For years I’ve encouraged account executives and estimators to provide their customers with meaningful options on their letters of quote whether or not their customers requested it. A quote with surprising options can lead to customer discussions that put you in charge of winning that work.

We are being reminded that "Freedom isn't Free." Most of us are unaware of the personal price most of our "Signers of the Declaration of Independence" paid. The price these men, their families, and many other men and women have paid for you and me to have the choices and freedoms we are allowed.

We must relearn to cooperate and compromise – and clarify the rules of a God-fearing society to solve our collective problems, or we are on our way to losing our democracy. It's not just about what I want. Inflation does not appear to be the total problem, though it certainly is a part of the problem that's being created.

Pay and benefits are important. But a "Positive Atmosphere" and "Genuine Goodwill" are impossible to fake or compensate with only pay. Do your homework, and don't just "play" with good suggestions and ideas; put them into action.

Few of us know the depth of benefits we enjoy from sacrifices by those who have gone before us. More recently, earlier decisions from our leaders, designed to avoid tough decisions, did not deter our adversaries, but rather emboldened them to pursue their ambitions.

A treasured client recently lost two key employees, that if an "Employee Survey" had been administered, problems in the ranks would most likely have been uncovered – and hidden problems - allowed to be addressed.

One of my biggest fears is that our nation's adversaries are not listening so much to "What our leaders say - in front of the cameras" but instead are taking meticulous notes on "What our leaders do!" Our friends, our blood-brothers in Ukraine, this Holy season, are reminding us that freedom always comes at a price.

On a visit to DunphyGraphics, Dave Dunphy shared that his organizations open between 10 and 30 new customers a month. He knows that is too many and that many of those ten to thirty a month need to be improved regarding “quality of customer.”

Organizations don't conduct performance reviews effectively, if they do them at all. Biggest loss? Lack of trust and communication between a subordinate and supervisor can lead to the loss of a valuable employee and your investments in them.

In a previous life, my company was frequently operating on the edge. I made sure everyone understood that we would prevail if each of us gave our best every day, with no exceptions. We pushed everything to its limits, and we tripled revenues in three and a half years.