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Leadership Training/Mentoring Section - October
THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING/MENTORING CORNER
In the August 2025 Newsletter, we started a series called “The Leadership/Mentoring Corner” in which we posed a thought-provoking situation for you to think about and put yourself into the situation, detailed and ask yourself – “What do I do now?” and “What precautions should I have taken?”. Below is the situation that was in the September 2025 Newsletter.
In this section, a thought-provoking situation will be presented. In most cases, these situations will be real-life circumstances. Our readers will think about them and play them out in their minds or on paper, as they consider what they would do or should have done if these incidents actually happened to them in their businesses.
Being a good leader requires you to be able to react to unexpected happenings or developments. Our Silver Fox Advisors have experiences that they want to share with you that they have managed through, with the hope of providing you with some touch points so you can become more than a good leader, but a GREAT LEADER.
There is an added benefit: if you respond to us and provide a reply to this situation, and your response is selected as the best, you will be awarded a seat at one of our Lunch & Learn events.
OCTOBER LEADERSHIP SITUATION
You have recently taken over the Company that your grandfather started 50 years ago. Your father has been the CEO for the past 30 years, and now it is your turn to lead the family business.
Your business philosophies regarding growth and profitability are more in line with your grandfather, who believed in double-digit annual revenue growth and was OK with single-digit profitability growth in order to expand revenues. Under your father’s tenure, the Company had slow, steady growth, and profitability was above industry benchmarks.
You want to grow the Company through expansion into new markets or acquisition of a similar smaller company down the street. You are not sure if the talent is in place at the Company to take on your more aggressive growth strategies while settling for smaller profitability goals.
What should your next steps be?
Please provide us a brief write-up of What are your next steps are. Send your write-up to Lynn Rosado at [email protected]
In our November 2025 Newsletter, one of our Silver Fox Advisors will provide a response to what he or she would have done and what precautions he or she would have taken in this October Leadership Situation.
If you need assistance in becoming a better leader, I recommend you start by contacting the Silver Fox Advisors. Silver Fox Advisors are former or present business owners themselves, and they have leadership experience in running a business, and in some cases several businesses, and have dealt with unforeseen and unplanned situations throughout their careers. We encourage you to visit our website at www.silverfox.org to select a Silver Fox Advisor and also to learn more about the Silver Fox Advisors, as well as our great programs and community outreach endeavors.
Business Tips From The Editor - September 2025
BUSINESS TIPS FROM THE EDITOR
September 2025
Richard T. Hendee, Editor
The Silver Fox Advisor
“Wall Street Journal/Vistage Small Business August
2025 Small Business CEO Survey”
As many small business owners work through their issues of the day, month, quarter, or the year, some occasionally wonder as they have their morning coffee and closing beverage if they are the only business experiencing the issues that they are.
· 24% of small business owners say the economy has improved compared to
· 32% of small business owners believe the economy will improve in the next 12 months; 35% believe the economy will worsen.
· 44% of small businesses plan on increasing employees this year; 12% plan on decreasing employees this year.
· 35% of small businesses are expecting to increase fixed investments.
· 57% of small businesses expect increased revenues in the next 12 months; 16% believe revenues will decrease.
· 43% of small business owners believe profitability will increase in the next 12 months; 25% believe that profitability will decrease.
· 32% of small business owners are positive about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its expected impact on their business. 28% are neutral. 24% are negative and 16% are uncertain.
· 24% of small businesses plan on hiring additional workers within the next 12 months as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s passage. 23% plan on giving raises to existing staff. 21% plan on purchasing business property or equipment; 14% plan on making a significant new or increased capital investment.
· 80% of small businesses think AI will help them in their business.
· 58% of small businesses use generative AI.
· 83% of small business owners believe that technology helps them compete.
OK, so now you have a little better idea about how your peers are thinking about some key business issues and positions. Whichever quartile you fit into, you will have a better understanding that you will not be making the decision alone. Only time will tell if the decision was a good one or maybe a not so good one.
If you need help with assessing or making a decision in your business, I would recommend you seek an experienced business advisor, coach, consultant, or mentor with a financial or business background for your business: Contact a Silver Fox Advisor. Remember, having experience on your side always helps.
We encourage you to visit our Website at www.silverfox.org or www.silverfoxadvisors.com to select a Silver Fox Advisor and also to learn more about the Silver Fox Advisors and their businesses, as well as our great programs and community outreach endeavors.
