The Experts

By JOE HARRIS Look, I’m a business owner, so I completely understand how difficult it is to do sales, especially whenever you have so many other tasks and processes that you must do inside of your business. But I cannot stress how important it is to make sure that you were the driving force, bringing…

Constant talk of tariffs, fluctuating interest rates, stock market dips, and a volatile economy might have people worried about their current and future investments. However, First Mid Wealth Management Chief Investment Officer Darren Wright is offering tips to help ease worries on what people should do with their money during a stressful time in the…

By CAROLYN GREEN In a previous issue of my firm’s “Marketing Monday,” we explored what makes a business remarkable and how to stand out. Now let’s put our thoughts into action. I believe clients choose businesses they know, like, and trust. Usually because they know the company’s reputation or one of the people there. Here…

By SCOTT CRUZ Effective Jan. 1, 2025, amendments to the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act (“Act”) took effect, imposing new requirements for Illinois employers regarding employee work authorization verification. While the amendments are included under the Act’s provisions relating to employers’ use of any electronic employment verification system, including E-Verify, their scope…

By JOE HARRIS So, I am sitting in a networking meeting, and we are talking about what the next steps are for our businesses. I was surrounded by an insurance agent, an electric contractor and a landscaper. No, this isn’t the set up for a bad joke… The landscaper was new to business (meaning that…

By CAROLYN GREEN In a previous issue of my firm’s “Marketing Monday,” we looked at setting clear revenue goals for 2025. Next, let’s dive into how to align your offers to meet those goals. Here’s the truth: Your offers should work together like pieces of a puzzle, each one building momentum for the next. Let’s break…

When ChatGPT burst on the scene at the end of 2022, many wondered what our AI overlords had in store for us next. The platform gained millions of users in just weeks and continues to impact industries across the business landscape. While the initial hype may have been slightly overblown, there’s no denying that ChatGPT…

By JOE HARRIS I recently found out that a friend and mentor died. He was the reason that I started in business and really taught me a lot over the years. Also, he was the same person that I looked up to, he was a good man in a world that could use more good…

By JOE HARRIS I want to reintroduce a subject that is time-tested but sometimes forgotten. A concept that can and will save you time and money. Consultants. I know that this is a bit of a dirty word since there is an undercurrent of someone coming into a business and talking about all the things…

On the list of questions every business owner is asking these days is: “How can I use social media to market my business and build my brand online?” Much has been written about this topic, but all advice is not created equal. Some tips rise to the top. Here are the best ways to build…