You and Your Business as Living Systems

Understanding the Interconnectedness of Living Systems: A Systems Thinking Approach In the realm of systems thinking and systems science, it becomes evident that all living systems, including humans, businesses, and communities, not only coexist but are intricately maintained by the management of the impacts of their environment on their constitution. This interconnected web of relationships … Read more

Navigating Small Business Complexity: The Power of the Viable Systems Model

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In today’s business world, small business entrepreneurs operate in a dynamic and ever-changing environment. The conditions in which businesses exist are not static but rather shaped by constant shifts in the market, evolving customer preferences, and the unpredictable impacts of external forces. To succeed in this complex and uncertain landscape, entrepreneurs often rely on conventional … Read more

Navigating Modern Business Roles: Fractional Officers, Part-Time Managers, Management Consultants, and More

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Adaptive Business Leadership in Modern Times: Roles, Responsibilities, and Compensation In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, organizations require diverse expertise and leadership approaches. As new business relationships evolve, roles, responsibilities, and compensation structures vary among fractional officers, part-time and full-time managers, management consultants, business advisors, coaches, and mentors. Here, we define, describe, explain, and … Read more

Empowering the Next Generation: The Role of Experienced Business Owners as Mentors

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In the dynamic world of business, success often depends not just on individual brilliance but on the guidance and wisdom of those who have traveled the entrepreneurial path before us. Experienced business owners, with their wealth of knowledge and hard-earned expertise, possess a unique opportunity to shape the future of entrepreneurship by becoming mentors. Mentoring … Read more

Business Planning Tools: A Systems Perspective

There are different tools for business planning, and each has different requirements and different valued applications in the planning process. Let’s delve into these concepts with a systems thinking perspective: Business Model: Business Model Canvas: Business Case: Strategic Plan: Business Plan: In essence, systems thinking is relevant to each of these concepts as it encourages … Read more

The Law of Requisite Variety: Navigating Small Business Success through Environmental Scanning and Strategic Planning

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Introduction: Small businesses, often likened to David against the corporate Goliaths, possess unique advantages in their agility, innovation, and close customer relationships. However, in today’s dynamic and ever-changing business environment, these advantages can only be harnessed if small businesses understand the Law of Requisite Variety and how it underpins their journey to success. In this … Read more

Navigating Global Trends: How Small Businesses Adapt for Success

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In today’s dynamic and interconnected world, small businesses face a multitude of global trends that shape the way they operate, compete, and grow. These trends represent both challenges and opportunities, and understanding them is essential for small businesses to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape. In this introduction, using environmental scanning, we’ll explore these key … Read more

Business Education and Training

Continuing education and training are crucial for small business entrepreneurs for several reasons: Popular subjects for small business entrepreneurs in continuing education and training include: Entrepreneurs access education and training through various means: The specific choice of subjects and educational methods may vary depending on an entrepreneur’s industry, goals, and preferences. The key is to … Read more

The Practice Makes Perfect

We are creatures of habit. Whatever we do, we get better at. Practise makes perfect. “The path to mastery is through repetition.” “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not really an act, but a habit.” Plato In systems science there is a concept of path dependence. In the realm of practices, such … Read more