Small Businesses Are Using AI, But Not to Replace Workers

by Admin | Apr 9, 2026 | AI Adoption, SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning

Artificial intelligence is often discussed as a technology that will replace jobs. But the reality inside many small businesses looks different. Recently published Federal Reserve data shows that 46% of small businesses report currently using AI tools, while another...

Small Business Credit Readiness: Why Lenders Still Say No

by Admin | Mar 26, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, Business Strategy, SMB Leadership

Last week, we discussed how credit shapes small business lender readiness. So, what actually happens when a loan request moves from conversation to credit review? Recently published Federal Reserve data gives us a clearer picture. In the 2026 Report on Employer Firms,...

Small Business Lender Readiness Starts With Credit

by Admin | Mar 19, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, Business Strategy, SMB Leadership

March is National Credit Education Month, making it an ideal time for small business owners to revisit an often-overlooked reality. Many underestimate how much personal credit influences loan review and approval. When lenders evaluate a business loan application, they...

How Small Businesses Can Compete in a Skills-Based Labor Market

by Admin | Mar 12, 2026 | Business Strategy, SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning

In our previous post, we discussed why hiring continues to feel harder than it should. The impact goes beyond recruiting. For many small businesses, labor constraints are shaping growth decisions. When the right skills are not in place, expansion slows. Owners...

Why the Labor Problem Isn’t Going Away for Small Businesses

by Admin | Mar 5, 2026 | SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning

For several years, small business owners have consistently emphasized that hiring remains difficult. Even as economic conditions shift and wage pressures fluctuate, finding the right talent remains a persistent challenge. Recent research from the Wharton School, in...

Disciplined Execution Is the Final Piece in Growth Planning

by Admin | Feb 26, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, Business Strategy, SMB Leadership

As business strategies for 2026 are tightened, execution is taking center stage. This article concludes a four-part series examining how small business leaders are planning to thrive in the current economic environment and beyond. Insight 1: Business owners are...