Jim and Kristin talk about getting teams properly aligned and properly deployed in the new year.

Jim and Leslie talk about small business owners thinking like executives in order to succeed.

Cherie joins Jim to talk about how to be successful by setting and tracking goals.

Leslie joins Jim again to continue their discussion of how to install the quality process in your small business. But first, they discuss more of the history of the quality process around the world in the 20th Century, with emphasis on how America lost it's competitive edge during the 70s and 80s. One of the issues discussed is the importance of the person at the top of the organizational chart being totally sold on the installation of a quality process in order for that philosophy to really create positive results. These visits with Leslie are VERY important. Be prepared to gain new perspectives that will change the way you think about managing your company.

First time on the show, Leslie has become the quality expert on our Brain Trust. Initially, Jim asks Leslie to talk about her experience as an assistant to Mr. Deming. Later, Leslie and Jim talk about the history of the quality movement during the 20th Century. All during this visit, they define and explain the quality process, and how it can help you be more successful in your small business. This is another unique conversation that you won't find anywhere else. Don't miss it.

Dale talks with Jim about the importance of courage and paying attention in helping owners and managers to make a difference in their organizations. They also talk about the importance of practicing MBWA, management by walking around. Dale offers some interesting ways to help small business owners solve problems.

Dale and Jim talk about how decisions are made to fire employees, including lay-offs, reductions, etc. They discuss the differences between good turnover and bad turnover. Finally, the guys talk about how to actually terminate an employee.

Steve is one of our most valuable resources in The Brain Trust. He has joined Jim many times to talk about a number of business fundamentals. In this visit, Steve talks with Jim about the what he calls the "Five Generations Of Profit Improvement." Steve says companies take on human characteristics during their lives as they grow and mature. He points out that these changes happen whether we are aware of them or not, and helps us understand how to take advantage of these natural changes, rather than be harmed by them. You won't find a conversation on this unique perspective anywhere else.

Dale joins Jim for the first time to talk about how to be an effective boss. Dale talks about how the gifted boss finds the very best employees. Finding good employees is a major management challenge, and this conversation Jim has with Dale will help you meet this challenge and succeed.

We could not do without Steve Martin! He's one of our most valuable and versatile small business resources. During this visit, Steve and Jim talk about the inevitability of change: How it affects us, how we resist it, how we deal with it. Steve says we are encountering more change right now in our lives than any other previous generation. As always, Steve has some excellent tips to help us deal with and embrace change successfully.