

The right lighting enhances clarity, minimizes shadows, and helps your content look more polished — even in basic environments.

Top Picks:

NiceVeedi 2-Pack LED Light Kit

Adjustable and easy to use.

NiceVeedi

NEEWER 2-Pack LED Video Light Kit

Ideal for creators who want professional-level lighting control.

Neewer

Final Thoughts

At C-Suite Network™, we believe in equipping business leaders with the tools they need to share their voice at a professional level. This checklist reflects the most reliable gear used across our growing podcast network.

If you’re ready to take your show to the next level — or launch one from scratch — we provide:

  • Full podcast hosting & distribution
  • Brand publishing on c-suitenetwork.com
  • CRM and email automation tools
  • Access to a high-level network of business leaders

👉 Learn more about joining C-Suite Network™

We’re here to support you in building a podcast and a brand that gets results.

Categories
Best Practices Personal Development Uncategorized

Finding Your True Calling Through the Work You’re Performing

Finding Your True Calling Through the Work You’re Performing 

Avoid Burnout. Maintain Integrity. Demonstrate Your Faith.

We often imagine our “true calling” as a far-off destination—a place of perfect alignment between our gifts, passions, and a grand, God-ordained mission. It’s the dream job, the breakthrough opportunity, the role that finally makes everything click. But what if that vision, as compelling as it may be, causes us to miss what God is doing right now?

What if your true calling isn’t “out there” waiting to be discovered but is being formed—right where you are?

Calling Is Not a Career Change

The modern narrative surrounding calling tends to resemble a spiritualized career ladder. We speak of “leveling up,” “stepping into purpose,” or “finally arriving.” Yet the Kingdom of God rarely operates through promotions as the world defines them. God’s economy runs on faithfulness, not titles.

Scripture doesn’t command us to chase an idealized version of our future selves. It invites us to die daily, to serve faithfully, and to walk humbly with our God. That means your role today—yes, the one that feels too small, too exhausting, or too invisible—might be the very furnace where your true calling is forged.

The job you show up to right now, the clients you serve, the tasks you perform, even the parts that feel beneath your potential—this is holy ground. Every small act can be soaked in the presence of God. If you let it.

Burnout Isn’t Just About Overwork—It’s About Disconnect

Burnout often begins not with too much to do, but with too little why behind it. We become drained when our actions no longer feel tethered to a deeper purpose. Integrity begins to fray when we forget who we’re truly working for.

But when we choose to treat the work we do today as a divine appointment—something entrusted to us, not just demanded from us—our motivation shifts. The long hours, the mundane routines, the conflict resolution, the spreadsheets, the customer complaints—none of it is wasted when it’s done as an offering.

Burnout gives way to burning with purpose when we remember that Jesus is present not just in the sanctuary but in every spreadsheet, shovel, sketchpad, and staff meeting.

Your Integrity Is a Greater Witness Than Your Talent

Sometimes, in the pursuit of calling, people compromise their values to reach what they believe is their “destiny.” But a calling that costs you your character isn’t from God. It’s a counterfeit.

True calling always walks hand-in-hand with integrity. The way you conduct yourself in your current assignment speaks volumes about the depth of your faith. Are you honest when no one’s watching? Do you treat coworkers with respect when they least deserve it? Do you forgive even when it costs you influence?

Each of these questions pulls your calling from the clouds and plants it in your everyday behavior.

The world needs fewer impressive resumes and more transparent hearts. Your integrity at work may be the only gospel someone ever reads.

Demonstrating Jesus Doesn’t Require a Platform

We are the aroma of Christ in the workplace—not through grand gestures or religious slogans, but through kindness, patience, excellence, and truth. A gentle word in a toxic meeting. A prayer whispered at your desk before a difficult call. A boundary drawn in love. These are not small things.

Jesus didn’t wait for a crowd before demonstrating the Kingdom. He showed up for the one. He noticed the overlooked. He washed feet when He could’ve demanded praise.

That same Jesus lives in you. And He is glorified when you choose compassion over competition, diligence over disillusionment, faithfulness over fame.

The Work You Do Today Is the Soil of Your Calling

You may not feel like you’re living your dream right now. That’s okay. Dreams can evolve, but character must be cultivated. Today’s responsibilities are not in your way; they are your way forward. God does not waste a season.

This moment—this ordinary, unglamorous, perhaps even frustrating moment—is packed with sacred potential.

Your true calling is not just about where you’re going. It’s about who you’re becoming on the way.

And if you can become more like Christ through the work you perform today, then you’re already walking in your calling.

 

 

Categories
Best Practices

Four Ways You’re Paying for Training . . . Whether You Know It or Not

By Evan Hackel

Every company pays for training. You can either pay for it up front or you pay for it through poor results at many times the cost of doing it right.  People don’t think about it this way, but maybe they should. Let me tell you a story about a company where a lack of training was costing $1.68 million a year.

There was once a chain of nine floor covering stores that was doing $12 million in annual sales. They had an overall goal to increase profits, which were sitting at an average profit margin on products sold of 34%.

Knowing that they could improve their margin if they focused on training and raised pricing, they trained salespeople to use sales tools and helped customers understand the true value the company offered.  They focused on solving customer problems by concentrating more on the customer’s needs and helping them find the right products. By demonstrating value and being better in assisting their customers meet their needs, they increased margin and sales.

As a result, the company increased their margin from 34% to 48% – a 14% improvement.  In that $12 million company, the result was a $1.68 million increase in gross profit dollars plus increased sales.  The improvement in profit was demonstrable.  The reality is that the true differentiator was the training. If they’d simply changed out the merchandising without doing the training, it would have had a much smaller impact.

Another way to look at it is that for years, a failure to train was costing that company $1.68 million a year in gross profit.  The cost of training for this company was in essence $1.68 million a per year, because they didn’t spend any money on training.   You see, every company pays for training. You can either pay for it up front or you pay for it through poor results at many times the cost of doing it right.

Are you too paying for training without knowing it? Let’s take a close look at just how that could be happening to you.

Lost Opportunity:  You Can Train Staff to Close More Sales

Let’s say that your staff should be closing 40% of sales, but currently they are only closing 30%. That means you are losing 25% of potential sales; if your company is doing $10 million in annual sales, you are losing $3,333,333 in sales.

With training, increasing a close rate from 30% to 40% is a reasonable expectation. It can mean training staff how to be more polite, listen better, present products more effectively – and ask for the order.  It is very, very doable. And if you are not doing it, you are paying for training without even realizing it.

Which is more costly, losing $3 million in sales or investing in training?

Lost Opportunity: You Can Train to Improve Employee Retention

Losing employees is costly. According to a study by the Center for American Progress, the cost of replacing a worker who earns between $30,000 and $50,000 a year is 20% of annual salary, or about $10,000. (If you’re losing employees who earn more than $50,000, replacing each of them will cost you even more.)

Let’s assume that you have 250 employees and that your annual turnover rate is 30%. So you’re losing 75 employees a year and spending $750,000 to replace them.

(You’ll also be losing money by paying unemployment benefits, losing sales during the time their jobs are not covered, and more, but let’s not figure that in.)

What if you did a better job of training employees and cut your turnover rate by 5%, from 30% to 25%? That is also very doable. That 5% improvement will pay you back more than you expect.  If you have 250 employees, you will be losing only about 60 workers a year, not 70, a saving of about $100,000 a year.

Incidentally, the link between training and retention is well documented. Well-trained employees are happier and therefore less likely to leave. And because they do their jobs better, you will have to fire and replace fewer of them.

Which is cheaper – having a high turnover rate that costs you $100,000 a year, or investing in training?

Lost Opportunity: You Can Train Salespeople to Sell Just a Little More on the Average Ticket

Let’s assume that your average customer spends $25 on each visit to one of your locations. Through training, you can increase that average ticket to $28. Your staff can learn to refer customers to other products, upsell, and apply other simple strategies.

Let’s further assume that you have 400,000 customer transactions a year. If you can train your salespeople to increase ticket size from $25 to $28, you will increase annual sales from $10 million to $11,200,000.

Which is cheaper, losing a $1,200,000 in sales or investing in training?

Lost Opportunity: You Can Train to Improve Customer Retention

If your company does that same $10 million in annual sales and your customer retention rate drops five percentage points, that means you have lost $500,000 in sales. Yet the right kind of training in areas likes sales and customer service has been shown to retain many more customers.  Again, it is “doable.” And the result can be a big improvement in profitability.

Which is cheaper, losing $500,000 worth of customers a year or training?

Let’s Review

You pay for training, one way or another.  Every company pays for training. You can either pay for it up front or you pay for it through poor results at many times the cost of doing it right.

Your company results are affected by the quality of the training your company provides. Investing in training upfront is going to provide you a 10x or greater return on your dollar.

Additionally, training is the safest investment you can make.  If you spend more money in advertising, it may or may not be effective in bringing customers to your business.  Training is about improving results with the customers you already have coming to your business.

Question, every business is different, how much is poor training costing you?  How could investing in training upfront improve your profits?