POST CATEGORY : Management

An Overview of the Elks National Foundation with Mitch Hanlon of Fullerton

Mitch Hanlon

Key Takeaways

  • Mitch Hanlon, a respected Southern California music educator and conductor, continues his legacy of service through the Elks National Foundation (ENF).
  • The Elks National Foundation, founded in 1928, has distributed over $500 million to charitable projects nationwide.
  • With more than 124,000 active donors and an $851 million endowment, the ENF funds scholarships, veteran support, and community initiatives.
  • Scholarship programs include the Most Valuable Student awards ($3M annually) and Legacy Awards ($1.6M for children and grandchildren of Elks members).
  • ENF initiatives also support youth drug awareness programs, veteran services, and local lodge community investment projects.
  • A board of seven trustees, all past Elks national presidents, oversees the foundation’s operations from Chicago.
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Why Hybrid Teams Lose Focus Without Visibility and How You Can Fix It Fast

Remote working for business success

Key Takeaways

  • Hybrid teams lose focus when workloads, delays, and handoffs aren’t visible in real time.
  • Silent reassignments, unseen bottlenecks, and unbalanced workloads often go unnoticed until deadlines slip.
  • Real-time workload views prevent burnout and uneven task distribution.
  • Tracking time spikes highlights early delays before they snowball into major blockers.
  • Weekly focus reviews uncover hidden distractions and improve long-term productivity habits.
  • Live activity dashboards reduce missed handoffs by showing what’s moving and what’s stalled.
  • Workforce intelligence platforms provide actionable insights without adding unnecessary meetings.
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David Colakovic on Why Founders Should Stay Involved in the Day-to-Day

David Colakovic

TL;DR

  • Conventional advice to “step back” during growth can miss the benefits of founder involvement in daily operations.
  • Staying close to the work ensures tighter feedback loops, early problem detection, and faster, better decision-making.
  • Operational awareness comes from direct exposure to customers, frontline teams, and processes—not just filtered reports.
  • Founders shape company culture by example; stepping back too soon risks dilution of core values.
  • Involvement provides critical context for strategic choices, enabling speed without sacrificing quality.
  • Hands-on founders see higher retention, stronger alignment, and a reduced risk of drift from the original mission.
  • Effective leaders avoid micromanaging by “leading with context, not control,” keeping teams empowered yet aligned.
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How Mark Seruya’s Expertise Shapes Pre-Distress Strategy to Unlock Asset Value

Mark Seruya

photo credit: Principal Post

TL;DR

  • Mark Seruya, a veteran wealth manager with over 40 years of experience, now applies his expertise to distressed loan strategies at Safe Harbor Equity.
  • Pre-distress strategy targets assets showing early signs of financial strain before default or bankruptcy occurs.
  • Indicators include falling rental income, declining operating margins, upcoming refinancing deadlines, and reserve fund depletion.
  • Early engagement allows more negotiation flexibility, better due diligence, and a wider range of restructuring options.
  • Specialized credit firms are better suited than traditional lenders to design tailored pre-distress recovery plans.
  • Acting early preserves asset value, builds trust with borrowers, and avoids the limitations of post-default scenarios.
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The Life of a Truck Driver: What They Don’t Tell You

Truck driver

TL;DR

  • The U.S. trucking industry faces a shortage of 80,000+ drivers, making now a great time to enter the field.
  • Life on the road comes with unexpected challenges — breakdowns, traffic, weather, and difficult delivery locations.
  • Truckers are often at the mercy of customers, mechanics, regulations, and other drivers, which can cause delays.
  • Health is a serious concern — drivers face higher risks of heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions.
  • Despite challenges, trucking can be a rewarding career for those who enjoy the lifestyle and independence.

Based on recent reports, there are currently about 3.6 million commercial truck drivers in the United States.…

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4 Best Practice Tips to Help Keep Your Manufacturing Factory Employees Safe

Manufacturing employee safety

TL;DR

  • Prioritizing manufacturing employee safety improves productivity, morale, and regulatory compliance.
  • Provide thorough safety training, including correct PPE usage and safe machinery operation.
  • Conduct regular equipment maintenance to prevent malfunctions and workplace hazards.
  • Enforce vehicle and heavy equipment safety protocols, including speed limits and pedestrian-safe zones.
  • Implement clear, visible safety procedures with regular emergency drills for preparedness.
  • Foster a safety-first culture to reduce accidents, protect employees, and enhance business performance.

Keeping your manufacturing factory employees safe is crucial for maintaining a productive and efficient work environment. Workplace safety not only reduces the risk of injuries but also boosts employee morale and minimizes costly downtime.…

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Unlocking Innovation: The Critical Role of AI Consulting in Business Transformation

AI consulting

TL;DR

  • AI consulting bridges the gap between complex technologies and practical business use, driving innovation and transformation.
  • Consultants help businesses integrate AI strategically, enabling data-driven decision-making and cultural readiness for digital change.
  • Strategic AI adoption offers long-term competitive advantages across logistics, customer engagement, and product development.
  • Custom AI solutions tailored to unique industry challenges unlock new opportunities and prevent wasted investments.
  • Industries like retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance have already experienced major gains from AI-driven strategies.
  • AI consultants keep businesses ahead of tech trends, ensuring continuous alignment between evolving AI tools and business goals.

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) stands as a cornerstone of innovation and competitive differentiation.…

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Practical Facility Changes That Simplify Operations And Cut Overhead

Facility upgrades

photo credit: Cemrecan Yurtman / Pexels

TL;DR

  • Facility inefficiencies like outdated wiring, poor lighting, and wasted space increase overhead and slow down operations.
  • Switching to modular busways allows quick reconfiguration of electrical systems, saving on rewiring and labor costs.
  • Upgrading to smart LED lighting with sensors cuts energy use and reduces maintenance workload without major renovations.
  • Flexible storage solutions like adjustable racks and mezzanines help maximize floor space and adapt to changing needs.
  • Fast-close industrial doors minimize energy loss and noise in high-traffic zones, improving both efficiency and comfort.
  • Retrofitting water systems with low-flow fixtures and greywater reuse saves money and supports sustainability goals.
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Why Business Owners Should Invest in These Property Services

Property service

TL;DR

  • Investing in property services protects your business from unexpected costs, enhances professional image, and ensures long-term functionality.
  • Regular maintenance of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and roofing systems reduces operational disruptions and emergency repair expenses.
  • Exterior upkeep, like landscaping and façade cleaning, boosts curb appeal and supports brand perception.
  • Interior renovations and modern access control systems create a safer, more comfortable, and professional environment for staff and visitors.
  • Preventative service contracts ensure routine care, priority scheduling, and cost-effective planning through bundled maintenance programs.

Investing in the right property services can streamline operations, protect assets and enhance the professional image of any business.…

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How to Properly Budget for a New HVAC Unit

HVAC

TL;DR

  • Replacing your HVAC system can cost an average of $7,500, with prices varying based on system type, home size, and location.
  • Labor typically makes up 20–40% of the total cost, so getting multiple quotes and understanding your installer’s pricing structure is key.
  • Energy-efficient and smart systems may have higher upfront costs but offer long-term savings and may qualify for rebates or tax incentives.
  • Scheduling replacement during off-peak seasons (spring/fall) can result in lower costs and faster installation times.
  • Plan ahead by setting aside 5–10% of your HVAC investment annually for ongoing maintenance and unexpected repairs.

Replacing an HVAC unit is a significant investment that requires careful financial planning.…

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