There is a natural no-man’s land for privately owned businesses that are between $1 million and $5 million in revenue. If your business is one of those that is stuck in the “black hole of business,” rest assure there are reasons for the challenge and hope for your successful escape.

What distinguishes the mediocre leader with so-so results from the effective leader who makes a big impact every time? The answer is the ability to take effective action.

If you look back over your career, chances are you can identify one or two people who stand out as memorable leaders. Even if these people didn’t hold an official leadership role, their actions and words rallied people together to achieve a common goal. And whether that goal was large or small, far reaching or contained, you remember these leaders for a long time.

A traveler attempting to book a ticket by phone became frustrated after choosing from a menu of endless options then waiting on hold for twenty minutes before eventually being transferred twice, with the second time to a dial tone. When she called back, the first live person she connected with got an earful of her frustration about what had transpired and how poor the customer service was.

These four aces will ensure that any new hire is the right hire because it sets the right stage in the interview for making a hiring selection.

What’s in it for me? This common phrase exemplifies the reality of how people are primarily focused on the things that matter most to them. This is well depicted in the story of a young car salesman who enthusiastically shared with his 75-year-old female prospect the feature of how the new model SUV’s spare tire bin was designed to double as a beer cooler; perfect for tailgating,

Even the best-intentioned, savviest business plans can fail if the organization lacks consistent employee commitment. But you can’t just mandate commitment. Organizations that achieve the promise of their business plan are able to create “positive accountability” – a powerful, healthy culture that results from goal alignment and workforce engagement.

“Are you working hard or hardly working?” This question often gets a chuckle. Unfortunately, it’s less humorous as it has become increasingly more difficult to find hard-working help. Many employers are challenged daily by the frustration of lackadaisical attitudes of their personnel, which is seemingly contagious and complicated by the expense of constant turnover.

Think of a problem you’re trying to solve. Maybe you want to get raises for your team members or abate traffic congestion in a new housing development next door. Perhaps you have a dispute with the IRS. Maybe you are the CEO who needs a legislator to vote for a bill that enables your company to expand into new markets. Maybe you want that “plum” job.

Great companies are populated by great employees. Businesses that genuinely succeed and flourish over the long run have agency owners who possess the vision, wisdom and courage to identify, attract, hire, and mentor great assistant managers.